The entire Azores archipelago is beautiful and worth a visit, but due to their proximity, Pico, Faial and São Jorge form the so-called "Triangle" of the Central Group of islands that encourage you to cross the sea to get to know your surroundings.

The Triangle: Faial in the foreground, Pico in the background and to the right, and to the left, stretching between the sea and the sky... São Jorge. None of these three islands is similar to the others, and each has its own unique character, but they are all part of the whole. Their closeness and the numerous maritime links between them, makes this "Triangle" a fascinating, surprising destination.

The connections are made by the Atlanticoline shipping company, which runs year-round services. The frequency of crossings increases according to the months. The channel crossing between Horta (Faial) and Madalena (Pico) takes about 30 minutes, and is served by 4-6 trips a day. An alternative route allows you to cross between Horta and Velas (São Jorge), with a stop at São Roque (Pico). Using these scheduled ferries is an easy and economic way to travel between the islands and has the added bonus of spectacular alternative views, and sometimes you can see dolphins.

From May to September, the "triangle" ports are visited by the Santorini Express, operated by Atlanticoline, a ship equipped with cabins that takes the long route between eight of the Azores islands, from Santa Maria to Flores. The opportunity to transport vehicles - from several classes of car to trailers, quad bikes, jetskis and bicycles – makes this cruise an excellent choice for moving comfortably between the Western, Central and Eastern groups.

Faial is one of the obligatory stops on any visit to the central group, with its Capelinhos volcano, its magnificent Caldera covered in various shades of green, its pastures surrounded by hydrangeas and its calm beaches. The city of Horta, an amphitheatre in the bay, deserves special attention, and it is here that you will find the best known marina for sailors from around the world and an imposing view of Pico Mountain. While you’re here, don’t miss out on a whale watching boat trip.

Across the channel is the island of Pico and its majestic mountain in whose interior there are long preserved volcanic caves. In its fields of lava there is a lattice-work of walls amongst which the vineyards are planted. This is considered a World Heritage landscape, which produces the famous Verdelho wine that you can taste in the wine cellars. Note also the views to the islands of São Jorge and Faial and the whale watching. All this makes this island unique for its almost perfect balance between rugged land and the ingenuity for survival that has promoted a unique culture.

São Jorge is a narrow island with a ridge in the centre and several unique features such as the fajãs - small plains that extend into the sea, formed by inlets in the cliffs and often only accessible via footpaths that traverse an enchanting landscape. Also notable are its unique, famous cheese, which can weigh 12 kilos, the double crochet quilts made on a wooden loom, its clams from the lagoon of the Caldeira de Santo Cristo Nature Reserve and its mythical wave.

All this exuberance makes these three incomparably beautiful islands a unique, sublime holiday destination!