Saturday scheduled flights with SATA International from London Gatwick or Manchester to Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel), 7-night accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis as stated, all inter-island flights, transfers, entrance tickets (botanical garden and museums) and the Cozido lunch as stated and guided excursions (minibus and guide or taxi/jeep with English speaking driver) as stated.

Day 1

Scheduled flight from London Gatwick or Manchester to Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel).

Hotel Vila Nova, Sao MiguelArrive at Ponta Delgada airport and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Depart from Ponta Delgada to Sete Cidades lakes by the mountain road. Stop at the ‘Vista do Rei’ belvedere to enjoy the magnificent view over the two lakes (one is blue, the other green) and the surrounding area. Return to Ponta Delgada, stopping at a pineapple plantation en route. Visitors to the pineapple plantations are able to visit the greenhouses, as well as having the opportunity to taste the fruit and pineapple liqueur.

Free afternoon.

Day 3

Depart from Ponta Delgada to Vila Franca do Campo, the first capital of Sao Miguel. After a short visit of the town, continue to the village of Furnas, where you will have time to explore the beautiful botanical gardens and hot springs owned by the Hotel Terra Nostra Garden. A traditional Cozido lunch will be taken at a local restaurant before returning to Ponta Delgada by the north coast, visiting a tea plantation and Santa Iria view point en route.

Day 4

Hotel Do Canal, Faial

In the afternoon, depart from Horta for a tour of the island. The route will include traveling by the mountain road towards Caldeira, the highest point on the island at 1,043 metres. Continue north to Capelinhos, the site of the last volcanic eruption in the Azores in 1957 and visit the museum, which details the evolution of the eruption. Return to Horta.

Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for flight to Faial (1-hour). Transfer to your hotel.

Day 5

Hotel Do Canal, Faial

Depart from Horta harbour, to Pico Island (30-minutes by boat). Depart from Madalena by the mountain road (altitude 1.100m) to the village of Lajes do Pico. Lajes do Pico was, for many years, the centre of the whaling industry in the Azores. Today you can visit the Whaler’s museum (included in the tour) located on the harbour front, home to a fascinating exhibition about the industry, which includes examples of the equipment used as well as many original photographs. Continue on to the village of Sao Roque with a brief stop (lunch not included). Return to Madalena port, visiting the black rocks of Cachorro en route. Return to Faial by boat.

PICO (Day trip)

Day6

Transfer to Horta airport for flight to Sao Miguel (1-hour). Transfer to your hotel.

Day 7

Free time on Sao Miguel. Opportunity to explore the town of Ponta Delgada, indulge in some last minute shopping and/or participate in whale watching or swimming with dolphins excursion (prebookable through Sunvil or through our local representative), or just relax.

Day 8

Scheduled flight from Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel) to London Gatwick or Manchester.

Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for the return flight home.