Latest news with #Azores
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
The gorgeous islands dubbed 'Hawaii of Europe'
A gorgeous set of European islands have been described as the continent's answer to Hawaii with 'Caribbean-style luxury' - and it's not hard to see why. The Azores, an autonomous region off the coast of Portugal, are known for their tropical landscapes which make them feel like they're somewhere far more exotic than Europe. Gavin Lapidus, a travel expert and the founder of eShores, says: 'These volcanic Portuguese islands are Europe's best-kept secret. 'Think Caribbean-style luxury with an eco-conscious soul - dramatic coastlines,mystical crater lakes, and world-class whale watching, all powered by sustainable initiatives. 'Shorter flights from the UK make this archipelago even more appealing. Each of the nine islands has its own distinct personality, from the thermal pools of Sao Miguel to the perfect cone of Pico Mountain, making island-hopping an irresistible adventure.' Sao Miguel is the largest Azores island and has an international airport, making it the starting point for many adventurers. Known as the 'Green Island', Sao Miguel is an incredible spot for whale and dolphin watching. Holidaymakers are in with a chance of spotting bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, blue whales, minke whales. Tourists can also head to Sete Cidades, to see the island's spectacular twin blue and green lakes. The lakes differ in colour due to their varied depths, the deeper blue lake reflects the sky, while the green shallow lake reflects the green surroundings. Sao Miguel's Furnas Valley is a dormant volcanic caldera with plenty of thermal pools to take a dip in. At the island's Terra Nostra Park, tourists can relax in iron-rich thermal water at temperatures of 37 degrees. But Sao Miguel isn't the only island worth exploring. On Pico, known as 'Mountain Island', tourists can enjoy locally produced wine and tackle Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal. If it's beaches you're after, Faial has the best shoreline according to Lonely Planet which says its 'stretches of sand are worth visiting'. And Flores is known for its incredible natural beauty, which ranges from waterfalls to lagoons and volcanic craters. How to get to the Azores British Airways and Ryanair both offer direct flights to Sao Miguel. Once there, tourists can catch ferries or domestic flights to reach the rest of the islands. The flight takes just over four hours from the UK. Best time of year to visit the Azores The Azores can be visited year-round, but the water can sometimes be too choppy for boat tours in December and January. During July and August, the weather is warmest but the islands tend to be at their busiest. The months between April and September are the best time to see whales and dolphins. Language Portuguese is the official language in the Azores but English is commonly spoken, particularly in touristy areas. Currency The Azores uses the Euro as standard currency.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Why Now Is The Time To Sail The Azores, In 12 Stunning Photos
Hiking in São Miguel Island, Azores Millions of years ago, a dramatic series of volcanic events gave rise to nine islands in the middle of the North Atlantic called the Azores. Today, this amazing archipelago situated about 1,000 miles west of Portugal offers travelers adventure and escape from life on the mainland. Given that it's not particularly close to anywhere else, the experience of being here is like nowhere else. Give yourself a week to explore the outlying islands beyond São Miguel, because each has its own unique attributes. You'll discover dramatic coastal landscapes, epic hiking trails, bubbling volcanic hot springs, deep dark caldera caves, and slow cooked, homegrown food. Theirs is a culinary culture that celebrates the centuries-old skill of local dairy farmers, fisherman, tea planters and viticulturists who have figured out how to coax wine from basalt rocks — as if they just didn't get the memo on global industrialization. Which is fantastic. Because everything about it smells, tastes and feels distinctly Azorean. With direct flights now available via Azores Airlines from Boston and New York to Ponta Delgada (PDL) on São Miguel Island, reaching this mid-Atlantic paradise is easier than ever. Early summer is also particularly good for spotting blue whales and sperm whales, which are emblematic of the Azores. The Azores are a destination ideally seen from the bow of a ship, like the salty whalers of yore. The nine isles are organized into three geographic clusters—east, central, and west. You can take year-round ferries to get around each cluster, but that takes a lot of planning, flexibility and patience because the Azores are known for having four seasons in a day. Weather can change quickly, and all ferry services are subject to the weather. A more comfortable, upscale option is to consider one of Sea Cloud's yachts or a National Geographic-Lindblad cruise, which offers 8-day expeditions to the Azores including visits to Pico, Faial, São Jorge, Graciosa, Terceira, and Santa Maria. Most of these are original photos captured by passengers of National Geographic-Lindblad's Endurance, which sailed in April. We climbed down into caldera caves, patronized the best gin bar in the Azores, and survived an epic hike in São Jorge during a howling rain storm. Only one of us actually required an ATV rescue mission (provided by a friendly local farmer), while the rest of us soaking mewls scrambled down from the peak of Pico da Esperança mountain in search of lunch. 