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Why do so many Germans now want to emigrate to Portugal (Part XI)?

03 May 2024 min reading

When we talk about Portugal, we should not forget that there are of course two island groups that are often visited by Germans because they are so unique in their nature and climate. Who does not hear repeatedly in the news about the Azores high or the Azores low, depending on the weather and season. The fact is that the Azores are usually known by Germans as weather makers or weather causes. Because an Azores high usually results in calm and sunny weather, but when it is said that an Icelandic low hits with a moderate Azores high, then it means slush in winter and continuous rain in summer in Germany. But the Azores are also known for being an escape for stressed people all over the world. Here you can slow down like nowhere else, when you wander the green paths or let yourself be inspired by the spectacle of the whales in the Atlantic, or go diving in the depths of the Atlantic, or explore the vastness of the Atlantic by sailboat, or visit the thermal springs. All of these are the Azores, and the Germans are at the forefront, with 3.6% of the population of the islands they make up the largest share of all EU states on the Azores, then come the Swedes. The Azores consist of nine islands, each of which is unique, and therefore cannot be lumped together as just the Azores.
To the east we start with Santa Maria, there are sandy beaches and vineyards whose slopes resemble stairs for giants. The island of São Miguel is the largest island and enchants with the lakes Sete Cidades and Fogo. Here you will find the famous geysers of volcanic origin with the hot thermal water, which is also used to cook the island's specialty "Cozido das Furnas", in which it is slowly cooked in the bowels of the earth. In the Central Archipelago are Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, and Graciosa, where you can watch whales and dolphins on land and water. Terceira is home to the town of Angra do Heroísmo, which is a World Heritage Site. Faial inspires with the fresh blue of hydrangeas and its marina. Pico rises from the sea with its vineyards embedded in black lava fields and is, so to speak, the Zugspitze of the Azores. São Jorge is known for its cheese and Graciosa (The Elegant), as the name and appearance of this green island is, is covered with vineyards that contrast with the peculiar windmills. To the west are the island of Flores (flowers). Its beauty is based on the nature of the waterfalls and the lakes that were formed from the volcanoes and leave every visitor breathless, like Helen Fischer's hit song leaves its fans. Corvo is also the smallest of the islands and a nature reserve that is home to various bird species from Europe and America.
This is the Azores. Nine islands, nine small worlds that have as many similarities as differences, but in which the friendliness of their inhabitants is common to all. All the islands of the archipelago are of volcanic origin. Only the oldest of the islands, Santa Maria, has additional sedimentary rocks. But in addition to all nature, gastronomy is also an argument that should be called an expression and not left out. The gastronomy of the Azores is authentic and exotic in taste. The volcanic richness of the soil allows for all the tropical foods that make regional cuisine even more special and flavorful. Most visitors believe that on islands, the sea is more the main source of food, and that seafood and fresh fish are plentiful all year round - and so it is! Fish is one of the main pillars of local gastronomy, and it could not be more delicious. But meat lovers also get their money's worth in the Azores. But the Azores offer all visitors much more, just what has been described so far, there is so much to discover in the Azores. If you visit the Azores and get involved, you will see that the Azores not only produce high and low areas that influence our weather. No, the Azores will give everyone an emotional high when you think about your experiences in and with the Azores.

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