Lagoa das Sete Cidades

Lagoa das Sete Cidades is a twin lake situated in the crater of a dormant volcano on the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It consists of two small, ecologically different lakes connected by a narrow strait, which is crossed by a bridge. The volcano is located on the western third of the island of São Miguel. It is the largest body of water in the region and one of the most important freshwater resources in the archipelago.

Thank you Helen for this wonderful card!
Date: May 13

Jardim Duque da Terceira

Jardim Duque da Terceira is a manicured garden in the historical centre of Angra do Heroísmo, on the island of Terceira in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. One of the classic gardens emblematic of the Romantic period of Portuguese history, it is part of the municipal gardens of the city of Angra. Considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the archipelago, it is built on platforms connected by gentle paths and is home to a large and varied range of beautiful and amazing flora from subtropical and tropical regions.

Unesco: Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores
Lottery; Just viewcards
Date: April 3

Flags of the World - The Azores

Blue and white were traditional colours used by the Portuguese nation and also represent the Portuguese Constitutional Monarchy borne in the Azores.The nine stars represent the nine islands: Sao Miguel, Sao Jorge, Terceira, Santa Maria, Graciosa, Faial, Pico, Flores, and Corvo. The bird represents the Goshawk which the word Azores derived from. The shield represents the lesser arm of Portugal, of which the Azores is an autonomous region.

Thanks a lot Teresa!
Date: Nov 17

Ilha de S. Jorge

A card from Velas, a municipality on São Jorge Island. The card shows Fajã do Ouvidor, a permanent debris field, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Norte Grande, in Velas. São Jorge Island is part of the Central Group of the Azores and is one of the corners of the so-called 'triangle islands' together with Faial and Pico.

Distance: 2,887 km
Travel time: 10 days

Camélia Black Magic

A card from São Miguel Island, known as "The Green Island", the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. The card shows a camélia black magic (Camellia) from Parque Terra Nostra in Furnas (Povoação). This 18th century park, started by Thomas Hickling, consists of small lakes, and streams, bushes of colourful and exotic flowers and century old trees of great botanical value, a lake that works like a pool of thermal iron water where you can relax in hot water.

Distance: 2,792 km (1,735 miles)
Travel time: 7 days