Tour Overview

Please note that this package can be customized to meet your travel schedule and requirements. You may either add your changes to the comments section of the Book Now form or contact us to request your changes. 10 days/ 9 nights. Visit four of the most intriguing and scenic islands the Azores have to offer. See breathtaking crater lakes in the old volcanoes of Sao Miguel; explore the city of Angra do Heroismo in Terceira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; visit the quaint port of Horta, Faial; and stand below the awesome Pico Mountain on the Island of Pico. Enjoy the striking volcanic scenery, rich flora and fauna, and the peaceful way of life these islands are known for. Gain insight into the culture, history, and geography of these mystical islands. Our agents will make sure that you are well taken care of once you arrive. Remove the stress from travel and leave all the planning and details to us! "We had a wonderful 11 days in the Azores on April following the tour you arranged for us. We have relived the trip several times with our memories and photographs. The islands are very beautiful, each with their own character, both scenically and culturally. The hotels were beyond our expectation; the local cuisine in cafes and small restaurants caused some increase to our girths. But perhaps the most enjoyable part of the trip was the personal interaction with our guides who gave us an insight into the local history, culture, family life, and even politics as they tirelessly answered our endless questions." - John Jones, Australia

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Terceira

Transfer service from Terceira airport (aka Lajes) to Angra do Heroismo, about 24 kilometers away. 3 nights at a Hotel (4 stars). Terceira translates as "third", the third island to be discovered in the Azores archipelago. It's also the third largest in size. Walk the streets of Angra do Heroismo and you will feel transported back in time. This museum quality city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's snug harbor is protected by a volcanic cone which made Angra a major staging point for European ships bringing back the wealth of their New World colonies during the 16th to 18th centuries. In Angra, ships formed convoys to Europe as protection from pirates. Climb the hill behind the pretty public gardens for a grand view of the city and the volcanic cone of Monte Brasil.

Day 2 - Terceira | Full-day Tour of Terceira

Your driver/guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a full day tour of the island. Depart by the south coast to Praia da Vitoria via Porto Judeu, a small fishing village. Then stop at Sao Sebastiao and its 15th parish church. Nearby is an "imperio", a small chapel that is characteristic of the towns in the Azores. The Imperios are central to the religious festivals of the Holy Ghost (Espirito Santo) popular throughout the Azores. These festivals are of medieval origin but are now seldom seen in mainland Europe. Terceira boasts the most colorful imperio. Praia da Vitoria is a charming town with a main square and a pedestrian shopping street. Time for lunch (not included) in Praia. Take the mountain road up to Serra do Cume for a view of the rolling, multi-hued green fields, bordered by stone walls and hydrangeas and the harbor of Praia in the distance. Then to Algar do Carvao, a huge lava tube about 300 feet long with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is open June 1 through September 30. Continue to Biscoitos on the north coast to see the natural lava swimming pools. Return to your hotel by way of the typical villages of Altares, Doze Ribeiras and Sao Mateus.

Day 3 - Terceira

Day at leisure in Angra. Angra is a wonderful city to explore on foot. Take a taxi to Monte Brasil for a panoramic view of the city and follow walking trails past several old fortresses and a castle.

Day 4 - Terceira - Faial

Arrival transfer service from the airport to hotel. Spend 3 nights at a Hotel (4 stars) in Horta with daily buffet breakfast included. Since their discovery in the 14th century, the Azores Islands have played an important role as a staging and victualing point for ships crossing the Atlantic, an enviable location for nations with New World colonies. Many conflicts between colonizing nations (Portugal, Spain, England) took place near Horta. Today now peaceful Horta is famous for its yacht harbor, a haven for trans-Atlantic yachts and sailboats. Visiting crews paint the harbor walls with names and pictures of their vessels.

Day 5 - Faial | Half-day Tour of Faial

Your driver/guide will meet you in the lobby for your half-day island tour. Depart the hotel on the mountain road overlooking the Valley of Flamengos, toward Caldeira, the highest point on the island. Continue north to Capelinhos, site of the last volcanic eruption in the Azores. This 1957-58 event added 2 square km to the island. Earthquakes and ash destroyed much of the west side of the island prompting many islanders to emigrate to North America. The elements are slowly eroding the ash. There is a nearby museum detailing the eruption.

