Horta, Faial, Azores

Horta is set on Faial, one of the nine emerald-green islands of the Azores. Part of the archipelago's Central Group, Faial is located just 4 miles from Pico Island, dominated by its dramatic volcano, the highest peak in Portugal. Faial's volcanic history has left behind breath-taking landscapes and picturesque scenery of hills, pastures, lakes and valleys, dotted with windmills and stone buildings. Discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th Century, the island is just nine miles long at its widest point. A lively and colourful tender port, Horta is a popular yachting harbour, used by many sailors and explorers as a stop-off point when crossing the Atlantic. We took the opportunity to walk its narrow streets, admire the unique architecture of its churches, take coffee in the famous Peters Sport Café and visit his huge scrimshaw museum. This and surrounding area has many gardens with abundant tropical plants and orchids, The whole island is dominated by volcanoes and we visited its impressive caldera.