Group Travel Tour Operator for holidays to the Azores, Portugal
The Awesome Azores – Europe’s Best Kept Secret
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Azores, Portugal - Lagoa de fogo
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Azores, Portugal - São Jorge
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São Miguel Island Azores ©Arch.TdP
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Azores, Portugal ©Norberto Diver Azores Turismo
Discover The Atlantic's Amazing Archipelago
In between Europe and the America’s in the middle of the gigantic North Atlantic Ocean, lies the charismatic Portuguese archipelagos, the Azores (Açores in Portuguese). Characterized by dramatic landscapes, fishing villages and green pastures, the island’s beauty is rare and timeless. There are very few places in the world that can compare to these wonderful islands. Divided into three geographical groups: the Eastern Group, comprising Santa Maria and São Miguel, the Central Group, including Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial, and the Western Group, composed by Corvo and Flores, each island has it’s own personality and beingat the junction of the Europe, North American and African tectonic plates, the Azores are a geological hot spot with varied landscapes that will have you in awe at their beauty.
Read morePonta Delgada, São Miguel – The essence of Azorean life
From it’s simple beginnings as a small fishing village to the lively cosmopolitan multifaceted city we see today, Ponta Delgada is the unofficial capital of the Archipelago and here, tradition and innovation goes hand-in-hand here. The extensive coastline road, which borders the harbour and the sea outlining the city, is the expression of its dynamism. Be sure to explore the historic centre of the city with its many traditional buildings and the market of Grace. The food and drink scene is a buzz with life too so be sure to try the petiscos (Portuguese tapas) and the home grown wine of the Açores.
The Azores – Mother Nature’s Awesome Beauty Encapsulated
Being Volcanic islands, fertilization here is an abundance and the result is spectacular. Wilderness on a scope of prehistoric proportions, the scenery is out of this world. To describe the flora and fauna of the islands would only seize to not do the Azores justice as roadsides filled with azaleas and hydrangeas would have horticulturalist stopping every 5 minutes. Some of the activities that you can partake in are bucket list material too to mention a few, it is possible to do whale watching, swim with dolphins, and diving with manta rays. It is also possible to walk inside volcanoes and see the various craters filled with jade-hued water. We will visit the spectacular Lagoa de Fogo, Lagoa Sete Cidades and Furnas Lagoon. All showcasing jaw-dropping beauty each with a story told by your expert guide from the best and most magnificent viewpoints.
The green meadows, Lava fields and UNESCO Vineyards of Pico Island
Pico is the second largest island in the Azores and with the most varied landscape and is known as the grey island due to the landslides of lava and volcanic soil. This is perfect conditions for making delicious wine and has been grown on Pico since the 15th Century. You can learn all about the wines and vines of Pico at the Museum of Wine. We will also visit the cave of the towers to observe the Lavic tubes and then make a stop at the Arcos do Cachorro (dog arches), an impressive set of sea caves where the sea provides a unique spectacle of sound and colour.
São Jorge, Azores – Nature’s Architectural Masterpiece
After taking the boat from Madalena pier on Pico island, you will soon arrive at Velas, the capital of São Jorge, you will feel welcome by this small by cosy village constructed around the pier. Discover this magical island full of magnificent viewpoints, passages and the fajãs – a protected nature reserve with an underground cave and a lake located in the Ribeira Seca area. Along the way taste the famous cheese of São Jorge, by far it;’s most well-known export and home to the famous “Queijo de Sao Jorge”. The green lush grass of the fields is perfect diet for the cows of the island that produce this delicious aperitif or dessert. Also we will try some islands coffee.
During this tour, we will stay in Ponta Delgada, on the São Miguel Island, the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal, a perfect base to explore a land full of natural beauty on a 6 night tour. There is also the possibility to exntend your stay and discover Pico and São Jorge Islands. To see more of Portugal’s stunning islands why not check out our tour to Madeira.
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Dates
Spring & Autumn
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to the Azores
Travel to Azores, either with a stop off in Lisbon or direct with certain airlines. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2
Discovering Ponta Delgada
In the morning, enjoy a 3-hour exciting marine wildlife tour with Biologists and Naturalists, to see some species that can only be found in the Azores and learn more about the marine biodiversity of the Azores Islands!
After lunch join your guide for walking tour in the city of Ponta Delgada. Among the highlights of this tour, visit the historic centre of the city with its many traditional buildings and the market of Grace. Right next to the market, a visit to a cheese shop where you can taste and buy the cheeses you like the most.
Day 3
Lagoa de Fogo
In the morning we will visit a spectacular place of blue waters – Lagoa do Fogo was classified as a nature reserve in 1974. It is located in the caldera do Vulcão do Fogo and has had few human interventions, still conserving much of its fauna and flora still wild. On the way down, stop at the Pico da Barrosa, a viewpoint in the between the clouds where you will have an amazing view to this blue waters.
An optional stop on the way back to a local liqueur factory for a tour and taste.
Day 4
Lagoa Sete Cidades
After breakfast, the journey will continue until the west coast of the island, passing in the Coal Aqueduct and the Empanadas Lagoon until the viewpoint of King’s view where you can adventure to visit the ruins of the Hotel Monte Palace. Here, you will notice the 2 distinct colours of the lagoons next to each other. Afterwards, visit a traditional pineapple plantation, a biological crop developed in greenhouses and you can taste the pineapple liquor.
Day 5
Furnas Lagoon
Early in the morning make a journey until the centre of the island. Here you will be able to see the famous “fumarolas” at the Furnas Lagoon – surrounded by vegetation and with a great wealth of fauna and flora.
After, visit a park where you can find flora typical of the Azores, as well as numerous plants native to countries with climates that are completely different to that of Furnas. On the way back to the hotel, stop at one of the tea plantations and through a visit discover the different ways of tea process and end this visit with a tea tasting.
Day 6
Return to the UK
Transfer from the Hotel to S. Miguel Airport to travel back to the UK, possibly via Lisbon.
Optional Extra
Pico Islands
Travel from Ponta Delgada to the Pico Island. Upon arrival enjoy tour of the city centre. After lunch visit the cave of the towers to observe the Lavic tubes and then make a stop at the Arcos do Cachorro (dog arches), an impressive set of sea caves where the sea provides a unique spectacle of sound and colour. Continuing through the area of mysteries for observation of ancient volcanic eruptions.
We also recommend visiting the Whaler’s Museum and/or the Pico Wine Museum.
Optional Extra
São Jorge Island
Transfer from the hotel to the Madalena pier on Pico Island, to take a boat ride in direction of the São Jorge Island. Today we will explore São Jorge, an island that could be a work from any architect, with their nature master-pieces. As soon you arrive to Velas, the capital of São Jorge, you will feel welcome by this small by cosy village constructed around the pier. The tour will continue until viewpoints, passages and the fajãs. Along the way taste the famous cheese and the coffee of the island. Return to Pico island by boat at 20:25 with transfer from the pier to the hotel.
We have a selection of excellent 3 and 4 star hotels available.
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| Dates | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| Spring or Autumn | On request | On request |
