Welcome to the Azores! Today you finally land on São Miguel and will be warmly greeted at the airport by your tour guide. This afternoon, explore the charming town of Ponta Delgada on your own or dream of upcoming travel adventures in your hotel room. Vila Galé Collection São Miguel: The Vila Galé São Miguel welcomes you on the edge of Ponta Delgada's historic old town, just steps from the charming harbor promenade. From here, you can easily explore the main sights on foot. Or you can relax in your comfortable and stylishly furnished room. The boutique hotel also features a seasonal pool in the courtyard, where you can refresh yourself or simply unwind.

After a delicious breakfast, you're ready to explore the island. From Ponta Delgada, the journey continues along the south coast to Furnas. Here, you'll enjoy a leisurely hike around the lake of the same name, ending at hot springs that bubble up from the earth at temperatures of up to 98 degrees Celsius. This geothermal energy has long been used to prepare the traditional dish Cozido das Furnas, which cooks for several hours underground. You'll not only be able to watch, but also sample the Cozido during the subsequent lunch. The nearby botanical garden "Terra Nostra" is perfect for a stroll among its lush vegetation. A special experience awaits you in the heart of the garden: the hot spring water is collected in a swimming pool, so hop in and enjoy the soothing water. The journey continues along the north coast to the Chá Gorreana tea plantation. It is the oldest and last plantation of its kind in Europe and has been family-run since 1883. Enjoy a short tour where you'll learn interesting facts about tea production. You can then spend a relaxing evening in Ponta Delgada. Breakfast and lunch are included in the price today. Don't forget to pack your swimwear in your hand luggage so you can actually take advantage of this lovely swimming opportunity. Please note that the brown, iron-rich water can stain light-colored swimwear, so it's best to wear dark fabrics. You will stay in the same accommodation as the previous day.

Today your short flight takes you to the island of Faial, but don't worry, you'll return to São Miguel. Faial is the fifth largest of the Azores and is also known as the Blue Island. This is because countless blue hydrangea hedges bloom everywhere here in the summer. The drive first takes you to the Espalamaca ridge, from which you have a beautiful view over Horta, then along the winding mountain road overlooking the Flamengos Valley, up to the Caldeira volcanic crater. This distinctive crater is the highest point on the island and encompasses a 313-hectare nature reserve with a diverse range of native flora. After a hearty lunch, you'll visit the Capelinhos Volcano Museum. Since the eruption of the volcano of the same name in 1957, the western part of the island has changed dramatically and now resembles a lunar landscape. Here you'll find a panorama of contrasts: the deep blue of the Atlantic, the black lava rock, and the ochre-colored sand. Natural swimming pools have formed in the basalt rock on the island's southwest coast. Relax here for a while and let your gaze wander across the sea. Breakfast (or a breakfast box for early departures) is included today. Note: The order of individual program items may change on some days due to organizational or weather-related reasons. Your tour guide will inform you in advance. PÁTIO Ecolodge: The PÁTIO Ecolodge is located in the north of Faial in the small village of Cedros. You will stay in spacious and comfortably furnished rooms, all with a terrace. There is no air conditioning. The hotel has a restaurant serving dishes made with fresh ingredients. Thirty horses also live on the lodge grounds and are available for horseback riding.

We continue our exploration of Faial and travel to Horta, the island's capital. There, a guided walking tour will reveal the main streets and most iconic buildings of the capital. The tour includes two true classics: the former whaling factory in Porto Pim and the Horta Marina. Lunch is free for you to make your own plans and enjoy whatever you fancy. Afterwards, a delicious wine and cheese tasting awaits you at the Cantinho das Provas restaurant. In the afternoon, a true institution awaits: Peter Café Sport with Peters Bar. For over 100 years, it has been a meeting place for sailors, travelers, and locals. Upstairs is the Scrimshaw Museum, showcasing intricately crafted items made from whalebone. Breakfast is included in the price today. Hydrangeas usually begin to bloom at the end of June and end in September. You will stay in the same accommodation as the previous day.

