The Azores: Gardens and Natural Wonders 9720

We depart from London to Ponta Delgada. On arrival, we transfer by comfortable coach to hotel.
 

Today following breakfast we will have an introductory tour, on foot, of Ponta Delgada. We will pass churches and the flower filled municipal garden, near to the government building, with its Jacaranda tree. In the afternoon we will enjoy a tour of two of the notable gardens in the area, where endemic and exotic plants grow in wild profusion. Firstly, we will visit Jardim José do Canto, which was created by José do Canto, one of the most knowledgeable gardeners of his time. The garden is made up of several thousand species of plants, all of which were imported from nurserymen around the world such as London, Paris and Rio de Janeiro. José do Canto was a hard-working enthusiast who even had a list of species he did not want to grow in order to create his perfect garden! Exotic trees line the drive and as the drive nears the house it is edged with giant pale pink crinum. Steps from the house lead down to flower beds filled with pink cannas and bright blue Ipomea leari.
We will continue next door to the gardens of the Presidential Palace, otherwise known as Sant’Ana Palace. The palace, formerly the home of the Correia family, was designed by an English architect in 1846. Its pink washed walls contrast well with the avenue of dark leaved Trachycarpus. In the extensive gardens you can find native Azorean plants, interesting shrubs and a long allée of box trees. The palace is presently home to the President of the Regional Government of the Azores.

Following breakfast we will travel east to Lagoa do Fogo, the Fire Lake. Situated at the bottom of a steep crater this is the most recent volcanic crater on the island with the last eruption in June 1563. A ferocious glow could be seen from the central islands, almost 100 miles away, however today the lake stands silent and there is a narrow path leading down to the lake where many protected plant species can be seen.
In the afternoon we will return to the hotel, stopping en route for a visit to Veiria Ceramics at Lagoa.
 
 

Today, following breakfast, we continue our exploration of Ponta Delgada, once again on foot, with a visit to the market and the museum (formerly a monastery) with its little garden coloured with agapanthus, roses and gazanias. We will include a visit to the garden at the Ponta Delgada University campus. There are many trees in the garden including a Phytolacca dioica from Uruguay, which has a table-like root formation.
This afternoon we will travel to Quinta Bom Jesus, the former British Consulate in Pico da Pedra, where we will see a pineapple plantation. Pineapples replaced oranges as the main crop on the Azores around 1850. They are grown in greenhouses as the climate in the Azores is not warm enough for outdoor cultivation. Long ago on the island, they discovered the process of ‘smoking’ during the growing period, which is the burning of vegetation to create a dense smoke. This smoke causes all the plants to grow at the same time, which means the crop can be cleared quicker for the next cycle. We will learn about the production process and will have the chance to see the new venture fields of Protea and Leucospermum used for cut flower and foliage production.
 

Today following breakfast, we depart for the west of the island to explore Sete Cidades, a tranquil village located on the shore of two lakes, Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake). The lakes take their name from mythology where it was believed a princess fell in love with a local shepherd. The King forbade them to marry but let her see the shepherd one last time to say goodbye. As they bid farewell, they shed so many tears that two lakes were formed – one blue lake from the eyes of the princess and one green lake from the eyes of the shepherd. The lakes lie isolated by the high walls of the crater, and it will look more like an image from the middle of the alps rather than from an island in the middle of the Atlantic.
We will continue to Capelas, a large village that was once used as a whaling centre. The country roads to Capelas are very picturesque as the meadows are lined with hedges of blue agapanthus, pink rambler roses and scarlet and yellow cannas.
 

Following breakfast, you have the day at leisure or alternatively join our optional excursion, a whale-watching expedition. The rich waters around the Azores attract a variety of different species of whale, the most common being sperm and pilot whales, beaked whales and false killer whales. Add to these sightings of rare birds such as Cory’ shearwaters and Roseate terns, loggerhead turtles and sharks, and an afternoon at sea here can be a most rewarding experience.
 

Today, following breakfast, we depart for the village of Furnas in the south east of the island, formerly a popular spa in the 19th Century. Furnas, surrounded by high slopes from the crater with cows grazing on the green pastures, is one of the most picturesque images of Sâo Miguel, if not of the Azores, and we are sure it will be the highlight of our tour. Volcanic activity is still present in this town which is awash with small geysers, hot springs of bubbling water and mud and caldeiras, literally cauldrons. Pêro Botelho was the name given to the largest and noisiest spring, the 16th Century nickname for The Devil! Hidden behind a small mountain ridge and above the village lies Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake). The lake appears tranquil but underneath its surface the earth bubbles and boils. Further along at Caldeiras das Furnas, steam clouds can be seen from afar, rising from the hot springs.
Located across from the lake is a chapel built by José do Canto, the great gardener, which was dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. Nearby is another garden of José do Canto, locally as Mata Jardim. This enchanting garden, which has been asleep for many years, has a melancholy charm. Paths wander through a romantic woodland of palms and tree ferns like a New Zealand forest.
While we are here we will enjoy a local speciality, Cozido das Caldeiras, a stew of beef, potatoes and vegetables cooked in the natural hot springs. The pot is lowered into the ground and left for several hours to cook in the ‘natural cooker’.
We also explore the famous Terra Nostra Garden, now a 30-acre garden situated in the grounds of a hotel. Originally created in the late 18th Century by Thomas Hickling, the former American
vice-consul to the Azores, the garden was later extended by the noble Praia family after Hickling’s death in 1834. The Praia family re-shaped the garden and planted more trees and flowers. The garden has since been restored on several occasions and now has a fern garden, an abundance of trees and a formal flower garden with native Azorean species. There is also a collection of Malaysian Rhododendrons, native to tropical mountains, which is the only collection that can be seen growing out-of-doors in Europe. The gardens host the best arboretum in the Azores. Flowers to look out for are blue Diachroa, white star like Syzygiums, giant pink Crinums, white flowered paper barked Melaleucas, blue and white Agapanthus, hydrangeas and various coloured waterlilies.
In the afternoon we visit the Gorreana Tea Plantation, the last remaining tea producer in the Azores and the only one in Europe, where we will learn about the process involved in growing and harvesting tea. A guided tour is included with free tastings and a shop where you will have the opportunity to purchase the finished product.
 

We check out of the hotel after breakfast and embark on a full-day tour of the eastern part of the island – Nordeste. This is Portugal’s outermost region, known for its scenic beauty featuring lush forests, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints and steep sea cliffs green with native and exotic vegetation. We enjoy a spectacular drive along the east coast to pay a visit to Ribeira dos Caldeirões park renowned for its cascading waterfalls that flow through a verdant landscape of dense vegetation. One of the highlights of the park is the picturesque watermill houses that dot the landscape, providing an insight into the island’s rural heritage. We will spend some time exploring the walking trails that wind through the park, offering scenic views of streams and the surrounding countryside.
Afterwards, we continue our journey to the village of Nordeste to visit the Nursery Gardens before returning to Ponta Delgada.

Following breakfast, you have the day at leisure or alternatively join our optional excursion, a Chef-led food tour of Ponta Delgada. This half-day food tour offers a delightful culinary journey through the local flavours and traditions of the region. You will have the opportunity to get a personalised and immersive culinary experience, guided by a local chef who can provide insights into the Azorean cuisine, its ingredients, and cooking techniques. This tour promises a memorable and educational culinary adventure, allowing you to immerse yourself in the rich gastronomic heritage of the Azores.
 
 

This morning following breakfast we check out of the hotel. We will then transfer to the airport for our flight back to London.