Weeklong Azores Package for Carnaval Just $899

01-12-2009

BOSTON, MA – This year, a Mardi Gras celebration is only four hours away if you opt to spend the holiday on the Mid-Atlantic Islands of the Azores, where "Shrove Tuesday" celebrations have taken place for centuries. The Azores Express, a U.S.-based tour operator, is offering travel packages at $899 or less per person (plus tax, double occupancy). Travelers can chose from six hotels on three islands to enjoy the festivities.

 

In the Azores, Mardi Gras is known as "Carnaval", a four-day celebration starting on Saturday, February 21, 2009 and continuing through Tuesday, February 24, 2009. Parades and pageants are heart of the Carnaval festivities. There is lively music, colorful costumes, and floats.

 

On the island of São Miguel, known for its mild weather, you can chose from four hotels in historic Ponta Delgada, the Azores' main city on the island of São Miguel. Stay in the heart of the downtown at the Hotel do Colégio for just $899 per person, plus tax. Hotel do Colégio is set in a 19th building that was a musical school- and today has modern rooms, a wonderful restaurant, and is a quick way to all the city sights.   There other downtown hotels to chose from too. Weeklong packages are based on a departure of February 20th, returning February 27th, 2009, with 6 nights lodging, air transport from Boston, and breakfast included.

 

Carnaval has a sweet taste on S. Miguel, with street vendors selling fried sweet dough, called a Malassada. The festival on the Azores biggest island starts of with a black tie grand ball, and heats up with Latin music at the recently restore Coliseu Micaelense. There is a children's parade in the streets of the capital, Ponta Delgada, with children in costume from each school district on the island. Then, a massive carnaval parade fills the streets into the wee hours. The town of Lagoa has a big fired dough festival, called the Festa da Malassada.

 

All Azores Express travel packages are per person, and include roundtrip airfare between Boston and the islands, six nights lodging, and all breakfasts. These packages are available for Tuesday and Friday departures. The prices listed are for Friday departures, which are recommended for the full enjoyment of the Carnaval celebration. But, great package deals are offered from Boston to the Azores every Friday and Tuesday this winter and spring.

 

Azores Express, a U.S.-based tour operator and member of the SATA Group, offers direct flights on wide body A310 aircraft to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago. Connecting flights from São Miguel are offered to Lisbon and the island of Madeira. Azores Express has connected New England with the Azores and mainland Portugal for more than 20 years. The carrier is part of the SATA Group, which connects the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, with the world.

 

For more information and reservations, contact Azores Express at 800-762-9995, www.sata.pt

 

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