Your 4-star hotel: VIP EXECUTIVE AZORES, Ponta Delgada

Location:

The VIP EXECUTIVE AZORES Hotel is located on the island of São Miguel, close to the historical centre of Ponta Delgada, as well as the 18th century Church of Todos os Santos and the impressive Esperança Monastery. São Miguel is the largest and most touristically attractive island of the Azores. Among all the islands, it is the one that combines the largest number of different attractions and allows visitors to experience a bit of everything that these wonderful islands have to offer.

Facilities:

Due to its location in a higher district of Ponta Delgada, the VIP EXECUTIVE AZORES Hotel offers a fantastic panoramic view over the city and the south coast of São Miguel. In the evening, you can indulge yourself in the hotel restaurant. In the buffet restaurant, you can enjoy a variety of typical Azorean and international dishes, prepared to the highest standard. Before you spend the nights in one of the hotel‘s 229 rooms, you can end the days at the stylish, hotel-owned bar.

Accommodation:

You will stay in a modern and very comfortable room. The facilities include, among others, a bathroom with bathtub and shower, WC and hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, WiFi (incl.), air conditioning and safe.

Sport / Entertainment:

For a pleasant and unforgettable stay, an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a gym are at your disposal. Upon request, wellness services such as a Turkish bath, a sauna and a hot tub can be booked for a fee.

8-day 4-star cultural tour featuring the Azores’ most famous highlights !

Comparison of temperatures

General note:

Below is an information overview. The conditions of entry, as well as the political and health situation, can change anywhere in the world at any time. We therefore recommend checking the website of the Foreign Office (www.gov.uk) before your departure.

Geography:

The Azores, an autonomic region of Portugal, is a group of islands in the Atlantic. Its capital is São Miguel.

Form of government:

Parliamentary republic

Capital:

Ponta Delgada (approx. 69,000 inhabitants)

Religion:

Roman Catholic

Language:

The national language is Portuguese.

Climate:

The climate in the Azores is mild, humid and changeable – strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the Azores High.

Electricity:

220 V, 50 Hertz, an adapter is required.

Local time:

The time in the Azores is Central European Time (CET) -2 with summer / winter time changes. The time difference to the UK is -1 hours all year round.

Making telephone calls:

To make phone calls to the UK, pre-dial 0044 (+44). To make phone calls from the UK to the Azores, pre-dial 00351 (+351).

Country and people:

The Azores impress with breath-taking nature, green landscapes, crater lakes, hot springs and a unique blend of tranquillity and adventure. The mild climate, rich culture and warmth of the inhabitants make the Azores a special travel destination.
Recommended tips: £1 per day per person for chambermaids and 5-10% of the bill in restaurants. For group tours, approximately £3 to £4 per day per person is recommended for the tour guide and bus driver. Of course, it is up to each individual to decide whether and how much to tip.

Entry requirements for British citizens:

If you are planning to travel to an EU country you must meet the Schengen area rules. Your passport must meet two requirements. It must be:
• Less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
• Valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Portugal as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you are complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s new Entry / Exit System (EES) will begin. When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to:
• Have your fingerprints and your photo taken
• Answer the Schengen Border Code questions
EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts. For more information, please visit: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/pub
Nationals of other countries are advised to enquire at the Embassy of Portugal about the entry requirements applicable to them. Whilst we endeavour to provide guidance where necessary, we can not be responsible for any problems encountered (whether at any point of entry or elsewhere) in the event that passport and visa requirements are not satisfied. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/.

Tour guides:

Your expert tour guides will be able to provide you with detailed information about the country, people, history, culture etc., and offer advice and assistance for organising your trip. They can also help with room allocation and look forward to welcoming you with initial information. Here you will find out all you need to know and useful information about the trip. We have put together a varied programme including numerous highlights, enabling you to experience the culture and diversity of landscape that the Azores have to offer, and learn all about the country and its people.

