On the tracks of bubbling sources; volcanism and geology (guesthouses)

Acquire your rental car directly at the airport and drive across the island to the Renaissance town of Angra do Heroísmo, the main town of Terceira. Your accommodation, a guesthouse or small city hotel will be located centrally in Angra’s beautiful historic old town, nominated as UNESCO World Heritage.
2 nights including breakfast, guesthouse in Angra do Heroísmo

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.

It’s time to say goodbye to Terceira. Drop-off of your rental car at the airport, after by domestic flight to the island of Pico. There you’ll receive your rental car at the airport, directly after arrival. A drive along the north coast will take you to your cozy, familiar guesthouse, which is located in the idyllic village of Prainha.
3 nights including breakfast, guesthouse in Prainha

Pico, also known as the Black Island due to its many widely visible lava rocks, offers excellent opportunities to explore volcanism and geology. A visit to the lava cave Gruta das Torres is an absolute must. It’s the largest and longest lava tube in Portugal and also one of the longest ones in Europe. Various lava formations and structures can be explored during the approximately 1-hour guided tour through the cave. An informative film about Pico and its volcanism will be shown before visiting the cave. A walk through the wine-growing area of the island (a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its ancient traditions) is very recommendable. In past times, the wine of the Verdelho grape was exported to the tsars of Russia. On the coast, next to the wine-growing area, impressive old lava rocks can be found. The former lava flow is very well visible. Since Pico is one of the world's best destinations for whale and dolphin watching, a half-day whale watching trip should not be missed. And how about an ascent of the Pico Mountain, with its 2.351 meters the highest mountain in Portugal? Majestically, he towers over the island.

Enjoy a few last impressions of the island of Pico during your drive to the ferry terminal. After handing-in the rental car, approximately half hour ferry trip to Horta, the main town of the island of Faial. Right after arrival at the ferry terminal you’ll receive your new rental car; short drive to your guesthouse in the center of the town. Explore the town of Horta with its cosmopolitan atmosphere and its marina, which is accessed by sailors from all over the world. The harbor walls have been decorated by many unique and colorful pictures, painted by the sailors. Also very special is the atmosphere in the "Peter Café Sport", probably the most famous bar in the Atlantic, and far more than just a meeting place for sailors from all over the world. A visit is undoubtedly worthwhile.
2 nights including breakfast, guesthouse in Horta

After a leisurely breakfast a drive to Capelinhos could be on the schedule, 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. 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. Don’t forget to explore the world-famous sailing destination Horta with its marina.

It's time to say goodbye. With your rental car you are free to explore until the very end of your stay. Drop off your rental car either at the airport or the ferry port, adaptable to your onward journey.