Azores Islands Adventure

Book flights with ease with our partner, Exito Travel, to enjoy flexible flight options to and from our tour!

You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.

Welcome to Ponta Delgada, the capital and heart of the Azores Islands! Often called "the Hawaii of Europe," this mid-Atlantic gem is known for its stunning coasts, lush greenery, and volcanic rock formations. Located on São Miguel Island, the largest in the archipelago, Ponta Delgada is a reflection of the mixtures of styles that have influenced the Azores. Tonight, we'll gather with our tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner and orientation, setting the stage for our unforgettable adventure in this enchanting destination.

After breakfast, our Tour Director guides us on a walking tour through the narrow streets of Ponta Delgada's historic center. Highlights include the iconic Portas da Cidade "City Gates" Monument, the 16th-century Church of the Matriz with its Gothic and Manueline elements, and baroque Paços do Concelho “Town Hall.” We’ll also visit St. Joseph’s Church and the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, home to the revered image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres ("Holy Christ of Miracles"). Our tour concludes with a visit to the vibrant Graça Regional Market. The rest of the day is at leisure, or we can opt for an optional excursion to the scenic Sete Cidades and a local pineapple plantation.

Today, we'll check out of our hotel and fly to Faial, named "the Blue Island of the Azores" for its vibrant blue hydrangeas in summer. Here, Horta, the cosmopolitan “Sea City,” awaits us. Horta’s cosmopolitan harbor is a hub for travelers, offering bars and restaurants where travelers can swap stories as well as stunning views of Pico and São Jorge Islands. This afternoon is free to explore independently, or we can join an optional walking city tour of Horta. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner together at our Horta hotel.

This morning, we'll visit Capelinhos Volcano and its underground Interpretation Center. The landscape, formed by the 1957/58 eruption, resembles a lunar scene with arid, black volcanic ash in stark contrast with the green fields of the Azores. Afterward, we'll return to Horta with the balance of the day free for independent exploration. In our free time, we can visit Horta's restaurants, and bars, admire the maritime mural wall along the shoreline, or learn more about the whaling industry at the Fábrica da Baleia, a former whaling station with a collection of original machinery.

After breakfast, we’ll ferry to Pico Island for a day of exploration. Our first stop is the Regional Handicraft House to admire works made from fish scales, teeth, whale bone, lace, and embroidery. We’ll then savor Pico Island cheese at a traditional farm and meet the farmer behind our delicious tasting. Next, we’ll visit Lajes do Pico, the charming whaling village, before enjoying lunch in Lagoa do Capitão. On our way back, we’ll pass the stunning lava fields of Mistério das Bandeiras and the Arcos do Cachorro lava tunnels. Our final stop is a family-owned, UNESCO World Heritage Site winery for a tour and tasting where we'll learn about their special techniques. We’ll return to Horta for the evening by ferry.

Today, we have a free day in Faial to explore the Horta harbour or visit the dark gray sand beaches. The more adventurous among us might consider a full-day optional tour exploring São Jorge Island where we can hike to the spectacular Caldeira de Santo Cristo. Our hike offers a physical challenge, and the chance to admire the island's scenic views, lush landscape, and waterfalls.

We'll enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure before flying back to Ponta Delgada in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, our motorcoach will whisk us away to the Nordeste e Tea Plantations. First, we'll visit Gorreana Tea Plantations, which is the oldest tea plantation in Europe. Our tour continues to the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park where we'll be surrounded by waterfalls, watermills, and lush, diverse vegetation. Late this afternoon, we’ll stop in Povoação, a historic village where the first Portuguese navigators arrived more than 500 years ago. Here, we’ll snack on the local sweet, “Fofa da Povoação,” before returning to our hotel.

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Vila Franca do Campo, the former capital of São Miguel Island, known for its stunning landscapes and famous sweets. We’ll continue to Furnas Valley for an optional morning thermal bath in the Terra Nostra botanical garden with its swimming pool and natural jacuzzis. We’ll visit the Caldeiras on Furnas Lake’s shore and enjoy a traditional “Cozido das Caldeiras” lunch, where the Furnas Stew is cooked by volcanic heat. Then, we’ll explore the village’s boilers and fumaroles and taste “bolo levedo,” a sweet muffin cake. On our way back, we’ll stop at Pico do Ferro and Santa Iria viewpoints. Tonight, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning.