Activity note: Depart on overnight flight from Boston to the Azores.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; Driving around 13 miles, approximately 3/4 hour. Walking up to 2 miles; about 1.5 hours; mostly level terrain with some inclination. Urban streets and cobble stone sidewalks. Some steps up/down.

Breakfast: The hotel serves a buffet style breakfast with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes. Breads, cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruits are all available, plus drinks such as milk, juice, coffee, tea and water are also included.

Morning: After checking in, free time to rest, unpack, settle in and relax

Lunch: This meal has been left out of your program to allow you to unpack and relax at your own pace

Afternoon: Meet your Group Leader and fellow participants in the hotel for an Orientation Briefing. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions, review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any 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/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Next, we’ll set out on a walk with our local historian and Group Leader in order to become more familiar with Angra do Heroismo

Dinner: Enjoy a tasty welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant. Wine, beer, soft drinks, juices, water, coffee and tea are all included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motor coach; Daily driving time approximately 1.5 hours; Driving around 35 miles; Hiking approximately 2.5 miles (4km); about 2.5 hours; Some steep descents/ascents; Concrete paths; Loose rocks; Rocky terrain; Grass pastures; At Algar do Carvao, 338 stone steps descend 330ft (100m). You can view/download detailed information on this trail, at this web address: http://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/terceira/baias-da-agualva

Breakfast: The hotel serves a buffet style breakfast with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes. Breads, cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruits are all available, plus drinks such as milk, juice, coffee, tea and water are also included.

Morning: Depart the hotel and travel via motorcoach to the northern part of the island to start the Baías da Agualva trail. A mainly coastal walk, the trail offers unique panoramic views along the shore and impressive evidence of the strong volcanic activity that has taken place there. The trail is also popular with bird watchers spotting species that breed in the Azores at the Bay of Pigeons, and nature lovers who can identify both endemic and exotic plants along the route

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, board the motor coach for a short drive to enjoy an expert-led field trip to visit the Algar do Carvão, a volcanic vent located in the central part of the island. Enter the cave, and if you wish, make your way down the more than 300 steps built inside the lava tube until you reach the heart of the ancient volcanic magma chamber. Don’t forget that what goes down must come up as you have to climb the same steps to exit the vent before boarding your coach to return to the hotel.

Dinner: Tonight dinner is on your own. (The group leader will be on hand to offer advice and suggestions)

Evening: The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motor coach; Daily driving time approximately 15mins; Hiking up to 3.5 miles (5.5km); approximately 2.5 hours; Natural forest trails; Approximately 640ft (195 meters) above sea level; Some descents/ascents; Urban streets and cobble stone sidewalks; You can view/download detailed information on this trail, at this web address: http://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/terceira/monte-brasil

Breakfast: The hotel serves a buffet style breakfast with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes. Breads, cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruits are all available, plus drinks such as milk, juice, coffee, tea and water are also included.

Morning: The first hike of the program will be a trek along the Monte Brasil trail. Depart the hotel by motor coach and drive by the Fortress of Sao Joao Batista to the highest point of the mountain, the Pico do Facho viewpoint where you will begin the trail. During the hike, learn about the historical importance of the island whilst enjoying panoramic views of the town of Angra do Heroismo, a UNESCO World Heritage Center. You’ll also enjoy a privileged view of the Atlantic Ocean from an old whaling look-out point and former World War II station. Descend by foot to the town below and walk along the sea front before stopping for lunch.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: The afternoon is free for you to explore Angra do Heroismo at your leisure. At the end of the day, meet your Group Leader and make your way to a local museum for a lecture on the Thermal Resources of the Azores.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant.

Evening: The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off bus/plane; Flight time approximately 45mins; driving approximately 35 miles throughout the day; about 1.5 hours total; Mostly level terrain; Getting on/off plane; flight transfer is less than 1 hour.

