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Real Azores | 59
Azores | Flores & Corvo
Flores & CorvoThe Atlantics Garden & The Black Island
FLORESArea: 143 sq. kmLength: 17 km (11 miles)Width: 11.5 km (7 miles)Population: 4,500 inhabitantsCapital: Santa Cruz das Flores
CORVOArea: 17 sq. kmLength: 6.5 km (4 miles)Width: 4 km (2.5 miles)Population: 488 inhabitantsCapital: Vila Nova do Corvo
Flores and Corvo, the
westernmost islands of the
Azores archipelago, willmesmerise any visitor who
travels to their shores.
Flores
Away from the beaten path, 321 miles
(517km) from Sao Miguel 1 hours
flight, the island of flowers is a land
of spectacular natural beauty and a
real find for nature enthusiasts.
Towering cliffs, a multitude of lakes,
waterfalls, small pastures bordered
by mile after mile of hydrangea
hedges and spectacular views await
at every turn.
Santa Cruz, located on the east coast
of Flores, is a small village of narrow
streets, local snack bars and natural
rock pools. The capital is an ideal
base from which to explore the island.
Situated on the seashore of a coastal
plain, Faja Grande is enclosed by a
high cliff with about 20 waterfalls.
The village is also home to a small
pebble beach and is a noted area for
Nearctic land birds.
This peaceful settlement of some 200
inhabitants attracts walkers from allover the world. Two marked trails,
8.5km and 11km respectively, finish in
the village and the combination of
the two equates to walking the length
of the continents westernmost
coastline. A unique opportunity!
HighlightsI Rocha dos Bordoes (Flores)
Of particular interest is the organ
pipes a geological phenomenon
formed by the solidification of basalt
in high vertical channels which
dominates the landscape above the
village of Mosteiro on the west coast.
I Birdlife (Corvo)Corvo is an ideal island to observe birds
migrating from Canada and the US to
Africa from mid October until the 1st
week in November.
I Traditional dishes (Corvo)
The local gastronomy reflects the
abundance of sea food tuna,
anchovy, turbot, sword fish sea bream,
grouper, moray and conger. Tortas de
ervas do calhau (vegetable pie),
couves da barca, couves fritas (fried
cabbage) and liver sauce are all local
specialties. Try the island cheese
served with corn bread which has a
unique tasty flavour.
Festival(Flores & Corvo)
I Festival of Sao Joao (last week of June)
Note: Date is subject to change.
Activities (page 60)Flores
I Island tours
IJeep safaris see page 61
I Kayaking see page 61
I Natural rock swimming pools
I Scuba diving
I
Walking (non guided)I Boat trips
Corvo
I Natural rock swimming pools
I Scuba diving
I Walking (non guided)
Corvo
Approaching from the sea (available
from Flores during the summer
months) or by air, you reach the
village of Vila Nova do Corvo, the only
settlement on the island and home to
488 people. With lush, fertile fields as
its backdrop, this picturesque village
is a maze of cobbled streets and
traditional stone houses each
pathway depicting the history and
development of Corvo and its people.
A vast caldera measuring 3.5km wide
and 300m deep dominates the
central landscape and from its
summit wonderful countryside and
ocean views abound.
Faja Grande
Cuada
Lagoas
Lagoas
Lajes dasFlores
F L O R E S
Santa Cruzdas Flores
Vila Nova do
Corvo
C O R V O
Caldeiro
Opposite page: Hydrangeas in bloom on Flores (top) and the Caldeira on Corvo (bottom).
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Azores | Flores & Corvo
60 | Sunvil Discovery
Non Guided WalksFlores
Ponta do Albarnaz is a 2 hour 30 minutes
(11km) walk on Flores west coast. The
route is bordered by hydrangeas and
descends and crosses several rivulets
before reaching your first view point. Here
you can enjoy spectacular views over Maria
Vaz islet, Ponta do Albarnaz lighthouse
and, on a clear day, the tiny island of
Corvo. Continuing on an unmade track youwill then descend towards Ponta da Faja
and the quaint village of Faja Grande,
where the walk comes to an end. Grade 2
Miradouro das Lagoas is a 3 hour (7km)
walk offering spectacular views along the
west coast of Flores and descending to the
pretty village of Ribeira das Casas with its
gurgling stream. The walk ends at the pool
and waterfall of Poa do Bacalhau in Faja
Grande offering the perfect opportunity
for a refreshing swim. Grade 2
Corvo
Cova Vermelha is a 1 hour (3.5km) walk
along pretty country lanes lined with old
stone dykes to Vila Nova do Corvo the
only inhabited town on the island. The
fabulous views along the way are
complemented by the interesting
geological formations, a striking rock
carving of an Indian head and the profuse
covering of junipers on the island. Grade 1
Flores Island TourHalf dayDepart from Santa Cruz towards the west
coast of the island on the interior road. En
route you will stop at the Ribeira da Cruz
belvedere and visit the lakes of Lomba,
Funda and Rasa. Continue to Fajazinha and
Ponta da Faja Grande. Return to Santa Cruz
stopping at the Caveira belvedere to admire
the view over Santa Cruz, the principal town
of the island and the west coast.From Santa Cruz
Price is 130 per taxi
Notes
I Prices are based on a maximum of 3
people per taxiI Lunch and entrance fees
to museums and parks are not includedI
Pick up/drop off from hotels outside of
Santa Cruz at a supplement please
telephone us for a quotationI Itinerary
subject to change.
