Enter an untouched paradise on an adventure through the Azores, the archipelago gems of Portugal. Explore the rim of the Sete Cidades Caldera. Indulge in a traditional cozido das furnas meal, cooked by the heat of the volcanic earth. Descend into Algar do Carvao, the "Cavern of Coal" lava tube, with an expert guide. Enjoy a home-hosted meal during your stay in Sao Miguel Island. Spend 2 nights in a lava stone house. From thermal pools and lush craters to local farms and volcanic cuisine, delve into the culture of Portuguese island life.
Call 410-638-5822 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18874279
- Tour Operator
- Collette
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/31/2024
- Duration
- 13 Days
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Sao Miguel | From volcanic craters and thermal waters to lush vegetation and picturesque coasts, enjoy the natural splendor of this Portuguese archipelago and see why the Azores are commonly referred to as "the Hawaii of Europe." |
| Day 2 | Sao Miguel | This is the Azores. A set of islands virtually untouched by urban development. Your adventure begins on SAo Miguel, the largest of the nine volcanic islands. Relax and explore as you wish, perhaps sit along the seaside promenade and breathe in the mild air of the Atlantic. |
| Day 3 | Ponta Delgada | Get to know Ponta Delgada, the capital city of SAo Miguel, on a morning walking tour of the area. This afternoon, traverse the dirt paths to the Sete Cidades caldera's highest point on an off-road adventure. On your way, gaze down upon the blue lake (reflecting the sky) and the adjacent green lake (reflecting the lush vegetation). As you take in the greenery around you, an Impact Moment introduces how our partnership with a local company is supporting reforestation efforts on the island. Celebrate the beginning of your journey with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. |
| Day 4 | Sao Miguel | Start the day with a visit to one of the few remaining basket weavers on the island. Learn how willow basket making has evolved and how this father-son enterprise has kept this traditional craft alive. Then, it's your choice! Enjoy the thermal waters at the Terra Nostra pool,* built in the 18th century by the American consul to the Azores -OR- embark on a guided visit to the organic paradise that is the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden. For lunch, enjoy a traditional cozido das furnas meal, where your food is cooked in the earth's volcanic heat. Later, continue on to the green fields of a nearby tea plantation where we will learn about this unique crop before an evening of leisure in SAo Miguel. |
| Day 5 | Sao Miguel | Today enjoy a full free day to explore Sao Miguel at your own pace. Or you may choose to join a Flavors of Sao Miguel optional tour where you will taste your way through some of the unique products this island has to offer. At a local quinta, taste Azorean gin, blended with botanicals and seaweed and learn how a local foundation supports local marine conservation. End this optional excursion with a light lunch of locally-sourced ingredients. Regardless of how you choose to spend your day, gather tonight for a home-hosted dinner at a local village. |
| Day 6 | Sao Miguel | Board your flight to Pico, one of the most unique Azorean islands. Start with a visit to the Pico Wine Museum, where you will learn about the uniqueness and adaptability of the wine production on the island. See firsthand why the vineyard landscape is labeled as a UNESCO Heritage site. End the day at the rustic lava stone houses of Aldeia da Fonte, an eco-sustainable hotel and your home for the next two nights. Enjoy dinner at this cliffside abode. |
| Day 7 | Pico | Bring your walking shoes today and start your day on Lagoa do Capitao and look out over Sao Jorge Island in the distance. Travel to one of the most prestigious wine producers in the archipelago for a tasting. After, visit the whaling museum that highlights the historical ties of the industry to the culture of the islands. Learn about the importance of whaling to Pico through the 1980s and the transition from hunting to protecting these giants of the oceans. End your day with an included dinner at a local restaurant. |
| Day 8 | Pico | Board your flight to Terceira and say hello to the colorful capital of Angra do Heroismo (UNESCO) with a local guide. Restored in traditional style, the city features white facades and vibrant trims. Learn about the Holy Ghost Chapels, known locally as Imperios, and customs surrounding this tradition. Tonight, get a taste of the culture at a local restaurant. |
| Day 9 | Terceira | Start your day with a swim* in the natural volcanic pools of Biscoitos. Later, on your way to Algar do Carvao, stop at Serra do Cume viewpoint where views of the agricultural fields and their neat orderly stone walls will take your breath away. At Algar do Carvao, the "Cavern of Coal," feel the quiet stillness as you descend into this ancient lava tube. Enjoy the evening to explore Angra do Heroismo as you wish. |
| Day 10 | Terceira | Today, the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may choose to join an optional tour to the western side of Terceira in the morning, sipping coffee at an organic coffee plantation and tasting locally grown bananas along the way and ending at a family-owned cheese factory for a light lunch made up of local products. End the day at a tapas home-hosted dining experience. |
| Day 11 | Terceira | Say farewell to the Azores archipelago as you head to Lisbon in continental Europe. Lisbon, known as the city of the seven hills, and the starting point of many of its 15th century explorations, was also the departure point of many of its immigrants that crossed the Atlantic searching for a better life. Check in to your hotel after your flight and enjoy a free night. |
| Day 12 | Lisbon | Start your morning with a panoramic tour of Belem. See the imposing 16th century Jeronimos Monastery and the Belem Tower, a fortress built to protect Lisbon and later used as a prison. Return to downtown Lisbon and join a walking food tour in one of the historical neighborhoods of Lisbon. Every corner of the city seems to be about to tell you a story, with a unique character and "tascas" with delicious "petiscos". Enjoy free time for the rest of the afternoon before you gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. |
| Day 13 | Lisbon | Say adeus (goodbye) to Portugal and the Azores as you depart this coastal paradise. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
- The Grand Hotel ACores AtlAntico - Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal
- Aldeia da Fonte Nature Hotel - Pico, Azores, Portugal
- Zenite Boutique Hotel & Spa - Terceira, Azores, Portugal
- Bessa Hotel Liberdade - Lisbon, Portugal
- Disclaimer
- * NOTE: Tour prices are land only rates based on per person, double occupancy. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. Government taxes and fees are additional. Land rates are guaranteed at time of deposit. Certain taxes and fees are to be paid upon exiting the country in local currencies.
Airfare is additional and is available through Collette Vacations.
