100% customisable travel idea
Faial, Pico, Terceira and São Miguel The Azores, island by island
Portugal - The Azores - Faial - Pico - Terceira - Sao Miguel
100% customisable travel idea
Portugal - The Azores - Faial - Pico - Terceira - Sao Miguel
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival on the island of Faial, pick up your rental car. Although the island owes its name to beech trees (“faias” in Portuguese), it is the lush carpet of hydrangeas covering it, from gardens to roadsides, that makes it the “blue island”. Overlooked by Cabeço Gordo (1,043 m), it reminds you that, while it is a maritime paradise embodied by the port of Horta, it also owes much to its terrain.
Stay for three nights in a quinta that has been run by the same family for several generations. The property's primary business is growing flowers and fruit, alongside its hotel activity - between the low walls of camellias and tropical trees, its garden is a delight. The rooms are equally impressive, with spacious interiors and refined décor.
Horta is the main town on the island of Faial, so it is an essential stopover for all sailors crossing the Atlantic. To take in the view of the harbour entrance, climb Monte da Guia or lose yourself in the small colonial historic centre of the town. The Horta History Museum is housed in the former Jesuit college and showcases much of the island's cultural heritage. A place of encounters and memories, the Peter Sports Café has seen generations of sailors pass through on their way to the open sea. On the quays of the world's fourth largest marina, there are numerous drawings, frescoes and paintings bearing witness to the passage of sailors through this legendary place.
See and do - Stroll around the harbour, which is a haunt for sailors crossing the Atlantic; visit the Scrimshau Museum, where engraved sperm whale teeth are on display; admire the view of the islands of Pico and Sao Jorge from the Caldeira; photograph the lunar landscape of Capelinhos, created in 1958 by a spectacular underwater eruption.
Optional - Private hike in the Caldeira nature reserve.
Cross over to Pico Island by small ferry. This volcano is impossible to miss and is so high that it towers over the Atlantic for miles around. At 2,351 metres high, the Pico do Fogo crater is the highest point in Portugal. Its telluric force is impressive, as is its dark black colour.
Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and drive to your new accommodation in Madalena, where you will stay for two nights. This oceanfront complex is the work of a Portuguese couple who literally fell in love with this little corner of paradise. Keen to reflect the soul of the island and its elements, they built an environmentally friendly hotel with a few modern bungalows scattered throughout a tropical forest. In perfect harmony with nature, everything here is designed to help you recharge your batteries and rediscover your inner balance, with yoga classes facing the sea, a small swimming pool to cool off after a day of hiking, a restaurant offering local culinary specialities, and much more.
On your itinerary - Whale watching. Pico has been an oceanic crossroads since the early days of transatlantic navigation and its waters are home to many marine mammals. It is not uncommon to encounter several species of dolphins, such as the short-beaked common dolphin, the common dolphin, the Risso's dolphin, the spotted dolphin and the striped dolphin. Although the sperm whale is the most common species in these latitudes, it is discreet and you sometimes have to be patient to see it come up for air. If luck is on your side, you may also encounter blue whales (especially from early spring to late summer), as well as pilot whales and orcas.
Optional - Private hike through the vineyards of Pico Island.
Flight to Terceira Island. It is hard to imagine that at its peak, the island welcomed the flagship Spanish galleons, their holds overflowing with silk, spices and gold. And yet! Today, these material riches have given way to priceless natural beauty, embodied by endless fields gracefully criss-crossed with lines, mysterious underground cavities and the old stones of centuries-old churches.
After picking up your new rental car, head to Angra do Heroismo, which is a colourful town whose historical heritage is accompanied by a real cultural influence through its philharmonic orchestras, its House of Culture and its theatre companies. Stay for two nights in a luxurious country house by the sea. Old-world charm and impeccable service combine to create a most pleasant atmosphere. Add to this the little conveniences of our modern world, such as a lovely swimming pool, tennis court, fitness room and flower garden, and your stay is sure to be delightful.
See and do - Descend into the volcanic cave of Algar do Carvao; see the “Imperios” (small colourful chapels) of Praia da Vittoria; swim in the natural pools of Biscoitos...
On your itinerary - A private tour of the historic city centre. Your guide will reveal the many attractions of the historic capital of the Azores archipelago, founded in 1534. Its centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its blend of colonial architecture and military buildings, represented by the São Sebastião and São João fortresses. During the tour, you will see the Câmara Municipal and its exotic gardens, the former Jesuit convent, which is now owned by the state and residence of the Governador, the cathedral, the Baroque-style Palácio dos Capitães Generais, the Francisco de Angra Museum, and more. You will end with a gourmet break at a local café.
Flight to São Miguel and pick up of the new rental car. The largest island in the archipelago, São Miguel is a must-see destination as it encapsulates the essence of the Azores: small towns, forest landscapes and green plains that have earned it the nickname “Green Island”, spas that take advantage of natural geysers, and crater lakes that highlight its beautiful duality of water and relief.
Drive to Furnas and stay for two nights at a hotel nestled in the heart of a lush garden. It has inherited a beautifully confident Art Deco style from the 1930s. Its central location makes it easy to explore on foot. Its thermal pool is just the icing on the cake.
Furnas is best known for its various volcanic features: hot springs, fumaroles and bubbling mud. These geological phenomena have given the town two sources of pride: cozido das Furnas (a dish cooked in the natural steam from the volcano) and Terra Nostra, its botanical garden, which owes its lushness to the extremely rich soil.
Optional - Private bike tour of Furnas lake.
Head to the centre of Ponta Delgada, the largest city on the island of São Miguel and capital of the archipelago, for the last two nights. The building where you will be staying was built in 1901 and stands out for its Art Nouveau style. A recent renovation has transformed it into an elegant guesthouse, enhanced by warm service. It was important for the owners to bring in modern comforts and technology while preserving the atmosphere of the place - it turned out to be a successful gamble.
See and do - Admire the 16th-century ruins such as the São Bras fort and the São Sebastiao church; visit the Carlos Machado museum to complete your immersion in the arts and traditions of the Azores; stroll around the marina in the evening...
Optional - Private surfing lesson.
Drive to the airport, return your rental car and catch your international return flight.
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