Today you'll board the ferry to Pico Island, the second largest of the Azores. Even from the boat, you'll have a great view of the imposing mountain of the same name, the highest in Portugal. At over 2,000 meters high, it's visible from almost anywhere on the island. Silveira is where the island's wine production began, and you'll learn why the volcanic soil here makes wine cultivation so different from that in Europe. In Lajes do Pico, a visit to the very informative Whaling Museum is on the agenda. Unimaginable today, whaling was a vital source of income for the islanders until the 1980s. A delicious lunch will then be served at a local restaurant. We'll then cross the island from north to south, reaching an altitude of 900 meters. On a clear day, Pico is particularly impressive from here. The journey continues through the unique landscape. In São Roque, the second oldest settlement on the island, you can visit a former whaling factory at Cais do Pico. Breakfast and lunch are included in the price today. Pico Terramar: Located on the coast on the outskirts of Madalena, Pico Terramar offers beautiful views of the sea and the imposing Pico mountain. You'll stay in modern and elegantly furnished rooms, all with a balcony or small terrace. The hotel features a restaurant serving a wide range of delicious dishes. An outdoor and an indoor pool provide refreshing relaxation.

After breakfast, we'll explore Pico in more detail. It's the youngest island in the Azores archipelago, formed by an underwater volcanic eruption. This resulted in a unique geological formation with diverse soil compositions and distinctive lava formations. You'll visit the traditional vineyards, unique in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can take a leisurely hike along a lava field to discover the different lava formations. In the afternoon, you have the option of whale watching (optional). Otherwise, the rest of the time is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Breakfast is included today. These excursions will make your day unforgettable: In the afternoon, you can go on an optional whale watching tour. Please book this excursion with your tour guide no later than day 2 of your trip.

Now the plane takes off back to São Miguel, because there's still plenty to discover here. Your journey takes you along the Caminho do Carvão, a route offering beautiful views of the island's central region. Don't miss the short walk to the Grota do Inferno viewpoint. There's also a brief stop at the impressive Vista do Rei viewpoint, where, weather permitting, you can gaze upon the Sete Cidades crater lake, divided into two halves. The reflection of the sky makes one half of the lake appear green, the other blue. Afterwards, you'll drive down into the valley, where you'll have time for a stroll. Weather permitting, you can enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch in nature. Did you know that there are also pineapple plantations on São Miguel? You'll visit one of them today and learn, for example, that a pineapple needs two long years to grow and ripen before it can be harvested. Today, breakfast and lunch in the form of a picnic are included. Note: If the picnic cannot take place due to bad weather, you will eat at a local restaurant. The order of individual program items may change on some days for organizational or weather-related reasons. Your tour guide will inform you in advance. Verde Mar & Spa: The Verde Mar & Spa hotel boasts a stunning seaside location in Ribeira Grande on the island of São Miguel. Here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the island's north coast and the Atlantic Ocean while relaxing in your comfortable room. The hotel offers a generous breakfast buffet, as well as indoor and outdoor pools. You can also sample delicious regional specialties in the restaurant or enjoy a drink at the bar.

Along the north coast, you'll stop in Ribeira Grande. Strolling through the charming historic center with its narrow streets and city garden, you'll encounter beautiful examples of 17th- and 18th-century architecture. From the coast, the mountain road leads up to the viewpoint at Pico da Barrosa at 900 meters. Here, weather permitting, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the entire island and Lagoa do Fogo. In the Caldeira Velha Natural Park, you'll once again be treated to the splendor of the native vegetation. The route across the island continues to Quinta do Bom Despacho. Here, you'll see how the Quinta uses ecological building methods and permaculture principles, aiming to conserve resources and minimize environmental impact. As a highlight at the end of the tour, you can sample wines and cheeses from the Azores and mainland Portugal. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Breakfast and a farewell dinner are included in today's price. You will stay in the same accommodation as the previous day.

Today, sadly, it's time to say goodbye to the Azores. On your way to the airport, you'll drive past the stunning scenery one last time. With a suitcase full of unforgettable memories, you'll fly back home. Breakfast is included today.