June 2, 2016 - Tanya's in the Azores and More - Day 14- Terceira, Portugal

Elisa's Daily Scoop

16 Facts about Terceira
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Howdy folks!!

How is your week going?  This warm weather certainly is enjoyable. Time to get my hair done for the Summer - that happens tomorrow.

I'll also be getting a mani-pedi tomorrow as well.

Well, since it happens to be Throwback Thursday, I couldn't resist posting these pictures of my girls 7 years ago (Summer 2009) when Gianna got her first pedicure and Kelsey, her first manicure - too cute!!!

Gianna's first pedicure - 5 years old - 2009 (c)travelincousins.com

Kelsey's first manicure 2009 (she is so tiny at 2-1/2 years old) (c)travelincousins.com

As for today, I'll be heading over to the Mary Brennan INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) in Hempstead to make a big donation of towels and dental hygiene supplies that Kelsey's Girl Scout troop collected.  

Kelsey and a few of the girls will coming along. 

The girls are so proud of the work they did and well they should be!!!

Today also marks Tanya's 13th day of her "Azores and More" European trip.  

We've followed her through Spain, France, Andorra and Portugal.  Most recently, she was making her way around Terceira, Portugal.  Thought it would be of some interest to you to know a bit about this destination...


16 Fun Facts About Terceira, Portugal

1. Terceira, also referred to as the “Ilha Lilás” (the “lilac” or “violet” island), is an island in the Azores archipelago, in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. 

2. The international airport, located in "Lajes", about 2 miles from the city of "Praia da Vitoria", serves both civilian and military needs, and includes both the Military Command for the Azores as well as an important American Air Force Base located in Lajes. 

3. It occupies an area of approximately 153.19 square miles and is one of the larger islands of the archipelago and the second most populated Azorean island with 58000 inhabitants.

4. Angra do Heroísmo, the historical capital of the Azores, is the oldest city in the archipelago, dating back to 1534.

5. After a violent earthquake in 1980, and the subsequent reconstruction of the city, a large portion of Angra's historical center has been classified of "public interest", and is included in the UNESCO's list of World Patrimony since 1986. 

6. Terceira was known as the island of Jesus Christ as it was settled by Portuguese navigators.

7. Terceira's settlement was started on or about 1450 when its captaincy was granted to a Flaming, Jacome de Bruges, by Prince Henry the Navigator. 

8. The portugues bullfight is popular on the island, coming in two variations: the traditional equestrian bullfight (in the ring) and the popular “touradas à corda” that occur in the streets.

9.  A small number of Hypogea (earthen structures carved into rocks, that were used for burials) were discovered on the island of Terceira, indicating a history of settlement that may date back 2000 years, and alluding to a presence on the island before the Portuguese.
 
10.  The first settlements were situated in the areas of Porto Judeu and Praia da Vitoria and soon extended throughout the island.

Terceira, Portugal (credit: wikipedia)

11. Terceira played an important part in the history of navigation during the 15th and 16th centuries, as a port of call for the galleons bringing the wealth of the Americas and the ships engaged in the India trade and was an emporium for the gold, silver, diamonds, and spices brought from other continents.

12. Terceira is divided (along an irregular diagonal frontier from north-northwest to south-southeast) into two municipalities: Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória.

13. "Praia da Vitoria" is a young town with the best and most inviting beach in Terceira. The architectonic patrimony is concentrated in the churches and chapels.

14. "Monte Brasil", classified as national protected landscape, provides a recreational area, hiking trail, and resting place as well as a fantastic view over the ocean and the city.

15. "Biscoitos" where you can visit the only wine museum in the Azores archipelago. The museum, inaugurated in 1990, illustrates the process of traditional wine making in the archipelago.

16. ​On 16 March 2003, President of the United States George W. Bush, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar and Prime Minister of Portugal José Manuel Barroso met on Terceira to discuss the Invasion of Iraq, which began four days later, on 20 March.

Pretty interesting!  No wonder this is Tanya's second trip to the Azores!!

Here's a to a fun day!!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
​CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN:
​TERCEIRA, PORTUGAL

I heart the Açores!

GREETINGS my little darlings!

We're back in the Açores and this time we are checking out the island of Terceira..

After a wonderful time vacationing on the mainland of Europe, we left Lisbon yesterday morning and headed for the Archipelago islands of Portugal.

Lisbon Airport (c)travelincousins.com

Off to Terceira (c)travelincousins.com

As a last minute decision we opted to not rent a car (giving me a much needed break from all the driving that I've done over the past couple of weeks) and we are going the taxi/tour route while we are here.

(c)travelincousins.com

Now being that visiting the Açores is like stepping back in time and there are four of us with lots of luggage (and small cars) - we had a bit of a difficult time "fitting" in the cab! 

Yes we have luggage on our laps!

Next up was checking in and checking out the hotel and property, before hitting the World Heritage UNESCO site of Angra do Heroísmo.

Hotel Do Caracol (c)travelincousins.com

Hotel Do Caracol (c)travelincousins.com

Hotel Do Caracol (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Shopping for fresh veggies (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Look at the BROOMS! (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Angra do Heroísmo (c)travelincousins.com

Walking, wandering, and strolling was just wonderful!
​It brought back all the wonder that makes us love the Açores and want to just keep coming back to our little slice of heaven!

Dominic actually said that it reminds him of a cross between Hawaii and Europe - and with those two comparisons HOW COULD YOU GO WRONG?!

After a very lovely day, we came back to the hotel and the kids wanted to take a dip.

Hotel Do Caracol (c)travelincousin.com

Today we will be touring several points and basically circumnavigaiting the island.
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I'll be snapping away and share everything with you guys in tomorrow's Daily SCOOP!

In full wanderlust,
-T