Accessible Vacation in the Azores

Versão Portuguesa

Archipelago of the Azores – Program for disabled travelers

Program 5 days in São Miguel

Our program includes:

 - Transfer airport/hotel/airport or aiport/hostel/airport;

 - 5 days/ 4 nights in a Hotel Ponta Delgada 3 * (double rooms with wc), or in Lagoa hostel (double room with WC, 5m by car from Ponta Delgada), both with breakfast included;

 - Insurance during the five days stay (doesn’t included flight insurance);

 - 3 half day tours (03h30) or 1 half day tours and 1 full day tour (07h30), chosen from our collection, with guide included.

Conditions:

Our packages are calculated for 2, 4, 6 or 8 persons. Minimum of 2 persons.

If you wish to reserve the flight please contact www.sata.pt.

The prices are with VAT included.

Further excursions are optional and can be booked with us.

All excursions are without lunch included.

All excursions are with wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Each extra hour for the tours will be plus 17.50€.

Full service package –

Prices per person – 289.80€ (hotel accommodation)

Prices per person – 240.60€ (hostel accommodation)

Prices from April do September 2013.

Tours

 Sete Cidades - This half day excursion leads you to one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal – Lagoa das Sete Cidades. You will enjoy a wonderful tour on a accessible vehicle to the blue and green  lake, passing threw some amazing viewpoints such as Escalvado viewpoint, Lagoa de Santiago, King´s view, carvão viewpoint and also the village of Sete Cidades. In the volcanic complex of Sete Cidades you can observe a unique landscape where the green mountains give a joyful atmosphere to the rural village of Sete Cidades.

Furnas  - This full day tour to Furnas will take you to the lagoa das Furnas where you can see the Furnas Stew, a typical meal cooked with the steam  coming from the active volcano; caldeira das Furnas, with 22 thermal springs waters; a botanical Garden called Terra Nostra, full of endemic plants such as 200 types of camellias, fern garden, azalea woods. Finally, the thermal baths of Poça da Beja will delight your stay.

Lagoa do Fogo – This half day tour will give you the possibility to observe the Lagoa do Fogo, a volcanic crater with 1.5km of area, with endemic plants such as laurel, Azorean bilberry trea, trea heath. It´s also possible to see some birds in Lagoa do Fogo, specially, seagulls and common terns.  After a small stop in the city of Ribeira Grande where you can visit the Senhor dos Passos church, a final example of baroque architecture, you will continue in the north coast of the island to visit a unique green tea factory in Europe – Gorreana.

Ponta Delgada – This half day tour to the capital city of Ponta Delgada will give you the possibility to visit many interesting and historical places of the city, such as San Sebastian church; the sanctuary of Esperança, where it takes place the most important religious festivity of the Archipelago – Santo Cristo dos Milagres; the city gate of Ponta Delgada, the local market, the Colégio Church and finally António Borges Garden, a final example of botanical gardens.

Nordeste – This full day tour will take you to a fantastic experience in this green island, with the following stops: santa iria viewpoint; ribeira dos caldeirões, a lovely waterfall surrounded by hydrangeas and azaleas; the village of Nordeste, considered the garden of Europe; Ponta do Sossego and Pôr do Sol viewpoint.

Adventure and trekking in Sete Cidades

This full day excursion will give you the possibility to experience nature activities. Canoeing in Lagoa das Sete Cidades and a pedestrian walk in the joellete (a appropriate chair for disabled people do pedestrian walks) among the blue and green lake of Sete Cidades.

Archipelago of the azores – Program for disabled travelers

Program 7 days in São Miguel and Terceira

Our program includes:

 - Transfer airport/hotel/airport;

 - 7 days / 6 nights: 3 nights in Hotel Ponta Delgada 3* (double rooms with wc, in Ponta Delgada city, island of São Miguel) and 3 nights in Angra Garden Hotel, (3*hotel, double rooms, with wc, Angra do Heroismo city, island of Terceira);

 - Insurance during the seven days (doesn’t included flight insurance);

 - 3 half day (03h30) tours or 1 full day (07h30) and 1 half day tour (chosen from our collection) with guide included, in São Miguel Island;

 - 2 half day (3h30) tours in Terceira island or 1 full day tour (07h30), chosen from our collection, with guide included, in Terceira Island;

Conditions:

Our packages are calculated for 2, 4, 6 or 8 persons. Minimum of 2 persons.

If you wish to reserve the flights please contact www.sata.pt.