1) Terceira Island: Hiking Baias de Agualva Hiking Baias de Agualva, Terceira Island, Azores If someone tells you to 'take a hike!' by all means do it here. Known as Lilac Island, Terceira is lush and green with breathtaking viewpoints from practically all sides (it's the roundest of the Azores). Most of the coast is ringed by cliffs, bringing you straight to the precipice of the vast deep blue. The best part? It's not crowded compared to other Atlantic hiking destinations. So, it feels like having the ocean all to yourself. 2) Terceira's Angra do Heroísmo The Cathedral of Angra do Heroísmo, an example of Portuguese 16th-century architecture on Terceira Island, Azores. The Monte Brasil peninsula of Terceira provides excellent trails with panoramic views over Angra do Heroísmo, the Azores' oldest and most colorful town. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, it is home to historic imperial Portuguese and Spanish architecture in varying shades of pinks, yellows, blues and purples. Take a stroll and look out for island-wide impérios, the dainty but incredibly ornate chapels of the Holy Spirit, of which there are 70. 3) Santa Maria: Island of Many Firsts Santa Maria Island. Photo by Paul Steinke (April, 2025). This striking photo by fellow Endurance sailor and avid photographer Paul Steinke really captures the spirit of Santa Maria for me. The laundry line, the sun-bleached house with a clay-tiled roof, the still horizon, and a fleeting moment with a tame horse who seems to say: Life is supposed to be this wild and free. Let's ride. I've never seen a horse in these circumstances before, but Santa Maria is an island of many firsts. It was the first Azorean island formed geologically, the first encountered by Portuguese explorers (1427), and the first settled by mainlanders (c. 1439). 4) Santa Maria's Pier A view from the pier in Cais Vila Porto, Santa Maria Island, Azores Arriving in Santa Maria alongside the commercial pier in Cais Vila Porto. Plan to spend a day here, as it is the only island in the archipelago that boasts blond beaches, as opposed to the rough volcanic sand found on its peers. 5) Pico's Vineyards Welcome to Pico, a dormant volcano whose claims to fame are whaling history and wine. Welcome to Pico, a dormant volcano whose claims to fame are whaling history and wine. Here you can take a leisurely hike through moonscape terrain left by lava flows that have been painstakingly converted to vineyards. Reach out and touch the rough lava stone corrals built up around the precious vines which produce three dominant varieties of white wine: Verdelho, Arinto dos Açores and Terrantez do Pico, which nearly went extinct but what survives adds complexity, elegance and floral notes to the other Pico whites. It's like ingenuity in a glass. 6) Faial: The Blue Island Waterfront view of the city of Horta, Faial Island, Azores, Portugal Faial, so named 'the blue island' due to the sheer quantity of bright hydrangeas that cover the island in July and August (another reason to make this a summer trip). As this is the mid-Atlantic's yachting capital, and an anchorage for caravels, clippers and seaplanes, the spirit of nautical bonhomie is pervasive. Stroll the marina and explore the jetty murals, where sailors have a tradition of painting the name or likeness of their vessel on the marina walls. 7) Horta: Peter Café Sport On Horta Island, this is Peter Café Sport, a legendary whaler's haunt with a scrimshaw museum upstairs. As evening approaches, go drink gin and tonic at Peter Café Sport, a legendary whaler's haunt with a stunning scrimshaw museum upstairs. It's a ramshackle pub that doubles as a time capsule. Firstly, there are widow's walks —lookout points facing the harbor in search of long lost whalers — still built into the surrounding architecture despite the fact that whaling has been outlawed in the Azores since 1984. It's also a place that inspires drunken re-tellings of In the Heart of the Sea (or so I've heard). The story recounts a New England whaling ship's sinking by a savage sperm whale in 1820, the real-life event that inspired Herman Melville's Moby Dick. The movie stars Chris Hemsworth. Enough said? 8) The Whales A sperm whale off the coast of Faial, Azores. Pico, São Miguel and Faial are considered the best islands for whale watching. Did you know sperm whales float vertically to the surface to breathe? There are few marvels in this world so beautiful to witness. The other perk of a Nat Geo expedition is that they typically invite whale experts on board, like Douglas Nowacek, a PhD from MIT and professor at Duke University's Marine Lab, to tell you everything scientists know about the mating habits, sound production and migration patterns of marine mammals. 9) Graciosa: The Caldera Cave Visitors inside Furna do Enxofre, a caldera cave found in Graciosa Island, Azores. Aptly named, this 'graceful' remote island is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve thanks to its Furna do Enxofre, a caldera cave that is considered the most significant geosite in the Azores. Look up and you'll see a stunning natural ceiling of stalactites that create a home for birds and bats; look down and let the damp stone staircase guide you 300 feet underground to this ethereal lake. 10) The Sulfur Grotto The lake inside Furna do Enxofre, Graciosa Island, Azores This lake occupies the deepest part of the cave, which lies below sea level. It's a secret world where the smell of sulphur is omnipresent, and you can actually see it bubbling up from beneath the surface. 