It
is rare in this life to find a place that captures your heart and soul. My family and I have been blessed to have a
few experiences like this. Still, two
summers ago I had to opportunity to visit Sao Miguel island in the Atlantic
Ocean. I posted a few blog posts about
our experiences there. We loved it so
much we returned for another stay this summer.
One big reason for our desire to return was our Airbnb hosts, Paul Natérsia Torres.
When
booking last year, we knew little about the island. Therefore, picking a location for our lodging
was daunting. One Airbnb home that
seemed far away from everything was located in Achadinha called The House onthe Hill( Casa do Monte in Portuguese). Due to the distance, we would
need to rent a car. I wasn’t against
this idea and, as we later learned, a car rental is the best way to see
everything on Sao Miguel.
As
I continued to research, I was repeatedly drawn back to the House on the Hill These are the things that caught my attention.
1. The price.
2 It was owned by superhosts
3. Airbnb said it was rare this place was
available
4. The overwhelmingly excellent reviews
Choosing
the House on the Hill was made easier when I learned they would give us
complimentary transportation from/to the airport. Additionally, I was able to rent a car
directly from them. To me, this was the
place to stay.
When
picked up at the airport by Paul, I immediately was impressed by this strong
yet humble man. During the drive to his
home, he offered many sightseeing tips to us.
This continued throughout our stay.
Perhaps the best way to describe what I want to express is to say it
like this: Paul, Natérsia and family are very kind people who
know how to be hospitable and continually go the extra mile for their
guests. They take time, if you are
willing, to get to know you on a personal level. They took time from their obviously busy
schedules to share personal moments with us.
Even when we returned this last summer, there was much more of this
personal interaction. Therefore, in my
mind, when I visit Sao Miguel island, I will only stay with Paul and Natérsia or I won’t go. Fortunately, they have a couple different places so we have options.
Paul
mentioned to us his desire to start a tour service. I understand he now has two tours. One is a sunrise tour and you get to explore more of the island in the other. While we haven’t taken part in the tours he
offers, I am certain they are amazing experiences. Sao Miquel is a paradise on earth. To anyone considering a visit to Sao Miquel
island, you must go. When you do, you
must stay with Paul and Natérsia . You
won’t be disappointed.
#saomiguel
#azores #airbnb #travelreview
