Exploring the Azores

We'll start our day by taking a flight from Lisbon to Pico.
Pico is the highest volcano in Europe, wineries and one of the longest lava tubes in the world (the so—called tunnels in the lava flow left by the hot inner layer under the already cooled upper one).

They are also dolphins and whales: the migration route of blue whales and their close relatives, fin whales, passes by the Azores, and the best time to see them is April and early May.We will go after them, but first we will explore the lava caves, walk along the plain dotted with volcanic cones and craters, and reach one of the lagoons — the most beautiful on the island. And after lunch we will go by boat to the ocean, we will look for fountains and giant whale backs in the waters of the Atlantic.Then we will visit the vineyards of Criaçao Velha, which in 2004 were recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Grapes are grown here right on the lava fields. We will finish the walk with a tasting at the winery. In the evening, a festive dinner at the restaurant.

In the morning — ferry to Horta on the island of Fayal. Hydrangeas bloom here against the background of volcanic landscapes, for the color of which Fayal was nicknamed the Blue Island. We have breakfast at the Morro De Castelo Branco observation deck.

Our target is the Capelinhos volcano, which was formed as a result of an eruption in 1957; there were no casualties then, but 2,000 people had to be evacuated, most of the houses in the nearest villages were destroyed. We will wander through the lava fields, go down to the underground museum of volcanology, look into the Faial caldera — its high green walls and small lakes have become one of the business cards of the Azores.Check-in at the hotel.

Dinner at the restaurant. After dinner, we will walk around the famous port in Horta and drink gin at a local bar — a haven for real "sea wolves". In the evening we will take the ferry back to our hotel on Pico Island.

We're taking a ferry to Sao Jorge, one of the islands in the Azores Triangle. It's known for its delicious cheese, which was named after the island, by the way! The island is a long chain of mountains with flat areas called fajãs along the coast. We'll be spending the whole day there, starting with a beautiful hike to Fajã dos Cubres. Along the way, we'll stop at a waterfall and take in the scenery. After that, we'll have lunch and head to Velas, which is a port town that goes way back in history. They had to battle pirates and the town got wrecked by an earthquake way back in the day!

In Velas we'll be taking a nice stroll, grab some dinner, and then hop on a ferry to Pico Island.

We'll start our day by taking a flight from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada, a city on the island of San Miguel known for its "gentleman farmers". There's so much to see here, including geysers, crater lakes, and the world's only pineapple greenhouses!

One of the highlights of the day is definitely walking around the Sete Cidades lakes, which are considered one of the seven wonders of Portugal. The views are absolutely stunning, and we'll also make our way up to the Boca do Inferno observation deck, which is one of the most beautiful spots in the Azores.

To relax, we'll take a dip in the ocean's mineral springs, which bubble right near the beach. And there's no better way to end the day than watching the sunset on the beach with a glass of wine. Afterwards, we'll head to our cozy hotel for a good night's rest.

We're all set for a walk to the valley of geysers today! We'll get to explore the volcano crater and check out all the bubbling calderas and smoking fumaroles. Don't worry, it's totally safe and super thrilling. Along the way, we'll make a stop at the Gorreana tea plantation, which happens to be the oldest in Europe. For lunch, we'll enjoy a traditional dish that's actually cooked in a geyser by Lake Furnas - pretty cool, right? The lake is nestled in a caldera surrounded by mountains, making it a gorgeous spot to relax and take in the scenery. And before we head back, we'll swing by the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden. To cap off our day, we'll have dinner in the charming village of Vila Franco do Campo, which was actually the first capital of the island.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport and flight to Lisbon.