Your journey begins with an overnight flight to São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores. Settle into the island’s relaxed pace before exploring Ponta Delgada, where a guided walking tour introduces you to the history, culture and traditions that have shaped life in the Azores.
Discover the island’s agricultural heritage with visits to local tea and pineapple plantations, followed by a visit to Cerâmica Vieira and a hands-on Azorean cooking class. Continue to Furnas, where volcanic landscapes and geothermal activity create a natural setting for wellness and relaxation. Explore Terra Nostra Park, unwind in the thermal waters of Poça da Dona Beija and experience local traditions shaped by the island’s volcanic environment.
Spend a day immersed in local farm life, taking part in hands-on agricultural activities and learning about traditional practices. Experience another side of the island’s natural wellness at Ponta da Ferraria, where geothermal activity warms the waters of the Atlantic, before visiting the coastal viewpoint at Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado.
Return to Ponta Delgada for time to explore the city and choose between a Whale Watching Experience or a Glass Bottom Boat Tour. Your journey concludes among the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Sete Cidades, with village exploration, scenic hiking near Lagoa do Canário and a farewell dinner to mark the end of your time in the Azores.
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Arrive in São Miguel and transfer to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, begin your Azores experience with a relaxed welcome lunch or dinner at a local beach. Enjoy beautiful ocean views and the island’s laid-back atmosphere.
*The beachfront experience and meal timing will depend on the group’s arrival time.
Overnight: São Miguel
Our first full day on the island of São Miguel will include a walking tour of Ponta Delgada, the island’s capital. We will explore popular destinations as well as important historic locations while becoming familiar with the city and its cultural heritage.
This walking tour is key to better understanding the history of settlement on the islands and how agriculture, the environment and ecotourism have become important factors in today’s Azorean economy.
Overnight: São Miguel
Today, our focus shifts to the fascinating world of tea and pineapple plantations, offering a hands-on exploration of the Azores’ sustainable farming heritage.
Embarking on a tea and pineapple plantation tour, we’ll delve into the intricacies of the island’s agriculture, uncovering the rich history and traditions that define sustainable farming here.
Our first stop takes us to a tea plantation, where we’ll gain insights into the tea-growing process and the agricultural practices used on the island. This visit will provide a firsthand look at how sustainability is woven into the plantation’s operations and its relationship with the surrounding environment.
Next, we’ll journey to a pineapple plantation. Here, we’ll witness the unique cultivation process and understand how local farming practices play a pivotal role in shaping the plantation’s operations.
Through these experiences, we aim to deepen our understanding of how these plantations contribute to the Azores’ sustainability story. It’s not just about tea and pineapples – it’s about the people, the practices and their impact on the island’s ecosystem and community.
Overnight: São Miguel
Enjoy a visit to Cerâmica Vieira, where you’ll discover the island’s longstanding pottery tradition and learn about the techniques behind its distinctive handcrafted ceramics.
Later, take part in an authentic, hands-on Azorean cooking class with a local chef. Learn about regional ingredients and traditional cooking techniques as you prepare local dishes together.
Overnight: São Miguel
Travel to Furnas, a region known for its geothermal activity and lush landscapes.
Explore Terra Nostra Park, one of Europe’s most remarkable botanical gardens, featuring exotic plant species and a large mineral-rich thermal pool.
Continue to Poça da Dona Beija, where you can relax in naturally heated thermal waters surrounded by lush vegetation.
Later, walk through the Furnas geothermal area and experience local traditions, including tasting food cooked underground using volcanic heat – a unique highlight of Furnas and an example of how the island’s geothermal landscape shapes local life.
Overnight: São Miguel
Today promises a full day immersed in agricultural activities at a local farm alongside our partners, João and Gena. After a brief bus ride to the property, we’ll engage in hands-on tasks led by João, with activities that may include harvesting and milking cows.
A delightful picnic lunch awaits before further collaborative activities. Students will actively contribute to brainstorming sessions focused on shaping future local educational programs and exploring new organic initiatives geared towards sustainability.
The day also offers an introduction to silvopasture, exploring how the integration of trees, livestock and pasture can support more sustainable agricultural systems and positively impact the local environment.
Overnight: São Miguel
Indulge in a leisurely morning with a later start before heading to Ponta da Ferraria. Here, volcanic geothermal activity heats the ocean water, creating a unique natural swimming experience where thermal waters meet the Atlantic.
Enjoy time to relax and swim while learning about the geological forces that give rise to this natural phenomenon.
Savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado, a breathtaking lookout point offering sweeping coastal views and excellent photo opportunities.
*Swimming conditions at Ponta da Ferraria depend on the tides and sea conditions.
Overnight: São Miguel
Head to Ponta Delgada, the vibrant capital of São Miguel.
Spend time exploring its charming streets, waterfront promenades, local cafés and historic architecture. The city blends modern Azorean life with a rich cultural heritage.
Later, choose your adventure between a Whale Watching Experience or a Glass Bottom Boat Tour.
Whale Watching Experience – Embark on an excursion into the Atlantic Ocean. The Azores is one of the world’s premier destinations for marine life sightings, offering opportunities to see various whale species and playful dolphins in their natural habitat.
Glass Bottom Boat Tour – Discover the marine life beneath the waters of the Azores from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat accompanied by an expert crew and guide.
Explore the unique marine environment of the protected area and observe the seabirds and coastal wildlife that inhabit the islet landscape. A marine biologist will help identify the species you encounter, which may include colorful schools of fish, starfish, sea cucumbers and signs of the islands’ underwater volcanic landscape.
Overnight: São Miguel
Travel to Sete Cidades, one of the most iconic landscapes in the Azores. This vast volcanic crater is home to the famous twin lakes – one appearing blue and the other green — surrounded by dramatic crater walls and lush greenery.
Explore the village before heading towards Lagoa do Canário. Take a scenic hike through forested trails leading to breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the crater lakes and surrounding volcanic landscapes.
After a day of exploration, everyone gathers in the evening for a farewell dinner, offering a final evening of food and connection.
Overnight: São Miguel
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, marking the end of your journey through São Miguel and the Azores.
Payment can be made in full or following the payment schedule below:
