The Azores - Jewels of Portugal

The Azores – Jewels of Portugal

September 10-22, 2026
13 Days | 18 Meals

About This Tour

Enter an untouched paradise on an adventure through the Azores, the archipelago gems of Portugal. From thermal pools and lush craters to local farms and volcanic cuisine, delve into the culture of Portuguese island life.

Day-by-day Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight Flight
September 10, 2026
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: Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal
September 11, 2026
This is the Azores. A set of islands virtually untouched by urban development. Your adventure begins on São Miguel, the largest of the nine volcanic islands. With no scheduled sightseeing today, spend the day as you wish, exploring Ponta Delgada independently, perhaps strolling along the seaside promenade and breathing in the mild air of the Atlantic.

Day 3: Ponta Delgada – Sete Cidades – Ponta Delgada
September 12, 2026 / Breakfast & Dinner
Get to know Ponta Delgada, the capital city of São Miguel, on a morning walking tour of the area. Discover the city’s rich history, culture, and beauty alongside your Tour Manager, seeing highlights like the iconic 18th-century Portas da Cidade and the stunning Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, and perhaps even catching the farmers market, the vibrant Mercado da Graça. This afternoon, take a ride up to Sete Cidades caldera’s highest point and discover some of Mother Nature’s finest work: the twin blue and green lakes that make up this caldera and are explained by local legend! On the way back, visit a pineapple plantation and learn about unique cultivation methods on the island, producing pineapples renowned for their sweetness and flavor. This evening, celebrate the beginning of your journey with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 4: Ponta Delgada – Furnas – Ponta Delgada
September 13, 2026 / Breakfast & Lunch
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 to the green fields of a nearby tea plantation to learn about this unique crop with a hands-on experience before an evening of leisure in São Miguel.

Day 5: Ponta Delgada
September 14, 2026 / Breakfast & Dinner
Today, enjoy a full free day to explore São Miguel at your own pace. Perhaps you will take to the waves on an optional ocean excursion** to watch for whales and dolphins, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Regardless of how you choose to spend your day, gather tonight for a home-hosted dinner in a local village.

DAY 5: AVAILABLE OPTION

Whale Watching Adventure and Lunch
4 Hours / 4 Passengers Minimum / Transportation Included
PRICE: $150
Go searching for gentle giants on a whale watching excursion! Venture out into the blue Atlantic and search for some of the 28 species of cetaceans. Learn about the culture of whales in the Azores from an expert biologist, detailing the social shift of whale treatment in the area. From whale hunting to whale watching, you’ll understand the cultural evolution that has led to respecting these peaceful animals in present day. Sperm whales, pilot whales, and pods of dolphins frequent the Azorean waters, and you might be able to catch some blue whales or fin whales migrating through the area. After you’re back on land, reflect on your adventure with a lunch featuring local flavors.

Day 6: Ponta Delgada – Horta, Faial
September 15, 2026 / Breakfast & Dinner
Say bom dia (good morning) to Faial with a walking tour of Horta. Its marina and painted murals are a testament to the island’s importance to the sailors who have visited the island on voyages crossing the Atlantic. Later, encounter the volcanic vitality of Faial when you take in the surrounding rocky landscape and ash hills with a fascinating visit to the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre.

Day 7: Horta
September 16, 2026 / Breakfast
The day is yours to enjoy on your own and relax on Faial Island! You may also consider joining an optional tour to Pico*** to encounter the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (UNESCO) and explore this scarcely populated island’s scenery, a sublime mixture of lava rock and exotic vegetation.

DAY 7: AVAILABLE OPTION

Exploring the Landscapes of Pico
8 Hours / 6 Passengers Minimum / Transportation Included
PRICE: $190
The scarcely populated Pico Island landscape is a sublime mixture of lava rock and exotic vegetation. Get to know this dramatic island, just a short ferry ride from Faial. Start with a visit to the Pico Wine Museum, where you will learn about the uniqueness and adaptability of wine production on the island. See firsthand why the vineyard landscape is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the afternoon, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and enjoy a trek along Lagoa do Capitão, taking in views of Sao Jorge Island in the distance.

Day 8: Horta – Angra do Heroismo, Terceira
September 17, 2026 / Breakfast & Dinner
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: Angra do Heroismo – Biscoitos – Algar do Carvao – Angra do Heroismo
September 18, 2026 / Breakfast
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 exploring Angra do Heroismo as you wish.

Day 10: Angra do Heroismo
September 19, 2026 / Breakfast & Dinner
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 petiscos home-hosted dining experience.

DAY 10: AVAILABLE OPTION

Western Island Tour: Monte Brasil, Coffee & Banana Plantation & Lunch
4 Hours / 4 Passengers Minimum / Transportation Included
PRICE: $85
This morning, see what lies on the western side of Terceira Island. Take in the beautiful coastal views along the way before visiting a banana plantation, where bright green banana leaves and blue skies meet. After sipping on coffee and sampling some bananas or other seasonal fruits, you’ll visit a family-owned cheese factory. The family owns cows that roam freely with plenty of space and grass at a nearby farm, and many say the milk of these “happy cows” leads to a tastier cheese. After learning about the production process and the family history, gather for a light lunch of local products.

Day 11: Lisbon
September 21, 2026 / Breakfast & Dinner
Start your morning with a panoramic tour of Belem. View the imposing 16th-century Jeronimo’s Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline and Gothic architecture, its facade adorned with intricate carvings, maritime motifs, and religious symbols. Then, join a local expert to visit the National Coach Museum, which showcases beautifully decorated coaches from the 16th to 19th centuries and highlights the craftsmanship and artistry with each coach telling a unique story. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon as you wish before gathering tonight for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 12: Lisbon – Tour Ends
September 22, 2026 / Breakfast
Say adeus (goodbye) to Portugal and the Azores as you depart this coastal paradise.

PRICING INFORMATION

$7,899/per person Single Traveler
$6,599/per person – Double Traveler

* Included in Price: Round-trip air from Hartsfield Intl Airport, Round-trip air from Joao Paulo II, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges, and Hotel Transfers.

* Not Included in Price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $549 per person.

PRE-TOUR EXTENSION

Vila Gale Collection
Ponta Delgada Pre-Night
September 10, 2026
From $280 per room

POST-TOUR EXTENSION

Bessa Hotel Liberdade Post Night
September 22, 2026
From $350 per room

Essential Experiences

Explore the vivid Horta Marina and its importance to sailors crossing the Atlantic.
On São Miguel, learn about traditional basket weaving from local artisans.

Highlights

São Miguel Island
Lagoa das Sete Cidades “Blue & Green Lagoons”
Furnas Valley
Home-Hosted Meals
Faial Island
Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre
Terceira Island
Angra do Heroismo
Natural Volcanic Pools
Lisbon