Azores Part One: Jardim Duque da Terceira

So we picked the Azores on a whim.

It had been in the back of my mind as a "one day" destination, but I was stuck inside when a great deal came up: $549 for air from Boston, six nights lodging in a UNESCO World Heritage City, transfers to and from the airport, and hotel breakfast daily.  Electronic communications commenced, and 15 minutes later, four of us were booked.

Our island was about 9 miles by 15 miles.

Finally, the day arrived, and we were on our way to Terceira, one of nine islands that makes up the autonomous region of Portugal known as the Azores.  We landed in Praia da Vitoria and were quickly transferred to Angra do Heroismo, our home for the next six nights.

We stayed at the Azoris Angra Garden Hotel, which is across a narrow street from the main town square, on which the Town Hall sits.  The Town Hall not only houses the city's administrative offices, but also the Supreme Court of the Azores.

Angra do Heroismo Town Hall

Azores Supreme Court

We soon checked in and headed to our room, where we were pleased to see a balcony with a view of the Angra public garden, the Jardim Duque da Terceira.

The view from our balcony.

I knew that our hotel was next to the garden, but I had no idea what an integral part of our trip that garden would become.  We napped to the babbling water of the nearby fountain and awoke to the chirping and singing of the garden's many birds.

Walking in the garden was quite pleasing, as well.  The formal garden, with its lovely formal design, was filled with the whimsy of bushes topiaried into the shapes of boats and tea kettles.

Topiary

The sidewalks include all kinds of interesting art, from birds to cats to frogs to a portrait of A. Almeida Garrett, which is located in front of his memorial.

Bird in cobblestone sidewalk

Cat in cobblestone sidewalk

Portrait with memorial

The garden houses plants from around the world, all of which thrive in the mild climate of the Azores.

And perhaps most impressive of all were the roses in every color.

So we booked this trip on a whim, knowing very little about what where we were staying, but we ended up in a perfect location.

More on what to see and do in town coming soon ...