Azores Island Escape

PONTA DELGADA | FURNAS

Discover the natural beauty of the Azores, from vibrant Ponta Delgada to the emerald crater lakes and forested trails of São Miguel. Explore scenic coastal villages and sweeping viewpoints, before ending in Furnas, where geothermal springs and lush gardens await.

Overview
Itinerary
Included

Home > Europe > Portugal > Azores Island Escape

PONTA DELGADA | FURNAS

Experience the natural beauty of the Azores, from vibrant Ponta Delgada to the emerald crater lakes and forested trails of São Miguel. Explore dramatic coastlines, charming villages, and breathtaking viewpoints as you journey across the island’s lush landscapes. Along the way, experience local traditions, scenic hikes, and unforgettable Atlantic vistas, before ending in Furnas, where geothermal springs, botanical gardens, and timeless island culture create a relaxing and memorable finale.

Highlights:

Mercado da Graça market and historic walking tour in Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Sete Cidades crater lakes hiking trail on São Miguel Island, Portugal
Lagoa do Fogo volcanic crater lake hike with picnic lunch, Portugal
Nordeste scenic coastal viewpoints and Gorreana Tea Factory visit on São Miguel Island, Portugal
Terra Nostra Garden visit and geothermal springs experience in Furnas, Portugal

Itineraries are fully customizable. Pricing available upon request, based on two (2) passengers travelling together sharing one room.
Subject to availability at time of booking. Blackout periods apply. Not valid during trade shows, bank holidays and other special events.
International airfare not included. **European city/tourist taxes collected locally unless otherwise indicated.
For full terms and conditions, click here.

Azores Island Escape

Travel itinerary

PONTA DELGADA | FURNAS

Day 1

PONTA DELGADA, PORTUGAL

Arrival in Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, a city where old-world charm meets island adventure. Transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.

Açores Atlântico Grand Hotel

★★★★★

Day 2

Breakfast

PONTA DELGADA

After breakfast, enjoy a private half day walking tour of Ponta Delgada. Walk along the main avenue to the Mercado da Graça, where you’ll find regional products ranging from pineapple to local cheeses. Continue to the city centre to discover the monuments and history that shape the character of both the city and its people. Proceed toward Campo de São Francisco, home to the Santo Cristo dos Milagres Festival, the second-largest religious festival in the country. Here, we will also see the Fort of São Brás, the Statue of the Emigrant, the Church of São José, and the Convento da Esperança. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure.

Açores Atlântico Grand Hotel

★★★★★

Day 3

Breakfast

PONTA DELGADA

After breakfast, embark on a small group half day walking tour of Sete Cidades. On this walking trail, you’ll discover scenic lagoons, climb to the top of a mountain, and enjoy sweeping views over the central part of São Miguel, while spotting a variety of endemic flora. The walk explores several lakes and wetlands on the island’s western side. The hike lasts approximately 2.5 hours and includes views of Lagoa das Éguas and Lagoa Rasa, before ascending to one of the island’s highest points, Serra Devassa. The trail then continues toward Lagoa das Empadadas, passing through a forest of Cryptomeria, before returning to the starting point. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure.

Açores Atlântico Grand Hotel

★★★★★

Day 4

Breakfast / Boxed Lunch

PONTA DELGADA

After breakfast, begin your small group full day walking tour of Lagoa do Fogo. The hiking route begins along a dirt track that climbs through the forest. The trail then follows a levada before opening into a wider area with steep slopes on both sides leading down to the shores of Lagoa do Fogo. During the ascent, you may catch views of Vila Franca do Campo and its offshore islet. Lunch is enjoyed along the banks of the lagoon. The return journey follows a trail through areas of endemic vegetation before descending into open pasture as we gradually lose altitude. The return to Ponta Delgada includes a stop at the seaside bathing area of Caloura or Praia de Água D’Alto.

Açores Atlântico Grand Hotel

★★★★★

Day 5

Breakfast / Lunch

PONTA DELGADA

After breakfast, start your small group full day van tour of Nordeste. This van tour explores one of the most remote and scenic regions of São Miguel. Following the south coast, we arrive at the picturesque village of Povoação, where we’ll walk along the paths of the island’s first settlers. Here, we’ll stop for lunch and enjoy a taste of the famous local pastry, fofas da Povoação. We then continue to the lush and flower-filled municipality of Nordeste. Along the way, we’ll admire spectacular coastal scenery from the viewpoints at Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada. The tour also includes a stop at Gorreana Tea Factory, the only industrial tea plantation in Europe. We return to Ponta Delgada along the north coast, stopping at the Santa Iria Viewpoint for one last sweeping view of the island.

Açores Atlântico Grand Hotel

★★★★★

Day 6

Breakfast

PONTA DELGADA – FURNAS, PORTUGAL

After breakfast, transfer to your hotel in Furnas, a lush volcanic valley in Portugal known for its steaming fumaroles, thermal springs, and the tranquil beauty of Lagoa das Furnas, where nature and tradition come together in one of the Azores’ most enchanting landscapes. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

★★★★

Day 7

Breakfast / Lunch

FURNAS

After breakfast, start your private full day tour of Furnas. We will visit Terra Nostra Garden, one of the finest examples of 18th-century romantic gardens in the Azores. Here, you can stroll along paths surrounded by vegetation from around the world and enjoy a relaxing thermal bath in the outdoor pool. Before lunch, we will visit the caldera area beside Lagoa das Furnas, where you will observe secondary volcanic activity and see the famous “cozido das Furnas” being cooked underground. This traditional dish will be served for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will discover how the residents of Furnas live alongside a dormant volcano while visiting areas of hot springs and fumaroles, where you can sample mineral waters that flow naturally from the rocks.

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

★★★★

Day 8

Breakfast

FURNAS — PONTA DELGADA — HOME

After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the Ponta Delgada Airport for your flight home.

Azores Island Escape

PONTA DELGADA | FURNAS

Package Includes:

Total 7 nights accommodation at 4 & 5-Star hotels
- 5 nights in Ponta Delgada, Portugal at Açores Atlântico Grand Hotel ★★★★★
- 2 nights in Furnas, Portugal at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel ★★★★
Private transfers and private/small group tours as per itinerary
Continental breakfast daily
Hotel taxes and service charges

Not Included:

International airfare; airport or departure taxes
Gratuities to guides and drivers
Items of a personal nature
Travel insurance
Reciprocity and/or local city taxes if applicable
Visas required for entry into the country as necessary. Please discuss this with your travel agent to determine your requirements prior to departure.

8 days

On Request

Comments about their recent trip to Portugal

"I wanted to send a short note to let you know that my wife Gail and I very much appreciated the help and assistance you provided to our Travel Advisor extraordinaire Carol for our recent holiday in Portugal. All of the ‘extra special’ little touches like ‘the right guide’ etc went a long way to helping us have such a special time. – Ron & Gail"

Ron + Gail, Ontario

July 2, 2024

Proudly Celebrating 40 Years in 2026!

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