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Sun and Nature | Self-guided Walking Holiday
Overview
Introduction
The Azores archipelago, with their mild climate - day time temperature ranging from 14-22 degrees, is ideal for walking. Our suggested itinerary incorporates some of the best scenic walks on the islands. Each walk can be booked independently as part of a tailor made holiday and the accommodation chosen can be changed to suit individual requirements.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights from London Heathrow to Ponta Delgada, São Miguel (Saturday departures) - other routes on request
- Inter-island flights
- All transfers to hotels
- Six half-day self-guided walks with trail descriptions and maps
- 4 Nights at Do Colégio Hotel, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel (Bed and Breakfast)
- 3 Nights at Charming Blue Hotel, Vila do Porto, Santa Maria (Bed and Breakfast)
Grading of Walks: Grade 1 for Easy, Grade 2 for Medium and Grade 3 for Difficult
Board Basis: Bed & BreakfastAgenda
Day 1 - Day of arrival. Sao Miguel
Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport, and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at the Do Colegio Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Do Colégio Hotel, Sao Miguel
Day 2 - Sete Cidades Walk (Option B)
Transfer from the hotel to the beginning of the trail of Sete Cidades.
This 7.5km (2 hours) walk is on the western side of the island in an area known for its beauty and its legends. The day starts at the Vista do Rei viewpoint and ends by the lake of Sete Cidades with some brief stops en route. Enjoy amazing panoramic views of the North and West coast with a stop at the Santiago Lake viewpoint. Grade 2.
Overnight at the Do Colegio Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Sete Cidades, Sao Miguel
Day 3 - Furnas Walk
Transfer from the hotel to Furnas. Take this 9.2km (2 hours) walk around the lake rim of Lagoa das Furnas, at an altitude of 900m, and enjoy the mystic Furnas valley and surrounding area with its amazing volcanic formations. The route also takes you past Furnas’ famed hot springs and Caldeiras - 1m deep holes dug into the hot earth in which the traditional Cozido das Furnas is cooked. Visit the fascinating Monitoring & Research Centre in Furnas where the locals have initiated a project to protect the ecosystem of the valley and improve the quality of the lake water. Transfer back to the hotel. Grade 1-2.
In the afternoon, transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for your flight to Santa Maria (30-minutes). On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at the Charming Blue Hotel, Santa Maria on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Furnas Hot Springs, Sao Miguel
Day 4 - Santa Maria: Pico Alto / Sao Pedro walk
Transfer from the hotel to the beginning of the trail.
This 12km (5.5 hours) walk starts on the Pico Alto forest road (587m), the highest point on Santa Maria, with views over the whole island – São Miguel Island can also be seen on a clear day. You will pass through the Barreiro da Faneca, a unique ecosystem made up of reddish clay soil known as the ‘Red Desert of the Azores’, and a forest of Japanese red cedar trees. Throughout the walk travellers are treated to views of Anjos, Ponta da Baleia, the Baía da Cré and the Lagoinhas Islet. Return transfer to the hotel. Grade 2.
Overnight at the Charming Blue Hotel, Santa Maria on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Santa Maria, Azores
Day 5 - Entre Serra e o Mar walk
Transfer from the hotel to the beginning of the trail.
This 9.5km (3 hours) walk starts and ends at the parish church of Santa Barbara and passes typical houses and through rural landscapes. As you travel around the island you will notice the distinctive house chimneys, unique to Santa Maria and the varying number of colours used – the colours relate to the parish in which they are located. Following well used tracks, this walk offers excellent views of the bay of Sao Lourenco. Return transfer to the hotel. Grade 2.
Overnight at the Charming Blue Hotel, Santa Maria on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Charming Blue Hotel, Santa Maria
Day 6 - Santo Espírito / Maia walk
Transfer to Santa Maria airport for your flight to Sao Miguel (30-minutes). On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
This 6.8km (3 hours) walk begins at Santo Espirito passing through Maia and ending at the whaling factory in Ponta do Castelo. The route runs through the village and passes by the splendid waterfall in Ribeira Grande, the Goncalo Velho Lighthouse and through terraced vineyards. Grade 2.
Overnight at the Do Colegio Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Santa Maria, The Azores
Day 7 - Sao Miguel: Lagoa do Fogo walk
This 15km (5 hours) walk takes place in the south central area of Sao Miguel and includes a route along a levada through mountains and valleys. The high point is at Lagoa do Fogo, located at 575m, which is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Azores. The walk ends on a beach where you can take a swim. Grade 3.
Overnight at the Do Colegio Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Lagoa do Fogo, Sao Miguel
Day 8 - Day of departure
Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for your return flight to the UK.
Accommodation
Do Colegio Hotel - Night 1 to 2
The Do Colégio Hotel enjoys a privileged location within the historical centre of Ponta Delgada.
The Do Colégio Hotel enjoys a privileged location within the historical centre of Ponta Delgada. This 19th century building, once home to the Regional School of Music and Colmeia College, and rich in historical and cultural interest, has been remodelled to create a classically designed, four-star hotel. Many of the building’s original features are still in evidence including stone flooring in the reception, TV lounge and bar.
The hotel has the added bonus of a swimming pool and secure free parking on site. The central location allows easy access to the town and the harbour area where the whale watching excursions depart from and also where you will find one of the three restaurants owner-managed by the hotel, namely ‘La Cantina’ located opposite the Portas do Mar Marina and serving Italian cuisine. A second restaurant/cafe can be found opposite the harbour promenade Confeitaria ‘A Colmeia’ serving cakes and light snacks and the third is on site at the hotel, restaurant Colmeia Asia serving Asian food and sushi.
Accommodation
- 59 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, family rooms and two suites.
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Restaurant Colmeia Asia, serving Asian food and sushi, is open for lunch (Mon-Fri) and dinner (daily)
- TV lounge/Bar
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Health club with free use of a sauna and Turkish bath
- Swimming pool (6 x 10.50m) open all year – pool towels provided
- Secure underground parking (free of charge subject to availability)
- 2 Lifts
- Confeitaria ‘A Colmeia’ located opposite the harbour promenade
- Restaurant ‘La Cantina’ located opposite the Portas do Mar Marina and serving Italian cuisine
- 15 minutes drive to Populo beach
Charming Blue Hotel - Night 3 to 5
The Charming Blue is located in the centre of Vila do Porto, the island’s capital.
The Charming Blue is located in the centre of Vila do Porto, the island’s capital. The main building, dating from the 1860s, is an historic ‘family home’ that has been beautifully restored and converted in to a small and charming hotel with fifteen tastefully designed and spacious guest rooms, a refined à la carte restaurant and pleasant outdoor space with swimming pool.
Accommodation
- 15 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and superior rooms
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- ‘Mesa d’Oito’ à la carte restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge with fireplace
- Library
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Lift (main building)
- Outdoor swimming pool (7 x 12m) open all year – pool towels provided
- Pool bar serving snacks (seasonal)
- Laundry service (payable locally)
- Free parking
Do Colegio Hotel - Night 6 to 7
The Do Colégio Hotel enjoys a privileged location within the historical centre of Ponta Delgada.
The Do Colégio Hotel enjoys a privileged location within the historical centre of Ponta Delgada. This 19th century building, once home to the Regional School of Music and Colmeia College, and rich in historical and cultural interest, has been remodelled to create a classically designed, four-star hotel. Many of the building’s original features are still in evidence including stone flooring in the reception, TV lounge and bar.
The hotel has the added bonus of a swimming pool and secure free parking on site. The central location allows easy access to the town and the harbour area where the whale watching excursions depart from and also where you will find one of the three restaurants owner-managed by the hotel, namely ‘La Cantina’ located opposite the Portas do Mar Marina and serving Italian cuisine. A second restaurant/cafe can be found opposite the harbour promenade Confeitaria ‘A Colmeia’ serving cakes and light snacks and the third is on site at the hotel, restaurant Colmeia Asia serving Asian food and sushi.
Accommodation
- 59 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, family rooms and two suites.
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Restaurant Colmeia Asia, serving Asian food and sushi, is open for lunch (Mon-Fri) and dinner (daily)
- TV lounge/Bar
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Health club with free use of a sauna and Turkish bath
- Swimming pool (6 x 10.50m) open all year – pool towels provided
- Secure underground parking (free of charge subject to availability)
- 2 Lifts
- Confeitaria ‘A Colmeia’ located opposite the harbour promenade
- Restaurant ‘La Cantina’ located opposite the Portas do Mar Marina and serving Italian cuisine
- 15 minutes drive to Populo beach
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