11) São Miguel: Geothermic Hotsprings The town of Furnas on São Miguel Island The small town of Furnas on the eastern part of São Miguel looks otherworldly. Picture a landscape of steaming hot springs and fumaroles, gurgling mud pools and geothermal fields encircled by bright green mountains and lush botanical gardens. Through the fog, you kind of wonder how it's not erupting right now. While you ponder this, head over to the island's popular tea plantation Gorreana and ask to taste purple tea (what happens when hot green tea mixes with the unoxidized iron found in volcanic waters). 12) São Jorge: Cheese Island On São Jorge island, there are more cows than people. You can't come to São Jorge and not pay homage to the cows, because there are more cows than people (population: ~8,000). So, this is also known as cheese island. Queijo São Jorge cheese is deliciously salty because we're in the middle of the North Atlantic. 'We say seven cows per person,' jokes our Portuguese hiking guide Everisto. But it's no joke: Hiking Pico da Esperança mountain means hiking right alongside heifers-in-the-mist, through cow dung of Jurassic proportions. Even in relentless rain, it's all worth it if you can make it down to the Fajã de Santo Cristo, a spectacular, secluded sanctuary for bodyboarding and surfing. The best time to do it? All summer long.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Humor: Divorce announcement from a famous couple too good-looking to be unhappy
It is with sadness, a hint of excitement, and a smidgen of self-righteous pride that we announce our amicable decision to divorce. We know that you might've just seen us two weeks ago engaging in some pretty major PDA at that awards show. So this may come as a shock. We've searched the depths of our hearts, DMs, and star charts. Together we've realized this is the best choice for the evolution of who we each wish to become. And, for now, that's single. Ours is one of the great love stories of the 21st century. Or any century. It is a once-in-a-millennium kind of love. But that doesn't mean it's meant to last forever, or even half a decade. We've learned that you don't measure love by how long it lasts. Especially if it isn't ending, only evolving like ours is now! In those early days when we were hounded by paparazzi we gave our locations to, a lot of people said our relationship wasn't real. We proved them wrong, didn't we? We got engaged on Instagram Live. We had a beautiful destination wedding, sponsored by British Airways, Michael Kors, and TCBY in the Azores. We sold our wedding footage to the Oxygen Network for a 2-hour special entitled, Wedding of the Millenium: Azores Edition. During our time together, and especially these last five months as a family of four with our son, Asteroid, and daughter, Sauna, we created memories that we'll never, ever, ever, ever forget. Not including when our wedding was featured on the front cover of People Magazine and we were each voted Sexiest Person Alive. It's hard to top that. Yet now, after 15 eventful, oh-so-fulfilling, and fully documented on social media months of marriage, we realize we need something different. Not every divorce is a failure. We consider ours a success because we're strong enough to state what we both want. And that's to sleep with other people. We aren't saying we won't sleep with one another ever again. We may, particularly if we don't have anything else going on at 2 pm Sunday when we exchange custody of the kids. Especially if we can share a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne in a hot tub first. Moet & Chandon is our drink, forever. And not just because they gave us a lifetime supply in exchange for serving it at the intimate engagement party we hosted for our 5,000 closest friends on Facebook Live. In our wedding vows, we made this promise to one another: I will get your approval on all Instagram photos, tell you when you have spinach in your teeth, and never binge anything other than Netflix. And we intend to keep these promises forever! Our nannies will be traveling back and forth between our homes with Asteroid and Sauna. Though our children are not yet a year old, we promised them to gather as a family for the major holidays of the year. This will include photoshoots on Christmas, Halloween, and the official start of the bikini season, the 4th of July. We deeply love one another and will for the rest of our lives. If one of us needed a kidney and the other was a match, we'd each be willing to give one of ours. And if we both needed one, we would be only too happy to share a kidney, with custody changing over every Sunday at 2 pm. That's how incredible our love is. Two cords twisted together are stronger. But two cords separated can reach farther, in different directions. It's this idea that excites us. We want to thank our day and night nannies, our surrogates, our families, lawyers, masseuses, groundskeeper, housekeeper, whole foods chef, driver, tarot card reader, and of course our fans for their loving support over the past 3 years since we met at Burning Man. For more info, follow us on our new joint Instagram account @divorcedbutcommitted.
