Itinerary
- Day 1
Azores Arrival
You're arriving in the Azores archipelago, a Portuguese island chain known for its volcanic landscapes and lush terrain. This is your introduction to what makes these islands special: crater formations, natural hot springs, and dramatic coastlines that showcase the region's geological character.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vila Gale Collection)
- Day 2
São Miguel
You'll spend your first full day on São Miguel, the largest island in the nine-island chain. With no scheduled activities, you're free to explore Ponta Delgada at your own pace. A walk along the seaside promenade lets you take in the mild Atlantic air and get a feel for the main town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vila Gale Collection)
Optional Activities
- Explore Ponta Delgada independently
- Stroll along the seaside promenade
Landmarks/POIs Ponta Delgada - Day 3
Sete Cidades
Morning brings a guided walk through Ponta Delgada's history, including stops at the 18th-century Portas da Cidade gates and Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião church. You'll check out the local farmers market at Mercado da Graça, then travel to Sete Cidades caldera to see the twin blue and green lakes. Before dinner, you visit a pineapple plantation to learn cultivation methods unique to the islands.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vila Gale Collection)
Included Activities
- Morning walking tour of Ponta Delgada with Tour Manager
- Visit Portas da Cidade (18th-century landmark)
- Visit Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião
- Visit Mercado da Graça (farmers market)
- Visit Sete Cidades caldera's highest point
- View twin blue and green lakes
- Visit pineapple plantation with cultivation methods learning experience
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Portas da Cidade Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião Mercado da Graça Sete Cidades - Day 4
São Miguel
Start by visiting a basket weaver to understand how willow basket crafting continues on São Miguel. You then choose between soaking in the 18th-century Terra Nostra thermal pools or walking through the botanical gardens. Lunch features cozido das furnas, a traditional dish cooked using volcanic heat, followed by a tea plantation tour where you'll participate hands-on.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional cozido das furnas meal (food cooked in the earth's volcanic heat))
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Vila Gale Collection)
Included Activities
- Visit traditional basket weaver
- Learn about willow basket making and father-son enterprise
- Traditional cozido das furnas lunch (food cooked in volcanic heat)
- Tea plantation visit with hands-on experience
Optional Activities
- Thermal waters at Terra Nostra pool (18th-century, built by American consul)
- Guided visit to Terra Nostra Botanical Garden (organic paradise)
Landmarks/POIs Terra Nostra - Day 5
São Miguel
You have a free day to explore São Miguel on your own terms. If interested, an optional ocean excursion lets you look for whales and dolphins, with lunch at a local restaurant afterward. Later, you'll gather for a home-hosted dinner in a local village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Home-hosted dinner in a local village)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel do Canal)
Included Activities
- Home-hosted dinner in a local village
Optional Activities
- Ocean excursion to watch whales and dolphins
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Day 6
Faial Island
Travel to Faial Island and join a walking tour of Horta, where you'll see painted murals reflecting the island's significance to Atlantic sailors and a working marina. Afterward, you visit the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre to experience Faial's volcanic geology, exploring the rocky landscape and ash-covered hills surrounding the site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel do Canal)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Horta
- Visit to Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre
- View volcanic ash hills surrounding the volcano
Landmarks/POIs Horta Capelinhos Volcano - Day 7
Faial Island
Faial offers a free day for you to relax and move at your own pace. An optional tour to nearby Pico Island is available, where you can see the UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape with its lava rock terrain and sparse vegetation spread across the scarcely populated areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Torel Terra Brava Hotel & Spa)
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Pico Island
- Explore Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (UNESCO)
- Discover lava rock and exotic vegetation scenery
Landmarks/POIs Pico Island Vineyard Culture Landscape - Day 8
Terceira Island
You'll fly to Terceira and arrive in Angra do Heroismo, a UNESCO World Heritage site serving as the island's colorful capital. A local guide shows you the white facades and vibrant architectural details, explaining the Holy Ghost Chapels (Imperios) and their cultural significance. Dinner at a local restaurant introduces you to the regional food scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local restaurant dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Torel Terra Brava Hotel & Spa)
Included Activities
- Local guided tour of Angra do Heroismo
- Learn about Holy Ghost Chapels (Imperios) and local customs
- Dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Angra do Heroismo - Day 9
Terceira Island
Morning includes a swim in natural volcanic pools at Biscoitos. On the way to Algar do Carvao, you stop at Serra do Cume viewpoint for views of agricultural fields and stone walls. Then you descend into the ancient lava tube cavern to experience its quiet interior. Later, you spend the evening exploring Angra do Heroismo at your leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Torel Terra Brava Hotel & Spa)
Included Activities
- Swim in natural volcanic pools of Biscoitos
- Stop at Serra do Cume viewpoint
- View agricultural fields and stone walls
- Visit Algar do Carvao (ancient lava tube)
Optional Activities
- Explore Angra do Heroismo independently in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Biscoitos Serra do Cume Algar do Carvao - Day 10
Terceira Island
You have a free day on Terceira. An optional morning tour visits the western side, including an organic coffee plantation, local banana tastings, and a family-owned cheese factory for lunch using local products. The day ends with a home-hosted petiscos dining experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Home-hosted petiscos dining experience)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bessa Hotel Liberdade)
Included Activities
- Home-hosted petiscos dining experience
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to western Terceira
- Coffee tasting at organic coffee plantation
- Taste locally grown bananas
- Visit family-owned cheese factory
- Light lunch at cheese factory made up of local products
- Day 11
Terceira to Lisbon
You'll leave the Azores and fly to Lisbon on mainland Portugal. The city sits on seven hills and played a central role as the departure point for 15th-century maritime exploration and later as a port for Atlantic emigration.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Bessa Hotel Liberdade)
Landmarks/POIs Lisbon - Day 12
Lisbon
Start your morning with a panoramic tour through Belem, checking out the impressive 16th-century Jeronimo's Monastery and the Ajuda National Palace. The afternoon is yours to relax and do whatever you'd like. Later, head out for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Panoramic tour of Belem
- Visit Jeronimo's Monastery (16th-century Manueline and Gothic architecture)
- Visit Ajuda National Palace (neoclassical royal residence)
Landmarks/POIs Jeronimo's Monastery Ajuda National Palace - Day 13
Departure
You say adeus to Portugal and the Azores as you depart this coastal region.
