The Azores for lovers – in “classic accommodations” 13-day Azores journey to the islands of Terceira,

International arrival on the island of Terceira. Drive to your beautiful accommodation, the 4-star Hotel Pousada Forte Angra do Heroísmo. It`s located in a former fortress on the edge of the pretty town of Angra do Heroísmo on the south coast of the island. A superior room with balcony and sea view awaits you. Fancy a welcome drink with sea view?

3 nights at Pousada Forte Angra do Heroísmo, superior double room sea view with breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast, set off on your individual tour of the island in your rental car. Whether along the coast or inland, there are various enchanting hidden spots and villages to be discovered. The island`s capital Angra do Heroísmo is definitely worth an extended visit. Another attraction of the island is the town of Praia da Vitória on the east coast, which provides one of the longest sandy beaches in the Azores.

Recommendations for your stay on Terceira:
Island tour: Get to know the third largest island in the archipelago on an island tour. Recommendable is a drive past green landscapes to the mountain lake Lagoa do Negro, next to which is a grotto worth visiting. In the village of Biscoitos on the northern coast of the island, a wine museum awaits you (but it`s only open at the owner's whim). Nearby, the natural swimming pool "Piscinas Naturais" invites you to marvel at the mighty Atlantic Ocean - and perhaps take a refreshing dip. We`d also highly recommend to pay a visit to the Algar do Carvão, a really impressive volcanic vent in the center of the island. The vent is around 100 meters deep and was nominated a regional natural monument. Visitors descend the lava tube via a staircase, past stalagmites and stalactites, surrounded by mosses, lichens and ferns. This cave, which hosts a small lake at its bottom, is thought to have been created around 2,000 years ago.
Angra do Heroísmo: Visit the unique island capital, the Renaissance town of Angra do Heroísmo, whose city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It impresses with its extraordinary architecture, manor houses, palaces, parks and a picturesque bay. The city's history is very interesting and a visit to the city museum is definitely worthwhile. Go for a hike or drive by car, up to the 205 metre-high local mountain "Monte Brasil". It provides a great view of Angra do Heroísmo and the south coast of Terceira.

INCLUDED FOR YOU, SEA KAYAK TOUR (HALF-DAY): this sea kayak tour is appropriate for all those who want to have their first experience with a sea kayak in the Atlantic Ocean. In the sheltered bay of Praia da Vitória you will find the best conditions for this activity. Enjoy your first trip on the water. Observe how the white color of the city contrasts with the green of the landscape in the background. Take in the unique blue color of the Atlantic Ocean as you glide along. During this peaceful and relaxing tour, you will also have the opportunity to take a dip in the ocean.

Distance: approx. 6 km
Included services: certified English-speaking guide, kayak with paddle, life jacket, packsack, insurance

Drive back to the airport, return of your rental car and flight to the beautiful island of Pico. The flight takes about 35 minutes. Acquire your rental car directly at the airport. Drive to your beautiful and stylish accommodation, an apartment (with breakfast) in the relatively new Vinhas do Calhau complex, which is idyllically situated in the bay of the same name. There is no doubt that togetherness and romance are guaranteed. If there is availability, we will of course book an apartment with a sea view for you.

4 nights Vinhas do Calhau, apartment with breakfast

Enjoy your days on the second largest island in the archipelago, which is also known as "Ilha Negra", the black island, due to its many black lava rocks. The nature is very different from that of the other islands. In addition to the recommendations listed below, the island of Pico offers wonderful natural bathing spots in the sea, which will give you great pleasure in the summer months. Snorkeling is also wonderful and you can marvel at the diversity of marine life. Unfortunately, there are almost no sandy beaches on the island...

