My Best Destination – Madeira Island

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

The volcanic origin of Madeira explains the landscape, height, and even climate differences in diverse parts of the island. It is the top of an underwater volcano, but there is no need to worry. Eruptions stopped more than six thousands years ago!

Ponta De Sao Lorenzo
Ponta De Sao Lorenzo

I was surprised by the erratic changes in the weather. For example, one day there was heavy rain, the sky was grey, and I had an unfortunate mood because of this. I decided to go to the north part of the island and there the weather was remarkably extraordinary. The sun was shining, blue sky – just a perfect day. Due to high mountains in the middle of the island, you never know about the actual situation on the other side of Madeira. There are more than 20 microclimates on the territory of the island! So never stop to discover something new!

As you already know from the previous article, 2/3 of Madeira is a forest. Thanks to the climate and frequent rainfall, these forests are full of unique trees and plants. Can you imagine – there are more than 1,200 different plants on this tiny island! It is the reason why Madeira’s forests are on the list of the UNESCO world heritage.

Want to spend some time one-on-one with nature? I can recommend the best place – Levadas!

Typical Levada Walk view
Typical Levada Walk view

The word “Levada” comes from the Portuguese word levar, which means to carry. It is the name for the small watering canals. The total length of all Levadas on Madeira island is more than 2,000 kilometers! They were built many years ago for water delivery from the north to dry areas in the south; this is how water comes to banana plantations, vineyards, fruit orchards, and vegetable gardens all over the island. Nowadays, lots of tourists prefer Levada walks to sunbathing.

My local friend showed me the WalkMe App, a mobile application guide for discovering Madeira Island. Also, you can visit their website here – http://walkmeguide.com/en/. The app costs 5 euros. To buy it or not is your decision, but I do recommend you to download the free demo – there you can find a list of the Top 10 Levadas of Madeira. It comes in handy and consists of different types of trails with varying distances and challenges.

Some of the walks are difficult, and you may need to have a guide with you. For example, Levada da Ribeira da Janela is 30 kilometers long and has nine tunnels along the way. One of them is almost 2 kilometers long! I’m sure you will need some special equipment, knowledge, and physical training.

Are you afraid of heights? There is a great challenge for you!

Can you see Faja Dos Padres Beach?
Can you see Faja Dos Padres Beach?

Faja Dos Padres – secret beach not far from Funchal. The easiest way to get there – by car. But you can’t get right to the beach – only to the top of the cliff. And there you need to take a Cable Car which goes down with an extreme angle! That was a scary experience. Maybe, I was even more impressed by the trip on the panoramic lift than by the place. Nevertheless, it is worth it.

Organic farming in Aja Dos Padres
Organic farming in Aja Dos Padres

When you come down, you will see lots of gardens and plantations. Due to the unique microclimate, farmers have the opportunity to grow subtropical plants. Banana plantations, vineyards, sugar cane, mango, avocado and lots of other fruits. Locals are proud of this organic farming and will be happy to tell you more about this area.

Besides agriculture, this place is famous by the beach with clear water. You may rent a sunbed and go swimming, or enjoy the view. There is a restaurant near the beach and some houses to stay for a night. You need to know that there is no other way to get out from that place – only by boat and by cable car which closes at 7 pm. So you need to be aware of timing or to rent a place to stay for a night.

Do not miss a chance to try local seafood! There is a wide variety of fish and seafood in every cafe and restaurant. My favorites were Lampas and Mussels. Both of them are kinds of clams, but I have never seen and tried Lampas before; served grilled with garlic and butter, then take a lemon and squeeze over it. Usually, you can find them in starters, but once I ate a few plates of them for dinner, so much tasty they are! A better taste with traditional bread – Bolo de Caco. It is typical for Madeira island and has rounded edges and a flattened form. Caco came from the cooking process – prepared on special hot coals named caco.

Traditional Lampas dish
Traditional Lampas dish

During my adventure, I made a rule – look for the place where locals eat. It always works! You will find better prices, better service, and a real taste of the country. Sometimes such sites have no social media accounts, and you can not read references on Trip Advisor; all they have is tasty food.

Want to try fresh mussels?
Want to try fresh mussels?

Madeira was the best destination on my trip. I fell in love with nature, weather, landscape, air, plants, food, and even with long tunnels! You can come here and discover it every time from different angles and find out new spots. This place is inspiring, and I am sure that everyone can find something special on Madeira island. Wish you to come and feel it on your own experience!

Ribeira da Janela beach
Ribeira da Janela beach

Hope you enjoyed and have changed your must-visit list already. See you soon!

– Romanna

Previous post: Top 5 Things to Do in Madeira Island

Next post: Freedom, Art, Madness. This Is a Barcelona City!

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

Top 5 Things to Do in Madeira Island

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Greetings from the island of endless spring! Madeira Island is a place for true nature lovers where you can stay for a month and discover something new every day. You cannot be bored when there are so many unique places, caves, waterfalls, forests, and mountains around.

Banana plantation near Faja Dos Padres
Banana plantation near Faja Dos Padres

Nevertheless, I am going to tell you about the best activities!

1. Visit Funchal City

Funchal is the capital of the Madeira Islands. It is a small city surrounded by mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. All the monuments and places of interest from the tourist guides can be found in the historical part of the city. The first and foremost attraction is the Cable Car which takes you to the top of mountain Monte. The trip duration is 10 minutes, so you will have enough time to see all of the city, enjoy the view, and find out more places of interest. At the top, there is a palace and tropical garden with a unique plant collection from around the world.
One way Cable Car ticket costs 11 euros.
Entrance to the garden – 10 euros.

Interesting fact – The Cable Car works 364 days per year except for Christmas, but during my visit it was closed!

Let’s move forward. Do you like passion fruit?

Mercado Dos Lavradores - Famous Market in Funchal
Mercado Dos Lavradores – Famous Market in Funchal

If the answer is yes, that means I found the best place for you!

Mercado Dos Lavradores used to be a food market for locals, but now it’s one of the biggest tourists attractions. There are grocery, flower, and fish sections inside the market. Here you can find fruits you’ve never tried before. More than five types of passion fruits!

Different types of passion fruits in Mercado Dos Lavradores
Different types of passion fruits in Mercado Dos Lavradores

Different types of passion fruits in Mercado Dos Lavradores
Different types of passion fruits in Mercado Dos Lavradores

English tomato – a hybrid of tomato and passion fruit with a sweet taste of banana passion fruit, passion fruit pineapple, lemon passion fruit, and other flavors. Here you can also see anona – custard apple, cactus figs, and delicious fruit – it is a real name for monstera fruit!

Here you can take a spoon and try all the fruits you see around! But I do not recommend you to buy fruits on Mercado Dos Lavradores Market. Prices are far above market value. For example, most of the fruits cost more than 20 euros per kilo, while in the supermarket it will be around 10 euros.

Few words about the flowers. I am the biggest fan of the protea flower, and this place was awe-inspiring for me – I have never seen so many of them in one spot! Due to climate, Madeira has excellent growing conditions for proteas and other exotic flowers as Strelitzia and Leucospermum.

Flower section in Mercado Dos Lavradores. Take a look on the colorful uniform of the saleswoman
Flower section in Mercado Dos Lavradores. Take a look at the colorful uniform of the saleswoman

Do not miss a chance to walk through Santa Maria street. A tiny pedestrian street with lots of restaurants and shops. The main attraction is doors – all of them are painted with bright graffiti by different artists.

2. Watch the Sunrise on the Pico Arieiro

Sunrise on Pico Arieiro viewpoint
Sunrise on Pico Arieiro viewpoint

Pico Arieiro is the third highest peak of Madeira Island. If you want to enjoy the sunrise, you need to wake up early. The way from Funchal takes 40 minutes to get there by car + 10 minutes of walking to the viewport. You can be sure – it is worth it – 100 percent! If you have free time and lots of energy – walk to the highest peak Pico Ruivo (1,862m above sea level). Choose one of two walking passes and enjoy nature! One-way takes about 3 hours, and if you choose the round-trip, it will take 6-7 hours to cover the 12 km route.

3. Ponta De Sao Lorenzo One-Day Walk

Ponta De Sao Lorenzo view from a plane window
Ponta De Sao Lorenzo view from a plane window

The easternmost point of the island will be your last memory of Madeira – you will see it during your flight! But before taking the plane, I advise you to come for one day. After a 12 km walk, you won’t have enough energy and desire to go anywhere else. So, choose the day and make your way to the nature reserve. It used to be closed for tourists some years ago, but now you can easily take a walk through the Martian landscape.

The easternmost point of the Madeira island
The easternmost point of the Madeira island

Seems like another planet!

4. Drink Traditional Cocktails in a Bar for Locals

Traditional Nikita cocktail
Traditional Nikita cocktail

The best way to understand the culture is to find a place where locals spend time after work. On Madeira Island, there are many bars for football fans. Maybe the reason is the fact Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Madeira. I am not sure, but locals are addicted to this sport!

So, meet some locals, choose a small bar, and drink the traditional cocktail.
There are two types: the more strong Poncha, and the lighter one Nikita.
Poncha is made from rum, lemon and orange juice, and honey. Too sweet and too strong as for me.

Nikita – really strange milkshake cocktail which was named after a song of Elton John. Ingredients sound crazy – pineapple juice, vanilla ice cream, beer, white wine, and a slice of pineapple. Believe me; it tastes better than anything you can imagine!

5. Swim in the Natural Pools of Porto Moniz

Madeira is not the best choice for a beach vacation. Nevertheless, you can find some unique places to swim in the ocean. Pools are made by lava so you can see black lava rocks around.

Natural lava pools Piscinas Naturais
Natural lava pools Piscinas Naturais

This place is named Piscinas Naturais. Entrance fee is 1.50 euros. There is a snack bar on the territory, lockers, shower, and toilets – everything you need during your stay. This place is open till 7 pm, and after they close, you can enter free. When closed, you can swim and watch the sunset almost alone! All tourists interested in sunbathing leave this place quickly, so you have a chance to spend the evening in silent beauty.

There are more places to see in Madeira, so keep in touch.
Follow the blog updates!

– Romanna

Previous post: Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean – Madeira Island

Next post: My Best Destination – Madeira Island

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean – Madeira Island

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

What does the word nature mean for you? Mountains? Beaches? Forests, waterfalls or fields of flowers?

Imagine you can find all this in one place. This is Madeira island!

Madeira landscape
Madeira landscape

Once I was told Madeira is a resort for older people. What a mistake! You should know that it is the fourth year Madeira is Europe’s leading island destination. Despite this high appraisal, don’t be afraid of thousands of tourists. The island has lots of places where you can find yourself face to face with raw nature.

So let me tell you about the fifth destination of my adventure.

Why Madeira

Madeira is an archipelago of four islands. Two of them are inhabited – Madeira island is the biggest and Porto Santo. You should know it is a Portuguese island, discovered in 1418.

Punta Sao Lorenzo - the easternmost point of the Madeira island
Punta Sao Lorenzo – the easternmost point of the Madeira island

The best time to visit Madeira is from April to October. But the weather is beautiful all the time thanks to the Gulf Stream. It is never too hot and too cold here. Sounds incredible – 18-24 degrees Celcius 365 days per year. Lots of tourists come here for a retreat. But you will never see them – they stay at the hotels and never go out. It is the best place to discover nature and trekking — hundreds walk for physical education and all preferences.

How to get to Madeira

Located in the Atlantic Ocean near Morocco (500 km) is Madeira. Despite the long-distance from continental Portugal (more than 1,000 km), the easiest way to get there is to take a plane from Lisbon. There are also direct flights from different European cities, and you can easily find a ticket from 50 euros one way at https://skysurf.travel.

airport of Madeira
airport of Madeira

Transport

The word “Madeira” means forest. Madeira used to be covered by subtropical forests many years ago. But after being discovered, people burned most of it for agriculture, buildings, and roads.

Walking through the Madiera forest
Walking through the Madiera forest

It is a tiny island, 57 km long and 22 km wide. But if you want to see at least something you need to use transport. There are some options – you can rent a car, use public transportation, or a taxi.

Public transportation

First of all, after arriving at the airport, you need to catch a bus to the city center of Funchal. Tickets cost 5 euros, but you can buy a round trip ticket per 8 euros. This bus does a circle in Funchal around all the most critical places and hotels.

Except for the airport bus, there are four companies which do bus transfers in Funchal city all over the island. The price depends on the company and distance. It is not so easy to discover the island by public transportation. There are no itineraries or timetables on all of the bus stops, so you need to use the internet and always have a plan B on how to get to your next destination.

Cable car

Faja Dos Padres Cable Car
Faja Dos Padres Cable Car

On Madeira Island, there are five cable cars. Some of them are for tourists, and some for farmers – to transport grain. Usually, they are expensive, for example, Faja Dos Padres cable car costs 10 euros round-trip, and Funchal – Monte cable car costs 16 euros round-trip. Sometimes you have no other option to get to the destination, but in certain situations, I think it is not worth it.

