Classic Azores - Terceira & São Miguel

Purpose:	Ecotourism, Relaxation, Discovery
No. of days:	8 days - 7 nights
First & Last Cities:	Angra do Heroismo (Terceira Is.), Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel Is.)
Other cities:	Ilheu das Cabras, Algar do Carvão, Biscoitos, Sete Cidades, Furnas, Lagoa do Fogo, Caldeira Velha, Ribeira Grande
Starting cost:	$1,395

Day 1: Angra do Heroismo

Arrival at Lajes Airport, in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island. Transfer to the hotel. After leaving the bags at the hotel, we head for a walking tour of the historic city center. The title “Very Noble, Faithful and Ever Present” attributed to the city of Angra do Heroísmo underlines the importance of this metropolis throughout Portuguese history. The importance of the bay of Angra, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, and the importance of the city in the political-economic and religious chess of the Azores are portrayed in the urban part of the city. The historic center is a portrait of streets, alleys, churches, palaces, mansions, monuments, squares and gardens, which altruistic generations knew how to preserve and maintain even today against earthquake forces. The historic center of Angra do Heroismo is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Before returning to the hotel, we suggest tasting one of the typical pastries, D. Amélia cheeses. Return to the hotel for accommodation.

Day 2: Angra do Heroismo (Ilheu das Cabras)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the pier to depart from historic Angra Bay. We set off on a glass-bottom boat ride that allows you to see the sea floor. It is an experience that translates into a true journey through nature and will allow us to get to know the size of what remains of the crater of a volcano in the sea, the Ilhéus das Cabras, and to observe a sunken boat. After the activity, lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, 4-hour tour of Terceira Island, highlighting the south and east coast of the island. Stop at Monte Brasil, a volcanic peninsula with viewpoint to the city of Angra. Then visit one of the oldest churches on the island (1455) and the Empire of the Divine Holy Spirit in São Sebastião. We will go up to Serra do Cume (stop at a viewpoint overlooking one of the largest boilers in the Azores – “Patchwork” landscapes). Visit to the city of Praia da Vitória, stopping at the Serra do Facho viewpoint. Return to the center of Angra do Heroísmo. Accommodation at the hotel. [B/L]

Day 3: Angra do Heroismo (Algar do Carvão & Biscoitos)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning before a 4-hour tour of Terceira Island, with the main focus on the interior of the island, north and west coasts. Visit to Algar do Cravão (empty volcano). Next visit to the sulfur furnas (fumarole field). Continuation towards the Biscoitos Natural Pools. Stop at Raminho viewpoint with the possibility of sighting three other islands of the central group. Visit to a cheese factory and tasting at the end of the visit. Return to Angra do Heroismo. Free afternoon. and overnight at the hotel. [B/T]

Day 4: Terceira, Sao Miguel

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Angra do Heroísmo Airport for a short flight to Ponta Delgada (PDL) on Sao Miguel Island. Arrival at Ponta Delgada Airport and transfer to the hotel located in the island’s capital. Ponta Delgada is a modern city that retains its original design with its narrow streets full of traditional shops, markets and “delicatessen” shops. Accommodation at the hotel. [B]

Day 5: Ponta Delgada (Sete Cidades & Whale Watching)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Sete Cidades. Stop at the Grota do Inferno viewpoint, which has one of the most beautiful landscapes of the island due to its altitude (3,281 feet). Then stop at the Vista do Rei viewpoint, known for the fact that on July 6, 1901, King D. Carlos and Queen D. Amélia came to the site. Visit to Lagoa das Sete Cidades, one of the 7 wonders of Portugal, a place of excellence for lovers of sports in nature, and then visit the village of Mosteiros, a picturesque parish where the sunset is second to none. Finally, visit the Termas da Ferraria, a thermal complex offering many outdoor activities like spa or thermal baths. Return to the hotel and free afternoon. [B]

Optional tour: Cetacean watching (2 ½- 3 hours)

Depart for a whale watching experience (dolphin and sperm-whale), one of the most sought-after activities by those visiting this island.

