Faial and Sao Jorge - the neighboring islands
The neighboring islands Picos, the blue island of Faial. You is 172 square kilometers and Sao Jorge, the island is 233 km ². They can be reached directly by ferry from Sao Roque and Madalena on Pico and within an hour. The goal is the attractive Horta on Faial and Sao Jorge will take the ferry to the island's capital Velas. 
One of the most beautiful cities in the Azores is on Faial . This international city is Horta, and at the same headquarters and university town, has 6,500 inhabitants and the weltbrühmten marina with the sizes of maritime painting in the world. Horta has always been the most progressive city in the Azores. Horta was successively in the 19th century, whaling center, later the seat of the international Cable companies, then stop the water planes in its Atlantic flights, and for 30 years and attractive world-famous harbor of the Atlantic crossers. 
have over this maritime painting on the quay in 1994 I wrote a book that has been laid in the publishing house of the German Sailing Association. Today this book on the Azores is to acquire unfortunately only available second hand. As soon as my retirement home completed in Piedade on Pico is intended as a book more stories about the Azores to write. I'm looking forward now to bring these 55 self-experienced, exciting and funny stories Azores on paper. 
lies in the middle of the island in 1043 meter high volcano Cabeco Gordo with a 500 meter deep biotope like Caldeira. The Cabeco Gordo dominates the island of Faial. 
But many more secrets involves the island of Faial, in sailing circles as the world famous Cafe Sport. The grandfather of the Prince of Monaco, founded meteorological station is worth a visit. The unforgettable for me barbecues on the barbecue in the forest of Capelo remain permanently in my Gedächnis. A personal highlight is the custom painting in the marina of Horta. 
Sao Jorge , this is 53 miles long, only 8 km wide and 1053 meters high mountain ranges, famous for its cheese, its excellent Reputation has gotten around to for America. 
The Fajas on Sao Jorge are unique. This abgeruschten mountain slopes are in upstream, often hardly accessible, fertile plains. Numerous hiking trails lead to the Fajas or give enchanting views of the plateau Sao Jorge on the ocean and neighboring islands. 
remains unforgettable for me is the breathtaking view from the ridge of Ponta dos Rosal. The haunting, nocturnal shrieks of Cagaros, - what a melodic Portuguese name, unlike the German Cory's Shearwater - in the rock wall above the port of Velas, latches still in my ears. 
The only half out of the lava flow of past centuries prominent tower on the south coast of São Jorge is an impressive demonstration of the violence and unpredictability of the Azorean volcanoes. 
These are just some of the innumerable highlights of the two neighboring islands of Pico. Peter J. Orth
http://www.rheinland-portal.com/
Videos from the Orth-Haus in Bonn 
The island of Pico 
The scenic drive to the lava flow of past centuries in Santa Lucia 
It's up to you to follow my recommendations. 
Why the Azores? The Azores, with its subtropical climate, a beautiful spring eternal - not hot, not cold. In summer, the thermometer shows 24 to 26 degrees in winter and 14-18 degrees - up to 4 degrees cooler at night - eternal spring stop. Nevertheless, the Azores are part of Europe. 
The Azores - are No. 2 among the island paradises of the world. Guide to Paradise - to dream Islands Watch: A jury has reviewed 111 of the most popular island destinations - with surprising results. Not the supposed dream destinations are ranked in front, but seemingly insignificant havens. Away from it all, rest from the city bustle, and wonderful landscapes: Just the thought of a vacation on the island to secluded beaches with palm trees and pristine nature is enough for many to cause hours of wanderlust attacks. Accordingly, the demand is in the travel agencies. But some dream island is loved to death the high influx of visitors can be dangerous: many islands change threatens to lose its uniqueness due to the overload. 
The American magazine "National Geographic Traveller has made with the help of a panel of 522 tourism researchers, geographers, travel photographers and journalists in search of the last true paradises on earth - islands, which kept their original charm and traditions and sustainable tourism development operate. In cooperation with the George Washington University in Washington DC created the magazine played a major study on a total of 111 unique Inseln.Sechs criteria for evaluating a role: environmental and economic development, social and cultural integrity, condition of historic and archaeological sites, the overall aesthetic impression of the quality of tourism management and the prospects for the future. Therefore, it is not the traditional glossy catalog-island destinations like the Maldives, Tahiti and the Canary Islands, which landed on the top ranks. The first three places went to destinations that are not available for summer temperatures or top beaches, but have received thanks to a manageable stream of visitors their own traditions: 
with the Faroe Islands, the Azores and the Lofoten made it three Europeans to the winners' podium all of which are known to frequent rains. This discourages many tourists despite breathtaking nature, so it was easier for these islands, their cultural characteristics erhalten.Auf landed at the lower courts, however with Ibiza, Phuket and Oahu (Hawaii), some of the most popular islands, because the judges and a huge tourist centers strong dominance of foreign investors rated negatively. Ibiza one of the judges described as "British colony for Raver, Phuket has been named the" planning disaster ". 
Only, Angra do Heroismo on Terceira and the capital Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel seemed to have safe havens. While each island possesses, the experienced sailor colleagues, at least one mole, but when the wind stands on the open sea in the port, this could very quickly become a deadly trap for a small yacht. I took the warning seriously. I prepared my "Swan of Bonn" in addition to short-wave transmitters, radar, weather map recorder, wind generator and solar cells. In early May it was time. As the ruling for ten days stormy westerly winds in the Strait of Gibraltar turned into a fresh breeze from the northeast, I left at sunrise the protected port of Sotogrande. I sailed non-stop to Porta Santo, a small neighboring island of Madeira. In Porto Santo first saw the many art works of the sailors on the Molenwänden. As every sailor loves his boat, it was for me a warming thought that my "Swan of Bonn" immortalized in these walls to be seen. After a stay of several days I sailed on Direction Azores suspect without that these islands should be for the next two years, my home. 
