ActivityBikingTastingTourAzores Bike Tour: 8 Days

Highlights

Description

Day 1: Into the fire volcano
Meet your guides at your Hotel in Ponta Delgada or Ponta Delgada Airport and transfer to the 16th century Convento de São Francisco Hotel in the fishing village of Vila Franca do Campo.
The town of Vila Franca was the original capital of São Miguel until it was destroyed by an earthquake, in the 1500’s. Today you will hike in Fogo volcano: from the rim down to the lake that lies in the center of the crater, one of the largest in the Azores and the second largest on the island of São Miguel.

Meals: Picnic Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Vila Franca do Campo
Accomplished: 6 km hike, elevation gain: 180 meters
Accommodations: Convento de São Francisco



Day 2: Dip in an ocean lagoon and ride to the furnas valley
You start the day with a swim in an ocean lagoon formed by an extinct volcano, this is where the Red Bull cliff diving world championship takes place. You follow the coastline in a spectacular climb up to Pizões pass and down to Furnas.
Spending two nights at Hotel Terra Nostra, a building that reflects the architecture and spirit of the 1930s Art Deco era, recently elected one of the three Excellence Hotels in Portugal by Condé Nast Johansens.
Relax in a walk through the botanical garden adjacent to the Hotel, a peaceful oasis filled with meandering trails, exotic species, lakes with water lilies and a Camellia garden.

Meals: Breakfast / Picnic Lunch
Destinations: Furnas
Accomplished: 21 km, elevation gain: 519 meters
Longer option: 45 km, elevation gain: 890 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Terra Nostra
“In 2007, the Condé Nast Traveller magazine defined Terra Nostra Park as one of the 12 most beautiful gardens in the world, alongside other world famous gardens like Nymph Garden near Rome or the English Gardens of Stourhead.”



Day 3: Secluded forest track and ocean views
Today you challenge yourself in a loop ride to one of the most secluded areas of the island and habitat for Priolo, an endangered bird endemic to São Miguel island.
You’ll take in the panoramic views along a secluded forest track, native vegetation, as you traverse from the rugged interior to the northeast.
The roads are lined with subtropical forests, blooming azaleas, blue hydrangeas, and fragrant wild roses. The return route passes through numerous viewpoints over the Atlantic and the town of Povoação, the first area to be populated on the island.
The thermal hot-water pool at Terra Nostra is a welcome leg balm at the end of the ride! Tonight you will taste the most traditional dish of the island, the Furnas stew, cooked underground, naturally in Lagoa das Furnas.

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Destinations: Furnas
Accomplished: 37 km, elevation gain: 850 meters
Longer option: 77 km, elevation gain 1530m
Accommodations: Hotel Terra Nostra



Day 4: Europe’s only tea plantation
Ride to the North Coast, past fishing villages, beaches and windmills. Oranges were introduced to the island in the 16th century, and became the main export until a plague wiped out the production in the 1800’s. As a response, dairy farming increased and crops like pineapples, passionfruit, tobacco, and tea were introduced.
This morning, you’ll take a look at one of the island’s “new” trades, riding north to Europe’s only tea plantation that continues to produce organic tea as it always has.
Ribeira Grande is known to host a stage of the World Surfing Championships, take some time to enjoy the ocean views. This evening you’ll go to a restaurant in the north shore to taste the freshest seafood harvested a few hours ago.

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Destinations: Ribeira Grande
Accomplished: 34 km, elevation gain: 710 meters
Longer option: 73km, elevation gain 1230m
Accommodations: Hotel Pedras do Mar



Day 5: Across the island in 28 km
Free day to relax by the sea and get to know the historical center of Ribeira Grande, or choose to ride up to Fogo volcano and across the island down to the seaside resort of Caloura on the south coast, the hottest spot for vacation homes in Sao Miguel. Van return for the cyclists.

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Destinations: Ribeira Grande
Accomplished: 28 km, elevation gain: 960 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Pedras do Mar



Day 6: Seven cities
Today’s route covers a big section of the coast line and the not less fantastic twin lakes.
You follow the coast along the hydrangea-laden roads to Sete Cidades Lagoon – one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal – where you will see yourself cycling along the crater rim with views of the sea and the famous lagoons. A good spot for our picnic. From here, you may choose to call it a day and hop in the van.
For those who wish to keep riding, once you pass the Portal do Vento there will be a long and phenomenal descent to Ponta Delgada.
This evening, dine on your own, your guides can readily recommend a few favorite restaurants in Ponta Delgada.

Meals: Breakfast / Picnic Lunch
Destinations: Ponta Delgada
Accomplished: 66 km, elevation gain: 1190 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Hintze Ribeiro



Day 7: Accessible only by foot
On the last day of this adventure, after visiting the colorful market of Ponta Delgada, you set off for a single track hike to Rocha da Relva, a hidden gem on the island that can only be reached by foot.
Right by the sea there are some traditionally built summer houses as well as some ancient micro wineries. It is also possible to find some donkeys on this track, which are used as a means of transporting small loads.
Tonight´s dinner celebrates the contemporary Azorean cuisine at its best!

Meals: Breakfast / Picnic lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Ponta Delgada
Accomplished: 7 km Hike, elevation gain: 170 meters
Accommodations: Casa Hintze Ribeiro



Day 8: Goodbye!
Go for an early morning stroll in the old town or a refreshing dip in the atlantic.
After breakfast your guides will transfer you to Ponta Delgada airport. Or you may wish to stay a little longer in São Miguel for the “art-of-doing-nothing-by-the-ocean” or explore other islands of the archipelago.

Meals: Breakfast



Duration: 8 days
Price: €2980

Included:
✓ 7 nights in Hotel
✓ Terra Nostra Hotel is the reference in the Azores and winner of several international awards, while the Pedras do Mar Hotel has a privileged location facing the ocean.
✓ Casa Hintze Ribeiro is a charming small hotel located in the epicenter of the historical area of Ponta Delgada
✓ Luggage transfers
✓ Daily breakfasts, nutritious snacks
✓ 5 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants
✓ 4 delicious picnics/lunches including a selection of local products
✓ Carefully selected wine or beer with every meal
✓ Activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
✓ Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other events
✓ Gratuities for restaurants and hotel service
✓ High quality bicycle selection
✓ Bike helmet
✓ Complimentary Olive Cycling t-shirt, water bottle
✓ Experienced local bilingual guides with vast knowledge of the country and the region
✓ Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes water and snacks, and offers lifts when you need a break from the saddle
✓ Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
✓ Daily bike maintenance

Not included:
– Flights / personal expenses / Tips
– Single Supplement: 400€
– E-bikes Available. Supplement: 160€

Difficulty Level: 3, 4. Requires reasonable fitness, some demanding climbs.

The bikes:


The guides: