TERCIERA
IN THE ATLANTIC AZORES
Run With The Island Bulls of Summer
There
is one place in the world where bull fighting is a traditional way
of life and more than 230 bullfights are held in the months
of summer along with the annual running of the bulls - but forget Pamplona,
this unique spot is not in Northern Spain, but the Portuguese island
of Terceira, only 2,000 miles of the East Coast off the United States.
And forget the whole death sport thing, on Terceira, the bull is never
killed. From April to late autumn, the people of Terceira hold the Touradas á Corda
every weekend – their own brand of running of the bulls, with
the bull on a rope. It is found only in the Atlantic islands of the
Azores, and has been popular since 16th Century. The bull is let loose
with a very long rope around its neck, usually at the main square in
a small village. The bull is guided by several experienced, hefty men,
keeping a tight grip at the rope. The idea is, that the courageous
people will try to get as close to the bull as they dare. After the
run, the bull is taken back to the wooden crate and an outdoor festival
begins.
Sometimes, in the larger towns, a Portuguese equestrian bullfight will
follow in the arena. The Portuguese bullfight is, at first glance,
quite simple. A caveleiro, or rider, dressed in a silk jacket embroidered
with gold and lace, tan riding pants and black boots, takes to the
arena atop a special breed of horse, the Lusitano. The goal of man
and horse in a Portuguese bullfight is not to kill the bull, but to
draw the bull to a charge and then to place a single dart in the bull’s
back muscle. The horse and bull must charge at each other, with the
horse suddenly veering off to avoid an impact. Then the rider must
place the “ferro” colorful dart exactly and ride off unscathed.
Terceira is part of the Azores, Europe’s closest point to the
United States. This chain of nine dramatic islands with year round
mild climate, volcanic mountains, seaside villages, and steaming geysers,
is just a four hour flight from New England. Because of its mid trade
route location, Terceira was a very important harbor in centuries past,
and the main city of Angra do Heroísmo prospered with international
trade. Today, Terceira and the city of Angra are UNESCO World
Heritage Sites with well-preserved streets and monuments. Set on a
bay with
a year-round mild climate, the city is a wonderful mix of the cosmopolitan
and the traditional. Angra is a lively city full of culture and great
shopping. The island has everything from a wild interior, to coastal
tidal pools to swim in, to excellent wineries. Terceira is also known
for its beef stews, seafood, and bread.
Azores Express airline has connected New England with the Azores and
mainland Portugal for more than 25 years, offering direct flights from
Boston on the east coast and Oakland, California on the west coast,
to the island of Terceira. The Oakland flights are available every
Monday through the summer while direct flights from Boston to Terceira
are offered on Sundays. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission. Photos courtesy Associacao Turismo dos Acores
SEE ALSO:AZORES EXPRESS - BOSTON TO PORTO SANTO
REDISCOVER MADIERA ISLAND PACKAGES
LISBON PRAIA D'EL REY BEACH RESORT
AFFORDABLE AZORES GETAWAY DEALS
