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Active Holiday
Overview
Introduction
The Azores is fast becoming the go-to destination for adventure enthusiasts and offers a myriad of holiday pursuits over the summer months. Just a three-and-a-half hour flight away, this volcanic archipelago is a unique destination, enriched with emerald-green scenery, beautiful rugged landscapes and fascinating geology which makes for an awe-inspiring backdrop to any activity-based escape.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights to Ponta Delgada Airport (Sao Miguel)
- Car hire
- 7 Nights at Furnas Lake Forest Living, Furnas (Self Catering)
- Four excursions: Whale & Dolphin watching; Coasteering; Canyoning; Bike tour and botanical garden visit
Board Basis: Self Catering
Agenda
Day 1 - Saturday - Day of arrival
Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport and transfer to your accommodation
Overnight at Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel. Self catering.
Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel
Day 2 - Sunday - Whale & Dolphin Watching (Ponta Delgada)
Depart at 08:30 for a whale and dolphin watching trip (3-hours). The Azorean waters attract an impressive number of cetacean activity - 24 of the world’s 80 species have been sighted off the islands’ coast, including pods of Sperm, Pilot, Backed, Fin, Sei, Humpback and Blue whales. The emphasis of these trips is not only to see the mammals in their natural habitat, but also on teaching and conservation. A marine biologist will introduce the cetaceans and discuss their habitat, communication and behavioural patterns. Free afternoon. Why not explore the delights of Furnas? This spa town is one of the largest thermal water sources in the world, and in addition to its beautiful azalea bordered lake, is home to a 30 acre botanical garden of great international importance. Terra Nostra garden was the brainchild of Thomas Hickling the US Consul General stationed in São Miguel. The park originally opened in 1780 and features thousands of botanical samples from as far as Asia as well as a large swimming pool fed by naturally heated water.
Overnight at Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel. Self Catering.
Whale Hunting, Sao Miguel
Day 3 - Monday - Coasteering (Half Day)
Coasteering is a combination of swimming, climbing and jumping in some of the most spectacular scenery of cliffs and waterfalls on the island of São Miguel. The volcanic island coastline hides areas that few ever get to see. This adventure involves scrambling and traversing the tide line, snorkelling and swimming, climbing or cliff jumping into salty water. Free afternoon.
Overnight at Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel. Self Catering.
Lake Fogo, Sao Miguel
Day 4 - Tuesday - Canyoning (Half day)
Canyoning is an exciting combination of walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling and swimming in some of the most spectacular scenery of cliffs on the island of São Miguel. It has become a very popular extreme sport with fans all over the world and provides a unique experience in the middle of nature and at the same time moments of pure adrenaline. Free afternoon.
Overnight at Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel. Self Catering.
Canyoning
Day 5 - Wednesday - Bike tour and Botanical garden visit (Furnas)
Collect your mountain bike and cycle along trails through beautiful landscapes of dense and exuberant vegetation with views of the lake en route. After lunch (traditional Cozido lunch in a local restaurant is included), enjoy a walk through Furnas botanical gardens. This is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens of the 18th century, where you can find species of flora from different regions of the world. After a brief guided tour of the botanical gardens, there is an opportunity to bathe in thermal waters in the outdoor pool.
Overnight at Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel. Self Catering.
Bike tour, Sete Cidades, Sao Miguel
Day 6 - Thursday - OPTIONAL Swimming with Dolphins (Ponta Delgada)
Day at leisure. Book an experience of a lifetime and swim with dolphins in their natural habitat. Water babies should take the plunge and swim alongside Common, Bottlenose, Risso and Atlantic Spotted dolphins in the blue Atlantic waters ten miles off shore. Summer months are the best to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, as this is when the sea is at its calmest and dolphins are most numerous. During the rest of the three-hour trip, those onboard will also be able to spot Sperm, Pilot and Beaked whales, and possibly even sea turtles.
Overnight at Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel. Self Catering.
Dolphins, Sao Miguel
Day 7 - Friday - Day at leisure
Free day to explore the island or sit back and relax by the pool with a good book.
Overnight at Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel. Self Catering.
Furnas Lake Forest Living, Sao Miguel
Day 8 - Day of departure
Saturday - Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for the return flight home.
Accommodation
Furnas Lake Forest Living - Night 1 to 7
In a lush green valley surrounded by heavily vegetated volcanic hillsides are twelve wooden clad self catering units and one traditional house, set in a shallow water basin and created to blend in with the surrounding environment.
In a lush green valley surrounded by heavily vegetated volcanic hillsides are twelve wooden clad self catering units and one traditional house, set in a shallow water basin and created to blend in with the surrounding environment. Each air-conditioned unit has fresh, contemporary, Scandinavian style furnishings using light woods and green, grey and white colours that provide accommodation with all the homely comforts.
Only a short walk (10 minutes / 150m) from the beautiful lake at Furnas, this is an ideal location for walkers and nature lovers with endless possibilities.
Accommodation
- 13 air-conditioned units: 4 studios (Oak Studios), 8 one-bedroom apartments (Japanese Cedar Villa) and 1 two-bedroom apartment (Chestnut House)
- Cleaning and towel change every other day
- Linen changed every 4 days
- Welcome pack included (local wine, bread, butter, cheese, local tea, biscuits, jam or honey, milk and juice)
Amenities/Leisure
- Breakfast can be provided on request (payable locally at 12 Euros per person)
- Bar
- Restaurant serving lunch and dinner - closed 07Jan-15Feb. Reservations required 24-hours in advance - advise locally)
- Living room with fireplace and small library
- Safe deposit box at reception
- Outdoor swimming pool – pool towels provided and open Apr-Oct
- Extensive gardens and woods (103 acres) with several trails for jeeps, bikes, walks and horse riding
- Free parking
- 3km (5 minutes' drive) to Furnas village and only 150m to Furnas Lake
- 20km to Vila Franca do Campo – local taxi costs c.18 Euros each way, 9km to Ribeira Quente and 35km to Nordeste
- 40-minutes drive to Ponta Delgada from Furnas
- One hour walk through the surrounding hills to the fishing village of Ribeira Quente
- Reception is not manned 24-hours but contact telephone numbers are provided
Activities
Guests of Furnas Lake Forest Living can pre-book or arrange locally the following activities: special cooking experience or horse riding
Special cooking Experience
Preparation of ‘Cozido’: ‘Cozido’ is a typical dish cooked for about 4-5 hours in the heat of the volcano, near the Lake of Furnas. The dish is made up of different types of meat, spiced sausage and vegetables.
Preparation of ‘Caldeirada’: ‘Caldeirada’ is a typical dish cooked for about 4-5 hours in the heat of the volcano, near the Lake of Furnas. The dish is made up of fish, potatoes, tomatoes, olives and onions.
Preparation of ‘Feijoada’: ‘Feijoada’ is made up of beans, spiced sausage, tomatoes and onions and ‘Vegetarian Feijoada’ is composed by beans, carrots, tomatoes, onions, parsley, cabbage, kale and pepper.
Guests will prepare one of these dishes at the property and then go by car to Furnas Lake to place the pot in a specially dug hole for about 4-5 hours where it will cook from the heat naturally produced by volcanic underground vapours. Once cooked, you will return to the lake to collect your pot. The dish will be served up for either lunch or dinner. This activity depends on the day and time that the guest prefers (bookings required in advance). Minimum of 2 persons required.
Price is £28 per person (based on minimum 2 people)
Price is £25 per person (based on minimum 3 people)
Price is £23 per person (based on minimum 4 people)
Price is £21 per person (based on minimum 5 people)
Price is £10 per child (8-12 years)
Horse riding
The owner, Manuel Gago de Câmara has been riding horses since he was a young boy and has a passion to share his love of horses. Book a ride and trek through the beautiful enchanting trees and trails.
Price is £64 per person
Notes
• The time of the activity is provided locally
• The duration will depend on the rider’s prior experience – maximum 2.5 hours
• Riding hat included
Furnas Lake Forest Living features in our Family Holiday B and Active Holiday itineraries.
Route Map
Best time to go
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC
Time Difference
GMT - 1 hour
Currency
Euro
Language
Portuguese
Average flight times
4 hours 5 minutes
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Average temperature
Average rainfall
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC