PORTUGAL For lovers of pure culture and unspoilt nature, there’s no better place for a memorable road-trip than the Azores, Europe’s best-kept secret. Part of Portugal since the 1400s, this charming archipelago is located right in the heart of the mid Atlantic, with the main focus being São Miguel, the largest and most accessible of all its nine picturesque islands.
A road-trip around São Miguel is an exhilarating way to experience the very best of the Azores, especially by car. And no other company offers a wider choice of low-cost car hire services than Auto Europe. Founded in 1954, Auto Europe is in close partnership with all the world’s leading vehicle rental suppliers to provide amazing deals throughout the year and the highest possible level of customer service in the Azores and dozens of other top destinations around the world.
Blessed with a wonderful subtropical climate warmed by the passing Gulf Stream, São Miguel is synonymous with everything that is great about the Azores. Whilst circumnavigating the island by car (a leisurely round-trip with meal stops and beach breaks is easily manageable in a day), you’ll be able to appreciate its great abundance of lush landscapes, verdant vistas and numerous star attractions, most notably the two photogenic lakes of Sete Cidades – one sapphire blue and the other emerald green.
Terra Nostra on the other side of the island is another must for visitors exploring São Miguel by car. This delightful 30-acre garden and adjacent hotel was laid out in the late 18th century and features a large, naturally warm thermal swimming pool – the perfect hang-out in winter.
Close by lies Furnas, another volcanic showpiece that in recent years has metamorphosed into a major health tourism resort attracting natural spa fans from all over the world. This active cluster of geysers and hot bubbling springs is not only an impressive spectacle but one of the most idyllic beauty spots in the whole of Portugal.
And you can’t leave Furnas without sampling the famous cozido, a tasty casserole of meat, smoked sausage and a variety of locally grown vegetables cooked to perfection in a container held deep underground for several hours in the island’s boiling volcanic waters.
The long list of other unique highlights not to miss with your car hire in the Azores includes the Gorreana Tea Estate (the only one of its kind in Europe) and the vibrant city of Ponta Delgada, capital of the Azores and a place buzzing with first-rate museums and other interesting places.
Visitors with a bit more time on their hands might like to spend a few hours at sea watching the many different whales and dolphins that inhabit the local waters, including the mighty blue whale which can reach 30 metres (98 feet) in length and weigh around 200 tons!
Have a great trip 🙂
