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Azores Three Island Tour (A): Sao Miguel, Faial and Pico
Overview
Introduction
The islands of the Azores each have their own unique character and charm, so we recommend multi-centre holidays when possible to gain a wider understanding of what the archipelago has to offer.
São Miguel, the largest island of the Azores is a green and fertile paradise, with a mountainous landscape where visitors can enjoy land-based activities including cycling, walking, 4x4 tours and guided island tours, along with water sports like surfing, canoeing, swimming in rock pools, plus magnificent whale and dolphin watching.
Cosmopolitan Faial is dominated by the incredible volcanic crater, Caldeira – accessible through a tunnel in its side – Faial is the ideal island for keen walkers or botanists. From mid-June to August the island is a riot of blue as the hedges of hydrangeas, originally imported from China and Japan, burst into bloom.
Pico is the second largest island of the archipelago and is dominated by its volcano ‘Pico Alto’ – the highest point in Portugal at 2,351m. Adventurous travellers can climb to the summit of Mount Pico to enjoy spectacular views over the central islands of the archipelago.
Itinerary includes:
- Flights from London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada, São Miguel with Azores Airlines (Tuesday or Thursday departures) - other routes on request
- 7-nights’ accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis:
- 3-nights Talisman Hotel, Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) - Standard Room
- 2-nights Do Canal Hotel, Horta (Faial) - Standard Room
- 2-nights Do Colegio Hotel, Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) - Standard Room
- All transfers, inter-island flights, entrance tickets (botanical garden and museums) and two lunches (days 3 and 5)
- Guided excursions (minibus and guide or taxi/jeep with English speaking driver): Two Half Day Tours - Sete Cidades and Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel); Full Day Tour Furnas (Sao Miguel); Half Day Faial Tour; Full Day Tour Pico.
Agenda
Day 1 - Day of arrival
Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at the Talisman Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Talisman Hotel, Sao Miguel
Day 2 - Sao Miguel: Two half day tours (Sete Cidades and Ponta Delgada)
Departure for Sete Cidades with a stop at ‘Vista do Rei’ belvedere to marvel at the magnificent view over the lakes. Free time for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Ponta Delgada starting at the City Garden and continuing on foot to see some of the highlights that the city has to offer.
Overnight at the Talisman Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Sete Cidades, Sao Miguel
Day 3 - Sao Miguel: Full day tour (Furnas)
Depart to Vila Franca do Campo, the first capital of Sao Miguel. After a short visit to the town, continue to the village of Furnas with time to explore the beautiful botanical gardens and hot springs. A traditional Cozido lunch is included at a local restaurant before returning to Ponta Delgada by the north coast, visiting a tea plantation and Santa Iria viewpoint en route.
Overnight at the Talisman Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Hot springs, Furnas
Day 4 - Faial: Half day tour
Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for your flight to Horta (1 hour). On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon tour of the island visiting the Caldeira, the highest point on the island at 1,043 metres; Capelinhos, the site of the last volcanic eruption in the Azores in 1957; and the interpretation centre which details the evolution of the eruption.
Overnight at the Do Canal Hotel, Faial on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Faial
Day 5 - Pico: Full day tour
In the morning transfer to Horta harbour for your ferry ride across to Pico island (30 minutes). Departure from Madalena towards the north coast in the direction of Cachorro and Lajido. Continue to the village of São Roque to visit the Whale factory and the natural swimming pools. Continue by the mountain road towards the lake of Capitao, at 900m. Stop at Lajes do Pico which was, for many years, the centre of the whaling industry in the Azores. Today, you can visit the Whaler’s museum, home to a fascinating exhibition about the industry, which includes examples of the equipment used as well as many original photographs. Stop for lunch (included). Continue along the south coast, short stop at Misterios de Sao Joao then to Sao Mateus to visit the church. Continue in the direction of Criacao Velha to see Pico's vineyards - listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site since 2004. Return to Madalena harbour for your short ferry crossing back to Faial. Transfer from the harbour to your hotel.
Overnight at the Do Canal Hotel, Faial on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Pico
Day 6 - Sao Miguel
Transfer to Horta airport for your flight to São Miguel (1-hour). On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at the Do Colegio Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Do Colegio Hotel, Sao Miguel
Day 7 - Sao Miguel: Day at leisure
Day at leisure. Explore the town of Ponta Delgada, indulge in some shopping and/or participate in whale and dolphin excursion.
Overnight at the Do Colegio Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel
Day 8 - Day of departure
Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for your return flight home to the UK.
Accommodation
Talisman Hotel - Night 1 to 3
This elegantly styled hotel is conveniently located in the historical centre of Ponta Delgada overlooking a public garden.
This elegantly styled hotel is conveniently located in the historical centre of Ponta Delgada overlooking a public garden. The rooms are decorated in a modern minimalist style with wooden floors and there is a charming winter garden and an excellent restaurant specialising in regional dishes. The rooftop swimming pool – unique for a city hotel, offers a view over the rooftops of the city.
Accommodation
- 57 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms and suites.
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- 'Palm Terrace' restaurant serving regional and international cuisine
- ‘Sports One’ pub with pool table and often with live music is open from 5pm to 1am (Fri-Sat) or to midnight (Sun-Thurs) cafe opens up on to a paved esplanade
- Cafe opens up on to a paved esplanade
- Lounges
- Business centre
- Rooftop heated swimming pool (3.5 x 7m) and sundeck open all year – pool towels provided. The pool is accessed by a flight of stairs from the 3rd floor
- Mini gym
- Lift to 3rd floor only
- 10 minutes’ walk to the marina
- Private parking - payable locally at 6 Euros per day
Do Canal Hotel - Night 4 to 5
The hotel enjoys a prime location in the heart of Horta, opposite the marina and within easy walking distance of the popular 'Peter's Café'.
The hotel enjoys a prime location in the heart of Horta, opposite the marina and within easy walking distance of the popular ‘Peter’s Café’. This four-star property provides an ideal base for those wishing to explore the town’s narrow streets, enjoy a day-trip to Pico and Sao Jorge or participate in a whale-watching excursion (Apr-Oct).
- 103 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, executive rooms and suites
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Restaurant serving international cuisine (buffet and à la carte)
- Snack bar
- Winter garden
- Small games room (card tables, snooker, chess and backgammon)
- Jacuzzi, Turkish bath, sauna and small fitness centre. The hotel has an electric chair to assist those with movement difficulties into the water
- Hairdresser and beautician
- Laundry service
- 2 Lifts
- Free private parking
- 100m from Porto Pim beach
- 3km from Horta harbour
Do Colegio Hotel - Night 6 to 7
The Do Colégio Hotel enjoys a privileged location within the historical centre of Ponta Delgada.
The Do Colégio Hotel enjoys a privileged location within the historical centre of Ponta Delgada. This 19th century building, once home to the Regional School of Music and Colmeia College, and rich in historical and cultural interest, has been remodelled to create a classically designed, four-star hotel. Many of the building’s original features are still in evidence including stone flooring in the reception, TV lounge and bar.
The hotel has the added bonus of a swimming pool and secure free parking on site. The central location allows easy access to the town and the harbour area where the whale watching excursions depart from and also where you will find one of the three restaurants owner-managed by the hotel, namely ‘La Cantina’ located opposite the Portas do Mar Marina and serving Italian cuisine. A second restaurant/cafe can be found opposite the harbour promenade Confeitaria ‘A Colmeia’ serving cakes and light snacks and the third is on site at the hotel, restaurant Colmeia Asia serving Asian food and sushi.
Accommodation
- 59 air-conditioned rooms including standard rooms, superior rooms, family rooms and two suites.
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Restaurant Colmeia Asia, serving Asian food and sushi, is open for lunch (Mon-Fri) and dinner (daily)
- TV lounge/Bar
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Health club with free use of a sauna and Turkish bath
- Swimming pool (6 x 10.50m) open all year – pool towels provided
- Secure underground parking (free of charge subject to availability)
- 2 Lifts
- Confeitaria ‘A Colmeia’ located opposite the harbour promenade
- Restaurant ‘La Cantina’ located opposite the Portas do Mar Marina and serving Italian cuisine
- 15 minutes drive to Populo beach
Route Map
Best time to go
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC
Time Difference
GMT - 1 hour
Currency
Euro
Language
Portuguese
Average flight times
4 hours 5 minutes
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Average temperature
Average rainfall
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC