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Azores

The Amazing Azores: From Volcanoes to Vineyards

Program No. 22755RJ
Venture to the extraordinary volcanoes of the Azores, and explore the islands’ dramatic lakes and craters. Join experts to learn the islands’ fascinating history of wine and whaling.
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  • Amazing Azores, Portugal
Small Group
Length
13 days
Rating (4.95)
Activity Level
Starts at
5,649
Special Offer
Flights start at
FREE
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
13 days
12 nights
What's Included
28 meals ( 11B, 10L, 7D )
2 expert-led lectures
31 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
1 hands-on experience
An experienced Group Leader
11 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00pm. Walking up to 2 miles at sites in Horta; about 1.5 hours; mostly level terrain, some inclines, urban streets, cobblestone sidewalks, steps up/down.
Morning:
Transfer from the airport to the hotel in the town of Horta. The Group Leader will be on hand to provide assistance as needed.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We will meet our local expert in the hotel lobby and set out on foot to explore the town of Horta. Walk along the famous marina and see the iconic sea front painted walls, before stopping to enter the Horta Museum, housed in an old Jesuit College and home to a beautiful Fig Tree Pith art collection, amongst many other interesting items. Returning to the hotel we will have our Orientation Meeting. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 55 miles, approximately 2.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles, approximately 1.5 hours. Botanical Garden mostly level terrain with steps and an incline at entrance. Short walk from bus to Capelinhos Volcano Center - steps or ramps to enter and exit the center.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant
Morning:
We will meet in the hotel lobby and depart by bus to the most western tip of Faial Island for a field trip at the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre. Built underground, beneath the surviving lighthouse, we will learn about the eruption of 1957/58 and have some free time to explore the ash covered landscape surrounding the center.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will take a short drive to the parish of Flamengos, where we will walk around the Faial Botanical Garden and learn about the endemic flora with a local expert. Built with a mission to conserve and study the Azorean natural flora, the garden is now home to some of the rarest plants in the Azores.Returning to the bus, if weather and good visibility allows, we will drive up Faial’s highest mountain to approximately 2900ft to stop at a viewpoint looking out over the Faial Caldeira volcano. The mile wide, 400-metre-deep crater is now a nature reserve.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a ferry; riding 5.5 miles each way. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 58 miles, approximately 3 hours total riding time; Walking up to 1-2 miles; mostly level terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will meet in the hotel lobby and transfer by bus to the Horta Ferry Terminal close by, where we will take a 30-minute ferry ride over to Pico Island. Please note that much like flights, original passports now need to be shown to board the ferry. Upon arrival, we will meet our bus and take a short drive to the Criaçao Velha Vineyards, an area classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO! Walk through this stunning landscape with our local expert and learn about the traditional agricultural and production method that make this island’s wines so unique. Return to the bus and drive along the northern coast to the village of “Cachorro”, home to a natural rock formation said to resemble a dog, and to a coastal viewpoint, looking out over the ocean to the island of Sao Jorge. Continue by bus across to the southern part of the island to the town of “Lajes”, for lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board the bus and take a short drive to the Whaler’s Museum. Watch a short documentary film from the late 1960’s depicting the life of a whaler at the time and then enjoy an expert-led exploration of the museum, to learn about the history of the whaling industry. Meet the bus and continue to the village of Madalena to catch the ferry back to Faial Island. If weather and visibility allow, enroute enjoy the views of Pico Mountain, the highest point of Portugal.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off an aircraft; flying approx. 30mins. Getting on/off a bus or taxis; driving 14 miles; riding time approx. 30mins; walking up to 2.5 miles at sites in Angra; about 2 hours; mostly level terrain, some inclines, urban streets, cobblestone sidewalks, steps up/down.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our rooms and meet in the hotel lobby to transfer by bus to Horta airport for our flight to Terceira Island. Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel in the town of Angra do Heroismo.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
We will meet our local expert in the hotel lobby and set out on foot to explore the historic town of Angra do Heroismo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the beautiful gardens and appreciate the local architecture while learning about the historical and geographical importance of Terceira Island. After the orientation walk of Angra we will return to the hotel and check in to our rooms.
Dinner:
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 39 miles, approx. 30mins at a time; total riding time 1.5 hours; walking short distances on urban terrain and gravel; narrow concrete paths through vineyards.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will meet in the hotel lobby and depart by bus towards the northern coast of Terceira Island to the village of Biscoitos. Walk around the naturally formed rock pools created by lava flowing out into the sea. If weather and sea conditions allow, take this opportunity to swim in this special part of the ocean. There are places to change onsite so remember to bring a bathing suit and towel. Return to the bus and take a short drive to a local vineyard along the coastline. We will meet a local expert from the “Materramenta” project, who will show us around the property and teach us about the wine growing techniques in the region. After our field trip, we will take a short drive their winery to sit down and taste some of the traditional wines of the Azores. After the wine tasting session, return to the bus and drive towards the southeastern coast, to the village of Sao Sebastiao, and learn about its ties to the early settlement on Terceira Island.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board our bus and return to our hotel in Angra do Heroismo, where we will enjoy a lecture about Geothermal Energy in the Azores.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out the following day.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 25 miles, approx. 30mins at a time; total riding time 1.5 hours; walking short distances on urban terrain; on grass and gravel paths at coffee plantation. Getting on/off an aircraft; flying approx. 40mins.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our rooms and meet in the hotel lobby to depart by bus to a local coffee plantation. Upon arrival we will be met by a local expert who will walk us around the property, teaching us about the coffee growing process and showing us the various tropical fruits growing on the plantation. At the end of the walk, we will sit down in their “Coffee Cabana” cafe for a demonstration of how the coffee is prepared followed by a coffee tasting session and coffee ice cream. We will return to the bus and drive up to the top of Monte Brasil, taking in some of the island’s best viewpoints over the town of Angra do Heroísmo below. Home to one of Portugal’s most important military fortresses, it is also the city’s natural park and a protected landscape.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board our bus and drive across the island towards the town of Praia da Vitoria where we will catch a flight to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel Island in the early evening. If weather and good visibility conditions allow, we will stop enroute at the Serra do Cume viewpoint before driving past the old abandoned American military village, located behind the American Air Base at Lajes Airfield. We will end the afternoon at Lajes Airport and check in to our flight to Ponta Delgada. Upon arrival we will transfer to our hotel for check-in and for a light refreshment coffee station, with soup, sandwiches, fruit, and hot and cold drinks.
