The Essential Azores aboard Le Champlain

Description

Succumb to the magic of the Azores on a brand-new cruise brought to you by PONANT. This 8-day itinerary aboard Le Champlain will take you to the most beautiful sites of this volcanic archipelago resting in the heart of the Atlantic.

After boarding, you will sail to Horta, a lively, world-renowned marina, on the island of Faial, often called “the blue island” due to the myriad hydrangeas that cover most of the island during the summer months.

Further east, you will discover the port of Velas and the island of São Jorge, its lush reliefs and its spectacular cliffs at the foot of which can be observed fajãs, basalt platforms resulting from cliff-face erosion.

Then, you will sail to the picturesque port of Praia da Vitória on Terceira Island, known for its rich historical heritage. The city of Angra do Heroismo, once an important commercial port, is home to imposing fortifications and Baroque-inspired monuments from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Le Champlain will then sail to Lajes do Pico on the mountainous island of Pico, whose vineyard landscapes, characterised by a network of orderly stone walls, are listed as UNESCO World Heritage.

Finally, succumb to the charms of Ponta Delgada in São Miguel, as you discover not just the old town, the capital of the Azores, but also a stunning natural environment with hot springs, lakes and volcanic craters.

Trip Name

The Essential Azores aboard Le Champlain

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series, Le Champlain will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Champlain will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Champlain has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 PONTA DELGADA, AZORES

The coastal city of Ponta Delgada stands on the southern coastline of São Miguel Island, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. On your way to the town centre from the port, youﾒll pass through the Doors to the Sea, a contemporary architectural complex bordering the Atlantic. The historic district features a beautiful square framed by the three Baroque arches of the City Gates. A few steps from the shore youﾒll find the Gothic church of São Sebastião and the Renaissance fortress, Fortaleza de São Brásainsi.

Day 2 - Day 2 HORTA, AZORES

The main town on Faial Island, in the Azores, Horta has preserved a real authenticity and picturesque charm. The main marina in the archipelago, the town boasts a number of frescos painted by sailors who dropped anchor there from around the world. Also do not miss a visit to the many churches, the Santa Cruz fort dating from the 16th Century and the Scrimshaw Museum, dedicated to the local craft of sculpting on whale teeth. In the south-east of the city is Monte Da Guia, a volcanic cone classified as a Special Protection Area, which will offer you breathtaking views over Porto Pim Bay and the ocean.

Day 3 - Day 3 PRAIA DA GRACIOSA, AZORES

Arriving on “graceful” Graciosa Island, you’ll admire its stunning landscapes with its vines surrounded by walls of black basalt, its steep shores and transparent sea beds. Declared a “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO, the northernmost of the islands forming the Azores archipelago, often designated by the term “eighth Canary Island”, has thus been protected from mass tourism. You’ll be able to visit the St Matthew Church, which has one of the finest pipe organs in the Azores, dating back to 1793. The island will charm you with its deserted volcanic landscapes embellished with beaches of immaculate sand.

Day 4 - Day 4 VELAS, AZORES

The port of Velas is on the southern coast of the island of São Jorge. You’ll be surprised by its cliffs that drop right into the sea and its very many fajãs that punctuate the island’s shores. These curious geological formations come from lava flows having entered the sea, landslides due to seismic shocks or erosion. Protected by the wind, the fajãs, flat land surfaces on the sea edge at the foot of imposing cliffs, enjoy fertile soil and a favourable microclimate. Their natural pools (and, in particular, the natural pool of Fajã do Ouvidor) with clear water are an invitation to bathe in an exceptional natural setting.

Day 5 - Day 5 PRAIA DA VITÓRIA, AZORES

With its 10,000 inhabitants, Praia da Vitória is one of the most modern towns in the Azores archipelago. It is located on the far east of the island of Terceira. From 1456 to 1474, Praia da Vitória was the seat of the captaincy of Terceira and the capital of the region before being replaced by Angra. Its bay shelters the largest sandy beach in the Azores. Its historic centre is a charming maze of streets and alleys whose old houses have double-hung barred windows or interesting mashrabiyas.

Day 6 - Day 6 LAJES DO PICO, AZORES

In the Azores archipelago, Lajes Do Pico is a small Portuguese town of fewer than 5,000 inhabitants nestling on the southern coast of Pico Island. You’ll be charmed by its colourful little houses and its superb landscapes bearing rich history linked to the whaling period which made its reputation. It is dominated by its enormous and majestic volcano, the highest in Portugal, which culminates at 2,531 metres. You’ll be able to discover its small museum dedicated to the whaling industry and the island’s vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on one of the most beautiful paths in the Azores. If conditions allow it, you’ll perhaps have the chance to observe whales.

Day 7 - Days 7 - 8 PONTA DELGADA, AZORES

Day 8 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

UNESCO sites: the city of Angra do Heroismo from Praia da Vitória ; the vineyard landscapes on Pico Island.
Discover 6 Azores islands during your cruise: São Miguel, Faial, Graciosa, São Jorge, Terceira and Pico.
The promise of a trip off the beaten track, combining nature and culture.
Beautiful and diverse landscapes: volcanoes, calderas, mountain peaks, green hills, cliffs, lakes, shrubs, flowers…
Visit Ponta Delgada, capital of the Azores: old town, churches, and the famous Portas da Cidade (city gates).
From Lajes do Pico, possibility of seeing whales (if conditions allow).