SHORE EXCURSIONS

Drive through Ponta Delgada along pleasant roads bordering agricultural areas, stretching across the island along the north coast stopping at Santa Iria Viewpoint followed by a tea factory to taste the tea. Once in the village of Furnas, visit Terra Nostra Garden, a luxuriant garden where the color of the flowers mixes with the exuberant vegetation originating from diverse continents. Next, visit the big phenomenon of the island, the hot springs. This is an area with diverse forms of volcanic activity with fumaroles spouting boiling water and medicinal mud - one of the most spectacular being Caldeira de Pero Botelho. Pass by Furnas Lake, with the Gothic profile of the Chapel Nossa Senhora das Vitorias reflected on its clear waters. Return to Ponta Delgada along the southern coast passing by Vila Franca do Campo, the former capital of the island.

Depart from Ponta Delgada towards Faja de Baixo to visit the pineapple greenhouses. Here you’ll learn how the world's most famous pineapple is produced in a unique and traditional method. Your tour continues along the coast to Vista do Rei viewpoint from where you can enjoy the marvelous view of the twin lakes which lay in the crater of the extinct volcano Sete Cidades. The calm of the waters make a striking contrast with the steep slopes of the crater, creating a fascinating sight. Next stop is at Santiago Lake's viewpoint, recognized by its peace and the unique landscape.

Depart from Ponta Delgada from the southwest of the island to see the view over Mosteiros and the youngest eruptions on the island. On the way back, drive to the inside of the crater of Sete Cidades that was formed thousands of years ago. Visit Santiago Lake viewpoint followed by the most important view of the crater. Stop at Vista do Rei to admire the twin lakes. The calm waters along the edges of the crater make a striking contrast with the steep slopes and create a fascinating scene. Inside the crater lays the picturesque village of Sete Cidades. Afterwards visit Pico do Carvao viewpoint to see both sides of the island at the same time. Once back at Ponta Delgada, enjoy an Azorean tasting of local cheeses and wines with a view over the sea and the marina.

Drive though Ponta Delgada heading northeast along the pleasant roads bordering agricultural areas, stretching across the island to Ribeira Grande. Ribeira Grande has a distinct Portuguese influence. Visit some of the most significant monuments of the city and peruse a liqueur factory shop (closed on Sundays and Holidays) for the opportunity to purchase local liqueurs and souvenirs. Drive on the mountain road to Lagoa do Fogo, a road with many bends, skirting the mountain all the way up like an enormous whirl. The drive continues to Pico da Barrosa Mountain, to see nice views of the Fire Lake. Stop at the belvederes to admire not only the beautiful quiet lake, but also the landscape of the surroundings. Return to Ponta Delgada along the new road, descending towards Remedios da Lagoa. Upon arrival to a pineapple plantation, learn about the process of cultivating and marketing this fruit.

Walk through downtown Ponta Delgada with a guide that will describe the particulars of Azorean cuisine and sample some of the island’s signature specialties. Although the archipelago is part of Portugal, the cuisine tends to be more rustic than on the mainland., flavorful hard cheeses and hearty vegetable dishes are traditional offerings. Depending on the season, what is freshest and where you stop, some of the local food that you may sample could be bread, Cheese, typical dried fruits, jam, Bolo Lêvedo (sweet bread), Kima and Laranjada (local produced soft drinks) and local beer or a glass of Portuguese wine.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Discover how Azorean cuisine differs from Portuguese cuisine and delight in typical samples.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience the great outdoors that surrounds Sete Cidades in whatever way you find most appealing from a choice of adventurous activities. The drive to this amazing area in the island’s western interior will set the stage for the natural beauty that lies ahead as you will travel through mountainous forested reserves that are largely undeveloped. The fairytale landscape of Sete Cidades is even more dramatic as two crater lakes dominate it. According to legend, the different colors of the lakes – one blue, the other green – were the result of tears from a blue-eyed shepherd and a green-eyed princess who shared a forbidden love. In this enchanting setting, you will participate in two out of three available activities. You will have the opportunity to bicycle around the twin lakes, kayak across their glass-smooth, cold waters, or hike into the wilds on a trekking adventure. The choice is entirely yours.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Behold the stunning natural beauty around Sete Cidades, the island’s photogenic spot.
• Choose the outdoor adventure that best suits your level of comfort and abilities.
• Participate in two out of the three following activities: biking, kayaking and trekking.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Settle in for a panoramic drive through Ponta Delgada and view many of the landmarks that define this capital city of the Azores. Once a simple fishing village, Ponta Delgada – named for the thin cape it blankets on the southern coast of São Miguel Island – has become remarkably cosmopolitan and cultured. Although centuries old, much of the city had to be rebuilt following a devastating tidal wave in 1839. Historical churches are still abundant as are white-walled buildings trimmed in black basalt, an iron-rich rock created when lava rapidly cools. You will see further evidence of the island’s volcanic origins while driving through Sete Cidades, a town along the shores of twin volcanically formed lakes. Although the Azores aren’t tropical, farmers grow pineapples for export in thousands of greenhouses that create the ideal conditions. After stopping in one of these plantations, you will enjoy free time back in Ponta Delgada.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Drive through Ponta Delgada and come away with an overall understanding of the city.
• Enjoy a drive through Sete Cidades, a gorgeous town that rims twin volcanic lakes.
• Stop at a pineapple plantation where these tropical fruits must be grown in greenhouses.
• Spend free time independently exploring Ponta Delgada.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Ponta Delgada, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Ponta Delgada, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• António Borges Garden
• Milícias viewpoint in São Roque
• Campo São Francisco
• City Gates

