Sailing in the Azores.

SPOT WHALES IN SÃO JORGE CHANNEL, VISIT EXTINCT VOLCANOS AND SWIM IN NATURAL LAVA POOLS

Journey highlights

• Sail through the impressive Azorean archipelago
• Gain a hands-on sailing experience aboard this historic sailing ship
• Whale watching in São Jorge Channel
• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage City of Angra do Heroísmo
• Visit extinct volcanoes and swim in natural lava pools
• Discover Azorean food and wine
• Before the start of the journey, explore São Miguel's volcanoes and swim in lava pools or visit the fascinating island of Terceira once your journey is over

Journey description

Our Holiday to the Azores in 2018 and 2019 proved so popular that we plan to follow a similar itinerary as we hop through this impressive mid-Atlantic volcanic archipelago.

Distances are short allowing thereby offering a number of experiences from sailing to visits to the islands. During each journey the captain will decide on the best itinerary based on the weather and sea conditions in order to ensure all guests are comfortable and can get the most of these days.

We start in São Miguel and finish in Terceira. If the weather is good we hope to be able to visit some of the central islands, which may include Faial, São Jorge and Graciosa.

São Miguel is the largest of these islands. If you have the time it's worth arriving a few days early to visit Ponta Delgada's mosaic cobbled streets where you may find great fish restaurants, or Furnas with its colourful crater lake and hot springs. Here, "cozido", a rich meat and vegetable stew, cooks slow one meter deep for seven hours in the soil's geothermal heat. The legend goes that the twin crater lakes of the nearby Sete Cidades were formed by the tears shed by a pair of star-crossed lovers: a green-eyed princess and a blue-eyed shepherd. Then there's the option to swim in Caldeira Velha waterfall pool and wander in the Lagoa de Fogo nature reserve.

As we sail 183 miles west from São Miguel we hope to see whales in the São Jorge Channel. Sperm whales are the resident species, along with blue, fin and sei whales. Bottlenose, Atlantic spotted and common dolphins also usual species here at this time of the year.

A stop on Faial offers the chance to visit Horta and its famous Peter's Café Sport bar visited by yachtsmen since 1918. Stroll along the marina and marvel at the centuries old sailors' art.

The northernmost island of Graciosa is small and serene. The people have every right to be proud of their beautiful island with its central Furna do Enxofre, a 40m-high volcanic cave with a sulphurous lake.

A visit to São Jorge, one of the most dramatic of the Azores islands, offers views of its steep mountains and deep ravines to the north and Mt Pico across the São Jorge Channel to the south.

We finish our island hopping on Terceira docking in UNESCO-listed Angra do Heroísmo, the Azores' oldest city, with its 16th-century fortress and Renaissance town. Serra de Santa Bárbara Algar do Carvão with its 90m-deep volcanic chimney, and the island's small vineyards and lava-rock bathing pools in Biscoitos are popular tourist sites.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SANTA MARIA MANUELA EXPERIENCE.

Launched in 1937, and for many decades a flagship for Portugal's cod fishing industry in Newfoundland and Greenland, the renovated Santa Maria Manuela now offers hands-on sailing and island-hopping holidays, diving expeditions and sail training experiences as part of the Tall Ships Races and other festivals.

Many people who step aboard have not sailed before so our professional crew is ready to ensure a both rewarding and fun experience. Guests are invited to get involved in all aspects of sailing if they wish, from helming to trimming sails to taking part in night watches, but all activities are voluntary.

In addition to sailing, each journey may include a range of activities. If the weather and the itinerary allow the ships fishing equipment, kayaks, canoes and two 12-man powerboats are available to those with adventure in mind. Evenings are spent in good company sharing tales of the day's adventures around the bar or relaxing with a good book, playing board games or watching films in the Salon Terra Nova.

Cabins are basic but comfortable, each with a private shower and toilet. Paid for Wi-Fi is available through the ships satellite system.

The Salon Terra Nova seats 40 for meals with cushioned bench sofas also offering enough comfort to relax or to be used for company meetings. Bars on deck and below help to create a relaxed atmosphere.

Food is a key part of the Santa Maria Manuela experience, with the ships cook providing a variety of traditional Portuguese and international dishes.

On a sailing or diving journey we never use the word itinerary, as our captain will always be aiming for the best locations and most idyllic or sheltered anchorages and ports depending on the weather forecast. He is as keen as you to include some of the highlights described, but you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The journey description above is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or experience, but nothing is guaranteed.

The ship is available for individual or group holidays, whole vessel charter, business meetings, events and product launches, and as a location for films.

The crew of Santa Maria Manuela look forward to welcoming you aboard in 2018.

SAILING EXPERIENCE

No prior sailing experience is necessary to sail aboard the Santa Maria Manuela. Our crew will invite you to get involved in all elements of the ship's life, and is here to teach you all about the ship and how it sails should you wish, but participation is voluntary.

FITNESS

People of all ages and abilities are welcome to sail with us aboard the Santa Maria Manuela. To ensure everyone gets the most out of sailing with us we ask all passengers to be are independent and mobile.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE JOURNEY COST:

• All meals on board Santa Maria Manuela – including daily breakfast, lunch and evening meal
• Refreshments (coffee, tea, water and juice) throughout the day
• Use of safety equipment
• All instruction on board by fully qualified crew
• Third Party Liability Insurance

CABINS

• The ship has 11 x 2 persons cabins, 4 x 4 persons cabins and 1 x 6 person cabin
• Each cabin has a private shower, toilet and comfortable beds set up as bunks
• There is a reading light and power socket (European 2 pin) next to each bed
• Couples have priority in the 2 person cabins. If you wish to guarantee a two-person cabin for yourself (1 person) we charge a 50% supplement. When the 2-person cabins are full, any additional booking will be in shared cabins split between male and female.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Travel to and from the boat
• Personal travel insurance
• Alcoholic and soft drinks at the bar (We run a bar TAB during your journey, payable at the end of your journey in cash or card before you disembark).
• Any excursions and meals on shore
• VISA fees

WHAT TO PACK

This is a list of the items we recommend you bring with you.

• Warm hat and gloves
• Wet weather clothing – waterproof and windproof jacket
• Clothing – enough clothing for all weather circumstances and for sailing at night.
• Soft soled trainers or deck shoes
• Swimming gear
• Toiletries
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sea sickness medication
• Personal medication
• Book
• Camera
• Valid passport with 6 months validity

PASSPORTS and VISAS

If your journey is sailing in foreign waters, you will require a full passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the end of the journey. You will be responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

INSURANCE

We advise all those sailing with us to take out relevant travel insurance. We have Third Party Liability Insurance to cover all on board Santa Maria Manuela. Please let us know if you would like to add insurance to your booking.

Please let us know if you want to book flight tickets. We are happy to arrange a full holiday package.

the Atlasail Team.

The Tall Ship Santa Maria Manuela is a four-mast sailing ship built in 1937. This sailingship has a rich history as a cod fishing vessel and sailed mainly in the northern Atlantic ocean. Today you can sail on a cruise in modern comfort. The ship has been thoroughly restored in 2010 thanks to its new owner, the Portuguese group Grupo Jerónimo Martins. With a capacity of up to 50 guests, the sailing ship offers wonderful sailing trips worldwide.