AZORES – 3 ISLAND TOUR – TourCrafters Blog

São Miguel, Faial & Pico

Small Group

7 Days / 6 Nights

Itinerary:

DAY 1: São Miguel: Transfer from the airport to the hotel (hotel in Ponta Delgada), followed by a walking tour through the city along these locations, Mother of God Chapel which has a superb view over the city; Market of Graça, where the pineapples are the highlights, one of the most iconic exports from the island, and a way to understand the staple diet of the Micaelenses. Then we go to the Portas do Mar, inaugurated in 2008, it is a national and international tourism landmark of the Azores, a new leisure area, with shops, restaurants, etc, and then to the City Gates an ex-libris of the city of Ponta Delgada, built in the 18th century, they function as a visiting card. Continuing our visit it is time to make a stop at the Campo de São Francisco, which is a large square where we can find the Nossa Senhora da Esperança Convent that is connected to the worship of the Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, founded in the 16th century but still in operation today, and the São José Church. After lunch we will visit one of the most beautiful and iconic gardens of the city, the Antonio Borges Garden, a public park with tree species from all over the world. Then we will visit the Igreja do Colégio, where we can find the Centre of Sacred Art of the Carlos Machado Museum, before passing through the Antero de Quental Garden, named in honor of the Azorean writer. It is time to rest and return to the hotel.

DAY 2: São Miguel – Furnas: Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Furnas through the south coast, with a stop in Caloura, a bathing area, which delights those who go there for the baths, by the fisheries harbor, whose name originates from the fact that it feels very hot around there! After which we pass by the Agua D’Alto beach, one of the most beautiful and biggest sandy beaches of the island. Our next stop is in Vila Franco do Campo, in the viewpoint of the Nossa Senhora da Paz Church. At 12:30pm we arrive at Furnas to view the removal of the stew cooked in the hot springs of the Lagoa das Furnas, at 1:00pm lunch in the Caldeiras e Vulcões restaurant. After lunch it is time to spend some energy, and there is nothing better than a stroll across the Furnas calderas to the magnificent botanical garden of the Terra Nostra Park, which has one of the world’s largest collections of camellias and a source of thermal water that feeds the pools of the park, and finally to the José do Canto Garden, which has as its backdrop the beautiful Lagoa das Furnas. Return to Ponta Delgada.

DAY 3: São Miguel – Sete Cidades: Breakfast at the hotel and then departure for a Jeep tour and to visit the Lagoa do Fogo, which is one of the largest lagoons in the Azores and the second largest of São Miguel Island, classified since 1974 as a natural reserve, to Caldeira Velha, a natural monument which is a biosphere reserve, it boasts breathtaking waterfalls and a natural thermal water pool. One of the most visited sites on the island nowadays. Then we go to the plantation of the Gorreana Tea (the oldest tea factory in Europe and currently the only one) where you will be able to visit the factory, plantations and also taste the tea. Departure to Sete Cidades, with a stop at the Grota do Inferno viewpoint, which has one of the most beautiful landscapes of the island due to being at 1000m of altitude. Stop at the Vista do Rei viewpoint, known due to the fact that on the 6th July 1901, the King D. Carlos and Queen D. Amelia were there, a visit to the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal a place of excellence for lovers of sport in nature, and then to the village of Mosteiros, a picturesque parish where the sunset is unmatched. Finally visit the Thermal baths of Ferraria, a thermal complex, where there are many outdoor activities, Spa or thermal baths. Return to the hotel.

DAY 4: Faial Island: Transfer to the airport and flight to the island of Faial. Transfer to the Hotel and then a walking tour through the city of Horta with stops at the following locations, Monte da Guia, classified as a Special Protection Area, which has a magnificent view over Horta. Visit to the Casa dos Dabney, the Aquarium of Porto Pim, a live fish station, the Horta Marina and the Whale Factory, where it is possible to see the various areas where the different phases of full processing of sperm whales were made. After lunch, a visit to the Scrimshaw Museum which displays a magnificent collection of carved and engraved whale and sperm whale teeth. Return to the hotel.

DAY 5: Faial Island: Breakfast at the hotel and departure to observe cetaceans, one of the most sought-after activities by those who visit this island. After lunch, visit the Capelinhos Volcano and the respective interpretation center (best museum in Europe in 2012). Return to the hotel.

DAY 6: Faial / Pico Island: Breakfast at the hotel and boat trip to the island of Pico. Visit to Madalena, where the vineyard represents a true masterpiece of human creativity! Then visit the Wine Museum, located in the former Convent of the Carmelites, inaugurated in 1999, it is one of the most important elements of the history and the economy of the island of Pico. After lunch, visit to Gruta das Torres, a geological formation of volcanic origin, to the forestry reserve of the Mistérios de São João, to the Lajes do Pico and the Whaling Museum. Arrival at the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 7: Pico Island: Breakfast at the hotel and visit to Calheta do Nesquim, the lighthouse at the Ponta da Ilha, the largest and most iconic lighthouse on the Island of Pico, Santo Amaro, Prainha and São Roque do Pico (Whaling industry museum). Visit to Santa Luzia, to Lajido and Cachorro, with wine tasting in the cellar a Buraca.

Transfer to the airport of Pico.

* END OF OUR SERVICES *

Package Includes:

03 nights at 4* hotel in bed & breakfast – Ponta Delgada (São Miguel)
02 nights at 4* hotel in bed & breakfast – Horta (Faial)
01 nights at 4* hotel in bed & breakfast – Pico
Private transfer in Ponta Delgada from the airport to the hotel
Private transfer in Ponta Delgada from the hotel to the airport
Private transfer in Horta from the airport to the hotel
Private transfer in Pico from the hotel to the airport
Half day walking tour in Ponta Delgada
Full day tour to Furnas with traditional lunch
Full day Jeep tour to Lagoa do Fogo, Caldeira Velha, Sete Cidades with lunch
Half day walking tour in Horta
3-hour whale and dolphin watching + Half day Capelinhos with lunch
Full day visit in Pico (Ouest) with lunch
Full day Visit in Pico (East) with lunch
Ferry Ticket from Faial to Pico
Flight ticket in economy class from Ponta Delgada to Horta only (airport taxes and 1 piece of luggage up to 20 kg included)
Entrance Fees mentioned in the program
Guide assistance during the mentioned transfers and tours (except flights and ferry trip)

*Package descriptions and pricing are subject to change without notice.