Itinerary
- Day 1
Ponta Delgada
You'll land on Sao Miguel Island and have the afternoon to yourself before meeting your group leader at 6 pm. If your flight gets in early, the seaside promenade is nice for a walk, or head to the farmer's market to get a feel for the local scene. Fresh seafood spots are scattered around if you want to grab an early dinner.
Optional Activities
- Walk along the seaside promenade of Ponta Delgada
- Visit Mercado da Graca farmer's market and sample bacalhau (dried and salted cod)
- Sample fresh seafood at local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Ponta Delgada Mercado da Graca - Day 2
Sao Miguel Island Tour
Start by walking around Lagoa das Furnas to watch how Cozido das Furnas, a traditional underground stew, gets prepared using volcanic heat. After that, you'll head to Terra Nostra Park where you can choose between soaking in the hot springs or wandering the botanical gardens. Lunch happens with your group, and then you'll visit Caldeiras village and Miradouro de Santa Iria viewpoint. Later in the day, you stop at a tea plantation and finish up at the pineapple plantation for tastings.
- Meals
- Lunch (Cozido das Furnas (traditional stew slow-cooked underground using volcanic heat))
Included Activities
- Walk around Lagoa das Furnas
- Witness preparation of Cozido das Furnas (traditional volcanic underground stew)
- Terra Nostra Park visit
- Soak in warm mineral-rich hot springs at Terra Nostra Park
- Explore botanical gardens at Terra Nostra Park
- Cozido das Furnas lunch
- Visit Caldeiras in Furnas village to sample naturally carbonated mineral waters
- Miradouro de Santa Iria viewpoint visit
- Tea plantation visit and tasting
- Ananás dos Açores Boa Fruta Plantation visit
- Pineapple liqueur and pineapple-based delicacies tasting
Landmarks/POIs Lagoa das Furnas Terra Nostra Park Caldeiras Miradouro de Santa Iria Ananás dos Açores Boa Fruta Plantation - Day 3
Sao Miguel
The morning takes you to Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a green freshwater lake sitting inside a volcanic caldera and really something to see. From there, the rest of the day is yours to do what you want. The Museu Carlos Machado, housed in a 16th-century convent, has some interesting pieces. If you're more active, you can rent a bike or paddleboard. Ponta Delgada is also worth heading to for its cobbled streets and local seafood restaurants.
Included Activities
- Lagoa das Sete Cidades visit
Optional Activities
- Museu Carlos Machado (EUR 2)
- Rent a bike and explore the island
- Paddleboard on the lake
- Visit Ponta Delgada
- Wander cobbled streets of Ponta Delgada
- Try local seafood in Ponta Delgada
Landmarks/POIs Lagoa das Sete Cidades Museu Carlos Machado Ponta Delgada - Day 4
Sao Miguel to Faial Island
You'll have a free morning to do your own thing, then catch an early afternoon flight to Horta on Faial Island. The island is known for its blue hydrangeas, which you'll notice once you arrive. Your leader gives you an orientation walk to get your bearings. After that, the evening is open so you can relax on the seafront or check out Cafe Sport, a historic bar that used to be an important stop for sailors.
Included Activities
- Leader-led orientation walk in Horta
Optional Activities
- Explore the port town of Horta
- Relax on the seafront
- Visit Cafe Sport (Peter's Bar)
Landmarks/POIs Horta Cafe Sport (Peter's Bar) - Day 5
Pico Island
A ferry takes you to Pico Island, called the 'Black Island' because of its volcanic soil and UNESCO vineyards. You'll explore lava tunnels at Arcos do Cachorro and stop at a family-owned distillery for tastings. The day finishes at Criacao Velha where the vineyard views are really nice. Whale watching is available if that interests you, though it's optional. You'll head back to Faial Island in the evening.
Included Activities
- Ferry to Pico Island
- Arcos do Cachorro (lava tunnels) visit
- Family-owned distillery visit and tasting
- Criacao Velha UNESCO World Heritage Site vineyards visit
- Ferry return to Faial Island
Optional Activities
- Whale watching excursion (EUR 62)
Landmarks/POIs Pico Island Arcos do Cachorro Criacao Velha - Day 6
Faial Island
Begin with a walking trail around Horta, then you'll visit Capelinhos volcano. The interpretation centre takes you through the 1957 eruption that added an extra kilometer of land and buried the area in volcanic ash. Climbing the volcano isn't safe, so instead you explore the centre and learn what happened. The afternoon and evening are free for you to wander and check out whatever catches your interest.
Included Activities
- Walking trail in Horta
- Monte da Guia walk
- Capelinhos volcano interpretation centre visit
Optional Activities
- Azores Ocean Observatory (EUR 7)
Landmarks/POIs Capelinhos Monte da Guia - Day 7
Departure
Your trip wraps up after breakfast. If you want to stay longer in the Azores, reach out to your booking agent beforehand so they can set up extra accommodation for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