Car rental

One of the most comfortable ways to travel around Madeira is to rent a car. You can find popular European rentals and some local services. Usually, the second option is much cheaper (from 24 euros per day), and they don’t ask for a deposit on your credit card.

Tourist transport

There are two hop on-off buses in Funchal. Their routs are almost the same, so if you are interested in a quick excursion and don’t have a car, this is the best decision. The Yellow Bus ticket costs 15 euros (13.50 euros if you buy online here https://www.yellowbustours.com/en-GB/Madeira/Circuits/Funchal-Tour.aspx )
City Sightseeing ticket costs 19 euros (buy online here https://city-sightseeing.com/en/78/funchal/84/hop-on-hop-off-funchal).

Where to stay

As Europe’s leading island destination, Madeira has lots of hotels near the seaside. They are great for a relaxing vacation, but if you are going to discover nature, I advise you to find something else. Firstly, you don’t need to stay at an expensive hotel. Secondly, they are located in a specific area far from all interesting places.

Funchal old city area
Funchal old city area

If you are going to use public transportation, the best place to live is in the city center of Funchal. Right there you can find buses to get to different destinations of the island. Otherwise, you will need to wait and catch at least one more bus.

There are plenty of hostels, but if you are traveling with one more person, you can easily find apartments on Airbnb or Booking.com with your private bathroom, kitchen, etc. for the same price.

Are you a solo traveler? Try Couchsurfing! During my visit to Madeira island, I stayed with two hosts. Both of them were super friendly and told me lots of interesting facts about the island. I think I am lucky – all people whom I met in my adventure were so nice to me! For example, our first host – a local Portuguese man Nuno. He works in the airport and does paragliding in his free time. He showed his favorite bar to my friend and me and taught us how to drink local cocktails Poncha and Nikita. It is a unique experience!

Blue hour on the north part of Madeira island
Blue hour on the north part of Madeira island

Follow the blog updates.
New articles about Madeira coming soon!

– Romanna

Previous post: Life on Azores

Next post: Top 5 Things to Do in Madeira Island

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

 

 

Life on Azores

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa do Fogo

“Are you kidding? I want to spend my life on this island; I’m in love with it!” That was Joao’s answer. He was born on San Miguel island and lived here all his life – 25 years. I was wondering whether he ever thought to move somewhere else. Usually, young people are trying to find a better life in big and crowded cities. But he doesn’t.

We came to the beach with friends early in the morning. There was a strong wind blowing from the ocean, and waves crushed cliffs so loud every few seconds. This view and sound were wild — pure nature beauty without any human impact.

“You see? How can I move from this place? Just imagine, I can see and hear this every day. And every day I’m impressed with it.” I understood him now 100 percent. To tell you the truth, I was jealous. Isn’t it a dream life?

Ponta Delgada city.

More and more people discover the Azores every year. Even though the amount of travelers is growing, it is still not a well-known destination. Locals have their routine, and it is not much affected by tourism. At least I had such a feeling.

Park in a city center of Ponta Delgada
Park in a city center of Ponta Delgada

So let me tell you about the capital city, Ponta Delgada, located near the ocean. There is a comfy airport near the city – you don’t need to spend too much money to get to your accommodation. I was in a good mood that day and made it on foot. Anyway, you can catch a taxi, and it will cost you 10-20 euros (in Ponta Delgada).

I can’t say there was something incredible there. But I am sure that you need to walk through this city at least for a few hours. It seems like anything I saw before. Some areas are full of colored one-floor houses; in others, there are black and white, three-floor buildings. Quiet and tiny streets seem inhabited in the evening.

Lots of buildings in Ponta Delgada are black and white
Lots of buildings in Ponta Delgada are black and white

I am sure there should be some fancy places, but I had not seen one. We found a few places where locals eat. Lovely budget cafes where you can get some meat or fish, French fries or rice, salad, coffee + one more drink just for 6.5 euros! Also every day we used to cook by ourselves. For example, the cost of products including wine, seafood or meat, and fresh vegetables was 20 euros for three people, isn’t it nice?

There are three-night clubs on San Miguel island. Locals say that two of them are not worth visiting. Usually, young people gather in one of them on weekend nights. But during my visit, the San Joao celebration was held, and I was told that all the people on the island would gather in one place. Even though I was expecting something boring from the religious celebration, it surprised me!

Live music festival on San Miguel Island
Live music festival on San Miguel Island

I couldn’t imagine so many people are on the island. There was some music festival with Portuguese popular bands and DJs. I never heard of any of them. But when all those people were singing songs, that was so incredible! I think that experience was much better than a night spent in a club. Entrance for one day cost 5 euros. 2 days – 10 euros.

What else to see on San Miguel

There is no industrial production here and no fish exporting. So I wondered – what do they do here? Local people develop agriculture and livestock.

Pineapple plantation sign
Pineapple plantation sign

You will be astonished by the fact the most famous fruit on the Azores is pineapple. I found it strange at first because the climate is too cold for them. For many years one family is an owner of pineapple plantations where they grow in the greenhouses.

Pineapple greenhouses
Pineapple greenhouses

Did you know that pineapples need two years to grow?

There are a few greenhouses that you can enter free. There you can see how they grow. From 1-3 months until ready to eat.

Entrance to the third phase pineapple greenhouse
Entrance to the third phase pineapple greenhouse

Interesting fact Azorean pineapples are much smaller than the usual ones. Their core is edible and has a rich aroma. For example, if you will leave the fruit in a room for a few hours, it will fill the room with its smell.

Pineapples growing on a greenhouse
Pineapples growing on a greenhouse

Another place worth visiting – tea plantations.

Tea plantation
Tea plantation

In the 19th century, the Azores were producing 250 tones of tea per year, but now there are only tea plantations on San Miguel.

Tea factory
Tea factory

The same as with pineapples, this is a family business, and now the fifth generation is taking care of it. Except for plantations you can visit a tea fabric, see how everything works, and try the tea. It is named Cha Gorreana, and it was established in 1883. Exported are the most significant parts of the harvest; to continental Portugal and other countries.

Tea factory equipment
Tea factory equipment

Discovering the island, you can find lots of cows. But you need to know that on Terceira island there are more cows than people! Because of the climate in Azores cattle spend all-time outdoor eating fresh grass – this is one of the main rules of the “Happy Cow” program. Local dairy products are one of the best in the world because of the highest standards. Locals make sure the cows are happy – they have perfect fields with grass and fresh ocean air 365 days per year.

