Ponte Delgada Holidays

First time visitors to Ponte Delgada will be enthralled by the Azores' capital which, despite recent developments - the city now has a shopping mall and dual carriageway - remains a nostalgic charmer.

Life here moves at a slower pace than the rest of Europe and you don't have to go far to find peace and quiet in this sunny, south-west corner of Sao Miguel - the largest of the nine Azorean islands.

Things to Do

Any itinerary should take in a tour of Ponte Delgada's impressive churches such as Sao Sebastiao, Sao Jose and Sao Pedr - each representing a different architectural era. Ponte Delgada is also a good base from which to explore the rest of the island: the fairy tale green and blue lakes of Sete Cidades, Europe's only commercial tea plantations, the hot springs and spa resort found in Furnas and Terra Nostra, a beautiful botanic park, are all within easy driving distance.

Nightlife

It's all sounds so pretty and peaceful - and it is. Nonetheless nightlife isn't early to bed with a good book; there's plenty to do in Ponte Delgada after dark. Watch the sun set from the seafront, then bounce between the bars along the Marina promenade - arguably the heart of all the action.