The Azores Jewels of Portugal

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.”

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. Depending on when your flight arrives, you may choose to join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a welcome reception at your hotel this evening.

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.

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 before an evening of leisure in São Miguel.

Today, enjoy a full free day to explore São Miguel at your own pace. You might choose to visit a local apiary where you'll suit up as a beekeeper and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of bees. Your visit during this Impact Moment is guided by a family-run team dedicated to sustainable practices and the preservation of nature for future generations.

After a short flight*** from Ponta Delgada, Say bom dia (good morning) to Faial. Enjoy a stroll through Horta, where the marina and its painted murals reflect the island’s long significance to sailors on trans-Atlantic voyages. 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. End your afternoon with a tasting at a unique local winery, where volcanic soil lends a distinctive character to the wines and the setting is as memorable as the flavors.

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.

Board your flight to Terceira and say hello to the colorful capital of Angra do Heroísmo (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.

Start your day with a swim* in the natural volcanic pools of Biscoitos. Later, on your way to Algar do Carvão, 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 Carvão, the “Cavern of Coal,” feel the quiet stillness as you descend into this ancient lava tube. Enjoy the evening exploring Angra do Heroísmo as you wish.

Today 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.

Say farewell to the Azores archipelago as you head to Lisbon in continental Europe. Lisbon, known as the city of the seven hills, and the starting point of many of its 15th century explorations, was also the departure point of many of its immigrants that crossed the Atlantic searching for a better life.

Start your morning by exploring the majestic Ajuda Palace with a local expert. This elegant neoclassical residence, once home to Portuguese royalty, features opulent halls adorned with gilded furnishings and masterful artworks. As you wander through its grand salons, let the sweeping views over the Tagus River add a touch of magic to the experience. Your day continues with a guided tour of the vibrant heart of the city, Baixa. Discover the soul of Lisbon through its lively streets, during a walking tour. Stop to admire the scenic overlook at Praça do Comércio, where the city opens up to a breathtaking view of the river. Our city tour of Lisbon concludes around 1 p.m., after which you’re free to explore on your own. Close your adventure with dinner at a local restaurant.

Say adeus (goodbye) to Portugal and the Azores as you depart this coastal paradise.