Self-drive Discoveries of the Azores – Portugal

Arrival at Lajes airport (Terceira island). Pick-up your rental vehicle at the airport counter Depending on your arrival time, you can start to enjoy on your own Angra do Heroimso whose historic center is listed as a World Heritage Site.First city built in the middle of the Atlantic, it was 80 percent destroyed after the 1980 earthquake. It owes its universal value to the history of its port of call which represented until the arrival of steamships in the 19th century, a place of exchange for commerce and maritime exploration at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and India. A recommended passage for history buffs.. Continue towards Monte Brasil and enjoy a beautiful view of Angra do Heroismo from Pico das Cruzinhas or Outeiro da Memoria viewpoints. Take the opportunity to hike in the natural reserve located on the upper part. You could also relax on the small beach or its surrounding bays For those who wish to meet the local population and discover an unusual culture, we suggest you visit a small local family run coffee and fruit trees plantation in the surroundings of the city José (passionate and very talkative) and his wife Filomena, will be happy to present different organic species of fruits that they harvest such as coffee, banana, guava, fig, passion fruit, tamarillo and others. Their garden is a delight for flora lovers. Do not leave without tasting their coffee and various homemade fruit liqueurs.The visit (English/Portuguese) last about 1 hour in small group or in private Night in Angra do Heroismo (private double room with private bathroom in a city guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, entrance fee as per described above, room and breakfast

This morning we suggest you a walking cultural private tour in the nicest city of the archipelago : Angra do Heroismo, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Throughout history it was twice the capital of Portugal. Its rich architectural heritage will be a delight for history buffs. Among the monuments and emblematic places of the city, your guide will include during this 2,5 hours tour : Angra Museum (MAH), Duque de Bragança Garden, Palacio dos Capitães Generais and the Cathedral also nicknamed "SE"   Lunch not included Free time in the afternoon for you to start visiting the rest of the island (you can choose among the following)   The interior of the island includes a vast volcanic massif among which Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz, a wild area with endemic vegetation and where bull breeding is also concentrated. Start with Serra de Santa Bárbara, with a stop at Lagoa das Patas appreciated by nature lovers (also popular for picnics or as a starting point to join one of the Ex Libris hikes on the island). For those interested in volcanism, several volcanic cavities can be visited in this part of the island: Gruta do Natal lava tunnel and Algar do Carvão cave. You can also observe the small fumaroles of Furnas do Enxofre, one of the manifestations of active volcanism in the Azores. The center of the island also offers some beautiful walks, the emblematic Misterios Negros evolving in Serra de Santa Barbara (circular hike of an average to difficult level of around 2h30 starting next to Gruta do Natal), or Passagem das Bestias or Rocha do Chambre walks (around 2h30 each - easy to medium level) Depending on your interest and your free time, various options are available to discover the eastern part of the island. You should not miss Serra do Cume and its famous viewpoint surrounded by green pastures creating a patchwork of agricultural lands. For a slightly more cultural visit: Porto Judeo and its colorful three-door imperio, the small village of São Sebastião known for its church and its imperio or even Praia da Vitoria, its historic center and its pleasant seaside. If time permits on the way back to the south coast, stop at the Serra da Ribeirinha viewpoint which offers a beautiful view of the rock formations of the Cabras islets on a clear day Night in Angra do Heroismo (private double room with private bathroom in a city guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, private walking tour, room and breakfast

Discover on the way the quiet fishing port of Sao Mateus da Calheta Continue towards Serreta and enjoy a short walk of around 2h30 (PRC3TER) which will take you to Pico da Lagoinha. Do not forget to stop by Ponta do Queimado and Miradouro do Raminho to enjoy a superb panorama. Get lost in the small hamlet of Altares. Continue towards the northern coast to reach the natural pools of Biscoitos, then end with the green landscapes of Quatro Ribeiras and Vila Nova. We include a visit to a family vineyard in Biscoitos followed by a tasting of wines and homemade typical liqueurs of the Azores (Average duration: 1 hour) With extra cost : * Possibility of a visit to their winemaking workshop and laboratory or to include a traditiona homemade meal for lunch or dinner. * Possibility of cooking workshop Night in Angra do Heroismo (private double room with private bathroom in a city guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, wine tasting, room and breakfast

