AZORES ISLAND TOUR

7 Days / 6 Nights

Explore the natural beauty of the main and biggest island of Azores archipelago: São Miguel. Land ready to be explored, in the blue immensity of the Atlantic Ocean, São Miguel is characterized by its volcanic lakes, hot termal waters and green fields.

All Year

PACKAGE RATES INCLUDE:

• Private transfer Ponta Delgada Airport / Hotel in Ponta Delgada / Airport .
• 6 Nights of accommodation with breakfast, including city taxes, in planned hotels or similar, depending on availability.
• Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle for all the transfers & excursions according to the day by day program.
• Private English speaking guide for all the excursions.
• Travel insurance.

DAY 1: WELCOME TO THE STUNNING ISLAND OF S. MIGUEL

Arrival at Ponta Delgada Airport. Private transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight.

DAY 2: CITY TOUR OF PONTA DELGADA (CAPITAL OF S. MIGUEL ISLAND)

Morning departure from the hotel for a walk through Ponta Delgada, and its main attractions. The tour starts with a visit to the main church, then through the shopping area and also to the Santo Cristo Church, you find the most respected religious image in the island, brought from Rome in the 15th century and in honor of which there are great festivities every year, on the 5th Sunday after Easter, with a grand procession that goes through the town of Ponta Delgada. Another church you will visit is the Church of São José. All churches have a baroque style. The tour also includes a visit to the Art Sacra Museum (closed on Monday). Afternoon at leisure.

DAY 3: EXPLORE AMAZING PLACES SUCH VALLEY OF FURNAS AND LAGOA DO FOGO

Departure from the Hotel, driving to Lagoa on the South Coast side, towards Barrosa Mountain. On the way up, and closer to the top, both Coasts can be seen. Stop on the top of the mountain to enjoy the view around. Drive down on the Northside stopping at the Belvedere overlooking Lagoa do Fogo to admire not only the beautiful and quiet lake but also the landscape of the surroundings. Drive then on, down to the town of Ribeira Grande, on the water front, which happens to have an excellent collection of Barroc Architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. Stop in the down center for a short break. Then on the Northside of the Island to the Belvedere of Santa Iria, a great extension of the North Coast can be seen. Next, and still, on the Northside, the drive continues to the Tea Plantations of Gorreana. Stop to see the tea bushes, on terraces. Driving through Achada das Furnas plateau, an area of pastures, the Belvedere of Pico do Ferro is reached from where you can observe the biggest and oldest volcanic crater at the bottom of which lies Furnas Lake and the Spa of Furnas. It is one of the richest hydro polis in the world since there are 22 different kinds of mineral-medicinal waters in the valley. Walk in the beautiful and romantic Park, the chance to observe so many botanical species, here from all over the world. Here there is also a thermal swimming pool. Then drive to the hot springs, still in the Valley of Furnas, volcanic phenomena unique on the world, and the most important of the Islands of Azores. Return to Ponta Delgada, driving along Furnas Lake, Vila Franca, the first Capital of the Island, the beaches of Água d’Alto and Pópulo.

DAY 4: MORE AMAZING PLACES TO BE EXPLORED TODAY

Departure from the hotel taking the mountain road towards the twin lakes. Stop at "Vista do Rei" viewpoint for the remarkable scenery. Descend to the valley of Sete Cidades on the crater ground, with the opportunity to leisurely walk along the shores of the green and blue lakes or just a coffee- break. Sete Cidades ("Seven Cities"), located on the west side of São Miguel Island, is one of the most beautiful natural settings in the Azores, composed of two lakes in the center of a volcanic crater about three miles across. Looking from the edge of the crater, one lake looks blue (reflecting the sky) and is called Lagoa Azul and the other appears green (reflecting the ground) and is named Lagoa Verde. Continue to Ribeira Grande and walk through the town, along the main street to the town square, and enjoy the beautiful architecture of the city hall building. Then up the mountain (altitude of 900 m) to admire the magnificent view of the “Lagoa do Fogo” (Fire Lake), the one lake on the island in which you encounter nature in a pure state. On the way through, there is a chance of seeing the milking cows and of actually trying it out yourself. The return is through the south coast, enjoying a nice view of Ponta Delgada in the background. Visit the Pineapple plantation with various greenhouses all showing the small pineapples at different stages of growth and the labor-intensive methods used to make them so sweet.

DAY 5: HALF DAY BOAT TOUR WHALE & DOLPHIN WATCHING

You will have the opportunity to watch some of the 25 cetacean species that can be found in the Azores. Although nature offers no guarantees, whales and dolphins are regularly seen during half- day tours, along with turtles, seabirds and other marine life. Before the boat trip, the biologists give you a briefing to explain which cetacean species can be observed, safety measures aboard, how we respect the animals and rules of observation at sea as well as some historical facts. During the tour, each passenger is required to wear a life vest.

DAY 6: AT LEISURE

Day at leisure to explore the island by yourself.

DAY 7: FLIGHT BACK HOME

The day you will say good bye to this beautiful island.

Departure to the Airport provided by a private transfer.