Ponta Delgada, Azores
Click to access azores_ponta_delgada_-07-28-2015.pdf
Tour in the Azores using Azorean Tours (this tour operator is popular on Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor)
“Fogo”Fire Crater Lake & Furnas Crater Lake (approximately 6hours or during your ship stay here) 50 Euros per person
Pick up at the pier, drive from the South coast to the North coast towards the Fire Lake. Start going up the mountain of “Barrosa” to go to see the Fire Lake, our first stop is at “Caldeira Velha” (hot iron water fall) with a short walk and photo stop around 15to 20 minutes with WC area there. See the waterfall, a hot spring and exotic scenery with many Australian Tree Ferns. Then drive to the first view stop to see the Fire Lake. Drive to the other view almost at the highest point to see the Fire Lake from another perspective; from that view you can see too the South and the North coast at the same time (the most flat and thinner area of the island) with the opportunity to see (at 947m / around 3000feet altitude) your ship at the pier. Then drive down towards Furnas, but first stop at the viewpoint on the South coast at “Caloura” view point. Drive through Vila Franca do Campo town. Getting closer to Furnas, we will drive down to or in the crater of Furnas passing and seeing the Furnas Lake. We will stop at “Caldeiras at the Lake” where there is hot springs; more known for the place where they make the Traditional and popular food underneath the ground. Drive to Furnas village, and stop at the main hot springs and Thermal water springs called “Caldeiras”. Later,we will drive up and out of the crater of Furnas to the viewpoint to see all of the Furnas Volcanic Crater (lake and Village) called “Picodo Ferro”. From there we will drive to the Tea Plantation “Goreana” (see the tea plantation fields, factory with explanation, and free taste of green and black tea). Then we drive to the viewpoint “Miradouro de Santalria” to see the North coast. After that we will check the time and determine what more we can fit or is the client’s mood. During the Tour there will be always WC stops, and in the middle of this Tour to drink and eat depending how long is your ship stays here that day, and what the clients feel like doing.
Note: Sao Miguel island weather may affect this itinerary and alternate sites may be visited if necessary.
Cash payment is at the end of the tour. Lunch and gratuity is not included in the cost of the tour.
This tour operator is also recommended:
http://www.azoresprivatetours.com/en/about/us
Some of our fellow passengers booked a tour in Ponta Delgada with Pedro Ferreira of www.azores-tours.com. Another passenger took a tour with him 3 years ago and it was one of the best shore excursions they said they have taken. They booked an all day 7 hour tour including lunch for 65 euros per person, based on 8 passengers in a van. He said he has 4 more spaces so I am putting the info out if anyone is interested. I will post the tour details. You may contact Pedro at pedro@azores-tours.com or by phone 351 911 584 662 or 351 961 445 849.
DEPARTURE OF PONTA DELGADA CITY. WE DRIVE TO FURNAS ALONG THE SOUTH COAST OF THE ISLAND. OUR FIRST STOP IS AT THE CERAMIC FACTORY, CERÂMICA VIERA, OPEN SINCE 1862, LOCATED IN LAGOA CITY. NEXT WE GO TO VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO, A SHORT STOP IS MADE AT THE VIEWPOINT CALLED PISÃO AT ÁGUA DE PAU VILLAGE, WHICH OVERLOOKS THE SEA AND A SMALL VILLAGE CALOURA AN AREA WITH A SMALL FISHING PORT AND NATURAL POOL. FOLLOWING TO VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO, FIRST CAPITAL OF THE ISLAND, WE STOP AT THE VIEWPOINT OF SENHORA DA PAZ, A CHAPEL ON THE HILL WITH A MAGNIFICENT VIEW OVER THE VILLAGE, THE SEA AND THE ISLET OF THE SAME NAME OF THE VILLAGE, FORMED BY A VOLCANIC ERUPTION.
WE PROCEED THE TOUR TO FURNAS WHERE THE LAKE WELCOMES US AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE VILLAGE. IS ALONG ONE OF THE EDGES THAT WE APPRECIATE THE REMOVAL OF THE FAMOUS STEW, COZIDO DAS FURNAS, FROM THE BOILERS.
TIME TO LUNCH, FURNAS PORTUGUESE STEW, OR YOU CAN CHOOSE ANOTHER DISH.
AFTER LUNCH, WE ALSO VISIT POÇA DA BEIJA, A POOL WHERE YOU CAN ENJOY SOME TIME TO BATH IN WARM THERMAL WATERS.
WE FOLLOW TO THE FURNAS VILLAGE CENTER TO ENJOY OTHER BOILERS WITH BOILING WATER AND TASTE THE TYPICAL WATERS THAT RUN ON DIFFERENT SPOUTS. WE CONTINUE THE TOUR TO RETURN TO PONTA DELGADA ALONG THE NORTH COAST, STOPPING AT THE VIEWPOINT OF PICO DO FERRO WHICH OVERLOOKS FURNAS LAKE AND VILLAGE LOCATED INSIDE A CRATER.
WE VISIT THE TEA PLANTATION AND FACTORY TEA GORREANA UNIQUE IN ALL EUROPE, OPEN SINCE 1883, WHERE WE CAN TASTE THE FAMOUS GREEN AND BLACK TEA OF THE ISLAND. THE LAST STOP IS MADE AT THE MIRADOURO DE SANTA IRIA WHERE YOU CAN WATCH A UNIQUE VIEW OF THE NORTH COAST AND THE SEA, IDEAL FOR PHOTOS.
WITH THIS LAST STOP WE END OUR TOUR.
PEDRO FERREIRA
Azores Tours
Best regards,
Pedro Ferreira
www.azores-tours.com
pedro@azores-tours.com
www.facebook./Pedro Ferreira Azores Tours Unip. Lda
(+351) 911 584 662
(+351) 961 445 849
Donna Gawell 