The Wild Beauty of the Azores

After an overnight flight, most likely from Boston, New York, or Newark, you’ll arrive in Ponta Delgada on the lush island of São Miguel and transfer to the beautiful Octant Hotel. With its contemporary design and excellent location, it provides the perfect plush place to settle in after our journey.

To conquer jet lag, we've scheduled spa treatments for everyone at the hotel's eco spa. When it's time for your appointment, let yourself completely relax during a hot stone back massage and a rejuvenating facial.

Once we've been properly pampered, we'll climb aboard a tuk-tuk to explore the hidden gems of Ponta Delgada. It's a fun, breezy way to discover the city's highlights while our guides share their favorite local spots. 

We'll stop for lunch at Cafe Central before wandering through the bustling Mercado da Graça, where we can taste the island's famous sweet pineapples and artisan cheeses. We'll wrap up the afternoon with a leisurely stroll along the harbor's iconic black-and-white basalt sidewalks.

Tonight, dinner is at Alcides, a beloved Ponta Delgada eatery and the island's finest steakhouse, just a short walk from the hotel. Raise a glass, our Azores adventure has begun!

Today promises to be one of the highlights of our journey. After breakfast, we’ll set off with our guide for a full-day exploration of the western side of São Miguel, beginning at the breathtaking Vista do Rei viewpoint. From this dramatic vantage point, we’ll take in one of the Azores’ most iconic landscapes: the twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, their brilliant blue and green waters nestled within the rim of an ancient volcanic caldera.

Then we're off to the lakeshore for a kayaking adventure, paddling across the tranquil waters beneath towering volcanic walls. Surrounded by the serenity of the crater and some of the island’s most spectacular scenery, it’s a great opportunity to experience this remarkable landscape from a completely different perspective.

We’ll pause to enjoy lunch in the village, taking time to relax and soak in the atmosphere before continuing our day. This afternoon, we’ll visit Ponta da Ferraria, one of the Azores’ extraordinary natural wonders. Here, geothermal springs emerge from beneath the ocean floor, warming the Atlantic waters and creating a naturally heated sea pool among the volcanic rocks. 

After some time to relax and refresh back at the hotel, we'll wrap up the day over tapas and cocktails at a local favorite, Louve Michaelense.

There's no shortage of gorgeous scenery on this island, and today we'll head north to soak it all in. 

Our first stop is the Gorreana Tea Plantation, the oldest tea plantation in all of Europe, which feels utterly magical. We'll walk through endless rows of tea plants with the Atlantic shimmering below, then sample freshly brewed teas in the café before continuing east.

We'll time our arrival at the Caldeiras das Furnas to catch one of the Azores' most extraordinary rituals: restaurant staff unearthing the pots of Cozido das Caldeiras. This hearty traditional stew has been slow-cooking underground in the volcanic soil since early morning, and watching the steaming pots emerge from the earth is something you simply won't find anywhere else in the world.

After indulging in a one-of-a-kind meal, the rest of the afternoon is devoted to Terra Nostra Park, where we'll soak in the famous orange, iron-rich thermal pools set within one of the world's most beautiful botanical gardens. It's genuinely restorative and will leave you feeling even more connected to this beautiful place.

Back at the hotel, we'll gather for a meticulously crafted dinner at A Terra, savoring the vibrant flavors of local delicacies.

We'll indulge our senses around the island today, starting with a visit to Augusto Arruda Pineapple Plantation after breakfast. We'll learn how São Miguel grows its legendary greenhouse pineapples, a centuries-old tradition quite unlike anything found in the tropics. Sample a few pieces of their sweet fruit and take a look through the gift shop, the homemade pineapple liqueur is fantastic.

Then, we're off to revisit Mercado da Graça for a guided tour through its plentiful stalls. This market is a local staple for meat, fruit, and Azorean specialties that we'll taste as we go along. 

The Azores produce lovely, unique wines from grapes grown in volcanic soil and exposed to the ocean breeze. We'll sit down for a tasting of a few wines paired with locally-made cheese and learn more about what makes these vinos so special. 

Back at the hotel, take the rest of the evening to relax. Maybe dip into the pool, head out for a stroll around the neighborhood, or book into the spa circuit for some well-deserved self-pampering. Dinner is on your own tonight or with new friends, your guide would be happy to point out a few local favorites.

This morning, we'll say a fond farewell to São Miguel and board our short inter-island flight to Terceira, arriving around midday. This island, known affectionately as the Lilac Island, has an entirely different personality that's quieter, steeped in history, and impossibly charming.

We'll transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Angra do Heroísmo to check in at Torel Terra Brava, our home for the next four nights. A leisurely lunch awaits us at the hotel's wonderful restaurant, Três, with sweeping ocean views to welcome us to the island.

This afternoon, we'll step out on the town to explore the colorful colonial architecture and storied harbor that were once a vital crossroads for ships traveling between Europe and the Americas. We'll pause to try a Donas Amelia, the island's most loved sweet treat in honor of Queen Amélia's first royal visit to the Azores.

To wrap up the tour, we'll walk up Monte Brasil for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its ancient fortified walls. The path is gradual and perfectly manageable; just be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Dinner this evening is at Mercatto di Osteria, a cozy local restaurant right in the heart of Angra serving delicious Italian fare.

We're heading out to sea after breakfast this morning. A whale watching excursion takes us into waters that are among the finest in the world for cetacean encounters including sperm whales, dolphins, and with a little bit of luck, the magnificent blue whale. Few experiences rival the sight of these gentle giants in the wild, and we'll get to experience them from the luxury of our private charter boat.

Back on land, the afternoon takes a delicious turn with a hands-on Azorean cooking class, where we'll learn to prepare traditional island dishes from scratch before sitting down to enjoy everything we've created. This is the perfect way to bring the flavors of Terceira home with you to share with friends and family.

The evening is yours to wander and dine at your leisure, a great opportunity to explore some of the unique dining options in town.

Terceira is an island shaped by its land, and today we'll experience that firsthand. The morning begins with a visit to a local dairy farm, where traditional cheese-making has been passed down through generations. Our tour is a warm, authentic glimpse into the rhythms of island life and the importance of local producers.

From there, lace up your shoes for a scenic walking trail through the lush countryside, with an open-air picnic lunch waiting to be savored amidst the endless rolling green pastures.

Late afternoon is yours to enjoy. Perhaps you'll pop into a local shop to pick up some last minute souvenirs, or simply sit at the hotel bar with a glass of Azorean wine in hand. 

Tonight, dinner is at Restaurante Caneta, a celebrated steakhouse where the cattle are raised right on the property. It doesn't get more farm-to-table than that.

For our final full day, Terceira saves its most dramatic experience for last. After breakfast, we'll drive about 20 minutes towards the lush, verdant middle of the island. There, we'll descend into Algar do Carvão, one of the only places on earth where visitors can walk inside a dormant volcanic chimney. The vast cathedral of ancient lava will leave you completely speechless. 

Later in the day, we'll walk the Mistérios Negros trail that winds through centuries-old lava flows and endemic Azorean vegetation, offering an intimate, hands-on encounter with the island's extraordinary geological history. Lunch will be served along the way.

We have the perfect finale in store this evening: dinner at Oficina da Esquina. As one of the most iconic restaurants in Angra, Chef Vítor Sobral's kitchen focuses entirely on fresh, seasonal produce, prepared with flaming hot charcoal grills. What a gorgeous way to toast our final evening on the islands.

Our final morning calls for a leisurely coffee at a harbor-side café in town, watching the boats, savoring the last few magical moments, and letting the beauty of these islands wash over you one last time.

When the time comes, call a taxi to the Lajes Airport for your departure flight. On Saturdays, there are direct flights to Boston and San Francisco, as well as Lisbon and Zurich, if you want to continue your European adventure. Until next time, Azores. You have completely stolen our hearts.