---

PLACES AND CLIMATE: 

BRIEF ISLAND STORIES: 

The first form o colonization of the Azores was when the caravelles of D. Henrique, the Navigator, let loose their cattle, which happened at Faial , around 1450, by Portuguese coming from other islands. A decade later stars the actual colonization of the island, which was accomplished both by Portuguese and Flemish.

In 1466, a noble Flemish named Josse Van Huertere, acompanied by some friends and country men, goes on an exploration trip, searching for tin and silver. It was said those two metals were abundant on this island. The first searches show the trip was a mistake and unsuccessful.

Enthusiastic never the less about its fertility, Josse Van Huertere doesn't give up. In 1468, with the help of the Duchess of Burgundy, Infanta D. Isabel, daughter of king D. João I, married to Filipe III , o Bom (The Good One), Duque Burgundy and Count of Flanders, he obtains the letter from the captain of the beneficiary of the island and the king's permission (D. Afonso V) to bring to Faial settlers anxious to leave Flanders, a poor land due to the 100 year war.

Upon his arrival, they settle at Lomba dos Frades, in Praia do Almoxarife, but quickly move to Vale dos Flamengos, which reminds us with its name the first colonizers, and then moved to Horta, attracted by the ocean and its natural bays.

It is the Flemish who introduces in Faial the growing of “pastel”, plant utilized in Europe by its strong blue color as dye which, together with the growth of wheat, becomes the economic support for the island for two centuries.

Two centuries of prosperity

The XVII century is of great prosperity, brought by the safety of the harbor, by the strategic position of the island in the navigation to Brazil and for the English control on Central and North America . The international commerce grows, and Horta becomes the port for the export of wine and “Aguardente”, produced on the islands of Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa. With the years going by, Pico wine becomes well known and wanted in America and Europe, forcing the noblemen of Faial to invest on the plantation of vineyards on volcanic land, which required the expensive care of breaking the lava ground and creating walls of rock around each three or four vineyard plants. At the end of the XVIII century they also export oranges, an exotic fruit at the time.

A dificult period

The XIX century is a period of economic crises. First with the loss of the orange plantations (1842) and, followed right after by the vineyards (1852), due to diseases. The presence of American whale fishing ships, which came in by the dozen, is reduced at the end of the century. Steam boats, which stopped at Horta for supplies of coal, give movement to the port, keeping the city on the maritime routes.

Horta of the XX century

The installation of underwater cables, the utilization of Horta for the hydroplanes, which connected both sides of the Atlantic , to land, the presence of naval bases during the two world wars, are important fazes in the life of the island in the XX century. With the headquarters for the Regional Government and the Regional Department of Administration in Horta, an economic life based on commerce, cattle, dairy and fishing, Faial is today an island in development which finds in tourism a way of continuing its cosmopolitan vocation.

PLACES TO VISIT: 

Hills, the different shapes of the coast, curious islets, physical accidents caused by the volcanic activity, typical windmills and innumerous pasture fields, contribute to the great variety in the sights of the island of Faial .

The City of Horta , of great richness in monuments offers, for its geographic situation, unique sights of Pico island and, sometimes of S. Jorge. It is sided by Ponta da Espalamaca and by Monte da Guia, which the belvederes, together with the ones at Monte Carneiro, offer rich city and ocean sights. There are several monuments of interest to visit like Igreja de São Salvador, Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Convento de São Francisco (Museu de Arte Sacra – Church Art Museum), Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Angústias, Ermida de Nossa Senhora do Pilar, Império dos Nobres, Forte de Santa Cruz, Muralhas de São Sebastião and Portão Fortificado do Porto Pim.

The Horta Marina , meeting point for the yachts that sail the North Atlantic , is internationally famous by the numerous paintings on the marina wall, made by all the yacht sailors.

Peter Café Sport , recognized as one of the best bars in the world is, by excellence, the meeting point to yacht sailors who cross the Atlantic . It is mandatory to try their famous “gin and tonic” and to visit the engraved ivory museum, situated upstairs.

Porto Pim , magnificent bay localized on the extreme side of Horta city, where you can see the Portão fortificado (fortified gate) and the great walls of São Sebastião. It also has one of the islands most serene beaches.

Monte da Guia , hill over Horta, to which it is connected by Monte Queimado and a narrow isthmus, covering an area with constructions of great historic interest, related to the adventure of whale hunting. At this time, it is a protected area.

The Northern Coast offers a succession of sights. The access to this area is from Horta, following the coastal road, going by Praia do Almoxarife, where the camping park is, and by the town Pedro Miguel. Further ahead is Ribeirinha, where fields of pasture protected by a hill, covered in luxurious vegetation, give this region a singular beauty. The town of Salão offers a gorgeous view over its fields, surrounded by hydrangeas. A few kilometers further is Cedros, a village of color and tradition. Here, Ribeira Funda, with fields used for vegetables and fruits, deserves special attention. Continuing on the same road, you will reach Praia do Norte, where the belvedere of Costa Brava , 320 m high, will give you impressive sights of Fajã. Next, Fajã da Praia and Norte Pequeno offer a contrast of fields of black lava and luxious vegetation.