Additional packages:

Although your trip already includes a comprehensive package, you also have the option of choosing added extras. We recommend booking the following packages:
Gourmet package: The package includes half-board in the form of 7× rich buffet dinners: only £219* p. pers.
Explorer package: The package includes the ‘Whale and dolphin sight-seeing boat trip’ half-day excursion, the ‘Furnas Valley natural paradise including entry to the hot springs & botanical gardens’ fullday excursion and the ‘Lagoa do Fogo, Caldeira Velha & Ribeira Grande’ full-day excursion: only £179* p. pers.
*Package prices may vary when booking on site

Tourist tax:

In the Azores, a state spa and city tax of up to €2 (approx. £1.75) p. pers. per night is levied, but only for a maximum of three nights per stay (as of September 2025).

Currency:

The currency is the Euro. Exchange rate (as at September 2025): 1 GBP = 1.14 EUR; 1 EUR = 0.87 GBP.

Banks/Credit cards:

Cash withdrawals from ATMs and credit card payments are possible everywhere. Purchases can be paid for in cash, with most major credit cards and, in some cases, with an EC/Maestro card and PIN number. Cash withdrawals are possible with both credit cards and EC/Maestro cards and PIN numbers. Your bank may charge fees for this service. Please check with your bank for more information.

Customs regulations:

There are a number of products which have entry or exit limitations in Portugal from outside the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. These include cultural goods, wild fauna and flora and products derived from these, vegetables and plant products, weapons and ammunition, medicines, tobacco and alcoholic beverages. Likewise, in the case of tobacco and alcoholic beverages, the amount must be declared and the corresponding taxes must be paid if you are carrying the following amounts or more: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, 1 litre of alcoholic beverages with a strength of more than 22%, 2 litres of alcoholic beverages with a strength of less than 22%, 4 litres of wine and 16 litres of beer. You can only carry the medicines you need, and they must be accompanied by a copy of the prescription or medical report.
Cash and other similar means of payment: If you are taking cash or pay-to-cash cheques in euros or other currencies, or prepaid cards not linked to a bank account and/or certain gold items, or a combination thereof, totalling an amount equal to or exceeding 10,000 EUR (approx. 8,500 GBP) into or out of Portugal, you must fill out a Declaration (in person or electronically) and present at Customs on departure or entry.
Souvenirs and gifts: Your purchases should not exceed 430 EUR (approx. 362 GBP) per person if you are travelling by sea or air. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
More detailed customs information on importing goods can be obtained from the embassy of your destination country. Only there will you receive legally binding information.
Important: If you are travelling to Great Britain from outside the UK, your personal allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category. Please inform yourself about the current customs regulations: www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arrivingin-Great-Britain.

Country-specific safety advice:

Crime: Vigilance should be exercised regarding pickpockets and petty crime in larger tourist centres in particular, pick-pocketing is common.
It is recommended that money, ID cards, driving licences, flight tickets and other important documents are stored safely (for example in the hotel safe) and that you only carry the cash (and debit or credit card) you need for the day.
You should try to steer clear of large groups of people and keep an eye on your valuables at tourist spots, airports, including in the security area, railway stations, the metro, buses etc. Keep your valuables close to your body.
Natural disasters: The Azores lie in a seismically active zone, and earthquakes can occur. Information regarding seismic activity is available from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
Tropical storms can form from May to November, especially over the Azores. Travellers are asked during this time to follow the instructions on what to do in the event of a hurricane abroad.

Special criminal provisions:

Pepper spray is covered by the Weapons Act on the Azores; possession is only authorised for holders of a cat. E firearms licence. Violations usually result in criminal charges.

Medical information:

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC – https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries) on the Travel HealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.
Vaccinations: The standard vaccinations for children and adults should be examined and supplemented prior to travelling. The Foreign Office Medical Service also recommends vaccination against hepatitis A and B in cases of particular exposure (e.g. current outbreaks, basic travelling conditions, hygiene deficiencies, missions, inadequate medical care, particular professional/social contacts). Please consult a doctor specialising in tropical illnesses.

Medical care:

The quality of medical care is generally satisfactory. In the Azores, anyone with state insurance in the UK is entitled to medical treatment – where urgently necessary – by doctors, dentists, hospitals etc. registered with the foreign statutory health insurance association.
It is strongly recommended to take out international health insurance with the option of medical repatriation to the UK.
Customers must ensure that they are in good physical and mental health in line with the trip in question. Customers must enquire about the physical mobility and psychological autonomy required for this trip.

All information is subject to change/Last updated: September 2025