Tour Overview
Please Note
We created self-drive packages to provide our customers with pre-planned services that include accommodations, rental car, ferry and air tickets. We do not provide daily planning and itineraries. However we do recommend that you check information such as we have on our pages (click here) or purchase a guide book (click here). We also recommend you check our guided tours (click here) which are more descriptive of specific itineraries and places to visit.
Description
7 Days, 6 Nights. . Visit at your own pace these two islands, driving surrounded by the presence of volcanoes that shaped the land. Terceira is the second most populated island and the third biggest in surface after Sao Miguel and Pico. A large portion of Angra do Heroismo is included in the UNESCO's list World Patrimony since 1986. This city has the best public libraries and archives in Portugal as well some important private art collections. Faial, has seen its last volcano on 1957/58 which added 2.4 km² to the island, the ruined lighthouse and the roof of houses buried in the ashes, are an attraction. This island is also famous for its Marina and paintings, a former port for ships on transatlantic routes between Europe and the Americas.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Faial
Arrival and pickup the car (automatic transmission) at the airport. Check in at the hotel for 3 nights in Faial with breakfast included.
Day 2- 3 Faial
Points of interest :
- Cabecao Gordo – Located at the center of the island with an altitude of 3422 feet (1043 meters), offers amazing views of the neighboring islands of Pico and Sao Jorge.
- The Caldeira – An enormous crater with 6560 feet (2 km) diameter and 1300 feet (400 m) deep, classified as a natural reserve.
- Monte da Guia – A mountain from where you can have a look over the town; also a protected natural reserve.
- Ponta dos Capelinhos – One of Faial’s main tourist attractions. Here visitors can see the results of the eruption of 1957/8 which transformed the landscape, burying fields and houses. The old lighthouse can still be seen.
- Lajinha and Ponta Furada – Great attraction for their caves and strange lava arches, where the sea crashes violently against the rocks.
- Vale de Flamengos – Attractive area full of colorful plantations, flowers and picturesque houses.
- Scrimshaw Museum – This is a private collection belonging to the owner of the popular Peter’s. Over a hundred pieces are exhibited here, engraved with beautiful sailing boats, mermaids, images of whale-hunting, among many others.
- Horta Museum – Housed in the former Jesuit College, the museum is noted for its collection of fig wood, one of the island’s traditional handicrafts.
- Port of Horta – Built in 1876, this important sea-port is a principal port-of-call for many transatlantic yachts. The sea wall is of special interest as it is covered with hundreds of paintings and messages left by the sea-travelers who call in at the port.
Day 4 - Faial/ São Miguel
Check out from the hotel, leave the car at the airport and flight to Faial. Arrival to Ponta Delgada's Airport and pick up the car (automatic transmission). Check in at your hotel in São Miguel for 3 nights with breakfast included.
Day 5 - 6 São Miguel
Points of interest :
- Convent and chapel of Our Lady of Hope, known as “Convento de Esperanca” or simply Saint Christ’s Church (Igreja do Senhor Santo Cristo), is home to the magnificent statue of “Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres” (Christ of Miracles), the patron of the largest religious festival in the Azores.
- Sant’Ana Palace, a 19th century construction surrounded by beautiful gardens and currently the residence of the President of the Regional Government of the Azores (it is not open daily).
- Museum Carlos Machado in Ponta Delgada, an excellent institution with permanent exhibitions.
- Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). The hiker may reach the lake along well travelled paths.
- Ermida da Senhora da Paz (Our Lady of Peace Chapel), an authentic Marian sanctuary constructed on a hill provides an excellent view of the village and of the islet.
- The Ilheu (Islet) of Vila Franca do Campo, protected as a Natural Reserve, is approximately 1 km from the coastline. The “Ilheu” is also a great swimming hole.
- Furnas lake, surrounded by a beautiful flowered shore. The area of the Caldeiras (Hot Springs) at the Furnas lake, serve as a natural kitchen. Cooking by burying pots of food in the earth is a tradition that provides a fantastic meal of mixed meats and vegetables. In the town of Furnas the “Caldeiras” (hot springs) are even more spectacular. Many openings in the earth sprout geysers of boiling hot water.
- Terra Nostra Park, behind the hotel of the same name, is one of the most beautiful parks in Portugal and well known throughout Europe. This 18th century park consists of small lakes and streams, colorful and exotic flowers, vegetation and trees, as well as century old trees of great botanical value. The park also features a lake that works like a pool of thermal iron water where you can relax in hot water. Be prepared to pay an admission fee of around 5 euros.
- Nordeste (Northeast), is one of the most attractive municipalities in São Miguel. The look-out points of Ponta da Madrugada, Ponta do Sossego, Salto da Farinha, and the Ponta do Estorninho (among others) are worth stopping at to admire the flowers and the amazing landscape.
- Pico da Vara, the highest point on the island, with an altitude of 1105m, is a challenging one and a half to two hour walk along a path which offers magnificent scenery of nature in the most primitive form. Pico da Vara is considered Natural Reserve, and a previous authorization by the Regional Forestry Ministry may be required.
- Sete Cidades twin lakes, the biggest extinct volcano crater in the Azores with 12 km perimeter.
- Several beaches all over the island where you can swim, including Melicias (just outside Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande (Areal de Santa Barbara a popular surfing spot), Agua D’Alto (Agua de Pau), Vinha d’Areia (Vila Franca do Campo), Moinhos (Porto Formoso), Mosteiros, and Ribeira Quente.
Day 7 - São Miguel
Check out from the hotel and drop off the car at the airport.
What's Included
Included:
- 6 Night Accommodations
- 3 nights in Faial island
- 3 nights in São Miguel island
- Daily buffet breakfast
- 7 Days car rental
- Automatic transmission vehicle
- Unlimited kilometers
- Airport Taxes
- CDW and TP basic insurance
- 24 Hour assistance
- Airfare: Faial | Sao Miguel
Dates & Rates
| 2/23/2025 - 3/23/2025 | $1406 | $1137 | $857 | $768 | $1687 | $1418 | $966 | $824 |
| 3/24/2025 - 4/10/2025 | $1781 | $1419 | $1064 | $906 | $1687 | $1418 | $966 | $824 |
| 4/11/2025 - 5/23/2025 | $1781 | $1419 | $1064 | $906 | $1989 | $1628 | $1122 | $937 |
| 5/24/2025 - 5/28/2025 | $2354 | $1908 | $1345 | $1103 | $1989 | $1628 | $1122 | $937 |
| 5/29/2025 - 7/3/2025 | $2354 | $1908 | $1345 | $1103 | $2440 | $1994 | $1349 | $1121 |
| 7/4/2025 - 9/24/2025 | $2354 | $1908 | $1345 | $1103 | $3040 | $2594 | $1642 | $1392 |
| 9/25/2025 - 10/12/2025 | $2354 | $1908 | $1345 | $1103 | $2440 | $1994 | $1349 | $1121 |
| 10/13/2025 - 10/31/2025 | $2354 | $1908 | $1345 | $1103 | $2152 | $1705 | $1205 | $996 |
| 11/1/2025 - 12/31/2025 | $1590 | $1229 | $949 | $829 | Contact Us | Contact Us | Contact Us | Contact Us |
General
Booking your vacation
- While prices are shown in USA 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, rental car is included for all islands.
- 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
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 (RNET 6591) 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 - Pousada Forte da Horta
Just an 8 minute walk from the beach, The Pousada Forte da Horta is set in a 16th century fortress with a view of Horta Bay and Pico island. This Pousada features air conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, and a regional restaurant. Most of the rooms offer a view of the marina.
Classified as a National Monument since 1947, the Pousada Forte da Horta offers modern rooms with cable TV and a minibar. Each private bathroom is stocked with a hairdryer and bathrobe.
A breakfast buffet is served daily on the poolside veranda terrace. Guests may taste fried pork, tuna and passion fruit pie in Pousada Forte da Horta’s restaurant.
The swimming pool area is furnished with sun beds, tables and parasols. Indoors, there is a lounge with various seating areas and a bar with a piano.
The 24-hour reception offers car rentals and free on-site parking. The Horta Airport is just 5.4 miles from the Pousada Forte da Horta.
Ponta Delgada - Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel
Located in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel island, the Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel provides superior accommodations, excellent restaurant, bar, sauna, swimming pool, kid's club and private parking.
The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WIFI, each with a private bathroom, and is at a short walking distance to the center of town.
All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Each room includes a safety deposit box, while certain rooms will provide you with a balcony. At Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel every room includes bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning.
At Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel guests are welcome to use a sauna and a Turkish bath.
The attentive and professional reception staff speak English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, and are always on hand to help.
