10 Great Islands You've Never Heard Of!

"You escape to an island for that splendid sense of isolation."

"The problem is, lots of other travelers have the exact same idea."

"These days, getting away from it all requires some creativity."

Na edição de Maio de 2005, o site Budget Travel, destacou a Ilha do Faial e mais 9 Ilhas (Austrália - Kangaroo Island , Panamá - Isla Bastimentos , Escócia - Isle of Harris, França - Ile de la Barthelasse, México - Isla Holbox , Fiji - Ovalau, Croácia - Korcula, Brasil - Ilha Grande, Japão - Miyajima ), como um lugar privilegiado para o descanso e sem grandes confusões.

Aqui fica o excerto relativo ao Faial;

"For hundreds of years, ships have stopped in Horta, the main port of Faial, on their way between the New and Old Worlds. The seafarers left their mark, creating a giant collage of inscriptions and colorful paintings on the walls and sidewalks of the marina's jetty. (Bad luck reputedly follows any sailor who doesn't leave a mark in the port.) Yachts and fishing boats still pull into Faial regularly, but the nine islands of the Azores--an autonomous region of Portugal, in a warm climate 900 miles west of the mainland--also bring in Europeans attracted to the volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, and peaceful vibe.

Simple rooms with marina views and air-conditioning are usually less than $100 a night at Residencial São Francisco in Horta (Rua Conselheiro Medeiros). SATA International flies direct from Boston to the island of São Miguel in the Azores, with continuing flights to Horta , from $908). The Peter Café Sport, serving sailors since 1918, is big on nautical memorabilia , grilled ham, cheese, and pineapple sandwich $2). The cafe's museum houses a fascinating scrimshaw collection ($2). Faial's western end is a moonscape formed by a volcano eruption in the 1950s, where roofs still peek out from mounds of ash. The nearby Forest Park of Capelo is a nice swath of green with tables and chairs made of volcanic stone. It's perfect for picnics.
After exploring Faial, try neighboring isles Pico and São Jorge, connected by ferries; they're known for their wine and cheese respectively ($4--$17 each way)."

Jeanine Barone

Note:This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.