the island

São Miguel is the largest of the nine azorean islands which comprise the Azores and is the one which offers most to a visitor. It is approximately 62 km long and 16 km wide. Especially impressive are the majestic Crater Lakes of Sete Cidades and the Lagoa do Fago (Fire Lake), as well as geysers and hot springs located in the Valley of Furnas.
The Azores are best characterised as a mixture of Brazilian rain forest and the green, fertile, mountains which are characteristic of Switzerland; surrounded by the Gulf-stream-warmed Atlantic.

The capital city of Ponta Delgada, (10 km to VILLA OXALÁ ) with its extravagantly decorated churches (and convenient shopping possibilities) is always worth a visit.

There is also much to discover in the secluded fishing villages set in overwhelmingly varied and always beautiful landscapes.

The whole island is marked by very old religios traditions, which very often can be quite an eye-catcher.

During Lent you can observe the so called “romeiros” (pilgrims) who walk around the whole island. Every village is proud of its own “romeiros”. Their monotone singing and their “wild” appearance (men wear multicoloured scarves and huge walking sticks) is always quite impressing.
In the weeks before Easter you can’t miss them.

	On the fifth sunday after Easter the Festival of " Santo Cristo" takes place. A beautifully decorated statue of Our Lord is beeing solemnly carried by specially chosen persons through the City of Ponta Delgada in a long procession. The "common people" follow with huge candlesticks very often on their knees. From April through June, the "Holy-Ghost Festival" takes place all over the island, with its awe-inspiring majestic processions over colourful, delightful "flower carpets". Also there are celebrations for every known and obscure saint, festivals in which church facades glitter and practically glow, being illuminated by thousands of blazing bulbs.
	Rain showers could replace sunshine within minutes and vica-versa on the Azores and it is said that the four seasons can be experienced in one day. Dubbed "Emerald Island", Sao Miguel has a mild, humid climate and the hot springs provide for an especially rich, sumptuous vegetation: azaleas, camellias grow everywhere in vibrant colours (click on "Garden" for more information).
	The climate on "Ilha Verde" Sao Miguel is extremely mild with average temperatures of 16 °C in spring, 25 °C in summer, 18 °C in fall and 14 °C in winter.