Robin Giddings
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival at Ponta Delgada
Upon arrival at Ponta Delgada airport, your welcoming guide will greet you outside customs and transfer you to the serene Senhora da Rosa, Tradition and Nature Hotel.
Indulge in the ultimate relaxation experience as you enjoy a luxurious full-body scrub and massage at the onsite spa. Unwind in the sauna and Turkish bath, or treat yourself to revitalizing and moisturizing treatments with organic products before enjoying dinner and a relaxing evening.
Overnight Senhora da Rosa
Day 2
Exploring Ponta Delgada
After breakfast, meet your guide and get ready to learn about the history and culture of Ponta Delgada, the Azores' largest city. On foot, stroll through the city’s streets, stopping to explore key landmarks like the Forte de São Brás, the São Francisco Square with the Convento da Esperança, and the iconic three-arched city gates, called Portas da Cidade. Pause to marvel at beautiful churches, the vibrant Mercado da Graça, and the scenic marina.
In the afternoon, savor a private lunch at a historical family home that dates back to the early 19th century. Today, the welcoming space has become a place to slow down, enjoy life's simple pleasures, and feel the warmth of genuine hospitality. Enjoy your homemade lunch while you learn about the house’s history, character, and heart.
Overnight Senhora da Rosa
Day 3
Furnas Valley
The day begins with an adventure in the treetops! Set within the forests near Lagoa das Furnas, the Azores TreeTop Park features five aerial circuits designed for different ages and skill levels. Navigate rope bridges, suspended obstacles, and zip lines as you make your way through the canopy, experiencing this corner of São Miguel from a completely different perspective.
Then, it's time to discover the volcanic heart of Furnas, where geothermal activity has shaped both the landscape and local traditions for centuries. Begin with views over the crater and lake from Pico do Ferro before descending into the valley to explore steaming fumaroles and sample the area's naturally carbonated mineral waters. Enjoy a traditional Furnas Cozido, a hearty stew slow-cooked underground using the earth's geothermal heat.
In the afternoon, wander through the botanical collections and winding paths of Terra Nostra Garden, then unwind with a soak in its iron-rich thermal pool. Following your hot springs dip, roam around the lagoon and stroll through the center of the parish. After experiencing what it is like to live with a volcano as a neighbor, you'll return to to Ponta Delgada.
Overnight Senhora da Rosa
Day 4
Pico Island
This morning your driver will transfer you from your accommodation to the airport as your next destination awaits.
Shortly after arriving on Pico Island, set off on a scenic hike that will reveal the unique wine production heritage of the island. Walk about 10.8 km through UNESCO World Heritage recognized vineyard landscapes shaped by lava flows and centuries of tradition. Along the way, discover stone walls, wine cellars, tidal wells, and relics like "rola-pipas" and "relheiras." The route also offers views of Pico Mountain and the offshore islets, all while immersed in an area where volcanic rock and salty air give rise to a truly distinctive wine.
You’ll then taste the delightful wines you’ve learned about during the hike. Pause at Solar do Brum, the most representative old residence in the history of viticulture in the Azores. Sample four different wines alongside a cheese board. Then, head to your accommodation for the evening, located on a beautiful winery. Spend your evening diving even deeper into the world of wine.
Overnight Azores Wine Company
Day 5
Hiking Pico Mountain
Today you will hike the highest point in Portugal, Pico Mountain, standing 7,700 feet (2,300m) above sea level. This magnificent composite volcano reaches almost twice the height of other mountains in the Azorean archipelago.
The colossal crater spans 1600 feet (500m) in diameter and descends 100 feet (30m). Within the crater lies the "Piquinho" (Small Mountain), a 230-foot (70m) high volcanic cone. Interestingly, eruptions have left their mark on the volcano's sides rather than within the crater itself, adding to the mystique of this geological wonder.
During your hike, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding islands of São Jorge, Graciosa, and Faial. Savor a picnic lunch in the crater of Pico, then descend back to your accommodation.
Overnight Azores Wine Company
Day 6
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Today you'll have an unforgettable day of whale and dolphin watching, giving you insight into the Azores' diverse marine wildlife.
This experience is the perfect blend of excitement, discovery, and scientific knowledge, with a chance to observe some of the 28 species of whales and dolphins found in the Azores. Spring offers a special chance to see migratory baleen species like Blue, Fin, and Sei whales. You'll be accompanied by a professional team of skilled skippers and biologists, ensuring you gain unique insights into these magnificent animals.
In the afternoon, you can wander through Lajes do Pico, a charming sea-side village that was once the whaling capital of the Azores. Learn more about the history of the area and explore local culinary delights as you'd like. Then, you'll have a transfer back to your accommodation.
Overnight Azores Wine Company
Day 7
Faial
Take a morning ferry to Faial Island, a scenic 30-minute crossing from Madalena to Horta, and spend the day exploring the island's volcanic landscapes and natural beauty. Begin with a hike around the Caldeira do Faial, a dramatic volcanic crater with views across the Triangle Islands. During the approximately three-hour walk along the island's highest ridge, your guide will introduce the area's geology and native plant life. If weather conditions are unsuitable, the hike will be replaced with the scenic Praia do Norte Trail.
Afterward, enjoy a traditional Azorean lunch in the village of Cedros before continuing by road through some of Faial's distinctive landscapes. Visit Fajã da Praia do Norte, where there may be be an opportunity for an ocean swim, and end the day at Capelinhos Volcano. Formed by the 1957–58 eruption, this striking landscape offers insight into the powerful volcanic forces that continue to shape the island. In the evening, return to Pico on the ferry from Horta to Madalena.
As you conclude today's adventures, return to your accommodation for a relaxing evening.
Overnight Azores Wine Company
Day 8
São Miguel
Today you'll bid farewell to Pico Island as you transfer to the airport for your flight to São Miguel and a relaxing day at Sensi Nature & Spa Hotel. Once an old farmhouse, today, the property has been resorted into a tranquil, exclusive retreat. Gaze out at the Atlantic Ocean from your room's heated plunge pool, enjoy an outdoor massage on your private deck, and, for dinner, savor Azorean cuisine made with local ingredients.
Overnight Sensi Nature & Spa Hotel
Day 9
Sete Cidades
Today, it’s time for a full day of adventure in the Sete Cidades volcanic complex, where volcanic craters, lakes, and rolling green landscapes create one of São Miguel's most iconic settings. Travel by jeep to panoramic viewpoints, including Pico do Carvão, Pico da Cruz, and Vista do Rei, and spend time in the village of Sete Cidades, nestled within the crater.
Then experience the landscape from a different perspective by kayak and electric bike. Paddle across the tranquil waters of the crater lake before cycling along scenic trails that wind through the caldera. Choose from routes suited to your interests and fitness level, from gentle lakeside rides to more challenging climbs with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The electric bikes make it easy to explore more of this remarkable volcanic region while staying immersed in nature.
Pause for a catered picnic lunch by the lakeshore before returning to your hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight Sensi Nature & Spa Hotel
Day 10
Departure Day
Your private driver will transfer you to the airport for your international flight home, ending your adventurously romantic getaway to the Azores!
