The Details
Thanks to their beautiful landscapes and remote location, the islands of the Azores are unlike any other region of Portugal. Both the Azorean terrain and Azorean character have been shaped by 600 years of living cheek-by-jowl with slumbering calderas, bubbling hot springs, and the tempestuous Atlantic Ocean.
There’s no better introduction to the island way of life than a week on Sao Miguel. You’ll begin with a four-night stay in the capital Ponta Delgada – one of Europe’s most welcoming cities. The Hotel do Colegio has been out go-to city centre hotel for over twenty years – for a touch of modern luxury, the Grand Hotel Atlantico is also an excellent choice, with its view across the bustling Portas do Mar marina with the Atlantic beyond.
From your base in the city, you’ll explore the magnificent western crater at Sete Cidades, the thermal sea vents at Ferraria, and the volcanically heated waterfall at Caldera Velha. You’ll also spend time at sea with Sao Miguel’s whales and dolphins. Sperm whales, pilot whales, and North-Atlantic spotted dolphins are all resident in the island’s waters, and we work with the best conservationists on the island to give you an unforgettable wildlife experience.
Leaving the capital, you’ll drive east for a three-night stay in the enchanting Furnas Valley: home to the Azores’ most celebrated hotel, the art deco Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. It’s the ideal spot for rest and relaxation, floating in the famous geothermal swimming pools of the 200-year-old Parque Terra Nostra.
