Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Portugal – Azores – Sao Miguel
100% customisable for you
Your adventure in the Azores kicks off today, so head to the airport to catch your flight to Sao Miguel. Direct flights from the UK take just over four hours, so remember to have a film downloaded or a good book to hand.
Upon arrival, head through customs and collect your bags, then pick up your rental car from the airport: you’re headed to the village of Furnas, a 45-minute drive away. Once you’ve arrived, check into your hotel – your base for the next three nights.
Furnas is famous for its hot springs and beautiful gardens, so why not stretch your legs and explore with a stroll? For dinner, dive right into the local culture and try cozido das Furnas, a delicious Azorean stew slow-cooked in volcanic soil.
On your first day, head out to explore Furnas Lake by bike with a private guide. Hop on bikes and pedal through the lush volcanic scenery, an area home to high geothermal activity.
A dirt path circles the lake before climbing to the highest point of the ride, Pico dos Milhos, where you can admire breathtaking views. You’ll then descend on a separate path that leads back to the village. Along the way, look out for volcanic phenomena such as fumaroles and geysers.
There’s plenty more to keep you occupied while you’re in Furnas. You might like to relax in mud baths and volcanic pools, stroll through the vast Terra Nostra botanical garden or climb Pico do Ferro, a viewpoint where you can take in the scenic surroundings of Furnas.
It’s time to say farewell to Furnas and head to Sao Vicente Ferreira (around a 45-minute drive away), where you’ll stay for the final four nights of your holiday.
After you’ve checked into your hotel, there are even more volcanic swimming pools and lush landscapes to explore. The cliffs along the coastal roads are perfect for enjoying views over the Atlantic, or if you’d like to get in the water, head to Zona Balnear dos Pocos for a swim.
The next three days are yours to spend exploring more of the Azores’ magical landscapes. First, head out on a hike in Sete Cidades with a private guide. This extinct volcano rises to 2,808ft tall, crowned by a three-mile-diameter caldera containing several lakes: the caldera and the natural park are protected areas best explored along its trails leading to one of the island's highest points.
Your excursion in Sete Cidades includes a walk among the lakes, an ascent to Serra Devassa, a hike through the forest and a picnic lunch.
While in Sao Vicente Ferreira, you’ll also get out on the water on a whale-watching boat trip. The location of the Azores makes it perfect for observing numerous species of marine mammals (some are migratory; others are year-round residents). As well as sperm whales – the most common species found here – keep your eyes peeled for short-beaked dolphins, common dolphins and Risso's dolphins. If you’re lucky, you might also be able to spot blue whales during migration periods (from early spring to late summer), alongside playful orcas.
If you’ve energy to spare, we can also arrange a bike tour of Sete Cidades and a trip to the Ferraria thermal baths. What better way to finish up your trip?
Sadly, your time on Sao Miguel has come to an end. Drive for 15 minutes to Ponta Delgada Airport and return your hire car, before catching a direct flight back to the UK (taking just over four hours), landing on home turf the same day.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
