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Ilha do Faial

Preparing your trip to Ilha do Faial: advices & hints - things to do and to obey

1. You can visit the Faial in any season. The temperature is quite comfortable here. It is hot here in the summer. However, the scorching heat does not happen here. The air temperature is not lower than 10-15 °C in winter here. There are often fogs here. Therefore, if you decide to go to the mountains, keep in mind that it is not always possible to see beautiful panoramas.
2. If you are going on a trip in the summer, take some warm clothes with you. It can be cold at night here. Be sure to bring a windbreaker or raincoat and rubber boots if you are going to visit the island in the fall and spring. It often rains here at this time.
3. There are no luxury hotels on the island. The infrastructure is not very developed here. However, there are many small hotels and guest houses here. If you are not looking for evening shows, animation, and all-inclusive holidays, you will surely find a suitable hotel at an affordable price.
4. It will be better to move around the island by taxi or hitchhiking. It's pretty safe here. There are also buses here. However, they are not very suitable for tourists. They run between the main localities of the city.
5. There are no counters in the taxi. The price is usually calculated based on the time or distance of the trip. Note that the distance is always counted in both ways. It will be better to specify the cost and conditions of the trip in advance. For example, if you are planning a long trip, you will most likely pay for the taxi driver's lunch. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
6. You can rent a car or scooter. It will be better to book a car in advance in the season because the demand is quite large.
7. Steamboats and boats run between the islands exactly on schedule. For example, a boat departs from Faial to Pico 4 times a day.
There are no large stores or shopping centers on Faial. You should go shopping at the farmers' market or small shops in Horta. There are souvenir shops in almost every village. The Mercado … Open
8. You need to get a visa in the Portuguese Embassy to get on Faial. It will be the easiest way to get to the island by domestic airlines via Lisbon, Santa Maria or San Jorge.
9. It will be better to get medical insurance. Medical services are quite expensive on the island. Always keep the coordinates of the insurance company with you.
10. There is a hospital on the island. It opens around the clock. You will be promptly delivered to San Miguel if necessary. There are more modern multi-specialty medical complexes there.
11. You don't need to get special vaccinations before your trip. The security level is very high. There is almost no crime here, except pickpockets. There are no dangerous insects or animals here.
12. You can use local phone cards to make calls. There are also coin-operated payphones here. However, they are not always in working order. Payphones are the most profitable option for international calls.
13. Almost the entire population of the island is Catholic. This has a certain impact on their lifestyle. Many islanders attend the Sunday Church morning service. They celebrate all religious holidays. If you get to Faial during Christmas, Easter or any other date important for Catholics, you will surely get an unforgettable experience.
14. The language of communication is Portuguese with a strong local accent. However, you can communicate with hotel staff, restaurants, and civil servants in English or French.
15. Try to avoid topics of family and private life when communicating with local residents. It is considered bad manners to yawn in a public place.
16. Local people have a great respect for the seafarers' ancestors and the history of the Islands. They strongly emphasize their autonomy from Portugal. You should not doubt the patriotic claims of the residents in order to avoid conflict situations.
17. It is customary to arrange a Siesta on the island. Therefore, stores are open from 9:00 to 21:00 with a large lunch break from 13:00 to 15:00. Keep this feature in mind when planning your day. Stores are closed on Sunday. They are open until 13:00 on Saturdays.
18. It's not necessary to leave tips in restaurants. If you like the service, you can thank the waiter or taxi driver with an amount of 5-10 percent of the bill.
19. Most stores and restaurants accept credit cards. There are many ATMs on the island. So you will definitely not have any problems with withdrawing cash. Bank branches are open from 8:30 to 15:00.
Ilha do Faial - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

City tours, excursions and tickets in Ilha do Faial and surroundings

Portugal: travelling advices

Frugal tourists are advised to order portions in the restaurant to take-out, or buy ready-made products in local supermarkets.
Some restaurants in Portugal specialize in preparing a takeaway meal. Previously, such food establishments resembled affordable and convenient eateries for the locals. To date, there are numerous take away restaurants located in all towns of the country, and tourists can try a variety of dishes cooked on a charcoal stove. 
Lovers of elegant shoes with high heels are advised to abandon such shoes for the period of travel as most of the sidewalks of Portugal are equipped with small paving stones called “kalsada”. To ensure a comfortable stay, sports shoes or shoes with flat soles are recommended.
Modern Portugal is equipping hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping centers and McDonald’s with free Wi-Fi access zones. … Open
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com Rentals in Ilha do Faial

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Tips for the cities around Ilha do Faial

Travelling to Ilha do Faial - advices and tips. What should be provisioned in advance, the rules you might want to follow, and the things you better avoid doing in Ilha do Faial. We help you to make your trip smooth and easy, with no unexpected surprises.
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