Anybody has been to Cha Porto Formoso and Gorreana that can give a comparison? They are both tea plantations on the north side of Sao Miguel and pretty close together.
Carl's book included both of them as stops on a day trip from Ribeira Grande to Maia. Is it worthwhile to visit both? Based on reviews online, it seems Gorreana is a little bigger and has a nice hiking trail, while Cha Porto Formoso is just a small store/visitor center?
Who is Carl?
The famous Carl LaPietra -- he wrote the best travel guide for Azores. You can find it on Amazon to buy or if you have Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free. He is also very active on this forum and probably replied to every question asked about Azores.
OP appreciate the reply.
I welcome others to respond with their opinions.
If you have enough time, both are worthwhile experiences. Porto Formoso is the less busy of the two, and offers a more intimate guided visit. The tea room and outdoor overlook of the fields are quite charming.
Gorreana is of course bigger and much busier. The factory is more interesting and the storefront has many more items for sale. The hiking trail can be experienced without visiting the tea factory. I will be visiting Gorreana and hiking the trail in early May.
Carl,
Thanks for the input. If we have time, we will try to do both places.