Breakfast: The hotel serves a buffet style breakfast with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes. Breads, cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruits are all available, plus drinks such as milk, juice, coffee, tea and water are also included

Morning: Set out on the cultural trail of Biscoitos, a charming little town known for its long wine-growing tradition and unique thermal pools. While here, we’ll walk with our hiking instructor through the famous vineyards protected by dark basalt walls.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant

Afternoon: Transfer to Terceira airport and check-in for our flight to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel Island. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and check in.

Dinner: At the hotel

Evening: The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; Daily driving time approximately 1.5 hrs; Driving around 42 miles; Hiking approximately 4 miles (6.5km); about 3 hrs; Dirt path; Earth and gravel terrain; Mostly level: Some minor inclines; Some steps; You can view/download detailed information on this trail, at this web address: http://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/sao-miguel/vista-do-rei-sete-cidades

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel offers a buffet with cold cuts, a variety of breads & pastries, cereals, choice of water and juices as well as the usual coffee, tea, hot & cold milk.

Morning: Depart the hotel by motorcoach and travel to Miradouro da Grota do Inferno to see the panoramic views over the four lagoons inside the crater of Sete Cidades. A massive volcanic crater measuring over 3 miles wide, it contains four large lakes and is home to one of the island’s most iconic viewpoints, the Vista do Rei (The King’s View), Some of São Miguel’s most beautiful scenery is located within the crater, including the Twin Lakes and the Grota do Inferno. Return to your motor coach and drive down to the village for lunch.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, board the motor coach and take a short drive to the start of the next trail. Hike around the rim of the imperious Sete Cidades crater with the village on one side and the ocean on the other, while learning about the local flora, before ending the trail at the Miradouro da Vista do Rei (The King’s Viewpoint) to look out on to the Twin Lakes below. Meet your motorcoach and take the short drive to your hotel in Ponta Delgada to check in.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; Daily driving time approximately 1.5 hours; Driving around 50 miles; Hiking approximately 3 miles(5km); about 2.5 hours; Steep descents/ascents; concrete roads; dirt paths; loose rocks; sandy beach; stone steps; City walk approximately 2 miles (3.5km); about 1.5 hours; mostly level terrain; cobbled stone sidewalks. You can view/download detailed information on this trail, at this web address:http://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/sao-miguel/praia-da-viola

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel offers a buffet with cold cuts, a variety of breads & pastries, cereals, choice of water and juices as well as the usual coffee, tea, hot & cold milk.

Morning: Depart the hotel by motor coach to the village of Lomba da Maia where you will be dropped off. Starting the hike at an altitude of approximately 250m, begin your descent down the village road towards the Praia da Viola beach below. Walk through the local community on your way, passing by the traditional “Senhora da Afliçao” Baroque style church and the farming fields with lush vegetation, learning about the local flora and how and why some of the more exotic species came to the island. Hike along the streams that lead to the ocean and survey the ruins of old water mills, once used to grind cereals and corn to make bread for local communities. As you contemplate the impressive views of the ocean, slowly make your way up from Viola Beach to the town of Maia where you will end the trail before lunch.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Return to Ponta Delgada for an Orientation Walk around the town. Learn about the city’s most important landmarks on a guided walk visiting the local Municipal Market, the Portas da Cidade (City Gates) and the sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo, which houses the most important religious icon on the island. End the walk by the Fortress of Sao Bras, home to the Military Museum, from where you will be free to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Dinner: Tonight dinner is on your own. Before dinner meet your Group Leader and fellow participants at the hotel bar for a cocktail hour and an opportunity to decide where to go for your meal.

Evening: The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; Daily driving time approximately 1.5 hours; Driving around 30 miles; Hiking approximately 3 miles (5km); about 2.5 hours; forest trails; Dirt paths; mostly level terrain; some small steps; You can view/download detailed information on this trail, at this web address:http://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/sao-miguel/furnas

Breakfast: The hotel serves a buffet style breakfast with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes. Breads, cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruits are all available, plus drinks such as milk, juice, coffee, tea and water are also included.

