Tour to Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden – Full Day

Sao Miguel, the largest of the Azores islands, boasts breathtaking natural wonders. A full-day tour to Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden promises to showcase the island’s diverse beauty. Visitors can expect to explore a tea plantation, savor a unique geothermal-cooked lunch, and relax in enchanting thermal springs – all while learning about the island’s flora and fauna from a knowledgeable guide. This personalized small-group experience offers a chance to take in Sao Miguel’s remarkable landscape and unique cultural heritage. What more could one hope for in a day of discovery?

Key Points

• Comprehensive full-day tour exploring the natural wonders of Furnas, including a visit to the renowned Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens.
• Opportunity to experience the unique "cozido das Furnas" traditional lunch cooked using geothermal steam.
• Guided tour of the Gorreana tea plantation with tea tastings, providing insights into the local tea culture.
• Relaxation in the iron-rich natural thermal springs at Terra Nostra Park.
• Knowledgeable local guide offering insights on the island’s diverse flora throughout the tour.

Tour Overview and Highlights

The full-day tour to Furnas Lake on the island of São Miguel, Portugal offers travelers a 100% recommendation rating based on 20 reviews, earning it a Badge of Excellence.

Highlights include a "cozido" lunch prepared with geothermal steam, fumaroles, the Terra Nostra botanical gardens, and a rejuvenating dip in an iron-rich natural pool.

Conveniently, door-to-door transport from Ponta Delgada hotels is provided.

Travelers will also learn about the island’s diverse flora from a local nature expert, making this an immersive and educational experience.

Itinerary and Activities

On the tour, visitors start by visiting the Gorreana tea plantation, where they can sample local teas.

Next, they’ll enjoy a traditional "cozido das Furnas" lunch, a unique dish cooked using the geothermal steam of the region.

After lunch, the group heads to the Terra Nostra Park, where they can relax in the iron-rich natural thermal springs.

Throughout the day, a local nature expert will share insights about the island’s fascinating flora.

The tour has a maximum group size of 18 travelers, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.

Inclusions and Pricing

The Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden Tour is priced from $93.98, offering a Lowest Price Guarantee.

The tour includes:

• Local taxes
• Delicious "cozido" lunch
• Knowledgeable driver/guide and local expert
• Admission to the Terra Nostra Park
• Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off

Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.

The tour provides free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, giving travelers flexibility.

With these inclusions and the competitive pricing, this tour offers an excellent value for exploring the natural wonders of Furnas and the Terra Nostra botanical gardens.

Tour Start Time and Accessibility

The tour starts promptly at 9:00 AM.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Ponta Delgada and transported to the starting point at the Futurismo Azores Adventures office in the Marina Portas do Mar.

Unfortunately, the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but children are welcome as long as they’re accompanied by an adult.

Strollers are allowed, and infant seats are available.

The multilingual guide will operate the tour, so you can expect a seamless experience regardless of your language preferences.

Just be sure to let the tour operator know about any dietary requirements when you book.

Dietary Requirements and Confirmation

Flexibility in accommodating dietary needs underscores the tour operator’s commitment to tailoring the experience.

Travelers are advised to notify the operator of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. This ensures the lunch, "cozido das Furnas", can be adjusted to suit various needs.

The tour confirmation is typically received within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Travelers can expect:

• Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available
• Halal and kosher meals can be arranged upon request
• Nut allergies and other food sensitivities can be accommodated
• Confirmation email with all tour details sent within 2 days
• Availability is confirmed at the time of booking

Traveler Feedback and Ratings

According to the traveler reviews, this Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden tour has received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

With a perfect 5.0 rating from 20 reviews, the tour seems to consistently deliver exceptional experiences. Travelers praise the knowledgeable and engaging guide, the small group size, and the unique highlights like the geothermal "cozido" lunch and the rejuvenating hot springs.

While there were some minor comments about construction noise at Terra Nostra Park, the overall satisfaction expressed by past participants suggests this tour offers a truly memorable and fulfilling way to explore the stunning natural wonders of Furnas.

The tour’s Badge of Excellence further underscores its quality and value.

Gorreana Tea Plantation Visit

A visit to the Gorreana tea plantation is one of the highlights of the Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden tour. Guests have the opportunity to sample the locally-produced tea and learn about the island’s tea-making tradition.

The tour includes:

• A guided walk through the scenic tea plantation
• An explanation of the tea production process
• Tastings of the plantation’s signature black, green, and herbal teas
• Insights into the history and cultural significance of tea in the Azores
• Time to browse the on-site tea shop and purchase souvenirs

This unique tea experience provides a glimpse into the agricultural heritage of São Miguel Island and complements the other natural wonders explored on the full-day tour.

Cozido Das Furnas Lunch Experience

As part of the Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden tour, travelers have the opportunity to indulge in the renowned "cozido das Furnas" lunch.

This traditional dish is slow-cooked using the geothermal steam from the Furnas volcanic area. The meat and vegetables are placed in special pots and buried underground, then retrieved after several hours of natural cooking.

Guests can savor this unique culinary experience, which is a highlight of the tour. The cozido lunch is included in the tour price and provides an authentic taste of Azorean cuisine.

Travelers can look forward to a delicious and memorable meal as part of their full-day exploration of Furnas and the Terra Nostra botanical gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food on the Tour?

While the tour includes a provided "cozido" lunch, the information doesn’t specify if travelers can bring their own food. It’s best to check with the tour operator about their policy on outside food and beverages.

Is the Tour Guide Fluent in English?

The tour guide is multilingual and fluent in English, allowing them to effectively communicate with and guide the group throughout the day’s activities. This ensures a smooth and informative experience for all participants.

What Should I Bring for the Hot Springs Visit?

Bring a swimsuit and towel for the hot springs visit. The tour includes free access to the Terra Nostra Park and its iron-rich thermal pools, so you’ll want to be prepared to relax in the soothing, steaming waters.

How Much Time Is Spent at Each Location?

The tour spends around 1 hour at the Gorreana tea plantation, 1.5-2 hours for the geothermal "cozido" lunch, and 1-1.5 hours relaxing in the Terra Nostra Park’s hot springs. The overall tour duration is approximately 7-8 hours.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

The tour description doesn’t specify a dress code, but comfortable clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended. Travelers should dress for the weather and be prepared for some walking at the scenic locations visited.

Sum Up

This full-day tour to Furnas and Terra Nostra Garden offers a captivating exploration of Sao Miguel’s natural wonders. Visitors can savor local teas, indulge in a geothermal-cooked lunch, and relax in the enchanting iron-rich thermal springs, all while learning about the island’s diverse flora from a knowledgeable guide. The small group setting ensures a personalized and memorable experience in this natural paradise.