Wait...What? Boston?
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12/21/25
We tend to plan our trips about 5 months out or so…or at least start planning. You know we’re going to the Azores. So…………… how did we wind up in Boston?
The Azores are a group of small islands around 1000 miles off the coast of Portugal. To get there, you can fly to Portugal and catch one of many flights back, which requires a minimum of 3 flights from Nashville. Or you can catch one of the few flights from the US mainland direct to Portugal. This is what we chose.
We tend to plan our trips about 5 months out or so…or at least start planning. You know we’re going to the Azores. So…………… how did we wind up in Boston?
The Azores are a group of small islands around 1000 miles off the coast of Portugal. To get there, you can fly to Portugal and catch one of many flights back, which requires a minimum of 3 flights from Nashville. Or you can catch one of the few flights from the US mainland direct to Portugal. This is what we chose.
Boston has a great ferry system!
Looking so far into the future, you never know what the weather will be and the choices are NYC and Boston. The weather in the northeast in December is a real crap shoot so we chose to fly up on Friday evening from Nashville for a Saturday night flight. This allows us 24 hours to work things out if weather sends things sideways.
We flew from Nashville after work on Friday and things went right by the numbers. We stayed at a hotel by Logan airport in preparations for our flight out Saturday night. On Saturday, we stored our luggage at the hotel and took the “T”, Boston’s version of a subway into the seaport area.
We flew from Nashville after work on Friday and things went right by the numbers. We stayed at a hotel by Logan airport in preparations for our flight out Saturday night. On Saturday, we stored our luggage at the hotel and took the “T”, Boston’s version of a subway into the seaport area.
Prices on seafood here are just crazy
Although I met Laurie in New England and we both lived there for several years, we had never really explored Boston. We flew through, drove through, but never checked out the city. This would be our chance to see what Boston is really like. It turns out it was great!
We walked the Quincy Market area for quite a while. We tend to stay out of Christmas crowds but this was open ended and we didn’t need to shop for anything or anyone. We just enjoyed exploring and enjoyed wandering downtown. There were so many attractions and things to see!
We walked the Quincy Market area for quite a while. We tend to stay out of Christmas crowds but this was open ended and we didn’t need to shop for anything or anyone. We just enjoyed exploring and enjoyed wandering downtown. There were so many attractions and things to see!
Union Oyster house, since 1826
We decided on an early afternoon lunch at a restaurant called “Union Oyster House”. This is the oldest operating restaurant in the United States, opening in 1826. We had a wonderful seafood lunch.
From here we decided to catch the ferry from the nearby wharf across the harbor and back. This gave us great water views of downtown Boston, sailboat races, and people enjoying the day. The ferry cost a grand total of 8 bucks, round trip. We were inside the ferry, warm, with front row seats to view the city.
From here we decided to catch the ferry from the nearby wharf across the harbor and back. This gave us great water views of downtown Boston, sailboat races, and people enjoying the day. The ferry cost a grand total of 8 bucks, round trip. We were inside the ferry, warm, with front row seats to view the city.
Laurie hanging out and waiting on our ride!
After returning to the dock, we took the “T” back to the airport, picked up our luggage from the hotel, and went to the airport. We checked our bags, went through security, and ate a very mediocre airport meal. We boarded our Azores Air flight for an uneventful flight. The day could not have went better....it was perfection!
We landed at Ponta Delgada airport at 6:15 a.m., right on time. We cleared customs and caught a taxi to where we are staying. The host had no renters the day before and graciously told us we could check in early. As it was only 7 a.m. we figured we would grab a bit to eat and not drag him out of bed before the sun came up.
We landed at Ponta Delgada airport at 6:15 a.m., right on time. We cleared customs and caught a taxi to where we are staying. The host had no renters the day before and graciously told us we could check in early. As it was only 7 a.m. we figured we would grab a bit to eat and not drag him out of bed before the sun came up.
Our living room!
It turns out that the host was waiting on us and called us by name as we stepped out of the cab! We checked into our apartment at 7 a.m., dropped our bags, and Jose, our host, gave us the grand tour. The apartment is simply wonderful with views to kill for. It is in the tallest building in all of the Azores.
Jose owns multiple rental properties and moved from the Azores to Canada for around 30 years. When he retired, he moved back and now manages his rentals in retirement. Incredibly helpful and gracious, he does it so well.
Jose owns multiple rental properties and moved from the Azores to Canada for around 30 years. When he retired, he moved back and now manages his rentals in retirement. Incredibly helpful and gracious, he does it so well.
The arrow points our our apartment
We did a few errands, took naps, and struggled to make it through the day. It’s after 9 p.m. here so we’re going to head to bed and call it a day. We’ll hopefully be acclimated to the time change tomorrow and can start working back to normal.
Be sure and see the remaining photos in our slideshow below. More on our adventures as they progress!
Be sure and see the remaining photos in our slideshow below. More on our adventures as they progress!