The prices are with VAT included.

Further excursions are optional and can be booked with us.

All excursions are without lunch included except the half day tour to Quinta do Martelo, in Terceira.

All excursions are with wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Each extra hour for the tours will be plus 17.50€.

Full service package –

Prices per person - 477.90€

Prices from April to September 2013.

Tours in São Miguel

Sete Cidades - This half day excursion leads you to one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal – Lagoa das Sete Cidades. You will enjoy a wonderful tour on a accessible vehicle to the blue and green  lake, passing threw some amazing viewpoints such as Escalvado viewpoint, Lagoa de Santiago, King´s view, carvão viewpoint and also the village of Sete Cidades. In the volcanic complex of Sete Cidades you can observe a unique landscape where the green mountains give a joyful atmosphere to the rural village of Sete Cidades. 

Furnas  - This full day tour to Furnas will take you to the lagoa das Furnas where you can see the Furnas Stew, a typical meal cooked with the steam  coming from the active volcano; caldeira das Furnas, with 22 thermal springs; a botanical Garden called Terra Nostra Garden, full of endemic plants such as 200 types of camellias, fern garden, azalea woods. Finally, the thermal baths of Poça da Beja will delight your stay.

 Lagoa do Fogo – This half day tour will give you the possibility to observe the Lagoa do Fogo, a volcanic crater with 1.5km of area, with endemic plants such as laurel, Azorean bilberry trea, trea heath. It’s also possible to see some birds in Lagoa do Fogo, specially, seagulls and common terns.  After a small stop in Ribeira Grande city where you can visit the Senhor dos Passos church, a final example of baroque architecture, you will continue in the north coast of the island to visit a unique green tea factory in Europe – Gorreana.

 Ponta Delgada – This half day tour to the capital city of Ponta Delgada will be you the possibility to visit many interesting and historical places of the city, such as san Sebastian church, the sanctuary of Esperança, where it takes place the most important religious festivity of the Archipelago – Santo Cristo dos Milagres; the city gate of Ponta Delgada, the local market, the Colegio Church and finally  António Borges garden, a final example of botanical gardens.

 Nordeste – This full day tour will take you to a fantastic experience in this green island: santa iria viewpoint; ribeira dos caldeirões, a lovely waterfall surrounded by hydrangeas and azaleas; the village of Nordeste, considered the garden of Europe; Ponta do Sossego and Pôr do Sol viewpoint.

Adventure and trekking in Sete Cidades

 This full day excursion will give you the possibility to experience nature activities. Canoeing in Lagoa das Sete Cidades and a pedestrian walk in the joellete (a appropriate chair for disabled people do pedestrian walks) in António Borges Garden, in Ponta Delgada. Both activities area accessible and appropriate for disabled tourists.

Tours in Terceira

 Angra do Heroismo

 This half day excursion includes: São Gonçalo convent; São Sebastião Castle; Memória viewpoint; the XVI century gothic church – the cathedral and Angra Museum.

 Quinta do Martelo

This half day excursion included a guided visit o Quinta do Martelo, a ethnographic center with educational programmes and a traditional restaurant. This rural accommodation has reconstructed and maintain certain regional aspects such as: workshops, traditional dying out crafts, and houses dating back to the beginning of the Azores settlement. There is also a Farm area to biological agriculture, and preserve autochthonous species of domestic animals for use in the various features of the Farm.

Round island

 This full day excursion includes: monte Brasil, Serretinha, Porto Judeu, S. Sebastião, Porto Martins, Praia da Vitória, Serra do Cume, Lagoa das Patas, Lagoa do Negro, Biscoitos (with bath possibility) and the wine museum.

Contactos/Contacts:

www.cresaçor.org

Sede da Cresaçor/ Cresaçor Headquarteres: Rua D. Maria José Borges nº 137 r/c, Fajã de Baixo, 9500-466 Ponta Delgada
Telefone: 296 281554
Fax: 296 281542

E-mail: cresacor@cresacor.org

Telefone/ Phone nr: 296 281554
Fax: 296 281542

Agradecimentos especiais/Special thanks:

Manuela Soeiro - Cresaçor

Textos relacionados / Related texts

Cresaçor- Turismo Acessível nos Açores - Accessible Tourism In the Azores

Baía da Horta Faial, Açores,considerada uma das mais belas do Mundo- Horta bay, Faial, Azores, considered one of the World Bays

Videos Relacionados/ Related Videos

Accessible Tourism or Tourism for All?

Versão Portuguesa

Business sustainability

This text is a summary of an article published in the journal "Turismo e Desenvolvimento" at the  Aveiro’s University

The Accessible Tourism has an audience duly completed: are people with a physical or sensory, temporary or permanent.

Rarely families are seen who choose to take with holiday elements or older with a disability holidays. While not all companies in the tourism sector were able to look at these people and their families for such a  market target to consider.

 The Accessible tourism is a form of inclusive tourism which provides that all persons irrespective of their age, physical disability, their tastes can enjoy, participate and take advantage of tourism products and services in destinations accessible to all.

As in other areas of business comes from the concept of Desgin for All under Tourism. This concept aims tht Universal Accessibility, which includes: the built environment, products and services, which are not discriminatory, but safe, healthy, functional, aesthetic and understandable.

The Design for all ensures the implementation of solutions that are essential for 10% of the population necessary for 40% of the population and comfortable 100% of the population.

The economic sustainability in the tourism sector and the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises sector can be enhanced by awareness and demands for its development and to improve service quality and accessibility of tourist destinations.

Product quality and innovation are important factors for the tourism industry and to destinations remain competitive.

 The Tourism for All, is more than one answer. It is an approach to challenges. It is also a business opportunity and corporate social responsibility sector.

How to succeed and advance in the implementation of tourism for all in a company or a tourist destination?

 Tourist destinations and service providers should be able to put themselves in the field of Tourism for All.

The main challenges are:

• Reducing the seasonality of demand.

• Increasing the quality and diversity of supply.

• Minimizing the use of resources.

• Responding effectively to climate change

• Provide effective response to demographic changes.

• Making holidays available to all.

The implementation of the processes necessary for transformation into a destination accessible to all should be completed in a progressive manner. The process of developing a destination place has four phases.

Phase of awareness.

• It attracted the interest of decision makers (politicians and businessmen).

• It raised interest in the potential establishment of a network of partners.

• Getting goals and expectations are defined and diagnosed some accessibility limitations on the supply side.

• It aroused interest through awareness and training.

 Start-up phase

• Awareness has increased among tourism professionals and providers of tourism services.

• Accessibility is evaluated and needs are identified for action.

• Develops a concept with a specific objective and program of action is developed (Strategic Plan or Master Plan).

• They develop pragmatic solutions to the design of the facilities and the distribution of information.

Stage of development and strengthening

• The main attractions are accessible to all guests.

• They develop more services and facilities.

• The distribution of information is included as an element of business strategy, being sent to each of the target audiences.

Phase consolidation and differentiation

• High quality facilities are available throughout the service chain.

• Strengthening of differentiation and network connection of existing services and facilities.

• Increased specialization in special population groups.

There are tools like regulatory and legal types allow better opportunities in Tourism for All.

 Tools for the stages of awareness and beginning

• Legislation

• Standards

• Accessibility Plans

• "Commitment to Design for All"

Tools for controlling the phase of strengthening

• Analyze complaints

• Creation of figure Provider Customer

• Surveys

Tools consolidation phase

• Application of marketing models and other tools as: AIDA Model

"A Flag of Towns and Cities for All"

How to measure the impact

1st. Methods for evaluation of products (criteria and standards for accessibility).

2nd. Analysis of the impact (economic impact).

3rd. The quality evaluation

4th. Continuous Improvement (Total Quality Management)

12 steps to develop a tourist destination for all

1st. Awareness that tourism brings economic benefits to all.

2nd. Integrating the concerns of those responsible (define responsibilities).

3rd. Cooperation / networking between stakeholders in the destination.

4th. Inclusion of travelers and location of affected persons.

5th. Strategic plan to make affordable destination.

6th. Analysis of tourist destination from the point of view of accessibility (acessibility map).

7th. Mobilization and qualification of suppliers of tourism services.

Eight. Development and implementation of best practices.

9th. Product development and marketing.

10th.. Warranty and accessibility as a selection criterion for hiring public / private and granting of concessions.

11th. Customer relationship management (public relations).

12th. Assessing the impact of these measures.

Source:

Tourism and Development Magazine, No. 11, 2009, University of Aveiro

Rafael Montes - PhD in Public Space and Urban Regeneration, University of Barcelona, ​​Managing Partner of ProAsolutions.pt Ltd. And Delegate of Design for All Foundation.

Francesc Aragall - Degree in Pedagogy Therapeutics, University of Barcelona. President of Design for All Foundation and President of the International ProAsolutions.