Stretching 62km long and 15km wide, Sao Miguel is the largest island in the Azores. Today, the plan is to explore the eastern part of the island with a few stops along the coast before heading inland for lunch.
Vila Franca do Campo is the first stop. It's a historic town that served as the island's first capital before Ponta Delgada. Today, it has a quiet town centre and lovely sea views with a long stretch of coast. Just offshore are remnants of a submerged volcano with a circular natural lake, attracting swimmers and divers.
With a car, it was a winding way along narrow roads up the hill to the Nossa Senhora da Paz Chapel. Built in the 16th century and rebuilt in 1764, the church is accessible by a long staircase from more recent times that represents 2/3 of the rosary.
From up here, you have a panoramic view of the town and coast.
