Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom
10% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
The Essential Azores
Ponta Delgada, Azores - Ponta Delgada, Azores
Dates:
11/04/2023
to
18/04/2023
days
nights on board
Succumb to the magic of the Azores on a cruise brought to you by PONANT. This 8-day itinerary aboard Le Bellot 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, which is 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 Sao 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 Bellot 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 Sao 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.
Ref : EE110423
Your itinerary
UNESCO sites: the city of Angra do Heroismo from Praia da Vitória ; the vineyard landscapes on Pico Island. Discover six Azores islands during your cruise: São Miguel, Faial, Graciosa, São Jorge, Terceira...
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Your trip in detail
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Wi-Fi Internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Hermès top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
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Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
Depending on the itinerary and the program of your cruise, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Highlights
- UNESCO sites: the city of Angra do Heroismo from Praia da Vitória ; the vineyard landscapes on Pico Island.
- Discover six 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.
- 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).
Ports of Call & Excursions
11 April 2023 - Ponta Delgada, Azores
Embarkation 11/04/2023 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 11/04/2023 at 18:00
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.
12 April 2023 - Horta, Azores
Arrival 12/04/2023 early morning
Departure 12/04/2023 evening
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.
13 April 2023 - Praia da Graciosa, Azores
Arrival 13/04/2023 early morning
Departure 13/04/2023 late evening
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.
14 April 2023 - Velas, Azores
Arrival 14/04/2023 early morning
Departure 14/04/2023 late evening
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.
15 April 2023 - Praia da Vitória, Azores
Arrival 15/04/2023 early morning
Departure 15/04/2023 late afternoon
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.
16 April 2023 - Lajes do Pico, Azores
Arrival 16/04/2023 early morning
Departure 16/04/2023 late afternoon
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.
17 April 2023 18 April 2023 - Ponta Delgada, Azores
Arrival 17/04/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 18/04/2023 at 07:00
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.
Le Bellot
Like the other ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Bellot has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world's most remote and isolated regions.
Racy lines, state-of-the-art equipment, a refined design, a softly muted and at the same time convivial ambiance together with a deliberately restricted number of cabins all contribute to the modernity of Le Bellot, a unique ship in the world of cruising.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.