My friends and I are considering visiting the Azores in March 2006. I am getting mixed information from some of the tourist websites. What exactly does one do while vacationing on these islands. On one sight I read that the ruins were extremely cool then I talked with an ex-Navy man (apparantly there is a Naval airstrip there) who said it is desolate and windy and barren and not worth visiting. Any help from anyone who has been there will be appreciated. THANKS!!!!!

Here is a site to start they pretty much cover it all. No much action in March. Summer is when all the Festa's take place.

http://www.azores.com/

Visiting Azores in March might be a bad experience, for the weather is a bit cold (around 15š celsius). But everything depends on what your interests are. Anyway, the best time to visit is between June and October, when you can profit from the good weather, the black sand beaches, the water sports, the whale watching, the beutiful landscape, the historiacal buildings...and lots of fun.

Azores is nine islands, which one did you consider? Or did you consider several? I have been to five out of nine, and they are different. If you choose only one, pick Sao Miguel, the biggest one.

What does one do? We walked the hiking trails on every island (Azores are popular with walkers), went whale-watching, participated in a village fest, walked the old parts of villages and towns, watched a bull fight (bloodless) typical to Terceira, swam in the worldīs biggest natural volcanic pond and found a natural jacuzzi from the sea. Such things.

I saw the US Navy airstrip and houses from the plane window. That IS in a desolete looking place. But didnīt that man ever wander to other areas? Azores are beautiful, and you donīt have to share the islands with tons of other tourists. They get most of their tourists from Scandinavian countries, where the islands are popular because of their natural beauty and hiking possibilities.

But I donīt remember any ruins.

Funny you should mention: We just had an emergency landing on that Naval airstrip on our way back from Tanzania (via KLM/Amsterdam) on the 16th. We sat on the airstrip for 4 hours and I really wasn't impressed. It was grey and windy and chilly outside (52 degree). The pilot told us the weather is the pretty much the same all year but I find that hard to believe - I mean who would want to live there?

Elina has it right. The Azores are totally relaxing. By the way, what has been referred to as a "Navy Air Strip" is Air Force.