Azores: where time has a slower pace

Azores: where time has a slower pace

There’s a place in Portugal where time surely goes by more slowly. Hours are over 60 minutes long and one minute is longer than usual. Sometimes, time even stops when we look at Pico, always vigilant and hypnotising, Lagoa do Fogo, dramatic and stunning, or the islet of Vila Franca, magical and modest. Can you imagine holding events or incentives in a paradise like Azores?

It might not be easy to get here. You will probably have to take two or more flights (depending on the island), but the best things in life require some effort. If National Geographic considered the Azores Islands as the second best in the World (and recently as one of the top ten destinations for summer holidays), it is because it is worth it . The archipelago consists of three groups of islands: the Western group (Flores and Corvo), the Central group (Faial, Graciosa, Pico, Sao Jorge and Terceira) and the Eastern group (São Miguel and Santa Maria ).

The main islands equipped for events and incentives are São Miguel, Terceira and Faial, including small and medium sized events. The structures are modern and in harmony with the rich natural landscape. Imagine a workday complemented with diving, or whale watching, or a trip to one of the several golf courses on the archipelago. For dinner, the traditional stew “Cozido das Furnas”, prepared in the spectacular natural hot springs.



São Miguel

It is the largest island in Azores and the main destination for big events. It offers varied accommodation and congress centres, namely Teatro Micaelense - Centro Cultural e de Congressos de Ponta Delgada with 735 seats, or Coliseu Micaelense, which seats nearly 1,300 people.

The Pavilhão das Portas do Mar, the most recent of venues, has four thousand square meters and can accommodate 3,000 people. Other options are mostly in hotels. It has tourist animation companies, DMCs and travel agencies, as well as other services for events.

Terceira
Part of the central group, Terceira has two venues of greater capacity. In Angra do Heroismo and close to the World Heritage historical centre, there is the Centro Cultural e de Congressos. In Praia da Vitória, there is the recently renewed Auditório Ramo Grande, for events up to 400 people.

Faial

In the city of Horta, the main venue is Teatro Faialense, with a movie theatre room with 300 seats and a small auditorium with a capacity for 73 people. The local hotels complete the offer in terms of space. But there is an unexpected suggestion for meetings on the island: the auditorium of the Centro de Interpretação do Vulcão dos Capelinhos. This centre first opened in 2008 and is built underground to preserve the landscape. In it, you can know more about the origin and evolution of the Capelinhos volcano, which went into underwater eruption on 27 September 1957 and was active for 13 months.

Terceira

Part of the central group, Terceira has two venues of greater capacity. In Angra do Heroismo and close to the World Heritage historical centre, there is the Centro Cultural e de Congressos. In Praia da Vitória, there is the recently renewed Auditório Ramo Grande, for events up to 400 people.

Faial

In the city of Horta, the main venue is Teatro Faialense, with a movie theatre room with 300 seats and a small auditorium with a capacity for 73 people. The local hotels complete the offer in terms of space. But there is an unexpected suggestion for meetings on the island: the auditorium of the Centro de Interpretação do Vulcão dos Capelinhos. This centre first opened in 2008 and is built underground to preserve the landscape. In it, you can know more about the origin and evolution of the Capelinhos volcano, which went into underwater eruption on 27 September 1957 and was active for 13 months.

Activities

There are countless alternatives. Hiking (Pico Island offers one of the eight best trails in the world), whale watching, golf, diving, geotourism, cycling / mountain biking, canyoning, bird watching, surfing, fishing, kayaking, paragliding, horseback riding, etc. There are specialised operators for all these activities and a Convention Bureau to help you prepare an event or incentive.