ARTEH Hotels and Turangra together in the Azores

About the Protocol: - ARTEH(R) and the AzorenTravel agencies often offer guided walks;
operator Turangra signed Wednesday, April the 19th,Horseback Hiking - Riding in Angra do Heroísmo
an understanding Protocol with the objective of(Terceira), Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande
bringing the insular destination closer, with better(São Miguel) is an invigorating way of taking a
conditions regarding air rates.closer look at the beautiful scenery;
Both companies decided to unite synergies andMountaineering - The 2.341 meter high volcano on
promote the agreement, gathering mutualPico lays down the gauntlet to those who like nothing
competencies in hotel services and distribution, inbetter than to scale mountains and provides the
order to draw the opportunity to strengthen thesetting for a stunning sunrise. The other islands are
tourism supply of the Azores regarding competitivealso endowed with mountainous country, the ideal
prices.terrain for keeping those muscles toned;
Sofia Almeida, ARTEH(R) Sales Manager, believesSpeleology - Those interested in the study of cave
that the agreement offers a short break alternativeformations should take a trip to Algar do
in the country and "creates the opportunity, for theCarvão on the Island of Terceira. A journey
same conditions as a weekend in the Algarve or thethrough miles of caverns and tunnels provides the
Alentejo, to discover the Azores" and the fouropportunity to discover magnificent sights of
ARTEH(R) Hotels in the region, one of which, Quintastalagmites, stalactites, and columns and cornices of
das Mercês on the Terceira Island, who receivedvolcanic origin;
the Protocol celebration.Tennis - In addition to those tennis courts
Miguel Fonseca, Turangra General Manager, considersincorporated in hotel complexes, tennis clubs for
this challenge to serve as a form to promote thetourists can be found in Angra de Heroísmo
Azores and reaffirm the deep knowledge of the(Terceira), Horta (Faial) and Ponta Delgada (São
potential products for customers who fit ARTEH(R)Miguel);
philosophy.Golf - The mild climate all the year round, the rolling
About the Azores: - Historically, the Portuguese camelandscape, the green grass and the abundance of
on to the scene in 1427 with the discovery of Santaflowers are Mother Nature's gifts and make the
Maria and São Miguel Islands. Due to its strategicAzores the ideal location for a spot of golf. Try your
geographic position, the archipelago becomes anluck on the two 18-hole courses on the Island of
important waypoint on the main routes betweenSão Miguel or on a third located on Terceira,
Europe, the Orient and America during the 16th andalso an 18-hole course.
17th centuries. This period saw major naval battlesAbout Quinta das Mercês: - Quinta das
around the Azores, while the Islands were set uponMercês where the Protocol was signed is
by pirates.situated in the Terceira Island nestled in the Brazil
Subsequent centuries saw the development of theMountain Natural Reserve, between the Ocean,
Islands, introduction of a new agriculture and theGardens and a dense area of Atlantic Forest.
development of cattle breeding and fishing.Built in the 18th century, in keeping with typical manor
Having constituted an integral part of Portugal fromarchitecture, the farm's large manor house is today,
the very outset, today the Azores are anafter undergoing an ambitious renewal and
autonomous region endowed with its own parliamentrefurbishment project, a charming hotel.
and government.In its interior, the common areas and the bedrooms
The Azores are nine different Islands of Adventure,are wide and comfortable, decorated in a markedly
nine delightful surprises. You can see Dolphins andclassical style. Some of the bedrooms offer a small
Whales frolicking in the sea or Volcanic Landscapesprivate garden and others a tranquil sea view.
covered in green. Then there are the stunning,The external leisure areas, the result of carefully
Lilac-coloured Hydrangeas that provide hedges fordesigned landscape architecture, are harmoniously
the meadows; the blue and green Lakes; the Cratersimplanted into the Quinta's surrounding gardens whilst
of extinct Volcanoes and the Steam rising from themaintaining the original structure of the land.
land. The Volcanic activity here means that you canSeveral sports are at your disposal. Enjoy cycling,
even have your meal cooked under the ground!play tennis matches or train your putting before
Inland you can go Mountain Climbing and Walkingheading out to the island's Golf Course. The privileged
through the Countryside. Or you can stick to theconnection to the sea also allows the possibility of
Coast and go Diving and Swimming. On thesecanoeing and fishing, or even to venture into diving
amazing Islands it feels as if time has stood still.and spearfishing in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean.
All of the Islands have something to offer. Take PicoWhilst staying at Quinta das Mercês be sure to
Island, for instance. Classified as a World Culturalvisit Angra do Heroísmo, a World Cultural
Heritage by UNESCO the Pico Island landscapeHeritage by UNESCO.
reflects a unique response to viniculture on a smallAbout Convento de São Francisco: - In the
volcanic island and one that has been evolving sinceSouth of the São Miguel Island, is the Convento
the arrival of the first settlers in the 15th century.de São Francisco, framed by the invigorating
The extraordinarily beautiful man-made landscape oflandscape of the Vila Franca do Campo Isle natural
small, stone walled fields is testimony to generationsreserve and the sea on the horizon.
of small-scale farmers who, in a hostile environment,The 16th century Convent was renovated and
created a sustainable living and much-prized wine. Andrefurbished with sophistication and transformed into
of course the São Miguel Island, to discover thean elegant and beautifully austere hotel. The floor
Hot Waters and the Steam escaping from the ventscovered in exotic wood, the volcanic rock in the
of the Volcanoes.restrooms and the wrought iron pieces and period
Some of the sport activities you can do in Azores:furniture are features that particularly stand out.
Whale and Dolphin Watching - From June toA short distance from the convent, the marina and
September Whales and Dolphins feed off the waterssmall harbor of Vila Franca do Campo, are the ideal
between the Islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorgesetting off point for whale watching trips, for fishing,
where fish are in plentiful supply. Specially equippedswimming and diving in the sea or in the isle's natural
boats from Pico and Faial allow these majestic seapool.
mammals to be observed at closer range;About Hotel do Colégio: - Located in the centre
Scuba Diving - Scuba Diving Centers with professionalof Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, emerged
assistants operate in Caloura and in Vila Franca dofrom the adaptation of a 19th century urban edifice.
Campo on the island of São Miguel. Nautical clubsIn its history this building was a respected school and
to be found on all islands except Corvo andmost recently served as the Musical Academy of the
companies operating on Faial, Graciosa, SãoRegional Conservatory.
Jorge and Terceira are endowed with diving supportWith its history and its cultural and artistic tradition
facilities;intact, this hotel has been divided into two wings: the
Sailboat Cruises - Yacht operators working out of theConservatory and the School, each in keeping with its
ports of Horta (Faial) and Ponta Delgada (Sãopast.
Miguel) provide visitors with the opportunity of goingProperly settled into São Miguel Island, be sure
on a voyage of discovery around these viridescentto take advantage of all it has to offer, from whale
islands set against the backdrop of the deep bluewatching trips and the famous cuisine to the luxuriant
Atlantic Ocean;landscape.
Sportfishing - Blue and White Marlins, Tunas, WahoosAbout Pousada Forte de São Sebastião: -
and some species of Shark make the Azores anThe Historic Design Pousada, opened on April 7th,
internationally renowned sportfishing center where2006, is situated in Angra do Heroísmo - the
world and Atlantic records have been set. Speciallyprincipal urban city of Terceira Island considered a
equipped boats set out for the fishing season - JuneWorld Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
to September - from the Marinas of Horta (Faial) andThis fortress, known by the name of Castelinho (little
Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) and from the Islandcastle), was constructed with the demand of El-Rei
of Santa Maria;D. Sebastião, King of Portugal, whose name was
Hiking - All the islands of the Azores offer appealinggiven to the castle, in a supercilious place, the Pipas
walks along the coastline, scaling the hills, unearthingPort.
new scenery and horizons, itineraries are availableThe construction of the Castle started in 1555, having
from the Tourist Offices which indicate trails ofbeen given authority to the first Alcayde Manuel de
varying degrees of difficulty.Corte Real in 1575.