Happy Azorean cows - Moo!
Happy Azorean cows – Moo!

Raging fumaroles, boiling water, dust and a smell of sulfur; Feels like you found yourself in Iceland! This place is a complex of geothermal springs near Lagoa das Furnas and Furnas village. Entrance fee – 2 euro.

complex of geothermal springs near Lagoa das Furnas
a complex of geothermal springs near Lagoa das Furnas

It seems better to avoid this place. Nevertheless, locals found to benefit from it. Vat das Furnas is famous for its Cozido das Furnas dish. A vat with meat and vegetables is buried under the ground over hot springs for 6 hours; This is how it’s prepared in a “natural oven.” After the vat is rigged up and transferred to the restaurant where you can try it.

Place where Cozido das Furnas dish is prepared under the ground
Place where Cozido das Furnas dish is prepared under the ground

This is life on the Azores!
Hope you enjoyed my story.

See you soon!

– Romanna

Previous post: To See Everything in Two Days – the Fast Itinerary of the Azores

Next post: Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean – Madeira Island

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

 

To See Everything in Two Days – the Fast Itinerary of the Azores

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

How to travel in San Miguel island without a car? On the first day, I realized that it would be difficult. However, I found the optimal solution that saved my visit.

Walking trail near Lagoa das Empadadas
Walking trail near Lagoa das Empadadas

The Yellow Bus Sightseeing goes from the city of Ponta Delgada every day except on Monday. There are two ring routes for one day. I already wrote earlier that you could buy a one-day pass for 18 euros, and a two-day pass for 22 euros. Every day the route changes, so in two days you can see most of the natural attractions of the island.

Of course, you need to understand that sightseeing in the Azores is mostly by walking. Do not forget to bring trekking shoes or at least comfortable ones, as you will have to be on foot all day long. Do not worry about the wild nature – there are no dangerous and poisonous animals on the island, so feel free to go on a trip!

Day 1

The route starts in the center of Ponta Delgada; there are two stops where you can catch a bus. They depart every hour, which is very convenient.

First stop is Ribeira Grande, a small cozy town where we quickly walked and decided to have breakfast and gain strength for a long day.

streets of Ribeira Grande
streets of Ribeira Grande

The second stop is Salto do Cabrito. From the bus stop, you need to walk for 20 minutes to get to the waterfall. There is also a walking trail for 3 hours, but we were worried about not having time to see all the sights for that day. That is why we decided to be limited to only a waterfall.

Salto do Cabrito waterfall
Salto do Cabrito waterfall

The third stop is Caldeira Velha. Do not forget to take a swimsuit – it is a park with thermal springs. Entrance fee – 5 euros for a walk, and 8 euros if you want to swim in the thermal pools. The ticket is valid for two hours, and after that, you need to leave the park. On the territory, there are three pools, and each has varying temperatures – from warm to hot. Surprisingly, there are a lot of people here. We returned to the park twice. We hoped that during the rain there would be fewer tourists in the pools.

Thermal pool in Caldeira Velha
Thermal pool in Caldeira Velha

But we were wrong! Even during the rain, dozens of people enjoyed the warm water in the springs. Upon request, you will receive a key for the locker where you can leave your belongings, and then rest easy.

Extremely hot spring, forbidden to swim here - the water is boiling!
Extremely hot spring, forbidden to swim here – the water is boiling!

Fourth stop – Lagoa do Fogo

In Portuguese, the word “Lagoa” means the lake. Interestingly, Fogo means fire, although I would call this place “foggy one” – most often clouds gather over it and the fog thickens. I advise you not to get upset if you come and see nothing. Throughout the territory of the Azores, where the weather changes quickly, the fog can dispel within 15 minutes.

Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa do Fogo

Located in the central part of the island is the lake. The bus stops here for 10 minutes; you can take a few photos and go farther, or you can stay and wait for the next flight in an hour. There are several hiking trails – one leads down to the lake, and the second one – upwards, where it offers a great view.

The last stop of the route is the observation deck Lagoa do Fogo. The view is almost the same, only from a higher height. On this stop, the first-day route ends. The bus takes you to the Ponta Delgada city, where the itinerary started in the morning.

Day 2

The route starts at the same point in the center of Ponta Delgada but then changes its direction.

Lagoa das Empadadas
Lagoa das Empadadas

First stop is Lagoa das Empadadas. There are two lakes along the trekking route. Honestly, they did not impress me much. But a walk through the forest that leads to the lake was spectacular. I even was jealous of the people who rode the quad bikes there; it is a very convenient way to travel the area.

Forest near Lagoa das Empadadas
Forest near Lagoa das Empadadas

The second stop is Lagoa do Canario. It was funny because when we first came to this stop, we did not know where to go and spent an hour at the not so beautiful lake. As it turned out, we needed to continue our journey in a completely different direction. Half an hour on foot and here we come to the most famous place on the island!

Walking trail to Sete Cidades observation deck
Walking trail to Sete Cidades observation deck

Here you can see three lakes – Lagoa Verde, Azul, and Santiago. Interestingly, the water is of different colors – green and blue. We spent more than three hours there, and it was impossible to stop staring at such beauty!

Now you understand why locals call San Miguel - the Green Island
Now you understand why locals call San Miguel – the Green Island

The last stops are Vila das Sete Cidades and the observation deck. At these stops, you can go out if you want to walk around the city and have dinner. We were impressed with the intense day and were so tired that we decided to go home. Our host lives in the suburb of Ponta Delgada; we had to spend another hour to get to the place where we were staying.

Yellow Bus stop
Yellow Bus stop

So in just two days, we saw the main attractions of the island of San Miguel, considering that public transportation was our only way of getting around; I think we did the maximum possible.

But that is not all! I will tell you about other exciting places and life on the island in the next article. See you!

– Romanna

Previous post: Have You Ever Heard of the Azores?

Next post: Life on Azores

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

 

Have You Ever Heard of the Azores?

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Surprisingly, most of my friends did not even know about the existence of the Azores, and could not guess the location. Those who know about this fantastic archipelago, who at least once saw the photos, unanimity claim that this is a fabulous place!

Tea plantation on San Miguel Island
Tea plantation on San Miguel Island

I first found out about the Azores a year ago. I saw a photo of hydrangeas growing along the road and fell in love with the view. In my town, only flower shops have hydrangeas; and here they grow like regular bushes along the road. Then I began to look for the location of the Azores and came across information about the island of Sao Miguel. I could not even dream that I would get here in a year!