Dropoff your rental car at Lajes airport Inter island flight to Faial (average of 35 minutes - flight operated only by SATA Azores Airlines) Pick up your rental car at Horta airport Depending on your arrival time, set off to explore the small town of Horta, its peaceful historic center, its marina famous among all transatlantic sailors leaving colorful paintings on the port walls. Continue towards Monte da Guia which offers a beautiful panorama of Horta and its Porto Pim bay. Night on the South coast of Faial (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast, inter islands flight

This morning, you can enjoy a pleasant and fun visit in the form of a storytelling walk in the historic centre of Horta (from first settlers to the present day, including the era of piracy) Durantion : about 2 hours and suitable for everyone, no difficulty in terms of walking Lunch not included Free time in the afternoon for you to start visiting the rest of the island (you can choose among the following Then set off in the afternoon to explore the northern coast, from Praia do Almoxarife to Praia do Norte with a stop at the Ribeirinha viewpoint You can discover the center of the island with its Caldeira, one of the most impressive craters in the Azores and the first in the entire Azorean archipelago to be classified as a nature reserve. You can walk all around this volcanic cratera (approximately 8km during about 2 hours - diameter of 2 km). For more experienced hikers, the descent into the crater is only possible when accompanied by an official guide from the nature reserve (400 meters deep - difficult level - approximately 5 hours). Along the way, stop at the Flamingos botanical garden to discover azorean endemic flora Night on the South coast of Faial (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, private walking tour, room and breakfast

Start your day with the discovery of the Capelinhos Volcano, which emerged from the sea barely 60 years ago. Its old lighthouse houses a modern undergound interpretation center designed in the middle of a lunar landscape covered with volcanic ashes. Continue towards te Cabeço Verde and Castelo Branco Natural Park. You will end your day with a relaxing break in the natural swimming pools of Varadouro Night on the South coast of Faial (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast

Dropoff your rental car at the Horta Harbour Ferry from Faial to Pico (30 minutes) Pick up your rental car at Madalema Harbour Depending on your arrival time, stroll through the vineyards of Criação Velha (small plots delimited by stone walls). This wine-growing landscape, almost intact since its era of glory in the 19th century, is a protected area and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Indeed, this vast network of surrounded enclosures ingeniously set up by man to protect vine crops from wind and sea spray is a universal example of the adaptation of agricultural practices in the difficult context of an isolated region. During this day you will have the opportunity to visit Gruta das Torres, formed around 1500 years ago and representing the largest known volcanic lava corridor in the Azores. Important: In order to maintain the conservation of the cavity, the visit is subject to entry quotas and must be booked several months in advance (duration : 1H to 1H30 on uneven ground over 450 meters (the cave has 5150 meters) in absolute darkness using a lantern and equipped with a helmet. Access prohibited to children under 6 years old Observation of different types of lava and geological formations such as stalagmites and stalactites. Night on the East coast of Pico (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Inclus: ticket de bateau, location de véhicule, assurance, kilométrage illimité, entrée(s) site(s) mentionné(s) dans le programme, chambre et petit-déjeuner

Set off to discover the charming little village of Lajes du Pico with its end-of-the-world atmosphere and its whalers' museum (closed on Mondays) retracing the history and maritime life as well as the incredible reconversion following the fishing ban in whale watching activites Possibility of walking to the heights of Lajes to visit the "vigia". Marcelo and his colleagues, former whalers, have put their knowledge of cetaceans to the benefit of tourism and are in charge of indicating to boats at sea the exact point where they spotted the marine animals Night on the East coast of Pico (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast

Today, we advise you to travel to the northern coast from Sao Roque towards Piedade (or vice versa), passing through Ribeirinha. Between forest parks, old vineyards, banana crops and natural swimming pools, you will also have the choice between numerous hikes In São Roque, discover the former biggest whaling factory (now a museum), the seaside promenade and its water mills, as well as its natural swimming pools. Either at the begining or at the end of your visiting day, drive along the "Transervale" road that crosses the island from West to East, to discover numerous ponds on the altiplano, among which the famous Lagoa do Capitão. The eastern part of the transversale will surprise you with its high altitude landscape characterized by several volcanic cones. During the day it is possible to include a wine tasting (additional extra costs) Night on the East coast of Pico (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast

Dropoff your rental car at Pico airport Inter island flight to São Miguel (average of 50 minutes - flight operated only by SATA Azores Airlines) Pick up your rental car at Ponta Delgada airport We suggest you visit the charming historic center of Ponta Delgada recalling the glorious past of Portugal and its colonies. Not to forget Mercado de Graça to discover local products. You can either enjoy walking along the pleasant marina or discovering the nurmerous parks and gardens in the city among which the Victorian Sant'Ana (with its palace, its orderly and flowery paths, its greenhouse of ornamental plants) or the romantic Antonio Borges Garden Do not miss pineapple greenhouse plantations in Faja do Baixo. This exotic fruit has become emblematic since its importation from the Americas in the 19th century. For hikers, Fajã Rocha da Relva will be a pleasant option. Located on the southwest coast of the island, this 3-hours circular hike will allow you to discover one of the unique Faja of the island (flat habitable and cultivable land located by a cliff on sea level and often cut off from the world due to its difficult access. At the faja da Rocha its inhabitants go to get supplies in town with the help of carrying animals. A timeless walk Night on the Center-North of Sao Miguel (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast, Inter island flight

Today head to Furnas and enjoy its tropical atmosphere with its rich volcanic activity The visit could be divided into two areas: * The lake: an ancient volcano crater around which you could hike about seven kilometers, then discover its adjacent fumaroles where the famous “cozido” is cooked underground at midday. * Further in the valley, enjoy the small village of Furnas with anoter fumarole area and/or the Terra Nostra Botanical Park (the most important garden in the archipelago) with the possibility of a bath in its hot thermal waters (other smaller springs are also present in the village). Do not miss the Pico de Ferro viewpoint which will offer you a panoramic view of the cratera lake. At lunchtime, meet at the Terra Nostra hotel restaurant to taste the famous Cozido das Furnas, a 3-course lunch including a starter and a dessert to be chosen from the menu, and a unique hot dish " cozido" (Azorian stew cooked underground with volcanic activity), drinks, coffee or tea. You will benefit after lunch of the entrance to the Terra Nostra Botanical Park with access included to hot water springs Night on the Center-North of Sao Miguel (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Inclus: location de véhicule, assurance, kilométrage illimité, entrée(s) site(s) mentionné(s) dans le programme, déjeuner, chambre et petit-déjeuner

Along the way, stop at the emblematic tea plantations, unique in Europe. Imported from Brazil in the 19th century, this new culture was intended to cope with the decline in orange production, reinforced by ideal climatic conditions to produce high quality tea. Continue towards Caldeira Velha Park, enjoy some rest among its lush nature and a bath in its hot springs When the weather clears up, do not loose time and reach Lagoa do Fogo view points, some of the nicest ones on the islands but where often covered with fog Night on the Center-North of Sao Miguel (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast,

Sete Cidades region is not to be missed during a trip to Sao Miguel. Start with Pico do Carvão viewpoint which offers panoramic views of the North and South coasts of Sao Miguel and some high altitude tiny lagoons. This region is also rich in forest parks and several hiking possibilities Continue towards Vista do Rei for its famous viewpoint overlooking the famous twin blue and green lakes. Go down to the valley and village of Sete Cidades where you could walk around the crater lakes and realize the totally incredible dimensions of this ancient cauldron. We have included 3 hours adventure at your own space including kayaking and mountain biking around the lakes self guided) If time permits, finish with a stop at Ferraria for its natural hot water pools heated by a volcanic fissure or reach Mosteiros to enjoy the sunset. Night on the Center-North of Sao Miguel (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, material rental, room and breakfast,

On the way to the far southeast, stop at Povoação, the cradle of the island, a small village which once welcomed the first settlers Continue with a hike along the Faial da Terra river, to the ancient Aldeia de Sanguinho (circular 2h30/3h hike with elevation gain). This pleasant path will take you to the Salto do Prego waterfall. Head north towards the small village of Nordeste, along the east coast, and enjoy the countless viewpoints that make up this region, Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego being one os the most famous of this part of the island End your journey in the North East, with Ribeira dos Caldeirões park with waterfalls and old water mills (canyoning on request). This natural park and its botanical garden will surely please flora lovers For hikers, the North Coast is rich in various trails, among which Ribeira Funda, a pleasant path lined with old water mills. If you are passionate with ornithology, do not miss Centro Ambiental du Priolo, in charge of protecting this small endemic bird that you can only find in Sao Miguel and in this particular area (it measures only 15cm with an average weight of 30gr) Night on the Center-North of Sao Miguel (private double room with private bathroom in a rural guesthouse). Included : rental car, insurance, unlimited mileage, room and breakfast,

Dropoff your rental car at Ponta Delgada airport Departure from Ponta Delgada airport Included : rental car fees