Day 6 - Faial/Pico/Faial | Full-day Tour of Pico

Transfer from the Hotel to the harbor for a 30 minute ferry trip to Pico. Pronounced "Peak" by Azoreans, the translation is exactly that. Meet your driver at the ferry dock in Madelena on Pico for a full day tour of the second largest island in the Azores. The island is dominated by the great bulk of Pico mountain. Islanders make good use of the black volcanic rocks to build houses and walls in a distinctive fashion. Pico was an important whaling station and there is a museum showing how islanders took to the seas in open boats in pursuit of the leviathans. Fortunately, tourists are now the only ones who go to sea to see the many species of whales in the islands. An unusual feature of Pico is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of acres of vineyards encircled by small, black volcanic rock walls to protect them from the salt winds and to collect extra heat. No lunch included. Return to Madelena in the afternoon for the ferry trip back to Horta and transfer back to the hotel.

Day 7 - Faial - São Miguel

Transfer service from your hotel to the airport for the short flight to São Miguel, the largest and most geographically diverse of the islands. Upon arrival in Ponta Delgada, you will be transferred to your hotel (4 stars) for the next 3 nights with daily buffet breakfast. Ponta Delgada is the largest city as well as the capital of the Azores. Urban sprawl is beginning to set in but the historic central part of the city is still charming. The hotel is well located for walks through the old section. Balance of the day at leisure.

Day 8 - São Miguel | Full-day Tour of Furnas

Your driver/guide will pick you up at your hotel for your full day trip to Furnas. Just outside of Ponta Delgada, the rural life of Sao Miguel dominates. Depart along the south road passing the village of Lagoa for a viewpoint at Caloura. Continue to Vila Franca, once the capital. Upon arrival in the Furnas area, visit the lake and hot springs, and see the holes in the ground where meals are cooked by underground steam. Pots full of various meats, sausages, potatoes, and vegetables are steamed for 7 hours to produce "Cozidos nas Caldeiras" (Caldera Stew). Continue to the charming town of Furnas for a lunch stop (lunch not included). Visit the beautiful botanical gardens established in the 18th century (entry fee not included) with the opportunity to swim in the hot springs swimming pool. Cross the island to the north coast, stopping for a fine view of both the south and north coasts from an interior highland. On the way, you will visit a tea plantation, the only one in Europe. Return to your hotel about 5:30pm.

Day 9 - São Miguel | Full-day Tour of Lagoa da Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo (Fire lake)

After meeting your driver/guide in the hotel lobby, head west to one of the most awesome natural sights in the world, the twin caldeira lakes of Sete Cidades for a full day tour with brunch included. The view from "Vista do Rei" (King's View) high on the crater's rim is stunning. Far below, next to the lakes, is the pretty village of Sete Cidades (Seven Cities, named for a mythical kingdom). Descend into the caldeira to visit the town, continuing the tour, stop at a pineapple plantation. The Azores are not warm enough to grow pineapples in the open but they thrive in the greenhouses with careful cultivation methods. Continue to the Fire Lake, the highest crater lake located in the center of the island, stop at Caldeira Velha, Ribeira Grande and return to Ponta Delgada. Rerturn to the hotel.

Day 10 - Departure

Check out in the late morning. The hotel will store your baggage for you. Day free for last minute shopping and sightseeing in Ponta Delgada before your transfer to the airport.

What's Included

Included:

9 Night Accommodations
Full-day tour of Terceira
Half-day tour of Faial
Full-day tour of Pico
Full-day tour to Furnas, Sao Miguel
Full-day tour to Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo with picnic, Sao Miguel
Transfers airport/hotel/airport
Roundtrip ferry tickets from Faial to Pico
Transfers hotel/harbor/hotel
Daily buffet breakfast
Airfare Terceira/Faial/Sao Miguel
Hotel tax and hotel service charge
One complimentary small food crate with local products (São Miguel Island only)
Sightseeing by private car with English speaking driver/guide

Not included:

International flights. Please contact us for additional price
Entrance fees to museums, lakes and parks
Meals other than breakfast

Dates & Rates

Choose a Package Type

For some packages you may be given a choice of different package types.

