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Delight all your senses, while exploring the wonders of Faial, Pico, Terceira and São Miguel Islands. Astonishing views like the Capelhinos Volcano, Arcos do Cachorro, the landscape of the Pico Island rock wall vineyards (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Furnas valley, will sure take your breath away. While touring the regions most enchanting places, we'll make sure to take you to its best wineries and cheese factory, so that you can savor its distinguish favor, not to mention that you will also enjoy get to experience a traditional cozido meal, boiled in geothermic ovens.
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Itineraries
Day 1
Faial Island: Arrival
Welcome to the Island of Faial, home of the Capelhinos volcano and internationally known as a stop over point, with its cosmopolitan marina.
After arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and you will have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the Blue Island’s beautiful streets.
Day 2
Date : January 23, 2022
Pico Island
This morning you will enjoy a scenic 30-minute ferry ride to the island of Pico. Towering over the island at 7713 ft. Montanha do Pico is Portugal’s highest mountain and at its base you will witness the basaltic landscapes where the vines grow intertwined with the volcanic rocks.
Upon arrival visit the Wine Museum housed in an old convent of the Carmelite religious order. After learning the island’s wine history, you will visit the Wine cooperative and indulge in a tasting.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the vineyards of Criação Velha, classified as World Heritage by Uncesco, before visiting the Arcos do Cachorro (Dogs Arches) for some breathtaking views of the erosive influence of the ocean waves.
The day will end with a visit to the Azores Wine company, a private winery that specializes in Premium Azores wines.
Day 3
Date : January 23, 2022
Faial Island
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Island of Faial.
Start the tour with a visit to the Botanical Garden, established in 1986 to educate and protect the biodiversity common to Faial. Visit the “Caldeira”, a volcanic caldera 400meters deep and 2 kilometers wide, one of the biggest attractions on the island.
End the day exploring Capelinhos Volcano, where you can still witness the effects of the eruption of 1957/58. Take the opportunity to stop by the interpretation center where you will learn about the social and economic consequences of that eruption.
Day 4
Date : January 23, 2022
Terceira Island
Upon arriving to the Island of Terceira, you will be transferred to the hotel for an early check-in.
The remaining day is at leisure to explore the city of Angra, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This small town was the Capital city of Portugal during the Liberal Wars and the capital of the Azores for almost a century.
Day 5
Date : January 23, 2022
Terceira Island
Today’s journey will take you on a full day tour of Terceira, also known as, the Lilac Island.
You will have the opportunity to visit some emblematic historical sites, as well as explore Algar do Carvão, a volcanic vent located in the central part of the island.
In the afternoon enjoy a sweet stop for some locally made Ice Cream.
Day 6
Date : January 23, 2022
São Miguel: Ponta Delgada
Today you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Ponta Delgada.
The day is at leisure for you to explore the city’s cobblestone streets.
Day 7
Date : January 23, 2022
São Miguel: Sete Cidades
Today you will explore the western part of the island.
Your first stop will be at a pineapple plantation, where you will immerse yourself in the magical life cycle of the Azorean pineapple! After your tour, indulge tasting the delicious pineapple liqueur.
Your next stop is Sete Cidades, the most iconic landscape of the Azores Islands! While driving through the roads covered with hydrangeas, prepare to hold your breath as you arrive at Vista do Rei (King’s View) to admire one of the “7 Wonders of Portugal”, the mystical blue and green lake.
Your last stop of the day will be at a local restaurant where you will enjoy traditional cuisine of the area.
Day 8
Date : January 23, 2022
São Miguel: Leisure Day
The day is at your leisure. You have the option of taking a half-day hiking/walking tour or even a whale watching tour from your hotel. Check out our add on activities and tours for more information.
Day 9
Date : January 23, 2022
São Miguel: Furnas
Today’s journey begins with the beautiful seaside town of Vila Franca do Campo which used to be the island’s governmental town in the XV century. In this town you will enjoy a taste of the famous Queijadas da Vila, a traditional pastry developed by nuns during the XVI century, before making your way to Furnas Lake.
Your next stop is the mystic Furnas lake, known for its bubbling, geothermal pools and their use for preparing the famous Cozido Furnas (a meal cooked in sealed pots using the islands hot springs known as fumarolas). After seeing how the famous is made, you will head to a local restaurant where you will indulge in the famous cozido.
After lunch you will visit Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, an “English romantic garden” from the XVIII century, where you will have a chance to soak in the geothermal hot springs and explore the exotic and native vegetation of the Island.
We close your tour with a visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory, where you will learn about the island’s tea industry and the tea production, still operated by 19th century machinery. Enjoy a tasting of the famous green and black tea while admiring the lush plantations and dramatic coastlines.
Day 10
Date : January 23, 2022
Departure
Our final morning in the Azores will be at leisure, before making your way to the airport for the return flight home. We bid adeus to the beautiful Islands and hope that on the flight back you reminisce of the good times that you had on the trip.
- Round trip transfers from airport to hotels
- Nine nights stay at centrally located hotels
- Full American breakfast daily at your hotels
- Private tours
- Van with A/C in all tours and transfers (except walking city tour)
- English speaking guide in all tours and transfers
- Full day tour of Faial, including lunch
- Full day tour of Pico, including lunch, cheese, and wine tasting
- Full day tour of Terceira Island, including lunch and wine tasting
- Full day tour of São Miguel, including its traditional cozido lunch
- Ferry tickets between Islands
- Entrance to Terra Nostra Botanical Garden
Airline fair taxes and single supplement not included.
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Portugal and Madeira are on GMT time, or five hours difference between the east coast of the US. The time in the Azores is four hours ahead of Boston, and seven hours ahead of San Francisco.
Portuguese is the official language of Portugal and its islands. Most hotels, stores and restaurants have English speaking employees or menus written in English.
Portugal and its islands use the euro as its currency. You can exchange money at the airport, or in the major cities/towns.
Most major credit cards are accepted, just look for a sign that says “Multibanco” or the credit card sticker in a shop or restaurant window. When paying by credit card they will bring you a handheld machine that they insert the card or swipe. Just remember to press ok if you accept, as most times it will ask for a PIN.
Gratuities are common in Portugal and its islands, though not as common as the US. Below is a suggested guide as to what to leave behind as a gratuity.
Restaurants: Expect to leave a few euros of change of gratuity, as 15%-20% is not common.
Tour Guides: 5-10 euros tip per person on a full-day tour. Tour Bus Drivers: 2-5 euros tip per person on a full-day tour. Cab Drivers: No gratuity needed.
Electricity in Portugal and its islands is 220-240 volts, and it uses a different socket/outlet compared to the US. Check the voltage accepted, with whatever device that you use, should the device be built for that type of voltage, then an adapter would be needed to charge the device.
Portugal and its islands have many places to connect to the Internet. Most hotels have an Internet /Wi-Fi connection and provide you with the password to connect. Restaurants and cafes also have connections, though password protected, just be sure to ask for the password. Also, in some towns, there is a local Wi-Fi, where it is free to connect.
Please check with your cell phone provider. Mention that you are traveling to “Portugal” and they can let you know if you have coverage with your phone. You can also purchase a prepaid cell phone in Portugal, the cost is about 25 euros, and it provides you with a Portuguese number and a certain amount of credits to make calls. Some providers even have specials where the calls are free to landlines.
