First things firstWhere will you stay? Lusitano Garden Villas is located on the outskirts of the capital, Ponta Delgado. Its beautiful location in the center of the island makes it a great base for exploring São Miguel. This modern, stylish villa-hotel has just opened and features a swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa, and a riding school where you can book lessons. Will you be dining out or cooking in the villa? Looking for extra pampering? Book the luxury villa with a private jacuzzi on your terrace.

Lusitano Garden Villas

Action secondClamber down a canyon in a wetsuit. Equipped with a helmet and climbing harness, you'll embark on a guided adventure into the wild outdoors. Abseil, climb, swim, and jump off cliffs (if you dare). Canyoning is suitable for beginners and children aged 6 and up. A little courage is helpful.

The company Fun Activities does all kinds of rough outdoor sports: canyoning, coastering, e-biking, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding en walking tourYou can also rent bicycles and boards from them.

A term you will undoubtedly hear: Furnas. In the volcanic Furnas valley lies the village of Furnas (with a handful of restaurants that cooked from the caves offer), the Lagoa das Furnas with its steaming sulphur springs (boilers) on which the local court cooked from the caves is being prepared. Several restaurants or local families "rent" a hole in the ground where a pot of meat and vegetables is slowly cooked by geothermal heat. After 6-7 hours, the pot is dug up from the ground, and a stew-like dish is ready.

Restaurant Tony's is one of the most famous places where you can order this local dish. Reservations are required a day in advance.

Bring your swimwear! Huh? We'll get to that in a moment. While you're in Furnas, be sure to visit the beautiful botanical garden. Terra Nostra Park: The park, created in the 18th century, is home to more than 2.000 plant species from around the world. After admiring the flora, put on your swimsuit and join the locals in the iron-rich thermal bath. Besides the large pool, there are also several smaller pools nestled among the trees. bathing culture in the thermal baths is really something typically Azorean and nice to have experienced.

Terra Nostra Park:

From one thermal bath to the next. At the foot of the Fogo volcano lies the Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre. Here you can stroll beneath the magnificent tree ferns. These "living fossils" have existed since before the dinosaurs. You'll also find thermal baths here. Nestled among the waterfalls, ferns, and dense forest, the Caldeira Velha baths are considered the most beautiful on the island. So, put your swimsuit back in your bag. There are changing rooms and (ice-cold) showers, but be sure to bring a towel and preferably flip-flops. Besides soaking, you can also hike and learn about the island's volcanic history. The day before a ticket It is recommended to buy.

When you Google São Miguel, this is the image you picture: rolling green hills and, in the middle, several blue-green lakes. Cete Cidades is iconic. Up at Vista do Rei (where you'll also find the abandoned luxury hotel Monte Palace), you can see the famous lakes. Lagoa Azul (blue) and Green Lagoon (green) that are next to each other but different in color. In the middle of the crater is the village of Sete Cidades surrounded by steep crater walls.

The hiking trail that takes you along the crater rim, with beautiful views of the Cete Cidades and the sea, begins at Hotel Monte Palace (TRIP PRC4 SMI – Sete Cidades).

More fun coming soon to the island of São Miguel…