Times
26-05-2025
- Times
10 of the best places to visit in Portugal
Who wants a holiday destination that plays hard to get? In Portugal you'll find a warm welcome alongside attributes that make travel smooth and simple; it's manageably sized, convenient to reach from the UK, and easy to get around. The country has so much diversity within its borders that you can just as easily enjoy a rural walking trip or a vibrant city break as a relaxing beach stay or gourmet wine tour. In the 20 years I've been visiting Portugal I've done all these and more: hiking with friends in the rural Minho and the Douro, exploring Lisbon and Porto with my husband, relaxing with family on the beaches of the Algarve, and discovering Madeira and the Azores on my own — and I've always been struck by how such hassle-free travel brings such rich rewards. Because Portugal is also a beauty; from its historic cities and whitewashed fishing villages to its cliff-backed beaches, vine-draped valleys, rolling fields and remote mountains, not to mention its verdant, volcanic islands, flung out like emeralds into the Atlantic. Your euros will go further here than in many other neighbouring nations, and though there are luxury stays to satisfy even the most sophisticated traveller, you really can travel, eat and drink very well here without spending big bucks. For the best value — and the most authentic experiences — avoid the better-known resorts such as Albufeira and Vilamoura and seek out the less-visited corners; you don't have to stray far off the beaten track to find them. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue One week Porto and the Douro, Comporta or Madeira Two weeks Lisbon and the Alentejo or the Azores Three weeks Porto, the Douro and the Minho or Lisbon, the Alentejo and the Algarve A tight budget The Minho or the southwest coast When the sun shines — as it does for about 300 days of the year in the Portuguese capital — Lisbon simply glows, the white limestone of the cobbled calçadas (pavements) reflecting the rays. Whether you're here to graze on petiscos (small plates, traditionally served alongside drinks, such as codfish cakes, clams or charcuterie) in the pint-sized bars of the historic Bairro Alto neighbourhood, or to soak up culture — don't miss the eclectic Calouste Gulbenkian Museum or the atmospheric Castelo de Sao Jorge — you'll definitely want to take in the views from the many hilltop miradouro viewpoints. They needn't be an uphill struggle; take a tram, ride a funicular or even the 19th-century, cast-iron Santa Justa lift. Head to maritime suburb Belem to discover Portugal's history of exploration — and to buy pasteis de nata tarts at the celebrated bakery Pasteis de Belem. Stay at Memmo Alfama, a converted shoe-polish factory that's now a stylish boutique with a rooftop pool in the city's most picturesque neighbourhood. Read our full review of Memmo Alfama This five-day, fully guided Lisbon city break takes in the city's historic areas, museums and monuments, and adds a scenic train ride to the coastal towns of Cascais and Estoril. • Best affordable hotels in Lisbon• Discover our full guide to Lisbon Portugal's most celebrated wines, and all its ports, start their lives in this sun-baked valley stretching from Porto to the Spanish border. Vine-laced hillsides drop sharply into the tranquil waters of the Douro River, and the banks are scattered with historic, whitewashed wineries, called quintas. The Douro is a meandering river, so let it inspire you to embrace slow travel too, watching the world float by from a boat. Enjoy wine tours and tastings, wander the streets of pretty Pinhao, ascend the zig-zagging stairs of pilgrimage site Nossa Senhora dos Remedios in Lamego, and discover palaeolithic rock art in the Coa Valley. Take a cruise; if you prefer independent travel, a train line runs right from Porto to the top of the valley at Pocinho. Hide away at the eastern end of the valley at wine hotel Casa do Rio, where stylish suites set in an orange grove have views over a tranquil stretch of the river. River cruise ships sail the Douro from March to October, providing leisurely progress along the length of the river. This eight-day Avalon Waterways cruise includes dining, drinks and excursions. • Most beautiful places in Portugal (and how to see them) Unspoilt but no longer unknown, this gorgeous, 20-mile stretch of sand-fringed shore about 90 minutes' drive south of Lisbon has blossomed into Portugal's most seductive spot for laid-back beach holidays. Part of the Sado Estuary nature reserve, the sprawling landscape of Comporta is made up of dunes, pine forests, rice paddies, salt marshes and seven picture-perfect hamlets that provide boutique shopping and low-key restaurants. Stays are secluded, sustainable and stylish. Days here will be long and lazy, but hire a car; you'll need it to migrate from hotel hammock to your chosen