SPECIAL OFFER - SA £300VE PER PERSON ISLAND HOPPING IN THE AZORES A 12 NIGHT VOYAGE AROUND THE AZORES ARCHIPELAGO ABOARD THE MS SERENISSIMA 11TH TO 23RD APRIL 2019 Sete Cidades Lakes, Sao Miguel Sperm whale ar out in the Atlantic, some 800 miles from the Portuguese coast, the nine islands of the Azores are known for their spectacular volcanic scenery, abundant flora and peaceful lifestyle. But, the appeal of this remote and unsophisticated archipelago is difficult to define in words. IfF you appreciate dramatic scenery, exploring islands where time appears to be standing still, watching for passing whales and learning about the local people and their customs, then this could be the voyage for you. The islands are also perfect for walking enthusiasts with paths through verdant mountain landscapes and we have included some hiking opportunities which, weather permitting, will be a joy for the keen walkers in our group. What to Expect Below are some extracts from a previous voyage the whale’s belly actually making it look rather is a bit like being transported back in time. The in this region which will provide you with an idea realistic. The highlight of our tour however was beautiful cobbled streets, the large colourful of what to expect should you choose to join our a visit to the Furna do Enxofre – the sulphur houses and palaces, the forts – all this speaks of Azorean adventure; caves. Located on the southern part of the island a time when Angra was a force to be reckoned and officially open to the public since 1939, with as the central hub for trade ships heading these caves are now a popular tourist attraction. to and from Americas as well as along the Those who descended the 184 steps leading coast of Africa. It also played a large part in the from the visitors centre into the caves were Liberal Wars and was, until Ponta Delgada took rewarded with a stunning view of the volcanic over the capital of the Azores, and even at one cavern with its domed ceiling covered in lava point in the 1830s, the capital of the whole of stalactites. After lunch on board we set out Portugal! Today the city has lost its economic to explore the harbour and coastline by sea. and political prowess, but the feeling is still Despite the wind and the squalls we had a good very much there and the town was a delight turnout of well-dressed Zodiac riders proving to walk around, our guides as always giving us true the saying that there is no such thing as wonderful interpretation of what we were seeing. bad weather, only bad clothing! In fact the sun Our groups went different ways but regrouped broke through the clouds with perfect timing, briefly for a coffee and cake stop at one of the and under the protection of the tall cliffs we had oldest bakeries in town before setting off again lovely conditions to cruise, the layers of volcanic in different directions. After lunch on board the 16th April - Graciosa Island ash and lava making interesting viewing. As we afternoon was spent at leisure, strolling around A new day, a new island to explore! This were returning to the ship the Zodiacs were town or having a coffee at the many cafes or morning we docked at the harbour of Praia at surrounded by hundreds of Cory’s shearwaters relaxing on the ship. Graciosa Island, the second smallest island in the effortlessly and beautifully gliding on the waves. archipelago and the most northern of the central group. We spent the morning on a tour taking 21st April - Terceira Island in the highlights of the island. One of our stops Terceria Island where we docked this morning was the largest town on the island, Santa Cruz, is known as a dynamic island and is the second where we walked around the beautifully paved most inhabited in the archipelago. The sun was town square. This town hosts the only airport out and we enjoyed nice views of the pretty on the island and it is located very centrally town of Angra do Heroismo from the open in town, leading to plane-spotting becoming decks. Today we were not going to use buses a popular pastime for the residents! We also to get around, but instead take off on a walking visited the 1930s lighthouse known for great tour since we were docked conveniently right in views over the Ponta da Barca, a rock that looks town. Angra do Heroismo is a UNESCO World somewhat like a giant whale rising above the Heritage Site and it is easy to understand why. surface of the sea; the waves crashing around Walking around the colonial style town centre www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Sperm whale Ruined church, Faial Mount