Last weekend, I switched Airbnb’s over to a little town called Relva. It was only a 10-minute drive from Ponta Delgada so not far but the landscape couldn’t be more different. I was met with the most stunning cliffside views I’ve ever seen – including the view right from my balcony.
Relva, population 3,006 (smaller than my hometown) is a quaint, sleepy little town with only a few restaurants, two cafes, a grocery store, pastures of cows, and plenty of winding dirt roads. But they’ve also got some incredible hiking trails – including one that leads down to the Fonte Da Rocha (or the Rocha Fountain) that still has 15th-century clothes-washing basins, which are some of the oldest in the Azores.
After huffing and puffing my way back up the trail from the fountains (they’ve got one hell of an incline), I checked out some other spots around town.
And if not ONE hiking trail was enough, I ventured off to my SECOND hiking trail of the day, not knowing that it would make my legs toast because of the MUCH steeper incline. My only motivation to finish was because I had to pee and the bathrooms were at the bottom. But it was well worth the sweat and even more huffing and puffing.
That night, my legs and ass earned a treat so I went to eat at a place called Saca-Rolhas Taberna. This was hands-down one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to – so good that I ate there three times. All of their fish is caught that day, their garlic bread is the best I’ve ever had, and the service was excellent.
And of course, the sunsets were spectacular (when it wasn’t raining).
Then, in the blink of an eye, it was time to pack up and head to my next stop… Porto! São Miguel Island FAR exceeded my expectations. The people, food, wine, and overall vibe were incredible!
I beg you, please add the Azores to your travel list. It’s an easy flight from either JFK or Boston, it’s super safe, the people are amazingly friendly, the food/wine is out-of-this-world good, the prices are super reasonable (for now) and of course, the scenery is indescribable. This place stole my heart and I absolutely can’t wait to come back!
Now, onward to Porto!
Amor e luz (love and light),
MW