Corvo Boat TripsA boat tour around the island of Flores
can be arranged locally. During the
summer months (May-Sep), when the
weather is settled, it is also possible to
visit the neighbouring island of Corvo.
Trip to Corvo (45 minutes by Zodiac)
Price is c.35 Euros per person
(minimum of 6 people).
Boat trip around the island (half day)
Price is c.47.50 Euros per person
(minimum of 6 people).
What to see and do on Flores & CorvoA variety of activities can be booked locally including walks and boat trips as shown below. Sunvil is able to pre-book the island tour on Flores.
Grading of Walks
1 for Easy
2 for Medium
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Azores | Flores | Faja Grande
Real Azores | 61Please turn to pages 70-71 for Prices
Argonauta (Main Building)
Casa Via dAgua
Patio (Main Building)
Casa Via dAgua
Situated on a coastal plain (Faja) and
enclosed by high cliffs with many
cascading waterfalls, the sleepy, white-
washed village of Faja Grande is Europes
most western point. Located in the heart
of Faja Grandes historical centre, close to
the church, the Argonauta first opened its
doors to guests in 1991. Pierluigi Bragaglia,
the Italian owner of this delightful
guesthouse, fell in love with the
enchanting island of Flores whilst
researching his book Portugal Azoresthe first guidebook on the Azores in Italy.
The main building, dating back to the
1700s, was renovated in 2000 with careful
consideration in preserving the buildings
original features. There are many floral oil
frescoes drawn in the early 1930s and
wood furnishings and timbers salvaged
from the shipwreck of the Norwegian
Lugger Brilliant in 1899.
Accommodation
Main Building BB
There is one bedroom (rock room) located
on the ground floor, two bedrooms
(Courelas and Patio) on the first floor and,
a further two suites (Northwest and
Southwest suites) on the second floor.
Rock room (sleep 2) BB
Double room with writing desk and
bathroom (shower and hairdryer). This
room may be darker than the other rooms
and has an asymmetrical window.
Courelas (sleep 2) BB
Double room with mini-cooler, writing desk
and bathroom (shower and hairdryer).
Patio (sleeps 2+1) BB
Double room with a mini-fridge, designated
lounge area with a sofa bed for a child and
rocking chair, bathroom (shower and
hairdryer) and direct access to a communal
patio.
Argonauta, Faja Grande
Airport: 22km FloresI Guesthouse I Bed & Breakfast (BB) I Self Catering (SC)
I Car hire recommended
Suite Northwest and Suite Southwest
(sleeps 2+3) BB
Large, open-plan double room (60m2)
with two large skylights, bathroom
(shower and hairdryer suite Southwest
also has a hip bath) designated living
area with double sofa bed, CD player,
mini-fridge and an electric kettle with
tea/coffee making facilities and telescope
for star-gazing. The suites can
accommodate two extra beds for
adults/children.Casa Via dAgua A detached 2-
bedroom house (sleeps 4+2) - SC
Two large double bedrooms, each with
ensuite bathroom (bath and shower),
hairdryer, CD player, sofa bed and
separate entrances to the garden. One
bedroom connects to a large, fully fitted
kitchen (4 gas hobs and oven, double sink,
fridge-freezer and toaster) with wood-
burning stove. The second bedroom
connects to a lounge with two sofas, CD
player, DVD player with a selection of
films, satellite TV, games (cards,
backgammon, chess and draughts) which
opens up on to a small patio area with
access to the kitchen. The house issupplied with basic cooking ingredients
including herbs (guests are invited to use
herbs from the herb garden), homemade
jams (orange, honey and strawberry),
cooking oil, vinegar, local tea and cocoa.
Two minutes walk uphill to the main house
of Argonauta, two mini-markets and two
restaurants (one serving Italian cuisine).
Amenities/LeisureBuffet breakfastI Communal patio with
barbecue area and tables and chairs I
Packed lunches and evening meals can be
provided locally on requestI Sitting room
with comfortable seating area, CD player,
TV, books, games (cards, backgammon and
chess), internet connection (free of charge)
and payphoneI Faja Grande has two
restaurants, one snack-bar, three mini-
markets, a handful of cafes and a black
pebble beach with natural rock pools I
One restaurant is located in the
neighbouring town FajazinhaI Free
parking 40 metres away I Car or kayak
tours, kayak fishing and guided hiking
can be arranged locally.
Minimum stay: 3 nights
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Aldeia da Cuada, CuadaAldeia da Cuada, Cuada
Azores | Flores | Santa Cruz & Cuada
62 | Sunvil Discovery
The village of Cuada is located on a small
plateau 2km from the coastal resort of Faja
Grande, a popular base for walkers owing
to the beautiful scenery and impressive
waterfalls. In the 1960s the village was
virtually abandoned by the weaving
community emigrating to the New World.
