Azores: A Countryside Guide (Sunflower Landscapes)

The Azores, nine islands in the Atlantic halfway between the Old World and the New, rise above sea level from a depth of several thousand metres. They are all volcanic in origin and all are covered in this guide.---------------They are not the remains of the legendary continent of Atlantis, which is said to have sunk in the ocean once upon a time. Nonetheless, there is an aura of mystery about this lush green archipelago. The archipelago is a paradise for lovers of natural landscapes. There are awe-inspiring mountains (like Pico, the highest in Portugal), peaceful valleys with exotic plants, enchanting lakes of stunning beauty amidst extinct volcanic craters, charming hill country with fields and meadows, spectacular hydrangea hedges criss-crossing the landscape, and magnificent coasts lined by picturesque villages and historical towns.---------This revised seventh edition is a must for anyone planning a walking holiday in the Azores, and a useful companion for anyone planning to explore the Azores by car. The guide, with accompanying fold-out touring maps, describes three car tours on Sao Miguel and one each on Terceira and Faial; all drives highlight places where you can stop for a walk or just a stroll to a lovely picnic setting. But the major part of the book is devoted to 30 main walks and their many variations, spread over all nine islands, and all illustrated with large-scale topographical maps (1:50,000).-------------5 car tours, 30 main walks, with many variations, 21 picnic suggestions. Plans of Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel), Horta (Faial) and Angra do Heroismo (Terceira). Free online update service with specific route change information on the publisher's website, maintained daily.------------The 'Landscapes' series, with 50 destinations, has been dubbed 'the blue Bibles' by the Sunday Times and led to Sunflower coming third out of a field of 15 publishers in the 2014 Holiday Which? travel guide roundup.---------------- Good old Sunflowers, those slim blue books that walkers on the Continent trust like seasoned friends from Sicily to the Azores - they never fail to find you a really good walk. (Christopher Somerville, Weekend Telegraph)-----------Once again, my wife and I have had a superb holiday using one of your guide books, on this occasion walking in the Azores. Please would you congratulate Mr. Stieglitz on his directions, which are clear, detailed and accurate. We quickly gained confidence in this author. (PS, Poole)-----------We are just heading home from a marvellous holiday on Sao Miguel having used your book. It has proved invaluable (UF, Cambridge)---------------I found this guide fantastic.its maps and details were far better than the items my tour company had given me. (GH, Amazon). The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.…