The Best of the Azores

Day 1 London - Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Gatwick or Heathrow Airport for a direct, scheduled Azores Airlines flight to Ponta Delgada or TAP Portugal flight via Lisbon. Upon arrival on the island of São Miguel, we transfer to the Azoris Royal Garden Hotel (4T). Day 2 Furnas Valley - Ribeira Grande Today we embark on an exciting full-day tour to explore the Furnas Valley, set within a 6km volcanic crater. Our first stop is Terra Nostra Garden with time to bathe in the thermal pool, visit the hot springs and sample some of the many natural mineral waters. After a delicious lunch, uniquely cooked for many hours underground using the steam of the hot springs, we continue to the north shore to view the Furnas Valley - the village, lake and lush vegetation - from the top of the crater. After tea at the oldest tea factory in Europe, the town of Ribeira Grande is our final destination, where some lovely examples of 18-19th century island architecture await. Day 3 Ponta Delgada Enjoy a day at leisure today, relaxing in the hotel or exploring the surrounding area. You may wish to join an optional excursion and there are two to choose from today. On the first you will embark on a scenic boat journey in search of magnificent whales, seeing them swim in the wild is an unforgettable experience. Or, travel to Fenais da Luz, where you will be treated to a taste of some of the local wines made from the region’s lush green vineyards. Day 4 Ponta Delgada - Horta, Faial We transfer to the airport for a flight to the island of Faial and upon arrival we check in at Azoris Faial Garden Hotel (4T) in Horta, where we stay for the next four nights, enjoying dinner here each evening. Day 5 South Coast - Capelinhos From the hotel this morning we drive along the south coast to Varadouro, where the sea has carved out a natural pool within the rocks. We begin a scenic coastal walk towards Capelinhos, a recently-formed landscape created by a volcanic eruption which occurred in the ocean here between 1957 and 1958. At Porto do Comprido, visit the fascinating Interpretation Centre to learn of the evolution of the volcano, as well as enjoying a delicious lunch. We continue to the protected volcanic crater of Caldeira, before journeying back to Horta, passing the place of settlement for the first Flemish to arrive on the island - Flamengos - and stopping for a view over the harbour of Horta, a popular stopping place for the worldwide yachting community. Day 6 Horta Enjoy a day at leisure where you can freely explore your surroundings or simply relax in our comfortable hotel. Day 7 Pico Island Today we discover Faial’s wonderful neighbouring island, Pico, travelling by ferry to the second largest island of the Azores which hosts the highest reaching mountain (2,351m) in the whole of Portugal. An abundance of typical vineyards allow time for a short walk, before driving along the south of the island to discover the charming church in Candelaria and the old whaling village of Lajes - inspiration for Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’. Refreshed after a lunch stop we head north, passing Lagoa do Capitão to make a stop at São Roque’s former whale-processing factory that is now a museum. Our sightseeing adventure includes a final scenic journey back to Madalena to meet the return ferry back to Horta, however we make one quick stop at Lajido winery. Day 8 Horta - Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira We transfer to the airport for a flight to the island of Terceira and the town of Angra do Heroísmo. We spend the next four nights at the Hotel do Caracol (4T) and there will be time to settle in before enjoying dinner. Day 9 Terceira Island Tour Discover beautiful Terceira, visiting the region’s most scenic spots including Pico das Cruzinhas - on the volcanic cinder cone known as Monte Brasil - where we view the city of Angra do Heroísmo; the old fishing port of Porto Judeu, stopping at a local snack bar to capture picturesque views of the Cabras Islet, a collection of small rock formations from a volcanic eruption; and the forest reserve area of Lagoa das Patas. On the scenic journey we also see outstanding architecture including the Fortress of St John the Baptist and the fascinating ancient prisons found here; the monument of the Festa Brava - a statue of three enormous bulls; Praia da Vitoria’s historical centre; and the ‘Ramo Grande’ zone, with many wealthy farmers’ houses. As well as architecture and scenic spots this exciting tour calls at Europe’s main point for sighting Palearctic birds and the parish of Biscoitos Winery and Wine Museum, where we explore the museum and taste some of the best wines and local cheeses. Lunch is included at a local restaurant in Praia da Vitoria. Days 10-11 Terceira With two days at leisure you can choose to explore Terceira, relax at the hotel or choose an optional excursion. On day 10, choose a half-day whale watching trip with the aim to view these beautiful creatures swimming in the stunning deep-blue waters. On day 11, an optional excursion is available to explore the Islets of Goats - fascinating volcanic islets located on the picturesque southeast coast. Day 12 Angra do Heroismo - Ponta Delgada, São Miguel After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight back to São Miguel Island and Ponta Delgada, where we return to the Azoris Royal Garden Hotel (4T). Day 13 Ponta Delgada You have a choice of three impressive optional excursions today. On the first, spend half the day visiting volcanic caves - Gruta do Carvao and a pineapple plantation to see the growing process of this delicious fruit. The second is also a half-day city tour of Ponta Delgada, the bustling capital of The Azores, with fascinating history, immense green forested landscapes and beautiful architecture of white-washed houses and buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th century. Or, join a full-day excursion to the island’s centre and two of its three volcanic massifs - Sete Cidades and Lagoa Fogo. While here you can roam this legendary land and learn all of the geological history that has created this wonderfully beautiful place. Day 14 Ponta Delgada Enjoy a morning at leisure in São Miguel, or join one of the two half day optional excursions on offer - either an unforgettable swim with dolphins or a thrilling Jeep adventure to Sete Cidades. In the afternoon, we enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at Quinta Pico da Cruz and a fascinating display of Lusitano horses. Day 15 Ponta Delgada - London We transfer to the airport for a direct, scheduled Azores Airlines flight to London Gatwick Airport or TAP Portugal flight to London Heathrow Airport via Lisbon. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.