After 15 years of devoted and painstaking
work, the new owners, Carlos and Teotonia
Silva, have successfully renovated and
modernised the houses in keeping with the
rural features of the original stonebuildings. The cottages and gardens are
linked together by cobbled paths and, as a
result, are unsuitable for clients with
walking difficulties. A unique tranquil
paradise for those who enjoy walking or
simply wish to get away from the hustle
and bustle of everyday life. Recommended.
Accommodation
13 cottages including seven 1-bedroom
(sleep 2+1) and six 2-bedroom units (sleep
4+1) simply and traditionally furnished I
All units have a bathroom (shower), stereo,
telephone, kitchen (2 gas hobs and fridge),
electric heaters and a small terrace with
barbecue, tables and chairsI 10 cottages
have a fireplace I Cleaning at end of stay
IWelcome pack included (local wine,
water, bread, butter, cheese, coffee/tea,
biscuits, sugar, 6 eggs, milk, juice,salt/pepper and 2 rolls of toilet paper).
Amenities/LeisureBed linen and towels changed weekly I
Reception and lounge decorated with
antiques and with a coffee machine and
fridge filled with cold drinks I Free parking
I 2km (20-minutes downhill walk) to Faja
Grande (closest restaurants/shops). Faja
Grande has two restaurants, three mini
markets, a handful of cafs and offers a
good area for swimming I 9-hole rustic
golf courseI Two resident pets
Florentina the donkey and Bambi the
sheep.
Aldeia da Cuada, Cuada
Airport: 20km FloresI Rustic cottages (Turismo Rural) I Self Catering I Car hire recommended
The Hotel das Flores is built on a headland
on the outskirts of Santa Cruz (1.5km) and
affords uninterrupted ocean views across
to Corvo, the smallest island of the
archipelago. Many of the hotels bedrooms
as well as the restaurant and pool enjoy
this wonderful panorama. The hotel,
fashioned in a contemporary style, also has
a beautiful display of black and white prints
adorning the walls.
Guests can relax in the hotels garden with
its poolside terrace and barbeque area
overlooking the Atlantic or walk (20-
minutes) to the natural swimming pool and
village of Santa Cruz. Alternatively there are
some pretty hiking trails nearby and the
Calderas National Park is a 30-minute drive
away.
Accommodation
26 air-conditioned rooms including
standard rooms, superior rooms and a
suite I All rooms have bathroom (bath &
shower), hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone
and minibarI The Superior rooms and
suites have a balcony and ocean view.
Amenities/LeisureContinental breakfastI Panoramic
restaurant serving international dishes and
local specialtiesI Safe deposit box at
reception I Complimentary WIFI internet
connection in the public areas IMini gym
I Games room (pool table) I Swimming
pool (8 x 13m) open Jun-Sep I Opposite
the hotel is a good local restaurant and
cake shopI 20-minutes walk to Santa
Cruz centre (two restaurants) and its
harbourI Free parking.
Note: Sunvil recommends the Superior
rooms with ocean view.
Hotel das Flores, Santa Cruz
Airport: 500m FloresI 4-star hotel I Bed & Breakfast I Swimming pool I Air-conditioning
I Car hire recommended
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Natural rock pools
Vila Nova do Corvo
Azores | Corvo | Vila Nova do Corvo
Real Azores | 63
The Comodoro is centrally located in Vila
Nova do Corvo, a few minutes drive from
the airport or port. The property, owner-
managed by a charming Azorean couple,
was converted from a modest family
home in to a modern and comfortable
guesthouse and offers a warm and
personal service to visitors venturing out
to the picturesque western most island of
Europe.
Approximately 400 inhabitants live on the
tiny island of Corvo and all areconcentrated in the town of Vila Nova do
Corvo. This south facing, coastal town is
composed of a short airport runway which
has three flights a week during low season
and daily flights during the summer
months (18 or 61-seater planes), three
restaurants and narrow streets called
canadas. The most prominent structure in
the town is the church of Nossa Senhora
dos Milagres (the islands patron saint)
built during the 16th century and
influenced by contemporary Flemish
design.
Accommodation
8 air-conditioned rooms, located on the
first floor (no lift), all with bathroom
(shower), hairdryer, satellite TV and free
internet connection I Three rooms will
accommodate an extra bed for an adult or
a child.
Amenities/LeisureLounge where a buffet breakfast is served
and where guests are free to use the
kitchen facilities (fridge, microwave, grill,
dishwasher, toaster, tea/coffee making
facilities) to prepare light snacks. The TV
lounge has a bar, complimentary internet
connection, various guide books on the
island and an open-air terrace with views
towards the oceanI Small garden facing
the oceanI Three restaurants within easy
walking distanceI 15 nautical miles from
FloresI Doctor/pharmacy on the island.
Note: Minimum stay in October is 7-nights.
Comodoro, Vila Nova do Corvo
Airport: 400m CorvoI Guesthouse (2 star equivalent hotel) I Bed & Breakfast
I Air-conditioning
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