Itinerary

Day 1 - Horta, Faial Island

Arrival transfer service from the airport to hotel. 3 nights at Hotel do Canal (4 stars) in Horta with daily buffet breakfast included. Horta was once the strategic relay point for early trans-Atlantic cable communications between the U.S. and Europe. Modern technology now bypasses the old cable network. Since their discovery in the 14th century, the Azores Islands have played an important role as a staging and victualling point for ships crossing the Atlantic, an enviable location for nations with New World colonies. Today, 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 2 - Faial Island Tour

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 immigrate to North America. The elements are slowly eroding the ash. There is a nearby museum detailing the eruption.

Day 3 - Full day tour to Pico Island

The ferry terminal is across the street from the Hotel do Canal. The cost is about 3.5 euros each way per person for the 30 minute trip to Pico. Pronounced “Peak” by Azoreans, the translation is exactly that. Meet your driver at the ferry dock in Madalena 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 island. 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. Return to Madalena in the afternoon for the ferry trip back to Horta.

Day 4 - Faial to Sao Miguel Island

Transfer service from your Horta hotel to the airport for the short flight to Sao Miguel, the largest and most geographically diverse of the islands. Upon arrival in Ponta Delgada, you will be transferred to your hotel, Royal Garden (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 historic section. Balance of the day at leisure.

Day 5 - Full day tour to 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 for a coffee break (not included). Upon arrival in the Furnas area, visit the lake, hot springs and to see 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” (Caldeira Stew). Continue to the charming town of Furnas for a lunch stop (lunch not included). Visit the beautiful botanical gardens begun 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 6 - Half day tour to Sete Cidades

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. 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. Before returning to Ponta Delgada, 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. The pineapples are small but very sweet. Afternoon free in Ponta Delgada.

Day 7

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. An optional half-day morning tour to Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) with a stop at a ceramics factory in the town of Lagoa is available.
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, sightseeing tours are by private car with English speaking driver. If hotels named in itinerary are not available, alternate 4 star properties will be confirmed. Rates may be higher during major holidays.

Rates

Prices per person and does not include airfare. Airfare will be quoted upon request. Prices are in US dollars and are subject to change.

2008 Prices	Nov 1, 07 through Mar 31	Apr 1 through Jun 15	Jun 16 through Sep 30	Oct 1-31
Triple	719.00	789.00	879.00	789.00
Double/Twin	949.00	1,029.00	1,129.00	1,029.00
Single	1,739.00	1,889.00	2,109.00	1,889.00

Three Island Package Includes:

• 3 nights at Hotel do Canal (4 stars) in Horta, Faial
• 3 nights at Royal Garden Hotel (4 stars) in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel
• Half day tour of Faial
• Full day tour of Pico
• Full day tour to Furnas, Sao Miguel
• Half day tour to Sete Cidades, Sao Miguel
• Airport-hotel-airport transfers
• Daily buffet breakfast and hotel taxes

Not Included:

• Airfare (please enquire about current fares for direct flights from Boston)
• Entrance fees to museums, gardens
• Ferry ticket to Pico. 4.7 euros (subject to change) each way hen purchased at port
• Meals other than breakfast

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, sightseeing tours are by private car with English speaking driver.

For reservation and information click here to submit a request

You may call us at 800-652-9151 if you reside in the United States. From other countries call 1-209-667-2405