We’re planning a trip to Portugal and Spain in May 27 that includes time in the Azores, arriving in Ponta Delgada. My husband’s grandparents immigrated from smaller islands in the early 1900s. We’re interested in private guides who can share history and local color, not just the touristy locals, and help us plan seeing at least 2 of the islands (Pico for sure) while we’re there. Maybe more than one guide. Does anyone have experience and recommendations?
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2695 posts
If you go to the Portugal section of the travel forum, the first post is from the webmaster about a guidebook by forum member Carl. I can't help but think you would find some help from his guidebook. The first portion of it is free.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
I saw the post about Carl’s guide but no reference to where it’s available.
Posted by
Rhode Island, USA
538 posts
I was hesitant to add a reply since I have never used tour guides in the Azores, since first visiting in 1994.
The information for my digital guidebook is at the top of this Portugal forum: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/portugal/azores-islands-travel-advice
The webmaster posted the link where you can access it. Simply click "Read Sample" to view the free section. You do not need a Kindle device, but you do need to install the Kindle app.
My wife's documented ancestry dates back to the late 1400s in Sao Miguel and Santa Maria, and the early 1600s in Terceira and Graciosa. Included in my guidebook is a chapter about Azores genealogy, a hobby of mine since 1986!
As long as someone is comfortable driving a car, you do not need a tour guide on any island. Using my information of self-guided walking and driving tours, you are able to visit literally thousands more spots that are interesting to me, and probably most visitors, that are not on the typical guided tour. Included in the guidebook are over 60 days worth of these self-guided trips. I include thousands of hyperlinks to almost all the locations I write about with extra information, especially historical information. Many have a connection to my wife.
Send a private message to me if you need any help with your husband's ancestry. You never know, he just might be related to my wife! :-)