Why write about an experience when a picture is worth a 1000 words? I recommend it all and would say, “Add The Azores to your list”!
Where to stay? I found Santa Barbara (https://www.santabarbaraazores.com/en/) in 2019 and booked for 2020. I’m so glad we had to wait & it was perfect in every way!
The views, the staff, the food, the cocktails, food, yoga space, rooms…everything was better than I could have asked!
Of course it was a Yoga Wellness Retreat - both active alignment and restorative classes. Some had never done yoga and some had been to India to study. With modifications and pose refinement it worked for all!
Our first adventure was to Ponte Delgada for the Hungry Whales Food & Wine Tour (https://www.hungrywhales.com/) It was an island history lesson where we even learned a little biology about the sweetness about the pineapples specific to The Azores along with plenty of food and wine.
San Miguel Island is known for Sete Cidades the twin blue green volcanic lakes. The resort organized our hike provider along with “picnic” lunch and then first thermal adventure
Parque Terra Nostra (https://www.parqueterranostra.com/en/) was just what the website said, a perfect retreat. The 31 acre gardens were a joy to explore and we finished in the mineral rich thermal pools that I did not want to leave!
We had 4 dinners at Santa Barbara and enjoyed produce from the on property farm. We ventured to Quinta dos Sabores (https://www.quintadossaboresoficial.com/) to tour their farm and enjoy a 6 course dinner
The vegetation and flowers at every turn were lovely and a special treat was seeing “Girls Go to School” the Belladonna Lily that was in bloom EVERYWHERE. Going on the “shoulder” season or weeks that bracket the high summer season makes sense with far fewer crowds. We caught the end of hydrangea season with the mix of pinks & burgundy in with some blues.
I’m so grateful to have spent time in the Azores where there are more cows than people. Nothing is “photoshopped”. The blues are simply bluer and greens are greener.
Many ask, “Will you go back?”. I don’t know because it’s a big world and so much to explore & share. My heart does swell with our time on San Miguel and the people I shared it with.
What’s next? Our 8th Annual retreat at Bodhi Tree in Costa Rica February 13-20.
AND! Since The Eyes Have It we’re exploring Italy & Ireland for the same type of Travel, Yoga & Wellness adventure. Stay tuned if you’d like to join us!
