Signature: The Azores' Terceira & São Miguel

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group. There will be an included group welcome dinner after the meeting.

Join an expert-led presentation about the storied past of the Azores through the eyes of a local expert, uncovering how these islands shaped global navigation and Portuguese identity.

Set out on foot to the Palácio dos Capitães Generais.

Explore the Palácio dos Capitães-Generais, a massive landmark in Angra do Heroísmo that showcases the historical wealth and strategic importance of the city. Originally founded in 1572 as a Jesuit college and convent, the building remains a powerful symbol of the order’s mission to educate and catechize the island.

Explore the Museu de Angra do Heroísmo with the curator to discover the island’s heritage inside a former 17th-century Franciscan convent. This private visit showcases a diverse collection of Terceirense culture, including naval artifacts, historic textiles, and decorative arts.

Use free time to explore the UNESCO-listed streets of Angra do Heroísmo this afternoon, where you can wander past vibrant facades and historic plazas at your own pace.

Visit the summit of Monte Brasil for a panoramic view of the UNESCO-listed city of Angra do Heroísmo and the surrounding Atlantic. This short stop at the rim of the extinct volcano offers a unique perspective on the island’s dramatic geography and historic coastal defenses.

Visit the village of São Sebastião to see the island’s oldest church with its rare medieval frescoes and the vibrant Holy Spirit Império, a chapel central to the Azores’ unique charitable traditions.

Experience the breathtaking "patchwork" landscape of Terceira from the Serra do Cume viewpoint, where the rim of an ancient caldera overlooks a vast expanse of green fields divided by volcanic stone walls.

Stepping into the Casa-Museu Vitorino Nemésio in Praia da Vitória offers an intimate look at the author's formative years through a preserved collection of personal artifacts and period furnishings. The exhibits masterfully bridge his literary legacy with his Azorean roots, capturing the "azorianidade" that defined his iconic 20th-century works.

Enjoy lunch at Rocha, a seaside restaurant celebrated for its selection of fresh, locally caught fish. This coastal setting allows you to choose from a variety of island flavors while enjoying views of the Atlantic.

Descend into the depths of Algar do Carvão, a rare volcanic chimney where you can walk inside an extinct magma chamber filled with unique silica stalactites and a crystal-clear underground lake.

Sample the unique volcanic wines of Biscoitos at a traditional winery, where vines are grown in small plots protected by black basalt stone walls.

Enjoy a traditional meal inside a historic living museum, where the atmosphere authentically recreates centuries of rural island life. Have a look at the beef roast, slow-cooked on a clay tile in a traditional furnace until tender, and served alongside local ingredients chosen to complement main dish.

Transfer to the airport to continue your journey.

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Visit Quinta do Agricultor to explore a traditional Azorean farm and learn about the island’s rural heritage and agricultural practices. Following the tour, enjoy a farm-to-table lunch featuring regional specialties prepared in a rustic, authentic setting.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle, stopping at Vista do Reis for photos along the way.

Experience the dramatic beauty of the Sete Cidades caldera, where a short walk along the rim offers iconic views of the twin green and blue lakes nestled within the volcanic crater. This stop provides a firsthand look at the island's most famous natural landscape and the unique geology that shaped it.

Explore the Azores' pioneering role as the world’s first sustainable island archipelago, highlighting modern agricultural practices.

Participate in a hands-on sustainability project that explores local harvesting techniques and the ongoing efforts to balance traditional land use with environmental preservation.

Participate in a wine masterclass to explore the unique characteristics of volcanic viticulture and the diverse flavor profiles of Azorean grapes. Following the tasting, enjoy a lunch prepared over an open fire, highlighting traditional cooking techniques and seasonal local ingredients.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Join a local expert for a guided walk through Parque Terra Nostra, home to one of the world’s most diverse botanical collections and a famous geothermal pool. Discover the history of this 18th-century estate while exploring winding paths filled with rare exotic plants and century-old trees.

Enjoy free time to take a dip in the geothermal hot springs water.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Gain expert perspective on the marine life surrounding the Azores and the historical impact of the whaling industry on island development.

Join your Expedition Leader on a walk through the historic streets of Ponta Delgada, showcasing the city’s architectural heritage on your way to the harbor. This walk bridges the gap between land and sea before you board your vessel for an unforgettable whale watching encounter.

Experience the rich marine life of the Azores on a private tour through a vital migratory hub for blue, fin, and sei whales. In addition to these seasonal visitors, you have the opportunity to see the resident sperm whales that frequent these deep Atlantic waters year-round.

Visit the ARRISCA cooperative in Ponta Delgada to learn how this social organization supports the community through vocational workshops and the creation of traditional Azorean handicrafts. During the visit, you can see their artisans at work and browse a unique selection of handmade tiles, ceramics, and textiles that blend local heritage with social impact.

You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.