SMASOLTRAV - MY AZORES MY LOVES 2019 - SANTA MARIA

The Regional Secretariats of Social Solidarity and of Energy, Environment and Tourism, promote, for the sixth consecutive year, the senior tourism programme "My Azores, My Loves".

This low and medium season program will involve 29 groups in this edition, in a total expected of about one thousand people from all the islands of the archipelago, which could represent an increase of 6,000 overnight stays in the regional hotel industry.

The initiative will take place during the months of February to May, with the first trip scheduled for February 4, to the island of Flores.

The senior tourism program "My Azores, My Loves", which has existed since 2014, has provided thousands of Azorean residents over 60 years of age with the possibility of enjoying complete travel packages to any island in the archipelago, with air connections, accommodation, meals, transfers, entertainment and excursions.

With this initiative, the Government of the Azores intends to encourage domestic tourism among Azorean residents, boosting domestic demand during periods of less tourist activity, in order to mitigate the negative effects of seasonality and, at the same time, promote fraternization and coexistence among Azoreans from all the islands and strengthen socio-cultural ties among participants.

Here on our beautiful Island of Santa Maria the first group arrives on February 5th.

SMASOLTRAV, the travel agency organizer of this event in Santa Maria, is preparing the arrival of the groups and with the precious collaboration of its partners, wishes to provide to all visitors a fantastic experience in the visit to our Island of Santa Maria.

Learn more at: http://www.azores.gov.pt

Things to do in Santa Maria

Santa Maria has many white sandy beaches and natural pools with excellent conditions for summer activities. The most famous one is Formosa Beach, where you can enjoy surfing, windsurfing, water skiing and sailing.

A boat trip, which passes through the Romeiro Islet grotto, with its natural interior pier and where there's a mysterious grotto with stalactites and stalagmites, is the best way to discover the magnificent coast. The coastal shoreline is excellent for fishing and underwater hunting.

The abundance of underwater life provides snorkeling enthusiasts with unforgettable moments. The islets of Vila, Lagoinhas and S. Lourenço, as well as the Encharéus Grotto and the Tagarete Bay are places of unique beauty. Around 37 km northwest of the Santa Maria coast, you'll find Ants, an interesting group of eight islets which, mainly because they are isolated, are a privileged resting and nesting place for many sea birds, while also possessing a rich underwater fauna, which confers it the status of Natural Reserve.

Paragliding is also one of the many activities that can be enjoyed in Santa Maria's various bays.

With a guide and proper equipment, it's possible to explore natural grottos, such as Furna de Santana and Furna Velha, or manmade grottos, such as the Figueiral Grotto.

What to do in Santa Maria

Santa Maria has several white beaches and natural pools with excellent conditions for summer activities. The most famous is Praia Formosa, where you can practice surfing, windsurfing, water skiing and sailing.

A boat tripwith passage through the cave of Ilhéu do RomeiroWith its natural interior pier and where there is a curious cave with stalactites and stalagmites, it is the best way to get to know the magnificent coast. The coastline is excellent for the spearfishing and poaching.

The abundance of underwater life provides lovers of divingmoments you'll hardly forget. The islets of Vila, Lagoinhas and S. Lourenço, as well as the Encharéus Cave and Tagarete Bay are places of unique beauty. 37 Km northwest of the coast of Santa Maria, the Ants are an interesting group of eight islets which, mainly due to their isolation, are a privileged place for the settlement and nesting of many sea birds and owners of a rich underwater fauna, which gives it the status of Natural Reserve.

O paragliding is also one of the possible activities to practice in the various bays of Santa Maria.

With proper guidance and equipment it is possible to explore natural caveslike the Furna de Santana and the Furna Velha, or excavated by man, like the Figueiral Cave.

Points of Interest

The Island of Santa Maria has several points of interest, offers many attractions and a unique experience with nature. Get ready to explore Santa Maria!

Smasoltrav, your travel agency on the island of Santa Maria, will help you discover the island, contact us.

 

Points of interest:

Formosa Beach

São Lourenço Beach

Angels Bathing Area

Maia Bathing Area

Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse

São Lourenço Viewpoint

High Peak Viewpoint

Pedra Rija Viewpoint

Waterhole Quarry

Clay Pit Pout

Piety Clay Pit

Santa Maria Museum

Dalberto Pombo Center for Environmental Interpretation

St Bras Fort

Our Lady of Purification Church

Our Lady of the Assumption Church

Our Lady of the Angels Hermitage

Fontinhas Forest Reserve

Valverde Forest Reserve

Vila do Porto Marina

Points of interest

The Island of Santa Maria has several points of interest, offers several attractions and a unique contact with nature.

Prepare to explore Santa Maria. Smasoltravtrav your travel agency on the island of Santa Maria helps you to know the island, contact us.

Points of interest:
Praia Formosa
São Lourenço Beach
Angel's Bathing Zone
Maia bathing area
Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse
Viewpoint of São Lourenço
Miradouro do Pico Alto
Miradouro da Pedra Rija
Quarry Well
Barreiro da Faneca
Barreiro da Piedade
Santa Maria Museum
Dalberto Pombo Environmental Interpretation Center
São Brás Fort
Church of Our Lady of Purification
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
Hermitage of Our Lady of the Angels
Fontinhas Forest Reserve
Valverde Forest Reserve
Marina of Vila do Porto

History of Santa Maria

History of Santa Maria 

Located in the most southeastern part of the beautiful Azores Archipelago, the Island of Santa Maria was the first to be officially discovered, by Diogo Silves, around 1427, and its capital is located in Vila do Porto, the oldest of the Azores villages.

The archipelago of the Azores is divided into three groups: the Eastern Group, consisting of São Miguel, Santa Maria and the Formigas islets; the Central Group with Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa; and the Western Group, formed by the islands of Flores and Corvo. The date of the Archipelago's discovery is unknown, but historical chains claim that the Azores islands already appeared in Genovese maps in 1351. Nevertheless, it was in 1431 that the islands began to be populated.

The Island of Santa Maria maintains its ancient traditions, combined with a unique architectural heritage and amazing nature, owner of great pieces of land of sedimentary origin where varied marine fossils can be found - a testimony of the passage of centuries in this territory.

The highest point on the island is located at Pico Alto, at an altitude of 590 meters, from where it's possible to view panoramas of great beauty, allowing you to really observe the territory's natural intensity.

A place of fertile territory, over the centuries it has taken advantage of the best that the land has to offer, basing its economy on agriculture and livestock, but also in other sectors, such as transportation, especially aerial, with great developments since the construction of the Airport.

The Island of Santa Maria is characterized by its housing nuclei, which are a great reminder of the continental regions of the Algarve and Alentejo, with white masonry houses decorated with colored bands, a legacy left by the first settlers in the 15th century, who mainly originated from these regions. Full of natural beauty, Santa Maria is known for the beautiful colours of its landscapes, where the yellow and ocher of the soil and its harvests, the green of the fields and the deep blue of the ocean create unique sceneries, with so much to see and experience, providing the best conditions for the practice of sports and activities, both natural and leisure, or simple contemplation.

In the Santa Maria Museum, in Santo Espírito, you'll discover more about this beautiful Island's history and ethnography, which is also famous for its handcraft with items made in red clay, wool, wicker and straw.

History of Santa Maria

History of Santa Maria 

Located in the extreme southeast of the wonderful Azores Archipelago, Santa Maria Island was the first of this archipelago to be officially discovered by Diogo Silves, around 1427, and its capital is located in Vila do Porto, the oldest of the Azorean villages.
The Azores archipelago is divided into three groups: the Eastern Group consisting of São Miguel, Santa Maria and the Formigas islets; the Central Group with Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa; and the Western Group, formed by Flores and Corvo islands. The dates of discovery of the Archipelago are unknown, there are historical currents that claim to have been designated on Genoese maps since 1351, however it was from 1431 that the islands began to be populated.
The Island of Santa Maria maintains its ancient traditions combined with a unique architectural heritage and an amazing nature, owner of large proportions of land of sedimentary origin where various marine fossils are found, testimony to the passage of centuries in this territory.
The highest point on the island is Pico Alto, 590 metres above sea level, from where there are panoramas of great beauty that allow you to see the natural intensity of this territory.
A place of fertile land, it has known over the centuries to take advantage of the best that the land can offer, basing its economy on agricultural and livestock activity, but also in other sectors, such as the media, particularly air travel, with great development since the creation of the Airport.
The Island of Santa Maria is characterized by its residential nuclei that are very reminiscent of the continental regions of the Algarve and Alentejo, with white masonry houses and colourful stripes, since the first settlers derived in most of these regions, it was still in the 15th century. Full of natural beauty, Santa Maria is known for the beautiful colours of its landscapes, where the yellow and ochre of the soil and cultures, the green of the fields and the deep blue of the ocean provoke unparalleled panoramas, always having much to know and offer, providing the best conditions for the practice of sports and activities of nature and leisure or simple contemplation.
In the Museum of Santa Maria, in Santo Espirito Santo, you can learn more about the history and ethnography of this beautiful island, which is also famous for its handicraft with articles in red clay, wool, wicker and straw.

Visit the Island of Santa Maria

Visit the Island of Santa Maria

The island of Santa Maria stretches for 16.6 kilometers in length and 9.1 kilometers in maximum width, occupying an area of 97 km2, where 5 552 people live (2011 data).

Santa Maria is part of the Eastern Group of the Azores archipelago, together with São Miguel, an island from which it distances 81 kilometers.

The highest point on the island, at an altitude of 587 meters, is located at Pico Alto, at 36° 58'59" north latitude and 25°05'26" west longitude.

 

Smasoltrav your travel agency on the Island of Santa Maria

Visit Santa Maria Island

Visit Santa Maria Island

The island of Santa Maria stretches for 16.6 kilometres in length and 9.1 kilometres in maximum width, occupying an area of 97 km2, where 5 552 people live (2011 data).

Santa Maria integrates the Eastern Group of the Azores archipelago, together with São Miguel, an island 81 kilometres away.

The highest point on the island, at 587 m altitude, is at Pico Alto, at 36°58'59'' north latitude and 25°05'26'' west longitude.

 

Smasoltrav your travel agency on the island of Santa Maria

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