Furnas: Thermal Springs & Tea Plantation Day Tour With Lunch

The Furnas: Thermal Springs & Tea Plantation Day Tour With Lunch offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural wonders and cultural heritage of São Miguel island. Spanning 8 hours, this wheelchair-accessible tour provides flexible pickup and drop-off options, catering to diverse traveler needs. Highlights include soaking in the restorative thermal pools, witnessing volcanic steam vents, and savoring a traditional geothermally-cooked lunch. With multilingual guides, the tour also includes a visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory, offering insight into the island’s thriving tea industry. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, culture, or simply stunning scenery, this tour promises an unforgettable experience.

Key Points

• 8-hour tour covering Furnas’ thermal springs, tea plantations, and traditional Cozido lunch cooked using geothermal heat.
• Wheelchair-accessible tour with live guide commentary in English, Portuguese, and Spanish to cater to diverse language needs.
• Highlights include visiting Terra Nostra Park with thermal pools, observing volcanic steam vents, and touring the Gorreana Tea Factory.
• Immersive experience in Furnas’ thermal wonders, including soaking in restorative pools and witnessing traditional geothermal cooking.
• Scenic photo stops in picturesque towns and panoramic viewpoints throughout the tour.

Tour Duration and Pickup Locations

The tour duration is 8 hours, with pickup and drop-off available from four convenient locations: Lagoa, Ribeira Grande, Ponta Delgada, and Vila Franca do Campo.

This comprehensive tour ensures flexibility and accessibility for all travelers. Whether you’re staying in Lagoa, Ribeira Grande, Ponta Delgada, or Vila Franca do Campo, you can easily join the tour and embark on an immersive exploration of Furnas’ thermal springs and tea plantations.

The tour is also wheelchair accessible, catering to the needs of all guests. With a live tour guide available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, you’ll have the opportunity to fully engage with the destination and its rich cultural heritage.

Wheelchair Accessibility and Language Options

Complementing the tour’s flexible pickup and drop-off options, this Furnas excursion is wheelchair accessible, ensuring all travelers can fully participate in the experience.

Plus, the live tour guide offers commentary in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, catering to the diverse language needs of visitors from around the world.

This accessibility and multilingual support make the tour an inclusive and welcoming option for a wide range of guests.

Whether you’re an English, Portuguese, or Spanish speaker, or require wheelchair assistance, you can confidently join this Furnas adventure and learn about the natural wonders and cultural experiences it has to offer.

Itinerary Highlights

This Furnas tour immerses visitors in the island’s natural wonders, from the thermal springs and volcanic calderas to the renowned Gorreana Tea Factory.

Travelers can expect a diverse itinerary that showcases the region’s geothermal activity, rich cultural heritage, and picturesque landscapes.

The tour’s highlights include a visit to the Terra Nostra Park, where guests can soak in the thermal pools, and a stop at the Caldeiras Vulcânicas to observe the volcanic steam vents.

Visitors will also enjoy a traditional Cozido lunch cooked using geothermal heat, as well as a guided tour and tasting at the Gorreana Tea Factory, the sole tea manufacturing facility in Europe using traditional methods.

Thermal Springs and Geothermal Cooking

One of the tour’s highlights is a visit to the Terra Nostra Park, where travelers can soak in the restorative thermal pools fed by the region’s geothermal activity.

Nearby, the Caldeiras Vulcânicas, or volcanic steam vents, offer a mesmerizing display of the island’s geothermal power.

This natural phenomenon also enables the preparation of a local specialty, cozido, a traditional dish cooked using the heat from the earth’s core. Visitors can witness this unique geothermal cooking method, where ingredients are lowered into the steaming ground and left to simmer underground, emerging hours later as a flavorful stew.

This immersion in Furnas’ thermal wonders is a truly memorable and authentic experience for tour participants.

Gorreana Tea Factory Tour

After exploring the captivating thermal wonders and traditional geothermal cooking methods in Furnas, the tour continues to the Gorreana Tea Factory, the sole tea manufacturing facility in Europe using time-honored techniques.

Visitors can take a guided tour through the historic factory, learning about the meticulous process of tea production and sampling the fragrant, high-quality teas produced on-site.

The tour offers a unique opportunity to witness the intricate machinery and traditional methods that have been used to cultivate and process tea leaves for generations.

Guests can also browse the factory’s shop, stocking up on a variety of teas to enjoy at home and share with friends and family.

Scenic Photo Stops

The tour offers several scenic photo opportunities throughout the day, beginning with a stop in Vila Franca do Campo, a picturesque coastal town nestled against a dramatic volcanic backdrop.

Next, visitors will enjoy panoramic views from the Pico do Ferro Lookout, overlooking the Furnas valley and its steaming calderas.

The tour also includes a photo stop at the tranquil Santa Iria Lookout, showcasing the verdant landscapes and azure waters of the Azores.

Finally, the group will visit Ribeira Grande, a charming town with colorful architecture and a scenic river running through its heart.

These captivating photo stops allow travelers to capture the natural beauty and unique character of São Miguel island.

Included Experiences

Along With the scenic photo stops, the Furnas: Thermal Springs & Tea Plantation Day Tour offers a range of included experiences that showcase the unique cultural and natural wonders of São Miguel island.

Visitors can explore the famous Terra Nostra Park, home to thermal springs and natural pools. They’ll also get to taste the traditional Cozido dish, cooked using the island’s geothermal heat.

Another highlight is a visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory, the sole tea manufacturing facility in Europe that still uses traditional methods. During the factory tour, travelers can sample the estate-grown tea.

With these immersive experiences, the tour provides an in-depth look at Azorean culture and nature.

Pricing and Booking

Travelers can book the Furnas: Thermal Springs & Tea Plantation Day Tour at a starting price of SEK 860 per person. Bookings can be made in advance, with the option to pay later. This full-day excursion offers a comprehensive exploration of Furnas’ natural wonders and cultural heritage.

Pricing	Cost per Person
Adults	SEK 860
Children (3-12 years)	SEK 430
Infants (0-2 years)	Free
Group Discounts	Available
Promotional Offers	Check website

The tour’s inclusions, such as hotel pickup, transportation, a guided tour, lunch, and tea tasting, provide excellent value for money, making it a popular choice for visitors to the Azores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Luggage Storage Facility Available During the Tour?

The tour does not mention a dedicated luggage storage facility. Guests are advised to only bring essentials as storage space may be limited during the various stops and activities throughout the day.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Tour?

Participants are generally allowed to bring their own food and drinks on the tour. However, the tour includes a lunch as part of the package, so bringing extra may not be necessary. It’s best to check with the tour operator beforehand.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Yes, the tour duration can be extended. Customers can request a longer tour with additional stops or more time at certain locations. Extended tours are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.

Can I Customize the Itinerary to Suit My Preferences?

Yes, the tour provider typically allows customers to customize the itinerary within reason to suit their preferences. They can work with you to adjust the activity schedule or visit alternate sights along the route.

Is There a Discount for Group Bookings?

Yes, the tour company typically offers group discounts for bookings of 4 or more people. The exact discount amount may vary, so prospective customers should check with the company directly for the current group pricing details.

Recap

The Furnas: Thermal Springs & Tea Plantation Day Tour with Lunch offers an enriching exploration of São Miguel’s natural and cultural treasures.

With accessibility, diverse language options, and immersive experiences like geothermal cooking and tea tasting, this tour caters to a range of traveler needs.

Whether you’re seeking relaxation in thermal pools or a deeper understanding of local heritage, this comprehensive day trip showcases the unique wonders of this Azorean island.