Why you should choose the Azores

Located in the center of the Atlantic, between Europe and America, is the Azores archipelago of nine islands. For example, from the main island, the flight to Boston last only five hours!

Sao Miguel is called the Green Island. Not surprisingly, remembered for a lifetime are the views of the lush green plants. It is the largest of the Azores; its length is 75 kilometers, and the tire is 14 kilometers.

Road to the Furnas village on San Miguel
Road to the Furnas village on San Miguel

If you are interested in a beach holiday, this direction is hardly suitable for you. Of course, there are some beaches here, but the weather does not always dispose of it. In the winter the average temperature is 14 degrees and in the summer, 21! A very mild climate, but with character. Most of the time, clouds gather over the islands – they “cling” to the mountains. And you may not be surprised if the pouring rain will go on for five minutes, and then the sun will shine brightly for ten minutes; then everything will fog up, and it will rain again, and then the sun will return. Oh, to predict the weather on the Azores is not possible! Therefore, every day in a backpack, you need to have sunscreen, sunglasses, and a raincoat!

Fog over Lago do Fogo
Fog over Lago do Fogo

There are very few tourists on the island, so if you want to visit a non-banal direction, you will like it here! It is quiet and calm, and civilization has hardly touched wildlife.

How to get to the Azores

The easiest way to get to the Azores is by plane. Several airlines fly from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada, and it’s easy to find a flight. Just two hours and you’re on a fabulous Green Island! Also, in the warmer months, you can come here by ferry.

Transport

On the island, you can rent a car, use public transport, or touristic. And now more about each island:

In the capital city, Ponta Delgada, public transportation is well developed. There are four lines of minibus routes. For convenience, you can download the PDL application on your mobile phone to know the exact schedule. Please note – buses operate from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm and only on weekdays!

Also on the island of Sao Miguel, ten bus routes travel between cities.

Car rental

Traveling around the Azores by public transport is complicated; I was unprepared – rare shuttles, high cost, short hours of work, all this caused inconvenience. But when I decided to rent a car for at least a couple of days, I was amazed! For the smallest car with a manual transmission with full insurance, provided that I do not want to leave a deposit on the card of 1,500 euros, the cost was 120 euros per day! I was shocked – it’s more expensive than renting a car in Iceland! Of course, if you book in advance and for a more extended period, the price will be lower. But in one of the companies I contacted, all the cars were booked for two months. If you want to travel in comfort, you need to take care of this in advance.

Streets of Ponta Delgada city
Streets of Ponta Delgada city

Tourist transport

In Ponta Delgada, many travel companies organize tours and provide transport. Prices are very different, most often high. Also, you can take advantage of the Portuguese tourist company Yellow Bus, which does hop on – hop off tours. The cost of a ticket for one day is 18 euros, for two days – 22 euros.

Where to live

Of course, there are many hotels and apartments on the island, and they are quite expensive. But my trip is budget, and therefore I will tell you about cheap accommodation on the island of Sao Miguel.

Hostels

The first day after arriving on the island, I had to spend a night at the hostel. On the Internet, I found the one closest to the airport and went there. I must say, I was struck by the appearance, not to compare with hostels in Lisbon! The cost of one night in the standard room – 22 euros.

Hostel in Ponta Delgada
Hostel in Ponta Delgada

Couchsurfing

There are not many couchsurfers in the Azores, but I managed to find a few hosts with good reviews. One of them agreed to accept my friend and me for five days!
I think my Couchsurfing experience on this trip is very positive. Do you know how many scary stories I heard? However, every time I follow the rules and try to be attentive before writing a request. This time we had a separate room in the apartment of the local policeman. He was very kind to us, told us a lot about the Azores, and even drove us to several interesting places on weekends.

Want to learn more about the Green Island of the Azores archipelago? Stay tuned for blog updates!

– Romanna

Previous post: Lisbon: Places Where Young People Go, What They Eat, and Where to See the Best Sunset of Your Life

Next post: To See Everything in Two Days – the Fast Itinerary of the Azores

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

Lisbon: Places Where Young People Go, What They Eat, and Where to See the Best Sunset of Your Life

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Most people consider their country to be the best at everything. But when the Portuguese say that their cuisine is the best in the world, you can only agree – it sounds too convincing. After spending a week in Lisbon, I made sure of this 100 percent!

Village Underground Lisboa - creative hub and multicultural venue
Village Underground Lisboa – creative hub and multicultural venue

I think everyone here will find something to their liking. Places to eat are a dime a dozen here – cafes, restaurants, markets, street food, and pastry. I can’t even imagine how the Portuguese manage to stay so slim when there is so much delicious food around!

Want to see and try everything at once? Go to the market on the Figueira square​​. It takes place once a month – last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month. There is music, drinks, snacks, cheeses, sausages, and other different products from local producers.

Local cheese on the market
Local cheese on the market

I advise you to try the sangria, which is prepared with Porto wine and sandwiches with soft cheese and Jamon.

traditional grilled sandwich with soft cheese and Jamon
traditional grilled sandwich with soft cheese and Jamon

Another interesting, but more expensive place to eat – Time Out Market.

Time Out Market - Lisbon
Time Out Market – Lisbon

It appeared a few years ago at the location of the fish market. Now it is a popular place where hundreds of people, including locals, gather every day. There is a market zone with groceries and a separate area with restaurants. I came here a few times, and it was always crowded!

funny sardines lovers visitors in Time Out Market
funny sardines lovers visitors in Time Out Market

If you want to find a more private place for dinner, I advise you to go to Tasca, which is not a restaurant or a cafe – a traditional format of Lisbon establishments that keep families from generation to generation. Prices are relatively low, so for the traditional bitoque – steak with scrambled eggs, I paid 9 euros.

Portuguese bitoque - steak with scrambled eggs
Portuguese bitoque – steak with scrambled eggs

The most affordable food option is the A Padaria Portuguesa network. Here you can take coffee and pastries, or you can have a full meal. There are special offers for breakfast – freshly squeezed orange juice, sandwich, and coffee for only 2.5 euros. And if you came for lunch, then for a set menu of 2-3 dishes you will pay only 6-7 euros!

Want to try sardines? Go to one of the colorful shops O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa. Racks with hundreds of cans of different shapes and colors, lanterns, carousels, photo zones – each store of the network look like a fairytale. Even if you are not going to buy sardines for yourself or as a souvenir, be sure to visit at least one store for the sake of the atmosphere.

