Santo Christo Tour 2023

Come join the largest religious festivity of the Azores, a celebration considered the second largest religious manifestation in Portugal after the pilgrimages to Fátima!

The city of Ponta Delgada in the Island of São Miguel dresses its streets with flower carpets to celebrate this rich cultural and historic festival where a 500+ lb. statue of the Lord Christ is paraded from Church and Convent of Esperança along with a procession of music, dancing, and elaborate decorations as the festivities commence. 

On this tour you will enjoy 7 Days in the Island of São Miguel. Your sight and your senses will be indulged with the Islands lush vegetation. Volcanic scenery, marvelous waterfalls, epic hiking trails and hot springs await for you. You will also indulge tasting its traditional cuisine and locally produced tea and liquors to make the most of your experience in the Green Island! 

• Private tour and guides.
• Explore Ponta Delgada, admire the city's picturesque architecture and taste local delicacies. 
• Discover the mountains and emerald lakes of ‘Sete Cidades’.
• Admire the breathtaking views at Lagoa do Fogo, visit a pineapple plantation and indulge tasting the Island's unique flavors.
• Visit the mystic Furnas lake, delight savoring the famous cozido das Furnas and visit the only tea plantation in Europe. 
• Featuring expertly selected hotels.

Book before December 31, 2022 to receive a discount of approximate $150 per person of the airfare. 

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Itineraries

Day 0

Date : May 11, 2023

Overnight Flight

Evening departure aboard AZORES AIRLINES for our transatlantic overnight flight to Ponta Delgada. Dinner will be served onboard accompanied by a selection of Portuguese wines to complement your meal.

Day 1

Date : May 12, 2023

Arrival to São Miguel Island

We will arrive in the early morning at João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada. After clearing customs, we will be transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is to rest and relax. Today is the beginning of the Santo Christo Feast, in the evening we will head to “Solar da Graça” restaurant, where we will have dinner, followed by an Azorean folkloric dancing show.

Day 2

Date : May 13, 2023

Full Day Tour Sete Cidades

Today we will be off on our full day tour of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. We begin by making a short visit to a pineapple plantation. There we will see how the pineapple is cultivated, followed by a sampling of the pineapple liquor. We then proceed to visit the Lagoa dos Canarios and Lagoa de Santiago. After that we make a climb to the famous “Vista do Rei” for a panoramic view of the two lakes of Sete Cidades. A typical lunch will then be served. After lunch we head to the Lagoa do Fogo, making stops in Ribeira Grande and Caldeira Velha. At the top of Lagoa do Fogo we are able to see both the north and south coasts of São Miguel. In the evening the statue of Senhor Santo Christo will be relocated from the Igreja de Esperança to Igreja de São José, the festivities will continue late into the night.

Day 3

Date : May 14, 2023

Santo Christo Procession

In the morning the streets of Ponta Delgada become decorated with greens and flowers for the afternoon procession. At four in the afternoon the procession begins in front of the Convento da Esperança and continuing throughout the streets of Ponta Delgada returning to the Convento da Esperança in the early evening. We will meet at the Hotel Talisman at 8PM for dinner.

Day 4

Date : May 15, 2023

Leisure Day

The day is at your leisure. You have the option of taking a half-day hiking/walking tour or even a whale watching tour from your hotel. Check out our add on activities and tours for more information.

Day 5

Date : May 16, 2023

Full Day Tour Furnas

Today we will be off on our second full day tour. We begin by traveling along the southern coast heading toward Vila Franca where we will stop to sample some “Queijadas da Vila”. We will also stop at the pottery factory in Lagoa, followed by stops at scenic points along the coast. We then head towards the Lagoa das Furnas to view the geothermic ovens that cook the traditional cozido, afterwards we head towards the village of Furnas where lunch will be served. After lunch we will walk around the village to view “Caldeiras”, then depart the village and make our way North stopping at the scenic points of “Pico de Ferro”, “Salto do Cavalo” and Ribeira dos Caldeirões in Nordeste. On our return to Ponta Delgada, we will make a stop at the Gorreana Tea Plantation, one of the oldest tea plantations in Europe and we’ll be able to sample their teas.

Day 6

Date : May 17, 2023

Leisure Day

Today is a day of leisure before our trip back home or if you prefer a shopping day in the city of Ponta Delgada.

Day 7

Date : May 18, 2023

Departure

Today we say goodbye to the beautiful island of Sao Miguel. We hope that on the flight back you reminisce of the good times that you had on the trip.

• 6 nights in 3 or 4 Star centrally located Hotel with breakfast daily.
• Private tours.
• Van with A/C in all tours and transfers.
• English speaking guide in all tours and transfers.
• Entrance to Pineapple Plantation and liquor tasting.
• Azorean Folkloric Welcome Dinner. 
• 2 Full Day tours with lunch (traditional Azorean and cozido). 
• Gorreana Tea Plantation Tasting Experience.

• DOES NOT include airfare. If you are interested in Airfare, please contact us.
• Single supplement not included.