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Pro tip: <\/strong>There are a number of non-compulsory stops immediately, and a few stuff you would possibly have to pack in your automotive embody: a swimsuit, towel, water sneakers or mountaineering sandals, and probably your mountaineering sneakers. And a dry change of garments!<\/p>\n<\/div>\nMorning: Gorreana Tea Plantation<\/h4>\n We’re headed out of the town immediately for a day exploring stunning viewpoints, gardens, pure swimming pools, and seashores, so take pleasure in breakfast at your lodge or on the town. <\/p>\n
The first cease I like to recommend immediately is on the solely working tea plantation in Europe!<\/p>\n
On the way in which, nevertheless, make a cease at Miradouro de Santa Iria<\/strong>, an exquisite viewpoint overlooking a protracted stretch of Azores coast. From right here, this would possibly remind you of one other European island \u2013 perhaps like Ireland due to all of the inexperienced hills.<\/p>\n\n
Miradouro de Santa Iria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThen make your method down the street to the Gorreana Tea Plantation,<\/strong> or Ch\u00e1 Gorreana<\/strong>. This tea plantation dates again to 1883, when it was began by Ermelinda Pacheco Gago da C\u00e2mara (we love a feminine entrepreneur!). The tea thrives right here on S\u00e3o Miguel due to the island’s humid, moist, and gentle local weather, together with the acidic volcanic soil.<\/p>\nWhen you go to Ch\u00e1 Gorreana, you’ll be able to discover contained in the tea manufacturing facility (there are guides in sure rooms you probably have questions), take pleasure in some samples of their inexperienced and black tea, and in addition discover the tea fields themselves. The plantation covers 79 acres (32 hectares), and there are some trails by the fields that you’re free to stroll by by yourself.<\/p>\n
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Exploring the tea fields<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
Tea tasting!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nI extremely advocate strolling up into the fields, because the views are unbelievable!<\/p>\n
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Pro tip: <\/strong>Cha Gorreana was one of many busiest locations we visited on the island, with a number of massive tour buses dropping teams off. There is parking behind the primary plantation constructing; attempt to keep away from parking alongside the driveway, because it blocks site visitors and slows every part down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nOptional late morning: Natural swimming pools<\/h4>\n From the tea plantation, you’ve gotten a pair choices for what to do subsequent. One choice is to go into the close by parish of Maia to swim within the Piscinas Naturais das Calhetas da Maia<\/strong>, that are pure ocean swimming pools. IF the ocean is calm sufficient, you’ll be able to climb right down to the swimming pools and go for a swim (that is finest achieved at low tide, or on calmer days, and I’d advocate water sneakers or sandals for the rocks).<\/p>\nFor lunch, Oestrela Bar & Restaurante overlooks a neighborhood seaside right here, or you’ll be able to drive a bit additional to Moofana to get a bifana sandwich.<\/p>\n
Optional late morning: Waterfall hike<\/h4>\n Another choice alongside the north coast is to see the Cascata do Salto da Farinha<\/strong>, or Salto da Farinha waterfall. This entails a hike, so ensure you come ready!<\/p>\nYou can first cease on the Miradouro do Salto da Farinha<\/strong>, which affords up some good coastal views. Grab some lunch on the way in which (perhaps a sandwich from Moofana), and you may take pleasure in it at a picnic desk right here. From this viewpoint, you’ll be able to really take a fast path right down to the waterfall should you simply wish to get some photographs.<\/p>\nOR, you are able to do a little bit of an extended hike by persevering with down the (windy, unpaved and really steep) street to a parking space close to a rocky seaside (it is marked on Google Maps as Pequena Rota PR21 SMI \u2013 Salto da Farinha \u2013 Podr\u00e3o das Alminhas<\/em>). From this parking space, there’s one other path that takes you to the waterfall that’s longer. (Many folks will park their vehicles additional up this street and stroll down, as it’s a little bit of a scary drive!)<\/p>\nNote that the waterfall is finest seen after the island has had some rain; throughout much less moist stretches, it generally dries up.<\/p>\n
Afternoon: Nature park<\/h4>\n After swimming or your hike (or perhaps each, relying on how a lot you wish to pack in!), the opposite cease I like to recommend making on the north coast is at Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeir\u00f5es<\/strong>, a small nature park with stunning landscapes, tons of hydrangea bushes, and even some small waterfalls.<\/p>\n\n
Ribeira dos Caldeir\u00f5es pure park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThere are paved trails main down into the park, together with a small cafe and restroom services. This spot is free to go to with loads of parking, so it actually needs to be a must-stop!<\/p>\n
Optional late afternoon: More pure swimming pools<\/h4>\n If you skipped the pure swimming pools this morning, there’s yet another likelihood to take pleasure in some on the north coast within the city of Nordeste, on the far northeastern nook of S\u00e3o Miguel. The Piscina Natural Da Boca De Ribeira<\/strong> is a pure swimming pool fed by ocean waves however arrange extra like an actual swimming pool.<\/p>\nThere’s free parking and restrooms close by, and that is one other stunning place for a swim on a pleasant day.<\/p>\n
Evening: Beach dinner<\/h4>\n From Nordeste (or from Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeir\u00f5es should you skipped Nordeste), it is a comparatively simple and quick drive again the way in which you got here (40 minutes’ drive at most) to Praia do Areal de Santa B\u00e1rbara<\/strong>, or Santa Barbara Beach.<\/p>\nThis extensive, lengthy seaside has darkish sand and many lava rocks and is in style with surfers. There’s a beachside restaurant close to the seaside’s predominant parking space known as Tuk\u00e1Tul\u00e1 Beach Bar<\/strong> that’s wonderful for dinner \u2013 however it’s good to ebook forward (name or e-mail), or be keen to place your identify on the checklist and wait. Waiting is definitely beautiful, although; you’ll be able to take pleasure in a drink on the rooftop, or perhaps seize a contemporary pi\u00f1a colada and luxuriate in it beachside.<\/p>\n