Just received word that during our Transatlantic Crossing from Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon we will be stopping in "Ponta Delgeda".....can anyone give me an "insight" on this 'lit island in the Azores?<BR>Thanking you in advance! Happy, safe cruisin'!

Haven't been there yet but I've done some reading on the Azores as I'd like to visit them one of these days. Sao Miguel is the largest (~ 320 sq miles) of the nine Azores islands and Ponta Delgada is the main city. The Azores are of volcanic origin and are part of Portugal although situated 760 miles from Lisbon (and ~ 2,000 miles from NY).<BR><BR>The Azores aren't really a well-known tourist destination in the U.S but the feedback I've seen from a few people who've visited has been very positive. Lots of natural beauty, mild but changeable weather that ranges between mid-50's in Jan/Feb to 75 in July/August. Tourism is low-key, centered around outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, scuba diving, cycling, and golfing.<BR><BR>I have a few brochures about the Azores that I picked up at the Portuguese Tourism Office in NY. You can call the tourist office and request that they mail you some info: 1-800-portugal. You can also try these websites:<BR><BR>http://www.azores.dk/Eindex.htm<BR>http://www.drtacores.pt/english/nota.html<BR>www.portugal.org/tourism<BR><BR>When is your trip? Would love to hear what you think of Ponta Delgada after your visit. <BR>

This is a delightful port! Lucky you! We stopped there on a lovely day in late April. The country roads are lined with hydrangeas (in bloom in August) w/ fields divided by stone walls and filled with munching b/w cattle. Bargain for an hour or two ride (we paid $35) to see the "seven cities" lake, and villages. Town is an interesting walk from the livley pier with pretty squares, shops, houses. We ate a Chinese lunch and hubby got a haircut(!) Using gestures and guess-and-golly. Leaving the island is good, too, as your ship cruises its picturesque length; we saw whales then!

Maddy, thank you so much for all your help! We will be on Seabourn's Pride ship-March--for 12 days. Last March we visited Funchal, on the 'lit Island of Madeira. It is the most beautiful island I have ever seen! I've been to many islands, but this one is the "absolute" in beauty! And the people are so friendly and wonderful! I will certainly go back and hopefully spend a month! If you haven't been, you might want to spend a few days there. The georgeous "Reid's Palace Hotel" is truly a paradise! Thank you again for your most helpful information! Happy cruisin'!

Oh, and thank you "Hobocamp!" Your description sounds great! As I said in the above post, "Madeira" is a heaven on earth----sub tropical. We visited on Easter Sunday and the trees and flowers were all "decked out" in their very best Sunday clothes! Thank you again!

Thank you for the Madeira info...it sounds lovely. I'll have to add it to my ever-growing list of places I want to visit. One correction on Sao Miguel info. The second website address I gave you should be:<BR><BR>http://www.drtacores.pt/english/baseindex1.html<BR><BR>Have a wonderful cruise and do post with your feedback on Sao Miguel.

Maddy, do add Funchal, Madeira, Portugal to your "must go" list! I cannot write enough great adjectives about the 'lit Island! I found a message board and often check it, as I fell in love with the people, the flowers and fauna, and the gorgeous villages and countryside! I go to Ireland yearly to visit "relates" and all these years I thought Ireland beautiful.....well,now it is "runnin' 2nd!" Thank you again for your help and interest! And I will post my ideas of "Ponta Delgeda" when I return! Happy, safe cruisin'!