Day 6: Ponta Delgada (Furnas)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Furnas Valley (one of the main motivations for visiting the Azores) which is inserted in one of the three active central volcanoes of S. Miguel island. Here the smell of sulfur and bubbling fumaroles are characteristic. Stop at the Furnas Lagoon where the famous Furnas Stew is cooked on the ground, which we will have the opportunity to taste at lunch in one of the local restaurants. On the west bank of Furnas Lagoon is the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories, an impressive example of the neo-Gothic style, unique throughout the archipelago. In the afternoon, visit the volcano boilers and the village. The next stop is Terra Nostra Park, a bicentennial garden with unique species and a splendid thermal pool (bathing possibility). The park is a unique repository of trees, plants and other botanical species from around the world. Return to the hotel at the end of the day for accommodation. [B/L]

Day 7: Ponta Delgada (Lagoa do Fogo, Caldeira Velha, Ribeira Grande)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Lagoa do Fogo. It is one of the largest lagoons of the Azores and the 2nd largest of São Miguel Island (visit conditioned by weather conditions). We descend towards Caldeira Velha, a natural monument with magnificent waterfalls and natural thermal pool. Next, we head to the Gorreana Tea Plantation, the oldest and currently the only factory in Europe, for a visit of the plantations and, of course, you can taste the tea! Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, stroll through Ribeira Grande, a city of Baroque architecture, where we can discover the building where the Theater has been operating since 1922, the Manueline window and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Estrela. Visit to Capote Woman Factory for a regional liqueur tasting. Return to Ponta Delgada along the south coast of the island to visit a pineapple plantation with over 100 years of history. The Portuguese discovered the fruit at the time of the colonization of Brazil and brought it to the archipelago. Pineapple is produced here in glass greenhouses using traditional cultivation techniques. Arrival at the hotel. Accommodation. [B/L/T]

Day 8: Ponta Delgada, USA

Maybe some free time for last minute shopping. At the appointed time you’ll be picked-up for yur transfer to the airport to board you flight back home. [B]

[B] = Breakfast | [B/L] = Breakfast and lunch | [B/T] = Breakfast and Tasting | [B/L/T] = Breakfast, Lunch and Tasting

Tour includes

Arrival and departure transfers
7 nights’ accommodation:
- Angra do Heroismo 3 nights
- Ponta Delgada 4 nights
Meals;
- Breakfast daily
- 3 lunches
- 1 cheese tasting
- 1 regional liqueur tasting
Terceira Island:
- Walking tour of Angra do Heroismo
- Glass Bottom Boat Trip to Ilheu das cabras (Islet of Goats)
- Excursion to Algar do Carvão and Biscoitos
São Miguel Island:
- Excursion to Sete Cidades
- Optional Whale watching
- Excursion to Furnas
- Excursion to Lagoa do Fogo, Caldeira Velha and Ribeira Grande
Flight Angra do Heroísmo (TER)/Ponta Delgada (SMG) in economy class, max 20 Kg luggage per person
Private vehicle with for transfers and excursions
English speaking driver-guide during visits
English-speaking guide for walking tours
Entrance fees as required

Not included in tour

International airfares
Taxes related to airfares
Travel insurance
Meals and beverages not mentioned under inclusions
Guide service
Porterage service
Expenses of a personal nature
Any item not mentioned as “Included”
Tips to guides or drivers
Other services not mentioned in the program

Hotels in your Tour

Category	Hotel Name	Tripadvisor
First Class
Angra do Heroismo	Terceira Mar Hotel	4
Ponta Delgada	Azoris Royal Garden	4

Hotels will be confirmed at time of booking

Tour Pricing

Season	2/3 Pax	4/5 Pax	6/7 Pax	Single Suppl.
2020-21 Departures
Apr	$1,835	$1,569	$1,395	$485
May-Sep	$1,995	$1,729	$1,569	$655
Oct	$1,835	$1,569	$1,395	$485

Prices are per person, are valid until October 2021 and may change without notice

Tour Code: PT10PDL20OT

Options

Cetacean watching (2 ½- 3 hours)

Depart for a whale watching experience (dolphin and sperm-whale), one of the most sought-after activities by those visiting this island.

Season	2/3 Pax	4/5 Pax	6/7 Pax
2020-21 Departures
Apr	$129	$105	$95
May - Sep	$135	$109	$99
Oct	$129	$105	$95

Prices are per person, are valid until October 2021 and may change without notice