The Canary Islands and the Azores are a group of islands however they offer very different travel experiences. The Azores are magical, untouched islands with very few tourists a year compared with the Canary Islands. There are no major hotel chains and there is probably no all inclusive resort on the island. When you go to the Azores, you feel like you’ve got the islands to yourself. Restaurants are small and not commercial at all. Activities are all in nature and the islands are of spectacular beauty. Overall, if you go to the Azores, you will have a more challenging experience as a tourist compared to going in Tenerife, the biggest of the Canary Islands. Don’t get me wrong, this island is also very beautiful however it is full of tourists. This means tourists are everywhere and people on leisure vacations can be found at every corner. Once you get off the airplane, there are literally about ten people with flyers promoting different activities. Everything is already discovered and there is not much to do as a tourist if you want to discover the islands yourself. If you want to go on a leisure vacation, go in the Canary Islands. If you want to explore and discover a less commercial destination but still of incredible beauty, go to the Azores. Personally, I’ve been in both and if I had to choose to go again in one of them, I would choose the Azores because there are still so many things to discover and to do whereas the Canary Islands have already been discovered.
Even though these two islands are very different places to visit, they share many values. One of them is the hospitality of the locals. In both places, locals were very kind and always trying to help. From the local guides in Azores who searched for us in the whole marina to return a forgotten phone to the waiters in Tenerife keeping and cleaning my forgotten pair of sunglasses, these are the small things that make you feel safe when visiting a foreign country. Instead of just keeping the items, these people cared about us and did their best to return our lost objects as soon as possible. In both Azores and Tenerife, the locals care for their tourists because they want for them to like their islands. Seeing us as brothers and not as strangers, the people in Azores and Tenerife made me feel safe and welcome in their homelands.
Furthermore, in both islands, in the afternoon, all of the locals gather at the cafes to socialize, reflect on their day and meet with their friends and family. This is a routine that exists in both islands. It’s very important to make time to reflect on our days and have time to socialize with out friends. Therefore, this shows us that friendship is valued around here. Furthermore, this is also a sign that tourists can integrate very well in these islands and that they can make local friends easily just by siting at a table of a cafe in the afternoon. The so called “custom” exists not only here, but around the world. Therefore, no matter their nation or skin color, people around the world take some time off from their daily activities to sit around the table with their friends and family. This demonstrates that we are more similar that we’ve ever imagined. This shared tradition makes me feel safe and at home anywhere around the world.
Another similarity I’ve noticed between both places is that locals are very appreciative and will be even nicer and more helpful if you try to get to know their culture. When going both places, I learned some basic words and expressions. I have also researched about both places and asked the locals questions about certain details I couldn’t quite get. This made them feel special that tourists care about their homelands. Therefore, they were extremely nice and gave me helpful tips I wouldn’t have received otherwise. Locals in both places really have a strong sense of identity that makes them feel proud of their country. This is something I’ve seen everywhere.
Overall, the Azores and Tenerife are very welcoming and safe places. No one should hesitate visiting them. Locals are extremely helpful and authentic experience more in one place than the other will await you in both places.
I am glad you made a choice. However, both islands are worth a visit!
Nice job, very good article! Very informative, I must say... From the comparison you provided I think that i would choose Azores!