Active pace with longer touring days. Expect intermittent walking at a moderate pace for 2–3 hours over a variety of terrain, including cobblestones, hills and uneven pavements. Must be able to negotiate stairs of varying heights, sometimes without handrails. Can tolerate periods of standing during guided tours and be able to climb in/out of various modes of transportation. Some days may include 5–7 km of walking over the course of the day.
Fly direct from Toronto to São Miguel Island
Coach transfer to hotel, with time to relax and get oriented before our Welcome Dinner.
We will start off with a guided tour of the flavours, culture and traditions of the city of Ponta Delgada. We will visit the historic centre, the Churches of São Sebastião and São José, and stop at a traditional local market. Lunch at a local restaurant, with the rest of the day to relax or explore.
We will discover Lagoa das Sete Cidades, two breathtaking lagoons with distinctively different colours. Explore the village of Sete Cidades, walk the easy trails around the lake, and take in the incredible scenery. Lunch at a typical local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will visit a traditional pineapple plantation, where you can sample delicious pineapple liqueur.
Today we will see the famous fumarolas (volcanic vents) at Furnas Lagoon, where locals use the heat to cook traditional Cozido das Furnas, an Azorean specialty we will sample at a local restaurant. After lunch, we’ll visit Parque Terra Nostra to enjoy a thermal bath in 35°C waters.
Enjoy breathtaking views as we do an easy hike around this picturesque lake, or head to the Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Center to relax in the hot springs. Next, we will head to Ribeira Grande and explore its centuries-old streets and fascinating heritage. Finally, a local liqueur factory for a tour and tasting.
We will take a half-day trip to a rural dairy farm to learn about local farming traditions and maybe even milk a cow. Afternoon at leisure in Ponta Delgada.
Today we will take a trip back in time and visit the first tea plantation in Europe, in operation since 1883. Next up is Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park, with one of the island’s most impressive waterfalls. Lunch will be at a small, local restaurant.
After breakfast, we will take a short flight to Pico Island, with the rest of the day at leisure to explore Madalena, the island’s largest town.
In the morning, you’re invited to hike an incredible trail through the islands UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, seeing rola-pipas (carved slopes to slide wine barrels to the boats), relheiras (tracks from ox carts), shelter houses, wine cellars, and more. After lunch, we’ll take short walking tour of Madalena’s historic centre, ending with a tasting of the famous Pico wine.
We will take a ferry to São Jorge for the day, visiting the beautiful Jardim da Praça da República, the Piscinas Naturais da Preguiça (lazy natural pools) and Arco Natural de Velas, a natural arch made of basaltic lava. We will experience traditional Azorean cheesemaking (with the chance to taste, of course!), see a church tower that survived the volcano eruption of 1808, and continue with a sightseeing tour of the island.
Today we will visit incredible volcanic rock formations by the sea, and see São Roque do Pico, a town once closely linked to whaling (now banned for many years in Portugal). We will have lunch at a local restaurant, then take a panoramic road to Lajes do Pico, the island’s oldest town.
Today, it’s a day trip by ferry to the museum city of Horta on the nearby island of Faial to see over five centuries of history. After free time for lunch, we will tour the island to see the lush Faial Caldera, the Capelinhos Volcano, and its interpretive centre. Final dinner at a local restaurant.
Transfer to the airport for our flight back to Toronto.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