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Ponta Delgada.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of these landmarks while enjoying their dramatic scenery at Antonio Borges Garden and Campo São Francisco.
• Capture stunning selfies with the Milícias View Coastline as your backdrop, then enjoy free time exploring Ponta Delgada’s Old Town.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

Depart from Ponta Delgada towards the central part of the island to Serra de agua de Pau and Barrosa Mountain. Enjoy the views over Fogo crater lake, the highest one above sea level on Sao Miguel Island. The area is surrounded by dense endemic vegetation‘Laurel Forest’and is classified as a Natural Reserve. Drive down the winding mountain road towards the north coast and visit Caldeira Velha, a regional Natural Monument and location of thermal baths and interesting flora diversity. Stop at the town of Ribeira Grande characterized by its Portuguese influence. The town’s charming historic center has narrow streets and a municipal garden lined with examples of urban architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. Particularly notable is the Espirito Santo church, considered one of the most attractive Baroque structures in the Azores. Continue to Quinta do Pico da Cruz, known for breeding the Lusitano horse. Here wine and cheese will be served, and there will also be a chance to visit the stable and learn about the Lusitano, known as powerful horses, noted for their intelligence and willing nature. On your return to Ponta Delgada and your ship, stop at the pineapple plantation to visit the greenhouses were the "king fruit" is produced.

Tour two plantations – one growing tea, the other pineapples – and come away with an appreciation for their unique qualities and attributes. As you will discover the surroundings countryside is exceptionally lush. That fertility is the result of volcanic mineral deposits that make the soil ideal for farming. Even so, pineapples must be grown in greenhouses because the Azorean climate isn’t warm enough to grow the fruit outdoors. As you meander about the plantation, the guide will describe the steps involved in producing the island’s prized pineapples, which are sweeter and less acidic than pineapples from other parts of the world. You will also see how organic tea is grown and cultivated while walking through the fields of one of Europe’s oldest tea estates. The volcanic soil influences the taste of Azorean tea, which tends be smooth and slightly sweet taste with a subtle floral aroma.

HIGHLIGHTS
• See how pineapples are grown in plantation greenhouses and learn the reasons why.
• Gain an understanding of how tea is grown and cultivated at an established tea estate.
• Drive through the lush countryside whose mineral-rich volcanic soil is perfect for farming.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Race through the wilds of São Miguel Island in an all-terrain buggy built for adventure and for contrast see the island’s cosmopolitan side while walking around Ponta Delgada. You will drive off road, along winding trails and through predominately rugged terrain, all of which will provide a picture of the island’s volcanic origins. The views and natural beauty will be extraordinary the entire time, especially if the route takes you into the island’s forested interior, which is largely undeveloped. Even so, the island is quite sophisticated as you will discover while following the guide through downtown Ponta Delgada. It became the capital of the Azores in 1522, when the former capital Vila Franca do Campo was buried during a massive volcanic eruption. During free time in Ponta Delgada, be sure to see the three-arched city gates – built with volcanic rock – that have stood near the port since the 18th century.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tear through the countryside in an four-wheel-drive buggy.
• Drive off road into rugged, volcanically formed areas that most visitors never see.
• Gain a historical perspective of the island on a guided walk-through Ponta Delgada.
• Spend free time in Ponta Delgada focusing on attractions that sound interesting to you.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

See how pineapples are sustainably grown on São Miguel Island and how cosmetics are made in ways that don’t harm the environment. Because of climatic conditions in the Azores, pineapples can’t grow outdoors, so to meet the demand farmers grow them in greenhouses. While visiting an eco-friendly pineapple farm, you will learn about the innovative methods used to coax fruit from the tropical plants. Azorean pineapples are intensely flavorful and exotically aromatic. The islanders also sustainably and ethically produce cosmetics using natural ingredients rather than chemicals. The ingredients are locally sourced and may include natural extracts, aloe vera and oils derived from plants. While participating in a hands-on workshop in a cosmetics laboratory, you will learn how to produce items such as soaps, face masks and shower gels without negatively impacting the environment. At the end of the workshop, you will receive your creation as a memento.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour a pineapple farm that sustainably grows this distinct Azorean fruit in greenhouses.
• Visit a cosmetics laboratory whose products are made without harming the environment.
• Join a workshop to create a cosmetic product that you will be given as a memento.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.