Recommendations for your stay on Pico:
The museums on the island are absolutely worth a visit: the Wine Museum, housed in an old Carmelite Convent in the main town of Madalena, gives information on the history of the cultivation and production of wine. In the convent’s garden there is the largest dragon tree colony of Macaronesia. Some of the trees are between 500 and 800 years old. On the north coast of the island, in São Roque, there is a former whale-processing factory, now converted into a museum. And on the south coast of Pico, in Lajes, there is a whaler’s museum that provides interesting information about the history of whaling on the island.
Lajido: a walk through the former wine production village makes you realize that you are in the heart of the wine-growing area. The play of colors of the grey-black lava stone walls, the green vines and fig trees, as well as the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean is very impressive. It’s easy to understand why UNESCO has classified this area as a World Heritage Site; some elements of the 18th century, which was the peak of Pico's wine-growing era, are still visible.
Gruta das Torres: it’s the longest lava tube in Portugal and one of the longest ones in Europe. The cave is located south of Madalena near Criação Velha. A guided tour through the cave gives interesting insights into Azorean volcanism and the emergence of the islands. Equipped with a helmet and flashlight, you can marvel at the beautiful shapes several lava flows have created. Pico’s fantastic hiking trails invite walkers to explore the island’s beautiful unspoiled nature. The days of your visit will pass quickly...
One of the most impressive hikes is the climb of the Pico Mountain; with its 2.351 m the highest mountain in Portugal. The challenging hike starts at the foot of the mountain in the highlands of the island. After an arduous climb, which takes about 3.5 hours (about 1,100 meters in altitude), you will be rewarded with a magnificent view. With good visibility you can see all islands of the central group. The descent, after, is no less laborious. In good physical condition, the climb of the Pico Mountain is a highlight of any Azores holiday. Contact us for more information; you can climb the mountain by yourself, or book a package with us that includes: English speaking licensed mountain guide, admission, insurance, lunch box and transfer from/to accommodation...

INCLUDED FOR YOU: WHALE- AND DOLPHINWATCHING. A holiday in the Azores is, in some ways, “incomplete” without a trip to the world of giant marine mammals. They pass the Azores on their migration routes and they like to take a (long) break in the Azores, due to the abundance of fish. The most common whale is the sperm whale. Like other whale and dolphin species, the sperm whale is native to the area and lives all year round in the waters around the Azores. A male sperm whale grows up to 20 meters long. It’s very likely to get to see dolphins, who like to accompany the excursion boats and play with the waves those create. Commercial whaling on the islands came to an end at the beginning of the 1980s. Today, fortunately everything "only" revolves around observing the giants of the oceans. The half-day trip takes place from/to Horta in a rigid inflatable boat (Zodiac/semi rigid) with the company Naturalist. Please note that trips in rigid inflatable boats are not suitable for small children (under 6 years of age), pregnant women or people with severe back problems. We`ll be happy to alternatively book a trip on the island of São Miguel in a larger excursion boat. Please let us know.
From November to March the tour must take place on the island of São Miguel, as the provider on Faial is closed over the winter months.

In the morning take the ferry from the ferry port in Madalena to the neighboring island of Faial. The passage only takes about 30 minutes. After arriving at the ferry port in Horta, acquire your rental car for your day on Faial. In the afternoon, drop-off your rental car at the ferry port and trip back to Pico.

Recommendations for your stay on Faial:
Capelinhos: After a leisurely breakfast, head to Capelinhos, the site where the volcanic eruption of 1957/58 took place. Even today, the bizarre lunar landscape and the old lighthouse, which has been dug up again from the second floor, are reminiscent of that time. A visit of the impressive underground volcano museum, which includes an ascent of the restored lighthouse, provides a lot of information about volcanism in general and about Faial in particular. The lighthouse and other viewpoints around it provide spectacular views of the New Land. A walk on the grounds of Capelinhos, paved with dark ashes, is worthwhile.
Caldeira: Also highly recommendable is a visit of the large Caldeira, an impressive collapsed crater, situated in the center of the island. Its highest spot has an altitude of about 1,000 meters. The collapsed crater is one of the most imposing craters of the Azores, with a diameter of about 1.4 km, and with almost vertical walls. We recommend a circular walk along the crater (approx. 3 hour walk), which starts and ends at the parking lot. When the view is clear, it provides fascinating views.
Discover the cosmopolitan yachting town of Horta: Horta has a number of museums worth a visit that you can take a day to visit: the Whale Museum, a former whale processing factory on the bay of Porto Pim; the Scrimshaw Museum, displaying art on sperm whale teeth, on the 1st floor of the Peter Café Sport; and the Town Museum (in a former monastery building together with the main church), in which filigree artwork made from fig tree marrow, as well as filigree paper cuttings are particularly interesting. The island's small botanical garden, located between Horta and the town of Flamengos, provides detailed information about the island`s endemical plants. Why not take a stroll through the picturesque town with its many historical buildings or visit the fascinating marina with its sailors' paintings - both absolutely worthwhile!

Drive back to the airport, return of your rental car and flight to the island of São Miguel. The flight will take about 50 minutes. Acquire your new rental car directly at the airport. Drive to the north coast, where your home for the next few days is located - the 5-star Hotel Verde Mar & Spa, which only opened at the beginning of July 2019. A room with a sea view awaits you there.
There is a wide range of accommodation available on São Miguel, so please contact us if you are interested in a different type of accommodation.

5 nights Hotel Verde Mar & Spa, double room sea view with breakfast

Explore the beautiful spots of the island at your own pace with your rental car. It’s recommendable to set out to the east, the central area and the west. In addition to the suggestions below, there are many beautiful little sandy beaches and natural bays on the island; ideal if you travel in summer!

Recommendations for your stay on São Miguel: discover the west of the island. The highlight is the legendary crater lakes near Sete Cidades. Enjoy the great view of the lakes Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde from the Vista do Rei viewpoint, 550 meters above sea level. There are also beautiful hiking trails in the area, such as a hike on the crater rim. On the way back towards Ponta Delgada, you can visit a pineapple plantation where deliciously flavored delicacy pineapples are grown in greenhouses. The only ones in the world!
Get to know Ponta Delgada, the capital of the island of São Miguel, on your own. There are interesting buildings from over 500 years of history to marvel at. It's worth taking a walk along the beautiful, black and white patterned pavements through the historic old town with its decorated balconies, colorful market, lively squares, winding alleyways, beautiful gardens and a multitude of churches. It`s definitely worth climbing the tower of the town hall, where you have a wonderful view over the city and the ocean. There are also interesting museums to visit, such as the Carlos Machado Museum, a monastery convent with the largest wooden altar in Portugal. A colorful selection of different restaurants provide options for every taste.
Explore the valley and the town of Furnas. Enjoy the charm of the traditional spa town of Furnas, featuring over 20 hot springs. Try the "Cozido" stew, which is steam-cooked with geothermal heat, dug into the ground. Take a walk through the Terra Nostra Park, which many consider to be Europe's most beautiful botanical garden, and enjoy a dip into the park’s natural thermal pool which provides a constant temperature of 38 degrees Celsius. The close by Lake of Furnas invites you to leisurely walks; right at the lake there is the place where the Cozido stew is cooked in the ground.
The lake Lagoa do Fogo. The secluded "lake of fire" is situated in about 600 m height in a crater, in the uninhabited interior of the island. From several viewpoints on the mountain road, you can marvel at the impressive lake and the beautiful colors of nature. The crater lake is considered to be one the most beautiful ones of the entire Azores.
The north-east of the island – Nordeste. Head north-east and make a detour to the "Chá Gorreana" tea factory. There are a total of two tea plantations in the Azores (the only ones in Europe), but only "Chá Gorreana" can look back on a 125-year tradition It is worth visiting the factory and also taking the easy circular walk through the tea fields. Along the north coast you reach Nordeste. It`s a friendly, small place that is still largely undiscovered by tourists. Feel like going for a hike? North of Nordeste, in Lomba da Fazenda, a small circular hiking trail begins that takes you through the Ribeira da Guilherme valley.

INCLUDED FOR YOU: COZIDO AND TERRA NOSTRA PARK
Enjoy the "Cozido" stew for lunch, which is cooked with geothermal heat in dug and fixed holes in the ground. After, take a walk through the large “Terra Nostra Park”, which many consider to be Portugal's most beautiful botanical garden. More than 2,000 different plants that cover an area of over 12 hectares can be discovered. Enjoy a dip in the natural thermal bath inside the park. It is a ferruginous thermal pool which has a constant temperature of 38 degrees Celsius all year around.

It's time to say goodbye to the Azores. Drive to the airport, drop off your rental car and flight home.