O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa - sardines shop
O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa – sardines shop

Now let’s walk along the Tagus River to the bridge on April 25th.

LX Factory entrance
LX Factory entrance

Here is the art center LX Factory. Previously, it was a weaving factory, and now it is a space to assemble galleries, a handmade market, cafes, restaurants, and bookstores.

LX Factory handmade market
LX Factory handmade market

Tourists and locals, artists, musicians, chefs, and creators gather here in a relaxed atmosphere. Held every weekend evening are concerts – a place worth to come! Stroll through the open-air market and go to the Ler Devagar bookstore. I am sure you will be impressed by the number of books and the unique atmosphere of the place. Here you can drink coffee, read and take a few pictures to remember.

Ler Devagar bookstore
Ler Devagar bookstore

Be sure to go to the main factory building to the top floor – bar Rio Maravilha. Please note that it is closed on Mondays, and on other days it opens at lunch and runs until 2 am.

Rio Maravilha bar terrace
Rio Maravilha bar terrace

The size of the bar is impressive, but most importantly – the terrace overlooking the bridge and the statue of Jesus on the other side of the river.

On the last day, I decided to go outside the city and went to the Sintra.

Train to Sintra
Train to Sintra

Right in the center of Lisbon, there is a train station where you can buy a one-way ticket for 4 euros. The road takes only half an hour.

Pena Palace in Sintra city
Pena Palace in Sintra city

Situated on one of the high hills of Sintra is the fabulous Pena Palace. Entry is not free, and I immediately advise you not to take a full ticket. Some too many people want to get inside the palace – you have to stand in line for 40 minutes.

queue for the Pena Palace entrance
queue for the Pena Palace entrance

Garden + terraces ticket costs 7 euros, full – 14 euros. Moreover, in contrast to the bright appearance, inside it is not particularly interesting so that you won’t be missing much. There is a huge park around the palace, where in the shade of trees you can walk all day.

terraces of Pena Palace
terraces of Pena Palace

And now I will tell you about the most unlikely place that impressed me.
Despite all the concerns about the multitude of tourists, I went to Cabo da Roca – the most western point of Europe. I made the right call! So I chose the evening time and arrived there at sunset. There were only a few tourists in the area, and I was able to enjoy the beauty of this place alone.

Cabo da Roca - the most western point of Europe
Cabo da Roca – the most western point of Europe

Now I understand why this place previously considered to be the end of the world – the waves of the endless ocean, high cliffs, the salty wind that blows you off. It is a place where you can feel the power of our planet and see its beauty.
Do not forget to take warm clothes; it’s freezing in the evenings here.

The ocean floor is rocky, and many ships used to crash right off the coast earlier. That is why there is a lighthouse on the hill – a guide for seafarers. The lighthouse, built in the 18th century, is one of the oldest in Portugal!

This evening was the perfect end to my acquaintance with Lisbon. However, my journey through Portugal continues. Stay tuned for blog updates!

– Romanna

Previous post: Lisbon Travel Tips – Part 2 of Romanna’s Trip to Lisbon, Portugal

Next post: Have You Ever Heard of the Azores?

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

Lisbon Travel Tips – Part 2 of Romanna’s Trip to Lisbon, Portugal

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Want to know how Lisbon looked like before the earthquake? Go to Alfama! This area is entirely different from all else as if it was accidentally built right into the capital of Portugal. Here is another pace of life, customs, and even prices. Most local people also do not speak English.

Alfama area in Lisbon
Alfama area in Lisbon

However, neither of these features is negative. On the contrary, it feels like you find yourself in another city with an incredible atmosphere. There is no longer an understanding of who is a tourist, and who is local – the people of Lisbon themselves come to this area and seem out of the crowd. Initially, the Arabs inhabited this quarter and gave it the new name. Springs – this is what Alfama means in Arabic. Earlier, there were many baths in this quarter, which served not only as a hygienic role but also as curative. Despite this, the quarter is now considered one of the oldest and poorest. There is no sewage system in some houses still, and people are forced to go to public toilets. That seems crazy nowadays!

I don’t know if I was lucky or not, but I left Lisbon precisely one day before the main holiday, St. Anthony’s Day. Locals say that during such fun the city goes crazy. Anyway, I had some fun, because the Portuguese began celebrations in advance. While planning your visit to Lisbon, be sure to check the calendar of events, maybe something grand will happen!

Celebration time in Alfama
Celebration time in Alfama

On the advice of the locals, we went to Alfama again on Saturday evening. Fragrant food at every step, smoke from the grill, the smell of sardines, noisy people – all this to the rhythms of the Portuguese Fado and most importantly, with the smiles of passersby.

Grilled food preparing
Grilled food preparing

Be sure to try the local cherry liquor “ginja” from the chocolate cup and order the sardines – they are grilled just in front of you in only a few minutes!

want some sardines?
want some sardines?

Walking through the old town, you can see graffiti on walls. Do not think it is rowdyism. In this area, houses were built tightly to each other, and if the building becomes uninhabitable, it does not get demolished, but closed and allowed to turn it into a canvas for art. In Lisbon, there are special projects for street art – artists are invited to paint on these houses. Often, such drawings do not just decorate walls, but also tell a particular story.

Take a look at the photo below.

old graffiti of Maria Severa
old graffiti of Maria Severa

The graffiti shows Maria Severa – one of the first Fado performers. No one can say for sure how this musical genre appeared. Someone thinks that it came from the Arabs; someone says – from the troubadours, and my favored theory says that Fado appeared at the time of the navigators. These are sad songs about sailors who have not returned, about lost love, about sadness and fleeting time.

It is precisely known, however, that sad motives took their origin in taverns and brothels. In those days, Fado was a mix of song and dance, and the women who performed it were “easily accessible.” In one of these public places, Maria Severa worked. Thanks to her beauty and voice, she became very famous, and so the musical genre of poor neighborhoods began to appear in high society.

Fado is still a popular music genre. Even without knowing the Portuguese language, you will be imbued with these songs and understand exactly which feeling the singer is trying to convey. That feeling is Saudade. This word cannot be translated, interestingly, into any language. It was a Portuguese notion, initially, which means a mixture of nostalgia, love, and sadness, for what was earlier and for what will never become real.

Saudade – the main part of Fado.

Another impressive quarter, absolutely not similar to others – Belem.
Ships departed to new lands right from here! You can get here by bus, train, and scooter!

Lime scooters in Lisbon
Lime scooters in Lisbon

In Lisbon, at every corner, you can find this little green transport. It is enough to install the application on the phone, attach a bank card, and now you have your private transportation. At any time, you can scan the scooter by the QR code and ride with the wind.

Let’s return to Belem. There are many historical sites, such as museums, cultural centers, monuments, a palace, and a monastery. If you are interested in visiting these places, I advise you to buy a tourist card – it will help you save money. If you do not want to wander through the museums, there is another plan! Relax in the shade of the trees – here is a beautiful park where people come with families and companies for a picnic or to rest on the grass.

Monastery of Jeronimos in Belem
Monastery of Jeronimos in Belem

Be inspired by the beauty of the Monastery of Jeronimos and do not forget to visit the most famous confectionery in Lisbon!

World known Pasteis de Belem
World known Pasteis de Belem

Pasteis de Belem is a cafe that produces Portuguese Pasteis de Nata – the world-famous Portuguese cream cakes. The recipe was invented by monks right here. Of course, there are a lot of people who want to try them here – prepare to stand in a long line.

Waiters in Pasteis de Belem work amazingly quick - every minute two-three people receive their orders!
Waiters in Pasteis de Belem work amazingly quick – every minute two-three people receive their orders!

Do not worry; it moves quickly. 15-20 minutes, and now you already have the cherished Pasteis! Just do not eat them right away – go to the embankment overlooking the Tagus River and the 25th of April Bridge and enjoy all together.

Pasteis de Nata - traditional Portuguese pastry
Pasteis de Nata – traditional Portuguese pastry

I will tell you in secret; I liked Pasteis de Nata in other pastry shops more – too much cream here. But everyone’s tastes differ!

Of course, Lisbon is not only history but also modernity. In the next article, I will tell you about places where young people go, what they eat and where to meet the best sunset in your life.

See you! Romanna

Previous post: Discovering New Countries – Part 1 of Romanna’s Trip to Lisbon, Portugal

Next post: Lisbon: Places Where Young People Go, What They Eat, and Where to See the Best Sunset of Your Life

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

Discovering New Countries – Part 1 of Romanna’s Trip to Lisbon, Portugal

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Many stories about Portugal I have heard from my friends, saw lots of photos on the internet and read dozens of articles. It was my first time in Portugal, and it exceeded all expectations! More and more tourists come here every year, and now I know why. Today, I will tell you about my third direction – Lisbon.

Commerce Square near the Tagus river in Lisbon
Commerce Square near the Tagus river in Lisbon

City of Contrasts
It is noisy and calm at the same time. It seems reticent, but at the same time, so friendly and cozy. The first visit decides everything – either you love it or you will hate it. You need to feel it – to observe, listen, and taste it. I hope I can convince you to come here!

The first thing that made me happy from the first minutes in Lisbon was the location of the airport. Surprisingly, there are only a few metro stations, and you are very close to the city center! Lisbon has a very convenient transportation system: the metro is the most popular way to travel. There are four lines in total with short distances between stations. There are maps and pointers everywhere, just impossible to get lost! The cost of a single trip is 1.45 euros.

Zapping system card for transport
Zapping system card for transport

* Budget tip – the first time you buy a card, you should keep it so you may replenish it for upcoming trips. Zapping system is the way to save time and money – the cost will equal to 1.30 euros.

The ground transportation is buses, trams, and funiculars. The cost is the same as in the subway. Please note that when you pay the fare directly at the driver, you overpay 1.05 euros! It is much more convenient to replenish the card in the machine with the same Zapping system.

The primary association with Lisbon are old trams. There are five routes, which among them are the world-famous 28 and 12 routes. The trams are always full of people, and I did not understand why everyone is so eager to ride them. At least from the outside, they look much prettier, and it is easier to breathe.

Lisbon tram
Lisbon tram

Lisbon is a city that will keep your muscles in shape! On top of seven hills, the city has you always walking down sharply; then climbing back up. I was surprised by the old part of the city with its sloping streets, narrow passages, many stairs, lifts, and elevators. Their main task is to carry people up and down. But some elevators have a tourist function. To ride the most famous elevator of Santa Justa you have to wait in a queue of 20 minutes.

Another essential feature of the streets is the mosaic underfoot – calcada. Local girls manage to walk on it in heels gracefully, but for visitors, I advise to wear comfortable shoes.

Monument to the Restorers on the Restauradores Square
Monument to the Restorers on the Restauradores Square

Lisbon has always been a small but significant city. All because of the port, which was opened in the 8th century and now it is the third cruise port in Europe. Throughout its history, the city has experienced difficult times. So in 1755, there has occurred an earthquake, which claimed many lives and destroyed the city. The philosopher Voltaire said that there is no God, and many great minds of that time supported him. The fact that the earthquake began on Saturday, right during Mass. It lasted for 7 minutes; most people died right in the churches as a result. Just imagine, after that, a tsunami covered the city, and soon a fire, even more, destroyed the city from a candle in one of the churches.

Lisbon city view from the top of Sao Vicente De Fora monastery
Lisbon city view from the top of Sao Vicente De Fora monastery

These incidents were decisive in Lisbon architecture that we see now. Walking around the city, you can see a vast difference between districts and in areas exceptionally well seen. The communities, built according to new rules with money from the government and those that were of no interest to the authorities, were built by locals. So the center of the city is Baixa area, which has always been a “place of business” – wide, parallel streets and spacious squares. At the same moment, poor local people rebuilt the narrow and tangled streets on their own as they were before.

Old city area Alfama
Old city area Alfama

Right in the city center, you can easily find affordable accommodation. Even though I was planning to find a place to stay on Couchsurfing, the circumstances made their adjustments. The host urgently changed plans, and on the third day of staying in the city, I had to look for another option. Maybe the reason was in Lisbon’s particular popularity among travelers, or it was the holiday time, or even all together – I could not find a host. The cost of one night in the hostel starts at 10 euros. For 15-20 euros you can find excellent options if you are not embarrassed to live in a standard room with other people. That’s what I did!

It was a great decision – in the hostel I met a lot of travelers and found out that there are free walk tours! Walks are carried out every day at a specific time. There are several route options, and they vary depending on the day of the week.

Look for the yellow t-shirts - free walking tour sign
Look for the yellow t-shirts – free walking tour sign

I was lucky to get to the group to the guide Nuno. Thanks to him, I discovered Lisbon in a completely different way, learned a lot of exciting facts, and understood the mood of the city.

Nuno - the guide in Free Walking Tours Lisbon
Nuno – the guide in Free Walking Tours Lisbon

Although I am not particularly delighted with the cities and a large number of tourists, Lisbon left great impressions. New and unusual for me, it inspired for long walks, gastronomic experiments and new musical discoveries. Can’t wait to tell you more in the next article, do not forget to follow the updates!

~ Romanna

Previous post: Inspired by the Nature of Sicily

Next post: Lisbon Travel Tips – Part 2 of Romanna’s Trip to Lisbon, Portugal

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

To read more of Romanna’s SkySurf.Travel adventure blogs, click here.

Inspired by the Nature of Sicily

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Active volcano Etna while erupting
Active volcano Etna while erupting

If you climbed an active volcano and at that moment it began to erupt, what would you feel? I had a euphoria!

I am so glad that we live in a time of well-developed science, we understand nature and can calculate what to expect from it. Everyone already knows that the giant Enceladus is not chained under the volcano Etna, and an eruption is not his desperate attempt to get outside – it’s just that Sicily is located simultaneously above two tectonic plates of Eurasia and Africa.

Volcanic lanscape. Etna, 2500 meters
Volcanic landscape. Etna, 2500 meters

Etna’s danger is a myth. Convinced, the local people have lived and will live at the foot, which is very reassuring. They even call it a “friendly volcano.” Etna’s eruption is not explosive but rather calm. You can observe the release of gas, ash, and smoke as the lava flows down, without causing much harm. Sometimes the force of the eruption is so strong that the ashes impair visibility for the aircraft of the airport of Catania causing flights to redirect to Palermo.

Closely monitored are the lava streams, and often people carry out work to expand the channel, even during an eruption. As soon as the news about the eruption appeared, people did not run away, but, on the contrary, they came to watch it specifically, because this is a unique spectacle. Of course, there are special security measures, depending on the activity of the volcano. So the maximum altitude for an ascent on this day was 2,700 meters, although on a clear day you can go up to 3,000 m.

There are three ways to climb Etna. There are eastern and northern routes to the volcano, but they are less touristy. The most popular course is from Catania.

The road to Etna
The road to Etna

By bus, you can get to the station Rifugio Sapienza, and continue to climb on foot, or by the cable car. The last option takes you to an altitude of 2,550 meters.

Queue to the cable car to Etna volcano
Queue to the cable car to Etna volcano

I did not have much time and bought a full ticket, which included the funicular and travel by tourist SUV. Usually, after this, you are additionally accompanied by a guide to a height of 3,000m, but on that day there was no such possibility. The ticket price is 65 euros. Even in the summer, it is necessary to prepare thoroughly for the rise of Etna. The fact is that at the top it is always freezing – that day it was only 2 degrees, and a strong wind was blowing. Of course, you can rent boots and warm jackets, but it is better to prepare in advance – take warm clothes, trekking shoes, sunscreen, and water.

Etna volcano during eruption, 2,700 m
Etna volcano during eruption, 2,700 m

Another way to enjoy Etna with an unusual company without climbing is trekking with alpacas. Yes, you were not mistaken! Six years ago, Farmer Luciano received a call from an animal shelter. He was asked to host alpacas, which is how everything started.

Luciano - alpacas farmer
Luciano – alpacas farmer

Today, it is the only farm on the island where you can meet these animals so closely. In total, there are six alpacas on the farm, but during my visit, one of them was pregnant – it is quite possible that there are more of them now!

And so, I will tell you more about my experience. You cannot get there by public transport, only by a rented car or with a person who agrees to help you. Few people know about this place, and you can rely only on geolocation on the official Facebook page https://is.gd/aJjyAZ. There is also a phone number, which we contacted and clarified a convenient time. Please note that for a quick response you need to write in Italian – so there are more chances to reach an understanding. After meeting at the farm, Luciano loaded the alpacas in a special trailer, and then you go to the Piedmont of Etna.

Alpacas transportation
Alpacas transportation

There, you will be given your alpaca on a leash, and you can enjoy walking in the forest for about three hours. I want to assure everyone who cares about animals – this is a very peaceful experience. You go near the alpaca, while it eats grass and the leaves of trees.

Alpacas trekking
Alpacas trekking

The animals are not skittish, but you can hardly cuddle with them. This experience was my first meeting with alpacas; I was amazed by their calmness and incredibly soft fur. These are herd animals; therefore, you should not worry that they will run away. Moreover, they love their master and are very attached to him.

Look, how cute they are!
Look, how cute they are!

Frankly, the emotions from the walk were even stronger than from a volcanic eruption. If you are in Sicily – trekking with alpacas must be included in your plans! The cost of trekking is 20 euros.

Let’s go further to the Tirana Sea. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Aeolian Islands is an archipelago of volcanic origin. There are seven islands in total, the most popular being Lipari, which is also the most populated island; Stromboli – a small island with an active volcano that erupts every 15-20 minutes; and Vulcano, which is the southernmost island with several volcanic craters.

View from the highest point of Vulcano island
View from the highest point of Vulcano island

Many companies offer excursions to the Aeolian Islands and even combine several island visits in one day. But I decided to go on my own since I only had one day. From Catania, I took the train to Milazzo; the journey took 2 hours. The fare is 8.5 euros. Upon arrival, I walked to the port and bought a ferry ticket to Vulcano. The cost of tickets depends on time. My ticket cost was 18.90 euros.

Take a ferry to get to the Aeolian islands
Take a ferry to get to the Aeolian islands

From the first seconds on the island, you feel the smell of sulfur. Do not worry; you get used to it very quickly. For half an hour you walk to the Piedmont of the volcano. I advise you to stock up on water and snacks, as the road will be a challenge. The route is short, but very often the road leads sharply upwards, or obstacles appear on the way. Amazing flowers are covered everywhere. At first, I wanted to take photos of every bush. Rising above, there are fewer plants, but the view is more and more surprising. The best view is on the top – here you can see the nearest islands, where you can not believe your eyes. Is it real?

Flower piedmont on the Vulcano island
Flower piedmont on the Vulcano island

On the approach to the crater, the smell of sulfur is getting stronger. Here you can see how thick is the gas that goes out from the fumaroles. I sat and watched it for 15 minutes, what an incredible phenomenon!

Fumaroles
Fumaroles

If you are not in a hurry, I advise you to go around the crater in a circle and climb to its highest point. But don’t forget – the way to this place took more than five hours, and if you need to come back to Catania this day, you should keep an eye on the time.

Every new day is better than the previous one. New impressions, new people, new places – all this causes euphoria and makes me look forward to the next direction. Today we say goodbye to hot Sicily, and very soon I will tell you about my adventures in Portugal.
See you soon!

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Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only).  To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

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