Take advantage of your stay on Ilha do Faial to explore the fifth largest of the "Hawk Islands", as the Azores are called. Little traffic and few tourists mean you can hike in complete peace and quiet. Fantastic routes lead across the densely vegetated island, along the cliffs, around the crater lake and to the lighthouse in the west. The picturesque harbour of Horta is a stopover for every circumnavigator. Skippers, divers and whale watchers use the legendary "Peter Café Sport" as a popular meeting place to exchange news over the "best gin and tonic in the world" between souvenir photos and model ships. Upstairs, the founder of this pirate pub, one of the last whalers, has set up a scrimshaw museum with artistically carved whale bones and teeth.

The Atlantic port city of Brest offers numerous maritime attractions. Océanopolis invites visitors on an exciting journey through the world of the oceans with its diverse exhibitions. The imposing Château de Brest, which dates back to Roman times and now houses the Musée de la Marine, where visitors can learn more about France's maritime history, is a defining feature of the city. Another highlight is the Pont de Recouvrance, one of the largest lift bridges in Europe, from which you can overlook the harbour and military installations. Also worth seeing is the former arsenal of Brest, which was long the centre of French shipbuilding. If you are looking for a maritime atmosphere, visit the fishing harbour or the Quartier du Port – here you can experience the city's close connection to the sea up close.