Leslie Hsu Besner and Family
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
WELCOME TO THE AZORE ISLANDS
Upon arrival at Ponta Delgada airport, your guide and driver will be waiting for you outside of customs. They’ll transfer you 40 minutes in a private vehicle to the village of Furnas, located in the center of the island.
Use your first day to relax by the outdoor thermal pool, get a massage, or wander through the beautiful gardens at the award-winning Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.
Overnight Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Day 2
LAKE OF FURNAS
Start your morning with a canoe adventure on Furnas Lake. Take in the serenity of your surroundings until you reach a location on the riverbank to find fumaroles and geothermal springs. The local people have cooked traditional stews in this ground for generations.
After a picnic lunch, it’s time to explore the secrets of São Miguel Island. Go canyoning to find the hidden waterfalls and streams; wade through water, jump into crystal clear pools, crawl between rocks and rappel down waterfalls. Have fun in nature’s playground.
Finish the day at your hotel where you’ll find a delicious traditionally cooked stew waiting for you.
Overnight Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Day 3
PONTA DELGADA
Early this morning following breakfast, check out of your hotel for the journey to the Ponta Delgada area. Your guide will bring you to Ponta Delgada marina for a six-hour private ocean expedition.
There are around 27 species of whales and dolphins which you can spot in these waters throughout the year. Depart on a Zodiac speedboat to get close to these majestic creatures with your professional crew of skippers, biologists, and lookouts.
As well as spotting whales and dolphins, the team will also bring snorkeling gear as the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins may arise.
Overnight Hotel Azor
Day 4
SETE CIDADES
Today you will travel to the west of São Miguel Island to Sete Cidades. The area is well known for its seven volcanic lakes and contrasting scenery of mountain and ocean views.
Sete Cidades is a spectacular location for horse riding, which you’ll do for the majority of the day. Regardless of your riding level, you’ll be allocated a horse to suit your experience.
Stop for a lakeside picnic before the drive to Ferraria. Black sand beaches, thermal hot springs by the ocean, and a spa with a view will give you time to rejuvenate.
Overnight Hotel Azor
Day 5
TERCEIRA ISLAND
Early this morning, you’ll be transferred to Ponta Delgada airport for your 30-minute flight to Terceira Island. Upon arrival, your private transfer will be waiting to take you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angra do Heroísmo. Your guide will teach you about the heritage of Portugal, and the significance of this island during the maritime expansion of Portugal.
You’ll have the afternoon to use at your leisure — rest in the hotel, wander through the town, or take a two-hour hike to Monte Brasil, a volcanic mountain with views of Angra.
Overnight Quinta Da Nasce Agua
Day 6
TERCEIRA ISLAND
Get ready for an exciting day taking the backroads into the interior of the island most travelers don’t even know exist. After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, jump into a Jeep for this thrilling experience. These all-terrain vehicles have been built for off-roading, which makes the ride a comfortable one. Explore the narrow, off the beaten paths lined with blue hydrangeas, towering trees, or basaltic stone walls. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop along the way to take in the impressive views and to admire the unique flora surrounding you.
After working up an appetite, satisfy your hunger with an outdoor BBQ lunch of traditional Portuguese food and wine.
This afternoon, there will be time to see volcanic caves located in the center of the island.
Overnight Angra Do Heroismo
Day 7
PICO ISLAND
Your driver will transfer you to the airport for a short 20-minute flight to Pico Island. Your guide and driver will be waiting to take you directly to a vineyard to begin your full-day winery tour on this magnificent island. Roam from winery to winery through villages constructed of volcanic stone and lava bed vineyards – you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.
Your guide will help you have a deeper understanding of the Pico wine culture as you appreciate the aroma, color, taste, smell, and texture of the globally recognized wines of Pico.
If the weather permits, you may even get the chance to cool off in shimmering blue water created by lava flows.
Overnight Baia Da Barca T2 Apartment
Day 8
Pico Island
Today you will hike to Mount Pico, which towers over the island. Pico, meaning “peak” in Portuguese, is the highest point in the Atlantic.
The climb is adjusted to cater for you and your family but is well worth the effort. You’ll be rewarded with remarkable views of Pico Island and the surrounding islands.
Return to your hotel to rest for the remainder of your evening.
Overnight Baia Da Barca T2 Apartment
Day 9
Ponta Delgada
After a leisurely breakfast, your guide will bring you back to the capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada. Today will be a day for you to relax, catch up on shopping, or to take a stroll through this gorgeous city.
Overnight 5 Star Unit
Day 10
Departure Day
Depending on the time of your flight, your driver will collect you for the transfer to Ponta Delgada airport, where you’ll connect with your international flight home.