Dinner:
At the hotel. A light refreshment coffee station, with soup, sandwiches, fruit, and hot and cold drinks.
Evening:
At leisure
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles at sites in Ponta Delgada; about 2 hours; mostly level terrain, some inclines, urban streets, cobblestone sidewalks, steps up/down. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 32 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will meet our local expert in the hotel lobby and set out on foot to explore the town of Ponta Delgada. Walk through the city center and learn about the history of the town as we view some of the most important landmarks, including the Chapel of Our Lady of Hope and the City Gates. We will end the walk at the marina for lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will walk back from the marina to the hotel and depart by bus to the village of Sete Cidades, home to arguably one of the most famous landscapes of the Azores Islands. If weather and good visibility conditions allow, we will stop at the iconic Vista do Rei (King’s View) viewpoint, before descending into the village below for some free time and an opportunity to see the famous Twin Lakes (Blue & Green Lagoon).
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 18 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Minimal walking required at both field trips.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Free time. This period has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. If you wish to go Whale Watching, we advise ordering tickets in advance. Check the websites of the companies of your choice prior to departure.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will meet in the hotel lobby and depart by bus to the “Oficna Museu”, a home in the village of Capelas that has been converted into a unique Arts & Crafts Workshop Museum. Take some time to independently explore the museum, viewing the many hundreds of collected items on show. Continue by bus to the Ananases Arruda Pineapple Plantation. Our local expert will show us the traditional whitewashed greenhouses and teach us about the two-year growth process that makes this local fruit so unique. Board the bus and return to Ponta Delgada to enjoy a lecture about the History of the Azores.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out the following day.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 41 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Minimal walking at field trips and viewpoint stops; mostly urban level terrain and gravel paths, some short minor incline ascents on urban streets to viewpoints.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We will check out of our rooms and meet in the hotel lobby to depart by bus to the town of Lagoa, to stop at the family owned Ceramica Vieira ceramic factory. Our local expert will lead us around the factory, explaining the history of the family and showing us the different processes, from the moulding of the clay to the painting of the ceramics. Return to the bus, and if weather and good visibility conditions allow, we will drive up to the Lagoa do Fogo (The Fire Lake), a crater lake within the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano located in the center of the island and one of the most iconic viewpoints. We will then continue by bus to the town of Ribeira Grande where we will have an opportunity to independently explore the town before we stop for lunch.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will return to the bus and make our way towards the village of Furnas. If weather and good visibility conditions allow, we will stop enroute at the Pico do Ferro viewpoint looking over Furnas Lake, before arriving at our hotel in town to check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel bar.
Evening:
At leisure
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 8 miles, approximately 30mins total riding time; mostly level terrain, forest trail, dirt paths, earth and gravel terrain. Garden walk takes approx. 1.5 hours; mostly level terrain; some small steps.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will meet our local expert in the hotel lobby and set out on foot through the village of Furnas, stopping at the Caldeiras das Furnas, home to many thermal springs and where you can taste a host of different volcanic waters. Our bus will collect us there and drive us up to Furnas Lake, where we will stop at the CIAF (Furnas Environmental Interpretation Center). One of the center’s local experts will lead us around and teach us about the formation of the Azores and the important work being done in the region. From the CIAF, we will depart by bus on a short drive around the Furnas Lake, ending at the Furnas Lake Fumaroles, where the locals prepare the traditional Cozido dish (a selection of different meats and vegetables, layered in pots that are lowered into holes in the ground and cooked by volcanic steam) After seeing the pots being removed from the ground, we will return to the bus and drive back to our hotel for lunch.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will meet our local expert and set out on foot for a walk through the Terra Nostra Garden. We will learn about the history of its creation and appreciate the various endemic and introduced species growing in the garden.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus; driving about 60 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time, walking at field trips and viewpoint stops; mostly urban level terrain and gravel paths, some elective ascents/descents and cobble stones at natural park.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will meet in the hotel lobby and depart by bus to the Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park. Take some time alone to enjoy the stunning landscapes in this protected area of the island with waterfalls and old water mills, amongst the beautiful flora. Return to our bus and drive to the famous Gorreana Tea Factory & Plantation. Owned by the same family for five generations, it is the only place in Europe that both grows and manufactures tea. Our local expert will lead us around the factory teaching us about the growing and manufacturing process and the differences between black and green tea. At the end, we can take some time to independently explore the property or to taste some of the different teas.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, return to the bus and drive across the island to the southern coast. Stop at Vila Franca do Campo, the first capital of Sao Miguel Island, and enjoy the views to the Vila Franco do Campo Islet in the ocean. We can also explore the Vila Franca do Campo Marina with its black sand beach and traditional Queijada cake factory. We will return to the bus and make our way back to our hotel in the village of Furnas. At the end of the afternoon before dinner, meet your Group Leader and fellow participants for a farewell meeting. This is an opportunity to share your experiences about the program and discuss details of the next day’s departure.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure the following day.
Activity Note
Hotel check out is at 11:00am. See your program’s Transportation Information regarding transfers. Your group leader will advise departure times.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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