Morning: Check out of your hotel and depart by motorcoach to the town of Furnas. Arrive at the shores of the Furnas Lake and pass by the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitorias and the Mata José do Canto Garden before stopping at the renowned CMIF (Monitoring & Research Center of Furnas), founded in 2011 to promote the actions of ecological preservation work undertaken in the area. Learn from one of their experts about the work being done and watch a video presentation before setting off on a leisurely hike around the Furnas lake. End the walk at the fumaroles where you’ll watch the retrieval of a famous Azorean delicacy, known as Cozido, a varied selection of meats or fish with vegetables, layered in a big pot and lowered in to underground holes where the volcanic steams will cook the food for up to six hours. Board the motor coach again and drive a short distance to Caldeiras das Furnas, to take a walk around the area and explore the different types of thermal springs. Sample some of the local spring water if you so wish before driving to the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel to sample the famous Cozido dish.

Lunch: Enjoy the traditional Azorean “Cozido” dish served at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.

Afternoon: After lunch, meet in reception and set out on a guided visit of the Terra Nostra Gardens. Our local expert will share knowledge about the history of the gardens and give you detailed insight in to all aspects of the flora throughout the grounds. Return to the hotel reception and check in to your rooms. Afterwards, you may wish to take some time to explore the grounds independently or to take a dip in one of the thermal pools before dinner. (The garden is closed to the public from 6:00 PM till 10:00 AM but open exclusively 24hrs for hotel guests)

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant.

Evening: The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motor coach; Daily driving time approximately 1.5 hours; Driving around 30 miles; Hiking approximately 4 miles (5km); about 3 hours; Forest trail; Dirt paths; Loose rocks; Wooden foot bridges; narrow paths; Uneven ground; Cobble stone paths; Steep ascents/descents; Elevation 50m/250m; You can view/download detailed information on this trail, at this web address: http://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/sao-miguel/sanguinho

Breakfast: The hotel serves a buffet style breakfast with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes. Breads, cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruits are all available, plus drinks such as milk, juice, coffee, tea and water are also included.

Morning: Depart the hotel by motor coach and drive to the village of Faial da Terra to set out on the Sanguinho Trail. Follow the stream through the entrance to the forest and begin your ascent with the hiking instructors. Traverse a short narrow cliff-edge path and contemplate the abundant flora, including the Cryptomeria Japonica and Pittosporum Undulatam, as you encounter wooden bridges crossing over the small creeks that feed the main stream. Weather permitting make your way to the impressive waterfall known as Salto do Prego for some rest and to cool off, before continuing your ascent to the local farming fields and orchards in the old lost village of Sanguinho. From there, slowly make your way down the cobbled stone path back to the motorcoach.

Lunch: Receive a packed lunch upon departure to enjoy at a picturesque stop on the trail.

Afternoon: After lunch, return to the motor coach and transfer back to your hotel in Furnas. Enjoy some free time to relax before meeting your fellow participants for a farewell drink at the hotel bar prior to dinner.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant. Raise a toast and share some of your favorite experiences of the program with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach/plane; Daily driving time approximately 1.5 hrs; Driving around 30 miles; Tea fields; Paved sidewalks; Mostly level terrain; Some steps (optional); Check in for departure flight.

Breakfast: The hotel serves a buffet style breakfast with a vast selection of hot and cold dishes. Breads, cheeses, cold cuts, pastries, cereals, and fresh fruits are all available, plus drinks such as milk, juice, coffee, tea and water are also included.

Morning: Check out of your rooms and board the motorcoach to depart the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. Take a short drive to the town of Gorreana and stop for a guided visit of the famous Gorreana Tea Factory & Plantation, the only one of its kind in Europe. Learn about the different types of tea and how they’re made then return to your motorcoach and continue to Sao Miguel’s second largest town, Ribeira Grande, for some free time followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant. Program end.

Afternoon: After lunch, transfer to Ponta Delgada airport, stopping briefly en route at the Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint if weather permits. This concludes the program. 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 rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!