stretch of sand and back again. Sublime Comporta is a minimalist haven with nature at its heart: pine-scented grounds, organic gardens and an offshoot beach club on the coast nearby at Carvalhal. Explore the Sado River and estuary on this three-hour boat trip, which also visits Roman ruins at Troia. • Read our full guide to Portugal Some of Portugal's most dramatic scenery is found not on the mainland, but on the island of Madeira. After exploring the charming, historic centre of the capital Funchal, leave the urban sprawl around it behind; natural landscapes are what make this place so special. Flirt with vertigo on the glazed skywalk at Cabo Girao, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs, rising vertically from Atlantic breakers. Hike the levada trails — pathways following old irrigation channels — that wind around steep, emerald peaks ridged like a dragon's backbone. Plunge into natural pools formed from striking black lava, or swim off from the dark sand beaches. A year-round balmy climate makes it popular off-season. A hiking trail runs from the gate of Casas da Levada, an agritourism hotel in the west of the island with farmhouse accommodation and a biological pool. This eight-day itinerary with Riviera Travel packs in plenty of highlights, including a walking tour of Funchal, the hilltop town of Monte and the fishing village of Camara de Lobos. • More great hotels in Madeira• Best things to do in Madeira Life moves slowly in Portugal's warm heartland. Only 5 per cent of the population live in this region, which sprawls across nearly a third of the country, a place of rolling golden plains peppered with twisting cork trees, sun-baked vineyards, medieval cities and fortified towns scattered along the Spanish border. Historic Evora has Roman ruins and a gothic cathedral — don't miss the macabre chapel decorated with bones — and the walled village of Monsaraz gives gorgeous views over the vast Alqueva Lake into Spain. The area specialises in relaxed resort hotels, often set in vineyards or on farms with excellent spas, from which you can emerge for occasional sightseeing. Luxurious Sao Lourenco do Barrocal is the quintessential Alentejo rural estate, with vineyards, olive groves, stables and a spa. This comprehensive 11-day tour of Portugal with Insight Vacations visits Evora and perfectly proportioned second city looks great from any angle, whether you're getting the long view from the top of the Clerigos Tower, the tallest campanile in the country, or you're tempted into the dense maze of the historic Ribeira quarter looking for close-ups of photogenic tiles. You'll find beautiful examples of the traditional blue azulejos inside the heritage ticket hall of Sao Bento station, and adorning the exterior of the Capela das Almas. Cross the iconic Dom Luis cast-iron bridge; southside neighbour Vila Nova de Gaia is home to venerable port wine cellars, where you can tour and taste, then wind your way back to the waterside, spotting street art at every turn. If you visit Porto in summer, take tram line 1 out to the beach suburb Foz do Douro for spectacular sunsets and seafood. Stay right on the riverbank in Ribeira at 1872 River House by Olivia, a boutique spot with a stellar location and sophisticated looks. This week-long tour with G Adventures teams time in Porto with Lisbon and a stop-off at Coimbra, the historic university city set in between them. • More great hotels in Porto• Best things to do in Porto Travel east from Faro and you'll soon leave the stereotypical Algarve of manicured golf courses behind, swapping them for bird-rich wetlands and sandy barrier islands around which resident dolphins frolic. Take a boat trip to see them, then linger over a long seafood lunch in Fuseta or Olhao — laid-back, local fishing towns. Picturesque, whitewashed Tavira straddles the Gilao River, its streets filled with flowers from almond blossom in spring to late-summer hibiscus — climb the castle tower for views over the salt pans to the sea. Relax on one of the barrier island beaches, or stroll along the well-marked trails and boardwalks of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Castro Marim nature reserve. Stay in chic but carefree Conversas de Alpendre, a family-run boutique hotel in a rural hamlet close to Cacela Velha beach. Read our full review of Conversas de Alpendre This gentle hiking trip with Explore! is based in Tavira, with walks in nature reserves, on barrier islands, and through the rural interior. • Best all-inclusive hotels in the Algarve• Best affordable hotels in the Algarve North from Porto to the Spanish border is the Costa Verde, where the breezy beaches are backed by pine forests. Green is a theme that spreads inland across the whole region, through the wooded river valleys and gentle, bucolic farmland where Portugal's lightly sparkling vinho verde is made, to the rugged hills of the Peneda-Gerês, the country's only national park. You won't need to compete with crowds here, whether you've come for the wine and walking or an active beach break. Even the cities are chilled, despite their considerable cultural heft; Braga is a religious centre with Roman remains and a plethora of baroque churches, and Guimaraes, Portugal's first capital, has a well-preserved medieval old town and a textbook fairytale castle. On the beach close to the small seaside city of Viana do Castelo, FeelViana is an eco-hotel with great facilities for water sports and mountain biking. This eight-day tour from Newmarket Holidays includes guided excursions along the Costa Verde and into the Minho region, as well as to island-hopping trip to this volcanic, nine-island archipelago in the Atlantic feels like geological time travel. Sao Miguel, 4.1 million years old and in the west of the chain, is home to lake-filled, emerald calderas, steaming fumaroles and fertile soil where everything from tea to pineapples grow. Less than 300,000-year-old Pico is the baby of the bunch, dominated by the vast cone of a dormant stratovolcano and with fields of black lava where vines — which produce the island's high-quality wines — thrive. Don't miss middle-aged Terceira, in the central island group, where you can walk right into the magma chamber of an extinct volcano. On Sao Miguel, stay on the waterfront at the elegant Octant Ponta Delgada. On Pico, choose the boutique vineyard hotel Azores Wine Company. Instead of flying between islands, take a cruise. This Fred Olsen sailing out of Southampton calls at Sao Miguel and Terceira, alongside Madeira and Lisbon. • More great hotels in the Azores• Best things to do in the Azores Stretching north from the Cabo de Sao Vicente, where a squat red lighthouse perches on the wind and wave-carved headland, the west coasts of the Algarve and Alentejo are rugged and free from crowds. Sculpted by the full force of the Atlantic, this is a place where wild beaches are backed by rocky cliffs, and towns and villages are small and chiefly frequented by Portuguese tourists. Hiking opportunities abound — the Rota Vicentina comprises more than 450 miles of well-marked trails both down the coast and through the quiet, rural interior — and there are excellent surfing beaches too, with fewer crowds than the more famous breaks north of Lisbon. Vila Nova de Milfontes is a charming town on the mouth of the Mira River with a sheltered estuarine beach and authentic, local restaurants. This simple but stylish two-bedroom house has a shared pool and is close to both the beach and the old centre of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Walk a 50-mile section of the Rota Vicentina's coastal trails on this week-long, guided hiking itinerary from Intrepid Travel. • Best family hotels in Portugal• Best holiday villas in Portugal
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Tiny club on ‘haven of volcanic islands' in middle of North Atlantic Ocean qualifies for Conference League
TEAMS playing in next season's Conference League will be treated to an unusual venue - in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. C.D Santa Clara, who play in Portugal 's top flight, secured a fifth-place finish on Saturday. 2 2 The club beat Farense 2-1 to book their place in next season's Conference League qualifiers. Saturday's win secured a best-ever Primeira Liga finish for the club, who are located on the tiny Atlantic archipelago of the Azores. Santa Clara are the only team from the stunning volcanic islands to have ever competed in a Uefa competition. The Azores are made up of nine main islands situated around 870 miles west of Lisbon. It is the outermost region of the European Union and became an autonomous region of Portugal in 1976. Santa Clara are based in the capital city of Ponta Delgada, which has a population of just over 70,000 and is located on Sao Miguel Island. The club made their European football bow back in 2002, replacing fellow Portuguese side Vitoria in the Intertoto Cup. And they made their Conference League debut almost two decades later after a sixth-place finish in 2021. Santa Clara will enter next season's competition at the second qualifying round. They almost made the group stages four years ago, falling to Serbian side Partizan Belgrade in the final qualifier. Should they make it this time, fans will face around a 7-hour trip to the club's 12,500-seater Estadio de Sao Miguel. Flights to the Azores from the UK are mostly via Lisbon, with travel between the different islands tricky. One fan wrote on X following Saturday's game: "Santa Clara vs [Kazakstan side] Astana, let's make it happen." Another laughed: "Mid Atlantic trip!" While a third added: "I hope the record for most km traveled in an European game is set if they get like a team from Azerbaijan. Teams will be lucky to visit Azores, it's a great place."
