2019-10-01 Wanderlust

162 wanderlust.co.ukOctober 2019

DISCOVER

WhetherislandhoppingintheAzoresorhopingtododgethecrowdsattheItalianLakes

and in the Lake District National Park – our experts share their insider secrets

MurrayStewart

Award-winningtravel

writer;hisfreshly

updatedBradt

TravelGuidetothe

Azoresisoutnow.

(bradtguides.com)

AnnabelBarber

NorthItalyexpert

andco-authorof

BlueGuides’

Lombardy,Milanand

theItalianLakes

(blueguides.com)

MarkRichards

LakeDistrictexpertand

authorofCicerone’stwo

new‘Fellranger’walking

guides:Langdaleand

Wasdale(cicerone.co.uk)

173

FLITTING AROUND THE AZORES

AT A LAIDBACK PACE

Q

I’m planning to spend two

weeks in the Azores – how

practical is it to lit between

islands? And which island is best

for its range of day trips?

Leanne Watkins, Durham

A

Choose to stay in only two or

three of the nine islands in the

archipelago. The Azorean pace of

life is unhurried, so adopt the same

tempo! Inter-island transport is

straightforward though; Žly with

Azores Airlines (azoresairlines.pt)

or book a ferry with Atlânticoline

(atlanticoline.pt). Advance booking

is advisable during high season.

São Miguel, the most populous

island and with the most airline

connections, o’ ers a bit of

everything – speciŽically, the best

range of excursions. Comfortable

day trips would include a visit to

Furnas, with its lake, geothermal

activity and beautiful Terra Nostra

Garden; the crater lakes of Sete

Cidades; tea plantations; and the

quirky, ‘under-the-radar’ OŽicina-

Museu MJ Melo museum. São

Miguel is also a super place for

walking and whalewatching.

The island’s pretty capital, Ponta

Delgada, hosts the best range of

restaurants and hotels.

Apart from São Miguel, other

islands to consider on a two-week

visit would be Pico, with Portugal’s

highest mountain and some good

wines; Flores, with a great west-

coast walk; or Terceira, famous for

its UNESCO World Heritage site,

the town of Angra do Heroismo.

Murray Stewart

EXPERTS

Ask the experts

174

FINE ITALIAN FOOD, WINE AND

ARCHITECTURE AT LAKE COMO

Q

I want to visit the Italian

Lakes next spring, but want

to duck the school holiday

crowds, see some fancy buildings

and eat a lot – I’m not asking for

much I know! Where should I go?

Rob Watts, Chelmsford

A

The Italian Lakes are all so

di’ erent, each with its own

character, but if buildings are your

thing, I’d recommend Lake Como.

There are magniŽicent grand villas

on its shores, all with fabulous

gardens that will be at their

absolute best in spring. In the

centre of the lake (Centro Lago) –

which is the most beautiful part –

you’ll Žind Villa Carlotta at Tremezzo