Azore, between volcano and ocean

Departure from Montreal to Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, on a direct flight with Azores Airlines.

Upon arrival in Ponta Delgada, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can enjoy breakfast.

Afterward, you will have the day to explore the area surrounding your hotel, including a walking tour of the historic city center—a colonial-era district that evokes Portugal’s glorious past and its former colonies.

After breakfast, depart by coach for a day of exploration in the western part of the island—an iconic region home to vast, azure-colored crater lakes. Ascend to the viewpoints at Pico de Carvão and Vista do Rei, where you can admire the *Lagoa Verde* (Green Lake) and *Lagoa Azul* (Blue Lake)—nestled within a crater—and take in the impressive scale of this ancient volcanic caldera.

Descend to the crater floor to visit the small village of Sete Cidades, with its unique church, and see Lake Santiago.

Head back toward the coast, stopping at the Escalvada viewpoint, which offers a stunning vista of the island’s tip. Continue through the small town of Mosteiros—noted for its curious rock formations—and then on to Ferraria, famous for its natural hot springs.

Return to Ponta Delgada.

Today, we continue our exploration of the island’s interior, visiting what is arguably its most enchanting and mystical area: Furnas, with its intense volcanic activity. Along the way, we will stop in the town of Vila Franca do Campo, which served as the island’s first capital.
Upon arriving in Furnas, we will get our first look at the volcanic activity: fumaroles line the lake, and locals use the heat from the ground to cook a traditional dish known as "cozido." After some free time, we will head to the village for lunch. In the early afternoon, we will explore the small town center—home to another area of ​​fumaroles—and take a walk through the Terra Nostra tropical park (where you may choose to bathe in the 30°C/86°F sulfurous waters; admission included). Finally, our coach will take us up to the heights of Pico de Ferro for one last panoramic view of Furnas and the surrounding region.

Free day

Optional: Whale watching

Today’s excursion takes you to the center of the island to discover another gem of São Miguel: Lagoa do Fogo, or the "Lake of Fire." The first stop is in Lagoa, east of Ponta Delgada, to visit an artisanal ceramics factory. We will then head to Pico da Barrosa, in the heart of the Serra de Água de Pau, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lagoa do Fogo. Next, we continue to the Caldeira Velha Natural Park (admission included), set amidst lush vegetation, with the option to bathe in its thermal waters. We then arrive in the town of Ribeira Grande, on the north side of the island, for lunch. Afterward, we will explore the historic center—notable for its Baroque influences—visit the Museum of Azorean Emigration (admission included), and enjoy a liqueur tasting. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, we will stop in the small village of Fajã de Baixo to visit a greenhouse pineapple plantation—a fruit that was introduced to the island in the 19th century (admission included).

After breakfast, we depart by coach for the final leg of our exploration of São Miguel: the northeastern region. We will then head toward the north coast, stopping at a tea plantation—the only one of its kind in Europe—for a brief tour of the factory, which remains in operation (depending on the harvest season). We continue on to Maia to visit the tobacco museum. Our journey then takes us to Ribeira dos Caldeirões, where a short walk offers the chance to admire a waterfall and watermills. We will conclude our excursion in Nordeste, a charming town adorned with flowers. Before returning to Ponta Delgada, we will stop at the Ponta do Sossego viewpoint, which offers stunning vistas of the ocean.
Enjoy a traditional dinner at a restaurant near the hotel (accessible on foot), followed by an overnight stay at our hotel in Ponta Delgada.

After a good lunch, a coach will take you to the airport.