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Services

Guided Walks
Walking Excursions have been an Argonauta vocation since the foundation of the House in 1991. The owner, Pierluigi Bragaglia, published the Lajes Council Walking and Historical Guidebook in 1995, followed by the Santa Cruz Historical and Walking Guidebook in 1999. Both of these books represent the first historical survey of the island’s footpaths and the author is presently working on its re-edition into a single Flores Island’s guidebook. We can walk together in 4 languages (Portuguese, Italian, English or French) along the most suitable path for the client. The client may choose the itinerary according to his own stamina and the weather conditions, or let us do so. For individuals or groups of up to 6 people, Argonauta can do the whole job, from accommodation to jeep transport through to the end of the hike. And, it is easy to hire an additional vehicle for larger groups.

Rent-a-kayak, Kayak Tours & Kayak-fishing

Kayak
The kayak doesn't need previous experience, is non-polluting and quiet - so you can appreciate the unforgettable sounds of Flores all while getting a well balanced work out! While out on the kayak, you will be able to get closer to the Mid-Atlantic waters and to their varied fauna of fish and birds.

Rent-a-kayak:
The rigid sea kayak with waterproof tanks to carry your gear and the inflatable kayak with nylon reinforced PVC floor, were thoroughly tested in the past years and we'll be renting a few 2 seats versions this year to Argonauta's residents. The boats are extremely stable and resistant, offering high manoeuvrability. The rigid kayaks are stored near the house and the inflatable packs away into a bag which can be easily carried to the spectacular crater lakes or to sheltered waters near the coast, unreachable by other means of transport.

Kayak Tours:
By signing a Terms & Liability form, guests can join our kayak tours tailored to their desires: half-day tours (4 hours) paddling around the bay and reaching the nearby islets and waterfalls; full day 8 hrs. tours with light lunch and landing; 1, 2 or 3 nights camping tours (minimum 4 persons) with or without meals at the camp sites along Flores island coastline; all gear provided. Please contact for schedule and prices.

Kayak-fishing:
Fishing by kayak! If you love fishing, don't miss the opportunity to fish in the middle of the ocean from the kayak, catches are almost guaranteed (you never know though!...) and you can go along with a guide in just one boat or we can prepare a couple of fishing-kayaks. Bring your own rod, reel & line or rent ours and use our garden barbecue at home (for Argonauta's residents only) to grill your prey!

Jeep Excursions
Jeep Galloper These excursions all over the island are guided in 4 languages, driving a 7 seated Galloper jeep. Beside the remarkable access to "rewarding landscapes" that a jeep provides, the Argonauta tours also guarantee an informative experience of sightseeing with historical information. Field experience teaches that poor visibility due to low pressure means searching for paths that lead towards the coast and spending less time wandering between inland craters and peaks. At the same time, we pass, stop or walk through all places a little bit, not just "physically" but also chronologically, accompanied by a narration of all the relative historical and natural facts, from the Age of the Discoveries to the present. During the jeep tour, all the accesses to footpaths that we pass are pointed out to passengers, so that they can enjoy them during the remaining days of their holiday. Departure from Argonauta at 10 a.m., return at 4 p.m.: it's a 6 hour excursion driving around and enjoying short walks, including a pause for lunch. The places to visit will depend on the passengers' personal rhythm and of course on the weather conditions; Flores Island's territory has been divided into 3 different day itineraries.

Bookings for Other Azores or Lisbon
Vista para o CorvoWe can suggest other idyllic Azorean destinations in elegant, rural houses, which have been personally tried and are recommended as equivalent or superior to our own standards. Or, if you prefer, we can book clean, cheaper rooms, which will fit any budget. For almost a decade we have been booking exclusively for our guests stays and/or their SATA flights throughout the archipelago; we then issue a code and the tickets can be collected in any office of the same company, usually in Lisbon or on the island of entry from the mainland. The service includes the first enquiries to the hotel for availability and up-to-date prices, plus all other necessary calls or e-mails between the unit and the client, until we get the final confirmation for our argonauts.

Laundry Service
The house offers a Laundry Service exclusively for guests, including drying and ironing.

Internet and Telephone
The sitting-room hosts a computer which offers the opportunity to surf on the Net: thanks to the blessed arrival of a quite narrow – but good enough! - broadband to Fajã Grande in 2006, since 2007 we can offer free internet access exclusively to our guests. We also have a phone with a counter if you need to make a “traditional” call…

Breakfast:
Our large breakfast’s served between 8:30 and 12:00 a.m. and, on demand, we can also prepare a Backpacker’s Picnic, so that you can lunch along one of Flores’ outstanding footpaths.

During Summer months, our daily restaurant service will pause, in order to enhance the excursions’ sector and to ensure the best quality to all other services. However, we’ll keep serving gourmet dinners dedicated to our guests once or twice a week, always paying attention to clients’ special meal requests with previous booking to celebrate any personal event. Also, clients will be notified locally whether it will be served a raw fresh fish sashimi every now and then.

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Last updated: 16-11-2007