Azores Islands Explorer

Sejam bem-vindos… or, welcome to the Azores! Set in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and North America, the Azores are a breathtaking chain of nine islands known for their volcanic landscapes, emerald crater lakes, dramatic coastlines and charming seaside villages. Rich in natural beauty and adventure, the islands offer everything from geothermal hot springs to local vineyards and warm Azorean hospitality.

Situated along a beautiful natural harbour on Faial Island, the lovely town of Horta is known as one of the Atlantic's most famous yachting stopovers. With colourful marina murals, lively cafes and sweeping ocean views, Horta blends maritime history with laid-back island charm and is the perfect gateway to exploring the Azores.

We don't want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive at your starting destination by 5:30pm.

At 6.30pm, join your fellow travellers and tour leader in the lobby for introductions and a welcome drink, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

Located in the central group of the Azores, Faial is a striking island, with sharp contrasts between moody, volcanic landscapes and lush greenery, all with sweeping Atlantic views as the backdrop.

One of its most dramatic landmarks is the Capelinhos Volcano, where a 1957-58 eruption dramatically extended the island and created a stark, moonlike landscape of ash and lava. We'll have the opportunity to explore this unique site through the underground Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre. We'll have an immersive look into the powerful geological story of the Azores, before walking among the ash fields and admiring the stark silhouette of the lighthouse, which is now partially buried.

Next, we continue up the mountain to visit the Caldeira. Stopping in Capelo Forest Park, we'll indulge in a delicious, picnic lunch, completely surrounded by nature.

After admiring the lush landscapes, we'll make our way back to Horta, Stopping at Peter Café Sport, beloved by sailors and decorated with yacht flags from every corner of the globe. Here, we'll enjoy a gin tasting of their renowned house gin, a tradition that has become part of Faial's cultural identity. While here, you may like to visit the Scrimshaw Museum to see the rare collection of the Azorean tradition of engraving whale teeth and bones.

Tonight is free to further explore Horta at your leisure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast it's time to say farewell to Faial Island as we take a ferry trip to Pico Island, just across the water. One of the most dramatic and beautiful islands in the Azores, Pico Island is home to Portugal's tallest mountain, Mount Pico, framed by a rugged volcanic landscape and black lava fields.

Upon arrival on Pico Island, we'll start our day with a scenic drive through the heart of the island, crossing the island at the foot of the towering Mount Pico. Our first stop is for a photo opportunity at Lagoa do Capitão, famous for the reflections of Mount Pico in its beautiful waters on a calm day… keep your fingers crossed!

We'll continue towards the historic whaling town of Lajes do Pico, where we'll have the chance to explore the Whalers Museum, housed in the boathouses that once sheltered the traditional whaling boats.

Further along the coastline, our journey takes us to the peaceful village of São Roque and the Whaling Industry Museum to experience the industrial side of the island's whaling history.

Later, we'll return to Madalena, for our final stop of the day at the Wine Museum, where we'll have an introduction to the fascinating wine traditions of the island. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Madalena, and you may wish to enjoy some of the amazing seafood at a local restaurant.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Today is all about exploring the rugged beauty of Pico Island, starting with panoramic views along the coast. We'll see some of Pico Islands iconic natural swimming areas that have been formed by ancient lava flows where black rock meets the deep blue Atlantic.

Next we enjoy scenic stops around Cabrito and Areia Larga, before visiting the extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage-listed vineyard landscape. Here generations of locals have transformed the hardened black lava fields into a thriving vineyard culture, unlike anywhere else in the world. Stretching along the coastline beneath the towering presence of Mount Pico, thousands of small stone-walled plots protect the vines from the Atlantic winds and salt spray. We'll stop for a photo at the picturesque Criação Velha Vineyards and windmills, to experience this unique landscape up close.

While we're in this wine region, we can't miss the opportunity to taste the local drop! We'll head to another local winery where we'll learn about local wine production and enjoy a tasting.

Returning to Madalena, we'll take a walking tour of the picturesque historic town centre. As we stroll through the streets, we'll discover traditional architecture and scenic coastal viewpoints, all while gaining insight into the local culture and maritime heritage of this historic town.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening discovering all that Madalena has to offer at your own pace.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

This morning we'll transfer to Pico Airport for our onwards flight to São Miguel Island and the archipelago's capital, Ponta Delgada. The largest island in the Azorean archipelago, São Miguel Island is home to crater lakes, steaming geothermal springs, rolling green pastures and charming seaside villages, rich in Portuguese culture and tradition.

After our arrival, we'll begin to explore the pretty capital on foot, admiring the whitewashed architecture and black basalt, giving monochrome vibes, but we'll discover this is a town full of colourful character! Rich in history, Ponta Delgada blends elegant Portuguese architecture with a relaxed island atmosphere.

Take some free time for lunch, before we continue our exploration in the historic Matriz district, surrounded by some of the city's most important architectural and cultural landmarks. The beautiful São Sebastião Mother Church stands proudly at the heart of the city and nearby, the iconic Portas da Cidade (the city gates) form one of the most recognisable symbols of the Azores, opening to lively squares and waterfront promenades. We'll pass the Ponta Delgada City Hall on our way to São Francisco Square.

Later, we'll check in to our hotel and have the rest of the afternoon and evening to further explore this idyllic city at our own pace.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking.

Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.

Today is a treat for our taste buds as we get set to uncover the delights of São Miguel Island on a full day tour. Departing the hotel, our adventure begins with a scenic drive towards the dramatic volcanic heights of Lagoa do Fogo, one of São Miguel Island's most pristine crater lakes. Make sure your cameras are ready, as this is one you won't want to miss!

Continuing along the island's scenic northern coast, we'll reach the historic Gorreana Tea Plantation, Europe's oldest surviving tea plantation, offering a rare and beautiful glimpse into the centuries-old tea production in a subtropical Atlantic setting.. We'll have a chance to walk through the plantation, learn traditional tea-processing methods, and naturally, enjoy tastings of both the black and green tea varieties.

Moving on, we'll stop in Ribeira Grande, a charming seaside town, where there will be some free time for lunch.

If liquors are more your thing, we'll also visit a local producer of artisanal liqueurs that celebrate the island's rich natural ingredients and heritage. Crafted using time-honoured methods, the range includes distinctive fruit and cream-based liqueurs, from tropical passionfruit to creamy milk and spice infusions. Saúde!

In the late afternoon, we'll return to Ponta Delgada, where the rest of the day is your own to further explore or relax as you wish.

Your travel time today is approximately 2 hours.

Unleash your inner adventurous side as we spend a full day exploring the spectacular Sete Cidades region in 4x4 vehicles. Famous for its twin crater lakes framed by dramatic green slopes, there is no better (or more exciting) way to discover the landscapes of the Sete Cidades region than in a 4x4 vehicle with expert guides. Kicking off our adventure, we'll stop at some breathtaking viewpoints, including sweeping panoramas over the iconic Green and Blue Lakes.

Descending into the heart of the volcanic caldeira, we pass through the village of Sete Cidades, nestled beside the serene lake waters. We'll explore the crater floor and then enjoy some free time for lunch in this peaceful, storybook setting.

Our journey continues off the beaten track to elevated viewpoints such as the Vista do Rei and Pico da Cruz, depending on the weather, revealing new perspectives of the crater landscape and the rugged Atlantic coastline beyond. This combination of mountain trails, forest paths and coastal vistas offers a constantly changing and immersive experience of São Miguel's natural wonders.

We'll end our day at a pineapple plantation where we'll learn about the unique slow-growth method of the famous Azores pineapples and enjoy a tasting of the fruit and liquor made with this tropical fruit. Upon arrival back at our hotel, the evening is at leisure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Our explorations today take us along the southern coastline towards the charming seaside town of Vila Franca do Campo. This town was once the island's first capital, and it's most important, until the devastating earthquake of 1522. We'll have some time to stroll through the historic streets, and perhaps sample the famous local delicacy, ‘queijadas da Vila', a traditional sweet pastry beloved across the Azores.

We continue to the lush and volcanic Furnas Valley, a spectacular geothermal landscape formed within an active volcanic complex. The valley is home to the peaceful village of Furnas, the stunning crater lake of Lagoa das Furnas and an extraordinary collection of bubbling hot springs and fumaroles, where steaming mineral water rises from the earth amid a dramatic display of hissing vapours and (somewhat stinky) sulphurous aromas.

Special Experience: Enjoy a traditional Cozido lunch – a famous stew with mixed meats and vegetables, slow cooked underground with volcanic heat. Along the lakeshore, we'll stop at a local restaurant to witness the traditional cooking of the famous ‘cozido das caldeiras'. Using the natural volcanic heat to cook a rich stew, it is a unique technique that has been used by the locals for centuries. After learning all about the process, we'll enjoy this delicious dish for lunch.

Afterwards, we'll continue on to the beautifully landscaped Terra Nostra Gardens, one of the most enchanting botanic gardens in all of Europe. Blending exotic planting with the island's unique volcanic environment, the gardens are home to an amazing array of trees, plants and flowers from all around the world. One of the highlights is the iconic geothermal pool, and we'll have time to bathe in these warm, iron-rich waters.

Eventually, we'll return to our hotel and enjoy the night at leisure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Today is free for you to enjoy however you'd like. You may like to spend the day wandering through the streets of Ponta Delgada, on the lookout for some unique souvenirs to bring home with you. The more adventurous among us may even like to walk some of the coastal or volcanic trails!

This evening we'll join our new friends for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant where we reminisce on our favourite memories and experiences of the Azores together.

Optional Excursion: Whale Watching Tour. Located on the edge of three tectonic plates in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and benefitting from the gulf stream, the Azores are a permanent home or place of passage for more than a third of whale and dolphin species in the world. On this optional tour, you'll spend the morning searching for, and hopefully observing, these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. 2.5-3hrs – Price on application

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to our fellow travellers and to the treasures of the Azores.