The Essential Azores

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and the airport.

Ponta Delgada

After disembarkation procedures of your PONANT selected flight are completed, you will be greeted at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.

Then, you will then be transferred to the pier to embark for your cruise.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfer as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking assistance.

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.

Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.

Day 1 - Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel Island)

Meet at Ponta Delgada Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).

You will be transferred to the Octant Hotel Ponta Delgada 5*.

Check-in.

The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner is on your own.

Day 2 - Ponta Delgada/Sete Cidades

Departure in 4X4 from the hotel towards the western part of the island, driving on the mountain road and passing via the Pico do Carvão viewpoint.

A short stop to admire the view over the narrowest part of the island. This landscape was formed millions of years ago by the eruption of 290 small volcanoes. The journey goes on to Mata do Canário forest park to take the trail up to one of the most impressive viewpoints over Sete Cidades crater, which is home to the lake and the small village. A scenic drive along the crater rim and then on to the village of Sete Cidades, which paints a real portrait of the island's contemporary rural way of life.

Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

The next drive is to the protected geosite of Ponta da Ferraria, located on the coastline. This is a fajã, a unique phenomenon called a pseudocrater, which can be found in very few places around the world apart from the Azores. It is very popular among the locals for its natural pool, in which thermal water merges with the ocean, creating a bathing site with therapeutic water springs that has been used since the fifteenth century. Here you can relax with a bath or a guided meditation before heading back to the hotel in Ponta Delgada.

Return to the hotel. End of the day and dinner are at leisure.

Day 3 - Ponta Delgada/Furnas

After breakfast and check-out, you will leave the hotel in the morning to explore the Furnas Valley, which is famous for its hot springs and thermal baths that make it one of the world's biggest geothermal sites.

First, you will be taken to Ribeira Grande. This lovely town reveals a play on colours that stretches between the white masonry and basalt and ignimbrite stonework. This contrast is visible in churches, such as the Nossa Senhora da Estrela, with its monumental staircase and singular black bell tower. Enjoy a short visit to the charming historic centre, whose narrow streets and municipal garden are lined with fine examples of urban architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. You will then continue your drive, to the tea plantations, the only commercial ones in Europe.

Continue to the tea plantations, the only commercial ones in Europe. After visiting the factory and tasting a sample of the local produce, you will drive to Lagoa das Furnas. The locals cook the typical Cozido das Caldeiras, a mixed meat and vegetable stew, using the volcanic heat here. This delicacy will be your lunch!

In the afternoon, you will visit Terra Nostra Garden, an iconic place on Sao Miguel whose origins date back to 1775 when Thomas Hickling, the US Consul at the time, decided to create his summer residence. Since the 19th century, the garden has undergone several developments carried out by its successive owners. Today it is home to more than 2,000 different trees and plants from all over the world.

Then, you will then be transferred to the pier of Ponta Delgada to embark on board your ship.

Your hotel:

Offering stunning views of the sea, Octant Hotel Ponta Delgada 5* is a vibrant and cosmopolitan hotel. Situated on Dr. João Bosco Mota Amaral Avenue, just opposite the Ponta Delgada Marina, this hotel takes full advantage of São Miguel Island's natural environment. Each room is equipped with a flat-screen cable TV and coffee & tea facilities. Free Wi-Fi is available. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, spa, and wellness facilities.

Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.

Your programme includes:

·        2-night accommodation in Standard Sea view room at Octant Hotel Ponta Delgada 4* (local standard) or similar, breakfast included.

·        Meals as mentioned in the programme.

·        Beverage package during meals (bottled water + 1 soft drink or 1 glass of wine or 1 local beer and 1 coffee or tea).

·        Transfers, visits, and entrance fees as mentioned in the programme.

·        The services of a local English-speaking guide.

Your programme does not include:

·        Dinner on day 1.

·        Personal expenses.

·        Visa if necessary.

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

·        Early check-in and late check-out.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that the details of your departure flight are provided to your travel agent, no later than 30 days before the start date of your cruise, to secure the proper private transfer.

·        Official check-in is at 15: 00.

·        Official check-out is at 11: 00.

·        Participants, including children, should be in good physical condition and have a level of fitness that enables them to walk the distance and type of terrain communicated. This programme is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

·        The route includes off-road tracks which may be cancelled or replaced without prior notice for safety or maintenance reasons.

·        The tour of Sete Cidades will be in Land Rover Defender 4x4 vehicles with 8 seats (4 frontal + 4 lateral); normally, only 6 seats are used for greater comfort.

·        The difficulty level of the Sete Cidades trail is easy (about 2.7 km or 1.7 miles, duration: 1:15).

·        We recommend that guests bring their swim suit, towel and flip-flops if they wish to bathe at Ponta da Ferraria and in the Terra Nostra swimming pool. At Terra Nostra, the changing facilities are basic, there are no lockers and there is a cold-water shower. The water in the swimming pool fade bright colours, so we recommend that you use dark-coloured swim suits and towels.

·        The Furnas Valley tour involves approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) of total walking distance (mostly on cobblestone ground, flat ground with gravel, uneven ground, 1 wooden walkway and several steps).

·        We recommend that guests wear comfortable clothing and footwear that are appropriate for the weather conditions; due to the variable climate and the possibility of sudden rain, we recommend wearing comfortable and appropriate clothes (a raincoat or umbrella).

·        Church visits will depend on the religious services. Modest attire is recommended.

·        The visibility at the viewpoints depends on the weather conditions.

Contact of your hotel:

Octant Hotel Ponta Delgada

Avenida Jo?o Bosco Mota Amaral, 4

Ponta Delgada 9500-765 Portugal

Telephone: +351 296 249 900

Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organises your transfer between your port of disembarkation and the airport.

Ponta Delgada

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local English-speaking representative.

Then, you will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in for the PONANT selected flight.

Your programme includes:

·        Transfer as mentioned in the programme.

·        Services of a local English-speaking assistance.

Your programme does not include:

·        Tips for the driver and local guide.

·        Personal expenses

·        Other services not mentioned in the programme.

To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

In the event of schedule changes of PONANT’s selected flight, your programme will be adapted to ensure the most seamless and enriching experience. The content of your revised programme will be updated on the PONANT website, in My Ponant space and on the PONANT app. The final programme will also be sent to you along with your cruise documents.

Kindly note that a minimum number of participants is required for this trip to proceed. As a result, both the price and itinerary may be adjusted based on the final number of participants. Should the minimum number not be met, we will offer you an alternative arrangement.