ARTEH Hotels and Turangra together in the Azores

About the Protocol: - ARTEH(R) and the Azoren				HeroÃsmo (Terceira), Ponta Delgada and
operator Turangra signed Wednesday, April the				Ribeira Grande (SÃ£o Miguel) is an
19th, an understanding Protocol with the				invigorating way of taking a closer look at
objective of bringing the insular destination				the beautiful scenery;
closer, with better conditions regarding air
rates.				Mountaineering - The 2.341 meter high volcano
				on Pico lays down the gauntlet to those who
Both companies decided to unite synergies and				like nothing better than to scale mountains
promote the agreement, gathering mutual				and provides the setting for a stunning
competencies in hotel services and				sunrise. The other islands are also endowed
distribution, in order to draw the				with mountainous country, the ideal terrain
opportunity to strengthen the tourism supply				for keeping those muscles toned;
of the Azores regarding competitive prices.
				Speleology - Those interested in the study of
Sofia Almeida, ARTEH(R) Sales Manager,				cave formations should take a trip to Algar
believes that the agreement offers a short				do CarvÃ£o on the Island of Terceira. A
break alternative in the country and "creates				journey through miles of caverns and tunnels
the opportunity, for the same conditions as a				provides the opportunity to discover
weekend in the Algarve or the Alentejo, to				magnificent sights of stalagmites,
discover the Azores" and the four ARTEH(R)				stalactites, and columns and cornices of
Hotels in the region, one of which, Quinta				volcanic origin;
das MercÃªs on the Terceira Island, who
received the Protocol celebration.				Tennis - In addition to those tennis courts
				incorporated in hotel complexes, tennis clubs
Miguel Fonseca, Turangra General Manager,				for tourists can be found in Angra de
considers this challenge to serve as a form				HeroÃsmo (Terceira), Horta (Faial) and
to promote the Azores and reaffirm the deep				Ponta Delgada (SÃ£o Miguel);
knowledge of the potential products for
customers who fit ARTEH(R) philosophy.				Golf - The mild climate all the year round,
				the rolling landscape, the green grass and
About the Azores: - Historically, the				the abundance of flowers are Mother Nature's
Portuguese came on to the scene in 1427 with				gifts and make the Azores the ideal location
the discovery of Santa Maria and SÃ£o				for a spot of golf. Try your luck on the two
Miguel Islands. Due to its strategic				18-hole courses on the Island of SÃ£o
geographic position, the archipelago becomes				Miguel or on a third located on Terceira,
an important waypoint on the main routes				also an 18-hole course.
between Europe, the Orient and America during
the 16th and 17th centuries. This period saw				About Quinta das MercÃªs: - Quinta das
major naval battles around the Azores, while				MercÃªs where the Protocol was signed is
the Islands were set upon by pirates.				situated in the Terceira Island nestled in
				the Brazil Mountain Natural Reserve, between
Subsequent centuries saw the development of				the Ocean, Gardens and a dense area of
the Islands, introduction of a new				Atlantic Forest.
agriculture and the development of cattle
breeding and fishing.				Built in the 18th century, in keeping with
				typical manor architecture, the farm's large
Having constituted an integral part of				manor house is today, after undergoing an
Portugal from the very outset, today the				ambitious renewal and refurbishment project,
Azores are an autonomous region endowed with				a charming hotel.
its own parliament and government.
				In its interior, the common areas and the
The Azores are nine different Islands of				bedrooms are wide and comfortable, decorated
Adventure, nine delightful surprises. You can				in a markedly classical style. Some of the
see Dolphins and Whales frolicking in the sea				bedrooms offer a small private garden and
or Volcanic Landscapes covered in green. Then				others a tranquil sea view.
there are the stunning, Lilac-coloured
Hydrangeas that provide hedges for the				The external leisure areas, the result of
meadows; the blue and green Lakes; the				carefully designed landscape architecture,
Craters of extinct Volcanoes and the Steam				are harmoniously implanted into the Quinta's
rising from the land. The Volcanic activity				surrounding gardens whilst maintaining the
here means that you can even have your meal				original structure of the land.
cooked under the ground!
				Several sports are at your disposal. Enjoy
Inland you can go Mountain Climbing and				cycling, play tennis matches or train your
Walking through the Countryside. Or you can				putting before heading out to the island's
stick to the Coast and go Diving and				Golf Course. The privileged connection to the
Swimming. On these amazing Islands it feels				sea also allows the possibility of canoeing
as if time has stood still.				and fishing, or even to venture into diving
				and spearfishing in the midst of the Atlantic
All of the Islands have something to offer.				Ocean.
Take Pico Island, for instance. Classified as
a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO the Pico				Whilst staying at Quinta das MercÃªs be
Island landscape reflects a unique response				sure to visit Angra do HeroÃsmo, a World
to viniculture on a small volcanic island and				Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
one that has been evolving since the arrival
of the first settlers in the 15th century.				About Convento de SÃ£o Francisco: - In the
The extraordinarily beautiful man-made				South of the SÃ£o Miguel Island, is the
landscape of small, stone walled fields is				Convento de SÃ£o Francisco, framed by the
testimony to generations of small-scale				invigorating landscape of the Vila Franca do
farmers who, in a hostile environment,				Campo Isle natural reserve and the sea on the
created a sustainable living and much-prized				horizon.
wine. And of course the SÃ£o Miguel Island,
to discover the Hot Waters and the Steam				The 16th century Convent was renovated and
escaping from the vents of the Volcanoes.				refurbished with sophistication and
				transformed into an elegant and beautifully
Some of the sport activities you can do in				austere hotel. The floor covered in exotic
Azores:				wood, the volcanic rock in the restrooms and
				the wrought iron pieces and period furniture
Whale and Dolphin Watching - From June to				are features that particularly stand out.
September Whales and Dolphins feed off the
waters between the Islands of Faial, Pico and				A short distance from the convent, the marina
SÃ£o Jorge where fish are in plentiful				and small harbor of Vila Franca do Campo, are
supply. Specially equipped boats from Pico				the ideal setting off point for whale
and Faial allow these majestic sea mammals to				watching trips, for fishing, swimming and
be observed at closer range;				diving in the sea or in the isle's natural
				pool.
Scuba Diving - Scuba Diving Centers with
professional assistants operate in Caloura				About Hotel do ColÃ©gio: - Located in the
and in Vila Franca do Campo on the island of				centre of Ponta Delgada, SÃ£o Miguel
SÃ£o Miguel. Nautical clubs to be found on				Island, emerged from the adaptation of a 19th
all islands except Corvo and companies				century urban edifice. In its history this
operating on Faial, Graciosa, SÃ£o Jorge				building was a respected school and most
and Terceira are endowed with diving support				recently served as the Musical Academy of the
facilities;				Regional Conservatory.

Sailboat Cruises - Yacht operators working				With its history and its cultural and
out of the ports of Horta (Faial) and Ponta				artistic tradition intact, this hotel has
Delgada (SÃ£o Miguel) provide visitors with				been divided into two wings: the Conservatory
the opportunity of going on a voyage of				and the School, each in keeping with its
discovery around these viridescent islands				past.
set against the backdrop of the deep blue
Atlantic Ocean;				Properly settled into SÃ£o Miguel Island,
				be sure to take advantage of all it has to
Sportfishing - Blue and White Marlins, Tunas,				offer, from whale watching trips and the
Wahoos and some species of Shark make the				famous cuisine to the luxuriant landscape.
Azores an internationally renowned
sportfishing center where world and Atlantic				About Pousada Forte de SÃ£o SebastiÃ£o: -
records have been set. Specially equipped				The Historic Design Pousada, opened on April
boats set out for the fishing season - June				7th, 2006, is situated in Angra do
to September - from the Marinas of Horta				HeroÃsmo - the principal urban city of
(Faial) and Ponta Delgada (SÃ£o Miguel) and				Terceira Island considered a World Cultural
from the Island of Santa Maria;				Heritage by UNESCO.

Hiking - All the islands of the Azores offer				This fortress, known by the name of
appealing walks along the coastline, scaling				Castelinho (little castle), was constructed
the hills, unearthing new scenery and				with the demand of El-Rei D. SebastiÃ£o,
horizons, itineraries are available from the				King of Portugal, whose name was given to the
Tourist Offices which indicate trails of				castle, in a supercilious place, the Pipas
varying degrees of difficulty.				Port.

Travel agencies often offer guided walks;				The construction of the Castle started in
				1555, having been given authority to the
Horseback Hiking - Riding in Angra do				first Alcayde Manuel de Corte Real in 1575.

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Experience the adventure of mountain climbing

ARTEH Hotels and Turangra together in the Azores