Among them, air or ocean races, which can take you on a tailor made circuit, beyond the mainstream tourist routes. The archipelago has the status of an autonomous region and is divided into 3 groups:
- The Eastern Group, composed of the islands of São Miguel and Santa Maria;
- The Central Group, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial Island;
- The Western Group, consisting of the islands of Flores and Corvo.
Of all, São Miguel is the largest island, with an area of 747 km2. If the size doesn't tell you much, compared to the size of only 17km2 of the smallest island in the archipelago, Corvo, São Miguel is really spectacular. And its power to impress you goes much further than this!
São Miguel (Ilha de São Miguel), also called ”The Green Island” (Ilha Verde)
A well-preserved refuge, hidden from the modern world, like a capsule of natural history which has kept its inner and distinct rhythm, São Miguel is an island that enchants you, at every step. Sprinkled with volcanic rocks and lakes, hot springs, black sand beaches, plantations unique in Europe, São Miguel will often make you feel like a privileged shipwrecked man who has discovered a treasure.
The best way to move around São Miguel is by car, so we recommend you to rent one with which you can feel comfortable, both on the narrow streets and on the steep slopes, on the narrow serpentines and on the roads that follow, dizzyingly, the rocky coastline. Spectacular landscapes unfold, overwhelming and every kilometer you travel invites you to stop in contemplation or, on the contrary, to voluntarily venture on unknown routes, in search of a new revelation. Such an experience will make any stay in the Azores truly memorable.
Ponta da Ferraria, a suboceanic thermal spring
If you are looking for the most beautiful sunrises, travel from east to west, from the town of Nordeste, to Ponta da Ferraria. At the other extreme, the western one, you will find the natural thermal pools (Termas da Ferraria), which flow directly into the ocean, heating it even up to 40˚C. Here, between two protected natural areas, the sunsets redden the horizon and the volcanic, blackish rocks reach up to 100 meters high.
Sete Cidades (Seven Cities)
Probably the most photographed and popular attractions of the island, the lagoons and volcanic craters created thousands of years ago, in the Sete Cidades area, culminate with Miraduro da Boca do Inferno. After an easy walk through the coniferous forest and laurisilva, this viewpoint rewards you with a wide opening over Lagoa de Santiago, Lagoa Rosa, Lagos Verde, Lagoa Azul and the city with less than 1000 inhabitants, at the base of the mountain.
‘Smooth Cayenne’ pineapple plantations
Originally from South America, the pineapple from São Miguel Island is cultivated throughout the year, inside glass greenhouses, with white painted walls, to ensure its ideal climate. "The best pineapple in the world", as promoted by the locals, really tastes incomparable to anything you've tried so far and it's likely that it will set some hard-to-match standards for you in the future. You will be able to experience it in its many forms: liqueur, jam, smoothie, cocktails, raw, grilled … a whole palette of tastes worth testing if you choose to visit Azores.
Chá Porto Formoso and Chá Gorreana tea plantations
If you like Asia, you must have already experienced the famous tea plantations in Sri Lanka, China or India. But it is very possible to be surprised to learn that green and black tea has been grown industrially in Europe since the 19th century, still preserving the tradition of production, right here in the Azores. The only 2 European tea plantations are both located on the island of São Miguel.
Chá Porto Formoso and Chá Gorreana were, at the beginning of the acclimatization of crops, an economic alternative to the production of oranges, which had been compromised. Today, they continue to produce between 30 and 40 tons of tea annually and export them all over the world.
Take a walk through the labyrinths of the plantation and enjoy an outdoor tea or craft beer made from tea leaves, while admiring the ocean and Ribeira Chá, on the horizon.
Furnas
50 kilometers from Ponta Delgada Airport, the entire Furnas Valley is a huge volcanic crater, which last erupted in 1630. However, signs of its latency can be seen and felt everywhere, in the form of thermal pools, steam coming out from the earth, mineral springs with various aromas and medicinal properties and, in some places, a heavy smell of sulfur.
There are many other treasures to be discovered in the Azores, on the island of São Miguel, if you choose this destination for an extended stay. There is room for more hurried travelers, who speed through all the attractions of the island, just as there is room for those who leisurely process each stimulus and are willing to be enchanted by the magic of the place. Every miradouro (belvedere), every corner of nature, the locals, in their simplicity, which conquers you, its nature and strength, in counterweight, are all a spectacle.
Travel to the island to swim with dolphins, watch whales, surf the Ribeira Grande, enjoy the sunset, from the most spectacular northern point, Miradouro da Pedra dos Estorninhos or from the altitude of 760 m, from Miradouro Salto do Cavalo. Visit the Vieira pottery factory, founded in 1862, eat a fish soup or the traditional Cozido das Furnas, a combination of different meats and vegetables, cooked underground, in fumaroles, under geothermal power.
We all travel. For one reason or another. We learn new things about the world and especially about ourselves. We no longer make the discoveries of the past, those of the conquerors, but we find mental space for introspection, for analysis or simply to rest.
What we, at Oombla, aim to do is to inspire you with new destinations and to help you "conquer" them, effortlessly.