Pico Corvo enjoy the peace of the island with transformed the area and created Graciosa walks in the small community or to a new land mass. Continue to the the caldera. impressive Caldera, now a nature Flores Sao Jorge Terceira reserve, which is 400 metres deep Faial THE AZORES Pico Day 6 Sao Jorge. This largely rural and nearly 1500 metres in diameter. Sao Miguel island is of geographical interest As we return to the ship we will see Sail to with its cliff shoreline marked with the botanical gardens which are Lisbon flat fajas sweeping to the sea. We devoted to the endemic plants of Santa Maria start our full day tour on the western the Azores. Alternatively, if weather The Itinerary part of the Island, Ponta dos Rosais, permits, we will arrange to hike the Day 1 London to Ponta Delgada, Day 4 Graciosa. Known as the visiting a Forest Park and cheese Caldera. This afternoon we enjoy a Sao Miguel, Portugal. Fly by ‘White Island’, Graciosa has a factory. As we move to the north walking tour of Horta. scheduled flight. Arrive this gentle rolling landscape, dotted we enjoy the view over the Fajas, afternoon and transfer to the with windmills and traditional an area of flat land at sea level Day 9 Sao Miguel. Enjoy a full day MS Serenissima for embarkation. whitewashed houses. Visit Furna resulting from the erosion of cliffs. exploring the island of Sao Miguel, Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner do Enxofre (‘Cave of Sulphur’), a As we make our way to the south known as Ilha Verde, the green as we sail this evening. geologically unique phenomenon side towards Calheta we will stop island and home to some of the and one of the original examples for lunch at a local restaurant before most stunning viewpoints in the Day 2 Santa Maria. Today’s planned of the volcanic Azores, and take continuing on to Urzelina to visit Azores. This morning we head west itinerary includes visits to the the winding stairway down to the the remaining tower of a church towards the Sete Cidades volcano remote settlements of Sao Laurenco magnificent volcanic cavern and buried under lava from the eruption from where we can enjoy excellent and Maia, known for vineyards lake. Also see the village of Santa of 1808. Now it is surrounded by views over the Lagos de Canarios. which rise steeply up high sea Cruz and the charming Matrix fruit trees and vegetation. Upon our We will continue our drive along cliffs in terraces. This coastline is church. Return to the ship for lunch return to Velas we will take a walking the attractive northern coast before accentuated by a dramatic waterfall, and spend the afternoon at leisure tour of this charming old-world arriving in the Furnas Valley, an lava tube caves, seabirds and to explore the small town of Vila harbour town. enormous valley and luxuriant marine life. Time and conditions da Praia. garden in the east of the island permitting, the MS Serenissima will Day 7 Pico. Explore distinctive Pico, where we enjoy lunch. We will also continue its circumnavigation of Day 5 Flores & Corvo. Named home to Portugal’s highest peak visit the village of Furnas and the Santa Maria and cruise around the after its abundant flora, Flores is and numerous black lava flows. The botanical gardens before returning Formigas (or Ant Islands). often regarded as the prettiest of UNESCO-designated Lajido Acros to the ship and sailing this evening. the Azores. A rugged terrain island tells the story of early winemakers For the keen hikers, if weather Day 3 Terceira. This morning with flowers growing in the deep who used the volcanic soil for the permits, we will arrange to walk the explore Angra do Heroismo, a canyons and waterfalls casting grapes and, on a visit to a vineyard, 13 kilometre trail in Sete Cidades. charming UNESCO heritage town hues of blues and green as they we will enjoy a tasting of the local with a distinct Mediterranean splash down to the sea. Visit the product. After a typical Azorean Days 10 & 11 At sea. Join the flavour of cobblestone streets vertical basalt cliffs of Rocha do lunch we will learn about whaling lecture programme, find a spot on with a certain quiet charm. Enjoy Bordoes, formed by the cooling of life in the Azores at the Museum of deck to watch for wildlife or enjoy a a walking tour that takes in the lava. See a stunning array of natural Lajes returning to the ship via the book in the library. Misericorda church, Convent do features including calderas, fajas, Lagoa do Capitao offering views Sao Francisco, public gardens and rivers, waterfalls and valleys. This over the north of the island.