How to Get There
From the airport to the hotel (by car or taxi) 
After you leave the airport and after passing the first viaduct (approximately 800m), go to the exit saying Ponta Delgada Centro. Drive down Mónaco Avenue until you reach the roundabout with the Monument to Independence. Exit half-way through the roundabount and continue until you reach the next roundabout (300 meters) and then turn left. Go all the way up to the limit allowed for vehicle circulation. Before the exit saying Porto Marítimo, turn left and then turn right. You will then find yourself in the beginning of the Avenida Marginal. Drive down the whole avenue until you find the Solmar building, which is easy to find due to its 20 storey tower. In the corner of the Solmar building and mall with the Avenida Marginal turn left and then right. You will be in Largo de Camões and the Hotel is on your right. The taxi ride may slightly vary, but you should not take more than 10 minutes to arrive.

General Information

Geography 
The Azores Archipelago is comprised of nine islands in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, at approximately 1.500 kms from the European western coast and 3.900 km from North-America.
The Azores have a population of approximately 237.000 inhabitants and cover an economical sea area of 940.000 km2.
The Island of S. Miguel, together with the Island of Santa Maria form the Eastern group, the Islands of Terceira, Graciosa, S. Jorge, Pico and Faial form the Central Group and the Islands of Flores and Corvo form the Western Group.

Administration
The Azores are an Autonomous Region since 1976, and are ruled by a Regional Government whose Presidency is located in the city of Ponta Delgada, Island of S. Miguel, and by the Regional Assembly in the city of Horta, Island of Faial. The members are democratically elected by universal suffrage. The Azores are part of the Portuguese Republic and thus are part of the European Economy..

Language
The official language is Portuguese.

Currency
The currency is Euro.
Traveller's cheques are accepted in any bank and credit and debit cards are accepted all over in shops and restaurants.

Places to Go
The island of S. Miguel is rich in landscapes and natural preserved environments. It is many times called the Green Island, for it has magnificent lagoons which are often considered its tourist postcards. The city of Ponta Delgada and other cities have a rich and diversified cultural and architectonic estate, which are worth being appreciated. Here are some suggestions of places for you to visit.

Island of S. Miguel

• Sete cidades
  This is a wide crater with 12 kms of perimeter. It is an unforgettable scenery of the Green and the Blue Lagoons, located in Caldeira [the village of Sete Cidades (Seven Cities)].                              Belvederes with fabulous views.
• Lagoa do Fogo
  This is a crater of an extinct volcano. Enormous lagoon of sheer water, which reflects the sky and the slopes of the mountain surrounding it. Beautiful and peaceful.
• Vale das Furnas
  This is an enormous caldera with leafy vegetation. In the banks of the Furnas Lagoon you can see the volcano rifts and the "natural kitchens" which are used for cooking the famous "cozido nas caldeiras"  (boiled beef and pork with vegetables cooked in the calderas. The Caldeiras is an area of several volcanic manifestations which can be watched in safety.
• Tronqueira
  Grandiose landscape of mountain ridge and canyons. It stops in Pico da Vara, the island's highest peak, with 1.080 m high.
• Caloura
  Picturesque fishing harbour. Natural pools. Centre for Diving and Undersea Watching.
• Mosteiros
  A picturesque parish near the islet of Mosteiros.

Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is the Island's first city.
Its historical centre and narrow typical streets are curious examples of the urban architecture of the 19th Century. It is the main nucleus of the archipelago.

• Portas da Cidade (City Doors)
  It is the city's ex-libris, with its 18th century three arches.
• Mother Church
  Built in the 16th Century it has remarkable Manueline and Baroque style portals.
• It is associated to the cult of Holy Christ of Miracles. The Chancel is made of gilt work and tiles and it is a precious religious treasure.
• Igreja do Colégio (College Church)         17th Century Baroque facade.
• Forte de São Brás (São Brás Fort)      Typical Renaissance fort.
• Palácio de Sant'ana (Palace of Saint Anne)
  From the 17th Century. Its rooms and paintings depict the visit of King Dom Carlos in 1901.
•  Paços do Concelho (Town Hall)                A Baroque example (17th and 18th Centuries).
  Bell tower from 1724 and bell from the 16th Century.

What to Do
The Island of S. Miguel offers excellent places for those searching for sea, sun and spending enjoyable moments at the beach. The natural and artificial pools that exist all over the island are also places where the locals and visitors often go to.

The bottom of the sea, with its sheer water, peculiar-shaped rocks and shoals of several fish species excite those who practice water diving. The whole seaside offers excellent conditions for diving.

Fishing is also a practical leisure activity which grants great pleasure due to the abundance and size of some species in this area.
Also in sports and water activities, whale and dolphin watching, sailing, windsurf and rowing are offers to be considered.

The island has two excellent Golf fields (Batalha and Furnas) which are seeked for all year round by golf lovers.

As an alternative, there are several companies that organise extreme sports events such as motofour, sliding, paragliding, mountain climbing, paintball among other.