Superior/Premier – Includes first class 4-star lodging and Sea view rooms. Triple rooms won't be possible with sea view at Hotel do Canal, when this island is on the package.
Comfort/Standard – Includes 4-star tourist class lodging and standard rooms. May include first class 3-star lodging.
Each package has a Hotel small description. For more information, please visit the Hotel's webpage directly

Room Type

Solo = Person traveling alone
Single = Person staying in a single room traveling with one or more people. Single travelers share land services such as transfers and tours
Double = 2 Persons per room
Triple = 3 Persons per room

Departure Date	Solo Comfort	Solo Superior	Single Comfort	Single Superior	Double Comfort	Double Superior	Triple Comfort	Triple Superior
9/20/2024 - 10/6/2024	$4119	$4991	$3107	$3978	$2471	$2784	$1978	$2233
10/7/2024 - 11/2/2024	$3669	$4152	$2657	$3139	$2169	$2371	$1800	$1957
11/3/2024 - 12/22/2024	$3407	$3875	$2394	$2862	$1989	$2232	$1680	$1865
12/23/2024 - 12/31/2024	$4119	$4991	$3107	$3978	$2422	$2784	$1978	$2233

Rates are per person in US dollars
Rates don't include city taxes when applicable and must be paid directly to the hotel.
Package can start any day of the week and all year round.
Tours are provided in a Taxi up to 4 people. If you prefer a bigger vehicle, please let us know at the moment of the reservation for a new quote.
International flights are not included. Inter-Island flights are only included on the Multi-Islands packages and on the itinerary informed.
We don't book Seat Assignments. This service has an extra cost and needs to be done by the client with the airline directly after the tickets have been issued.
Private program, except in Flores Islands for the 5 Island Classic Tour
Day tours can be scheduled in a different order due to services organization.
Dates shown are for tour land departure. If you are taking an overnight flight to reach the tour departure city plan to book your flight one day earlier than date shown on table
Rates do include inter island Airfare as per the program.
Some Triple rooms can have the 3rd person on an extra bed that may not be too comfortable for an adult.
Triple rooms with sea view are not possible at Hotel do Canal ( Superior Category). We may book a different Hotel or change booking to a Double Sea View+ 1 triple Sea view - Price supplement to be informed.

General

Booking your vacation

While prices are shown in $U.S dollars, we can also charge in Euros at the prevailing currency conversion daily rate
Early booking is advised. Availability of accommodations and inter-island flight is limited especially in summer months
If hotels named in itinerary are not available at time of booking, alternate similar same rating properties will be confirmed, and subject to new quote.
Order of islands visited may need to be altered due to flight schedule changes
Unless otherwise indicated, sightseeing tours are by private car with English speaking driver. Other languages are available upon request
Quotations with different hotels have a non refundable deposit of $50. Deposit will be credited towards final booking price

Booking your Vacation with Air

International airfare for this package is additional to price shown on Rates table. Departure cities are limited to those serviced by SATA International (Azores Airlines)
If you want a quote for airfare to be included make sure to check yes when prompted during the booking/reservation request process

Booking Conditions

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $350 per person per vacation is required to book and hold both land and air for you.
Final payment is due 50 days before departure
Option to pay full price up front is available

Cancellation Policy - Land Portion

$350 per person if canceled up to 50 days prior departure.
25% of total reservation if cancelled 49-39 days prior departure plus any other additional fee.
50% of total reservation if canceled 38-31 days prior departure plus any other additional fee.
No refunds if canceled less than 30 days prior departure.

Cancellation Policy - Airfare

Airfare cancellation terms and conditions will be provided to you before ticket is booked

Refund Fees

A 3.9% credit card assessed fee will be subtracted from any refunded payment, including deposits refunded due to services requested not available for date of booking.

I want to book. What do I do next?

Click on the Book Now button to send your reservation request
No payment will be collected at this time
Our travel Associate will contact you via email to answer any questions and book your Package
If you don't plan to book at this time please click here to contact us with any questions or concerns about your trip or your holiday

Booking Changes

A fee of $35 per person, per transaction, will be charged for any revision or alteration made to a reservation after the booking is confirmed.
If the change increases the value of the booking, the $35 per person fee will be waived

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend you purchase travel/cancellation insurance

Hotels

Comfort Hotels

Angra do Heroismo - Hotel Cruzeiro

Hotel Cruzeiro, a 4 star Hotel, is the latest hotel unit to open in Angra do Heroísmo, Unesco World Heritage city, located 5-minute walk from various points of interest, such as the Angra bay, Sé Church, Old Town Square (Praça Velha), Museum, Pico da Memória, among others.

Wi-Fi access is available in all areas of the hotel.

The hotel has a restaurant and a bar, where lunches, dinners and snacks are served and private parking.

Horta - Hotel Horta

Located in the old Azorean town of Horta, the newly-renovated Hotel Horta offers views of Pico Island. It features rooms with balconies, a large garden and an outdoor pool.

Horta’s rooms are decorated in neutral colors, and have wooden furniture. Each of the air-conditioned rooms has a cable TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.

The hotel’s panoramic restaurant offers international and regional dishes. The bar and the lounge offer views of the outdoor pool, the pool bar and the garden.

Guests can rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding area. Horta is famous for the whale watching and the volcanoes of Capelinhos and Caldeira.

Horta Airport is 4.3 mi away, and the hotel provides free private parking on site.

Ponta Delgada - Hotel Ponta Delgada

Hotel Ponta Delgada is centrally located and only a 10-minute drive from the airport. Hotel Ponta Delgada features a family ambiance and comfortable furnishings. It features an indoor pool.

Air-conditioned rooms all open out on to a private balcony and are fitted with double-glass windows. All rooms include a TV set with cable channels and private bathrooms with walk-in shower or bathtub. Free WiFi access is available in all areas of the hotel.

The Ponta Delgada’s Baco Restaurant offers authentic cuisine from the Azores. The hotel’s bar has an esplanade, where guests can enjoy a refreshing drink or cocktail.

Guests can stroll in the narrow streets of the city center. Alternatively, they can dip in the hot tub or relax in the on-site hammam and sauna.

Superior Hotels

Horta - Hotel do Canal

The 4-star Hotel do Canal is situated in Horta on Faial Island. It is just 100 meters from the beach and offers panoramic views of Pico Mountain and the bay.

Soundproofed rooms are bright and have modern wood furnishings. They come equipped with cable TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Free fresh fruit and a bottle of mineral water are in the room upon arrival.

A well-equipped fitness center and massage treatments are available at the hotel. There is also a sauna and a Turkish steam bath. Staff at the 24-hour reception desk can arrange car rental.

Guests can enjoy a coffee and newspaper in the bar which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Clipper Restaurant offers all-day dining and local specialties.

Hotel do Canal is just 10 minutes’ walk from the Horta Marina and is a 10-minute drive from Horta Airport. Free private parking is possible on site.

Ponta Delgada - Hotel Marina Atlantico

Hotel Marina Atlantico is in the center of Ponta Delgada overlooking the marina and the harbor. There is an indoor pool and the rooms are modernly furnished with cable TV.

The spacious, contemporary guest rooms at Hotel Marina Atlantico are air conditioned and fitted with a minibar. The private bathrooms feature complimentary bathroom amenities.

The on-site fitness centre is well-equipped and features flat-screen TVs. Guests can relax in Marina Atlantico’s sauna, steam bath or with a massage.

With views of the marina, the hotel’s Escuna Restaurant serves traditional Portuguese meals. Palhabote Bar on the ground floor has refreshing drinks and light snacks.

Marina Atlantico also has a full-service business center, a 24-hour front desk and a car rental service.

Ponta Delgada Airport is just 3 km away.

Angra do Heroísmo - Pousada Castelo de S. Sebastiao

Pousada Castelo de S. Sebastiao is a 8-minute walk from the beach. Set on top of a cliff, Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao is a modern hotel housed in a 16th century Fortress known as Saint Sebastian's Little Castle. The Pousada offer rooms and one suite with modern décor and furnishing. The suite and some rooms include terraces with views over the sea and the Monte Brasil. All living units contain LCD TV and internet connection. There are 2 swimming pools: one for adults and the other for children. Guests can enjoy the regional cuisine while taking in views of the sea and pool area. The Pousada is located in the village centre of Angra do Heroísmo was classified World Heritage by UNESCO. Angra do Heroísmo also offers many activitiy options, such as marine hunting, diving, sport fishing and boat tours. Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao is located at a 23-minute drive from the Lajes International Airport.

Azores 4 Island Classic Tour: Visit Terceira, Faial, Pico and São Miguel islands