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.

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 with a hands-on experience before an evening of leisure in São Miguel.

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.

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.

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, visit the Ajuda National Palace, a former royal residence showcasing elegant neoclassical design and richly decorated rooms that reflect Portugal’s royal heritage. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon as you wish before gathering tonight for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

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