Ponta dos Capelinhos constitutes one of the main tourist points of Faial and is the most western point of the island, where you can admire the effects of the 1957/58 eruption, in which the volcanic ashes covered the houses and fields, changing the landscape. The story is told at Museu dos Capelinhos, situated at the nearby village of Capelo .

The Capelo road, already on the way to the southern coast, offers one of Faial 's most beautiful sights - Varadouro – fascinating bay, dominated by the hill of Castelo Branco, with black rock tips, vineyards and flowers. With a pleasant micro-climate and a swimming pool, surrounded by a group of rock formations, Varadouro has hot water springs with beneficial properties in temperatures around 35,5ºC (96ºF).

Caldeira , huge crater of the extinct volcano, which originated the primitive island.

Castelo Branco and Feteira , on the southern coast, allow you to see breath taking sights of the island of Pico .

Near Horta, Lajinha and Ponta Furada deserve special attention for its sulphur pits and curious lava arches where, sometimes, the ocean hits strongly.

MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES: 

- Museu da Horta

- Museu de Arte Sacra

- Scrimshaw Museum – It holds the private collection of the owner of the popular Café Peter´s. There you can see hundreds of pieces, documenting that difficult art of engraving whale teeth, with beautiful ships, seductive mermaids, whale hunting scenes, etc

---

FESTIVALS: 

SPORTS AND LEASURE: 

- Beaches: Two soft sand beaches – Porto Pim and Conceição – but with the dark color which shows the volcanic origin of the islands and relate the two extremes of Horta. Porto Pim is a safe beach for children, because of the absence of waves and the flat ocean bottom in which you have to walk for several meters before you reach deeper waters. The Almoxarife beach offers the unique opportunity of tanning and swimming having the island of Pico right on the horizon. Beside these two beaches, there are also the Fajã and the Praia do Norte beaches.

- Natural Pools , created by the volcanic rocks, this is the most unique way swim in Faial . The clear and warm ocean water, heated by the Golf current, will be a pleasant surprise.

- Whale and dolphin watching , Faial is an important observation center.

- Fishing for fun

- Big Game Fishing – Horta has its name in over a dozen world records for the capture of sharks and rapier. This is why in the months of March through October, ships prepared for “big game fishing” sail the waters of the triangle Faial , Pico and São Jorge with sporting fishermen from all over the world, looking for the thrill of the capture of big fish: white and blue rapier, tuna, germon, wahoo, swordfish and shark. It is possible to rent a boat, properly equipped, with a crew experienced on the maneuvers and knowledgeable of the best places where the best captures are.

- Scuba d iving , the volcanic bottoms around the island are rich in fish and, because of its irregularities and caves, offer excellent opportunities for deep sea observation.

- Snorkeling

- Fishing sites – rock and troll-fishing allow the capture of several species which are abundant in the Azorean waters: mackerel, red porgy, bream, conger, eel, anchovy, barracuda, etc. The best fishing grounds are in the areas of Espalamaca, Almoxarife, Cedros, Costa Brava , Castelo Branco, and Lajinha.

- Horta Marina, is the mandatory stoping point of numerous yachts and for the most important regatas worldwide. Around the ample marina, you will find people of all nationalities, speaking a variety of languages, coming from all over the Atlantic in a colorful and happy environment.

- Water Sports : windsurf, sailing, canoe, Jet Ski and water ski.

- Surf and Body board, people who practice these two sports will find the right waves on the long beach of Fajã of Praia do Norte.

- Nature Trails (hiking around the island)

- Horseback riding

- Extreme Sports , it is possible to practice several extreme sports, such as Han gliding, all terrain bicycling, climbing, etc.

ARTS AND CRAFTS : 

- Embroyderies

- Fig Tree Pulp

- Crochet

- Wooden Miniatures

- Wheat Straw Hats

- Wicker

- Ivory and whale bone pieces

GASTRONOMY: 

Soap (sopas do espírito santo), wine seasoned pork, pork blood sausage, meet sausage, “carne de molha” with fish broth, mussels, fish fillets, octopus and fish stews accompanied by corn bread and sweet bread, both home made.

Shellfish – Seafood lovers will find lobster, “cavaco” and deep sea crab.

Pastry – The picturesque “fofas” are delicious.

RESTAURANTS: 

- Restaurante Churrasqueira “Capote”- specialties: regional typical cuisine, conger stew, and codfish on the shingle - Horta

- Canto da Doca Restaurante Fora D´Horas – specialties on the rock: shellfish, fish, steak - Horta

- Quebra Mar Cervejaria Restaurante Marisqueira - Horta

- Restaurante A Árvore - Horta

- Restaurante O Marinheiro - Horta

- Restaurante Bar Tamar – specialties: Tarnar Steak, shisquebabs, grilled fish -Varadouro, Capelo

BARS, DISCOTEQUES: