Full Day Sete Cidades & Lagoa Do Fogo Tour Review

Okay, so you are thinking about doing a full-day tour to Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo with hot springs while visiting São Miguel Island in the Azores? As a matter of fact, you have come to the right spot! I recently went on just that, and I’m here to share every bit of the experience – the magnificent sights, that unexpected dip in those naturally heated pools, and whether or not this tour really offers that value. The Azores are, like your dreamy destination, what with the volcanic landscapes and lush greenery. And, you know, Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo are must-sees. Getting to experience them both, plus those tempting hot springs, all in a single day? Arguably, that sounds like a super effective way to experience what this island’s landscape has to offer.

Why Choose a Full Day Tour, Anyway?

Right, you could rent a car and drive yourself, for instance. It might be an okay option, you know, especially if you are all about independence and doing your own thing. Honestly, there’s also something pretty wonderful about kicking back, letting someone else worry about the tricky, winding roads and discovering all those off-the-beaten-path viewpoints. The tour picked me up straight from my hotel, too, and that, arguably, was a major plus. Arguably, there’s the guide. Having someone that, you know, actually knows the region inside and out to share some insight? Honestly, that brings the place to life in a way that just isn’t doable if you’re driving yourself, reading facts from, like your guidebook. Very much like, the historical stories, and local secrets? As a matter of fact, those really stick with you, after the fact.

Sete Cidades: A View From Up High

The first stop, typically, is Sete Cidades, very much like a postcard-perfect caldera with twin lakes – one is that emerald green, that other is like, a sapphire blue. The legend goes that those are that tears of a lovelorn princess and a shepherd, you see, each forbidden from each other. But you know what, actually seeing those views from Vista do Rei is way more impactful. The vibrant colors, sort of against the steep crater walls… wow! Our guide explained the geology there, that involves just a little history about the settlements within the crater itself. Instead of just snapping some pictures, I, like your truly felt I was connecting to the location. I also learned the best times to get photos here as well – timing your tour in the morning for the very best lighting to reduce the risk of fog is really smart.

Lagoa do Fogo: Nature’s Fiery Heart

Next up, that would be Lagoa do Fogo – that’s a Fire Lagoon. The views here are rather rugged and feel that is untouched, with the bright blue waters set in a volcanic crater. The drive up there has all those views, which are also fantastic. We walked down, very much like a path toward that shore, and it was a bit of a workout, just a little, but honestly, worth every step. I went swimming – that water can be, like, chilly – and I could almost feel like that volcanic energy. The guide told us all the history surrounding the lagoon, its designation to being a protected reserve, very, very important to the biodiversity in the Azores. To see this region getting conserved? That’s actually, something to value!

Caldeira Velha: Soaking in Volcanic Warmth

Finally – and that’s what many people anticipate – the hot springs! Our tour brought us all, pretty much straight to Caldeira Velha, that is very much like a natural park that has thermal pools at that base to being a waterfall. The water temperature can be like, cozy, and that mineral-rich water feels just fantastic for those muscles once you are finished. Those surroundings can be amazing, those lush ferns and tropical plants. It is just a touch paradise-like, you see. We took that opportunity to chill and to loosen up here for a while, after that day full of touring. By the way, if you want a tip: that sulfur within that water smells distinctly, which means, like your lighter-colored swimwear could be stained a little bit. Wear something dark, like your swimsuit and bring that old towel!

Lunch and Local Flavors

A very good tour stops to give a flavorful, local taste, so too that lunch didn’t disappoint. We visited a local restaurant that featured the regional dishes. Very delicious food! What’s amazing has all those, you know, just experiencing this food, sort of tasting all the Azores via all the bites of all that cuisine. In addition, it has an experience – there are stories behind this food too, and of those individuals who are actually making them! That stop, which are at those locally owned spots also that assistance directly to the Azores communities, is worth taking the tour, clearly.

What To Bring With You

If you do this tour yourself, these will definitely help you prepare:

• Comfortable Shoes: Lots of walking and, yes, maybe even a tiny amount of hiking.
• Swimsuit & Old Towel: To that point about those hot springs again, be sure you protect the good stuff!
• Camera: Of course, that goes without saying, so, too capture those outstanding views!
• Rain Jacket: That climate can be rather changeable.
• Sunscreen: Especially when exposed in all those open viewpoints!
• Water: So very important to keep yourself hydrated the entire day.

Is This Tour Worth It?

Okay, at that close of the day I was a bit tired, just a little, yet felt truly accomplished! To go to both of the Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo while dipping your toes into a warm spring. Plus experiencing the food from around here, can be truly a wonderful snapshot that captures the essence in São Miguel. If you value relaxation that have comfort, but would enjoy having information that come with it, taking all the guesswork that are out of trip-making but prefer learning everything regarding places such as those, this just might be an optimal tour selection. Also it can be an investment as well; just compare any separate costs which, involves renting this car. In addition, don’t skip out from those hidden expenses (i.e. the parking) when determining, if its affordable to use all those tours for day-long excursions!

Did that just pique any traveler that I know whose travels involve the use of Azores? I have! This would easily allow a quick deep into why visiting this awesome spot has its own merits so keep looking!

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