Furnas at Night with Ivo: Dinner, the Baths and the Fumaroles

Campo de São Francisco 11, Ponta Delgada

By the Emigrant Statue, the one with the family holding hands, in front of the São Brás fort and next to Campo São Francisco.

Vila Franca do Campo

Pick-up at your accommodation or at the meeting point, with a welcome and a short briefing. On the way to Furnas there is a short stop on the Vila Franca coast, for the islet of Vila Franca do Campo, the Princess Ring.

Lagoa das Furnas

The Lagoa das Furnas sits inside a caldera, an inactive volcano, and it draws walkers, biologists and birdwatchers as much as tourists: endemic and exotic plants and animals live around it, loose and harmless. The ground here holds so much heat that people worked out how to cook in it. The Cozido das Furnas is meat, vegetables and root vegetables, buried and left about 6 hours.

Furnas

The stew that came out of the ground is eaten at a traditional local restaurant, as a full meal: starter, main course, dessert, and hot and cold drinks. Vegetarian options and children's meals are available. The portions at this restaurant are large. Come hungry.

Poca da Dona Beija

Poça da Dona Beija, one of the busiest thermal baths in Furnas, on São Miguel. The water comes out at around 39°C (102°F), with vegetation all round it and birds in the trees, and the slot is the golden hour between twilight and nightfall. The water is rich in iron, which is good for skin and bad for dyed hair. The booking is made in advance, so there is no queue to stand in. Some medical conditions do not go with thermal baths: ask your doctor first.

Costo extra

Furnas

The last stop is the fumaroles and caldeiras in the middle of town, at night, when the smoke and the lights work on each other. The old tales and legends of the region come with the stop. There are mineral waters from the springs to taste, and a homemade Azorean sweet after them.

Caldeira das Furnas

The boiling pools of Furnas after dark: smoke and light, put on by the ground itself. Taste the mineral water from the springs, and a homemade local sweet with it.

Ribeira Grande

The drive back runs along the north side of the island, 45 minutes of it. Sleep through it, or ask for recommendations for the rest of your stay. The road passes the tea plantations, closed at that hour.