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A week in São Miguel with the family

June 25th, 2024
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A family break is always a good idea. And it’s an even better one if it involves the Azores, somewhere that offers a wide range of activities and attractions to suit everyone.

Well known for its verdant landscapes, this was the world’s first archipelago to be certified as a sustainable tourist destination. A place of hydrangeas, teas and pineapples, the islands are popular with both Portuguese and foreign travellers looking for well-being experiences in nature. Part of the Eastern group of islands and the largest of all nine islands, São Miguel is an absolute must-see. So, with this in mind, we’ve mapped out an itinerary, with some specific recommendations among the thousand and one possibilities. Truth be told, a week seems too short in this paradise.

A hotel: Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort

Overlooking the translucent and lively waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Água d’Alto beach is an absolute jewel, considered by many to be the best on the island. What’s more, if you’re looking for a hotel in Azores, there’s one right there on the sands, offering an outdoor freshwater swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar for sipping delicious cocktails. In addition to these tempting features, there’s also a tennis court, games room and 17th-century chapel ensconced in an idyllic garden. The marvel of hospitality we mention is none other than the four-star Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort, which blends perfectly into the gorgeous São Miguel landscape. A perfect option for the whole family.

 

A place: Poça da Dona Beija

It’s almost deemed a sin to visit São Miguel and not find time for Vale das Furnas, home to iron-rich thermal waters. Those who take the plunge can bathe in warm waters (around 39ºC) that possess therapeutic properties, ideal for kicking back and enjoying the island’s easy vibe. Just under an hour from Ponta Delgada, it’s also worth knowing that Poça da Dona Beija is open from 8.30am to 11pm, which means that visitors can observe the starry sky to their heart’s content.

 A dish: Cozido das Furnas

If you thought you already knew what a proper stew was, wait until you see one emerging from volcanic earth, like something out of the movies. Made with different types of meat (e.g. chicken, beef and pork), sausages, potatoes, yams, carrots and cabbage, this dish is cooked inside large pots buried for five to six hours, thus taking advantage of the volcano’s heat. The experience is as impressive for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. In addition to this culinary wonder, the island’s cuisine includes delicacies such as bolo lêvedos (slightly sweet bread rolls), black pudding with pineapple, limpets, stewed octopus, Vila Franca queijadas (local sweet) and even Azorean pineapple, all of which come highly recommended.

 A landscape: Miradouro da Grota do Inferno

The island of São Miguel is overflowing with breathtaking landscapes. Exotic shades of green as far as the eye can see, villas surrounded by blue and pink hydrangeas, small lagoons, volcanic features, valleys and slopes that meet over and over…The list goes on. That said, situated 730 metres above sea level, there’s one place in particular that impresses even the most seasoned travellers: the Grota do Inferno viewpoint. From here, the vista takes in Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Lagoa Rasa, Lagoa de Santiago and Lagoa do Canário. Being here’s great at any time of day, but locals recommend sunset.

An experience: Gorreana Tea Plantations

Even if a family member doesn’t like tea much, this experience is still well worth a go. Covering an area of 32 hectares and producing around 40 tonnes of tea a year, these extensive fields in Maia are one of the most remarkable sights in the north-east of the island. Founded in 1883 by Ermelinda Pacheco Gago da Câmara, it’s the oldest working tea factory in Europe and certified as 100 per cent organic, making Gorreana tea one of the world’s most popular brands.

A trail: Trilho do Salto do Prego

From a list of over 30 trails, this one is perfect for those travelling with their family, as a 4.5-kilometre hike is likely to suit everyone. Hiking is often on travellers’ checklist because it’s the best way to discover the archipelago’s essence, from untouched waterfalls to the most exotic plants. If you do the Trilho do Salto do Prego, don’t forget to employ a guide.

 

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Azores with the family

A trip to the Azores with the family is always a good idea

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