The Azores

Today very little has changed in The Azores. Buzzards still circle overhead while in the inter-island waters dolphins play with the boats and whales pass through the protected waters. There is wonderful scenery, each of the nine islands with its own personality and atmosphere. The archipelago lies some 950 miles west of Lisbon in the Atlantic and is a semi-autonomous province of Portugal. Volcanic by nature, the islands are a nature-lover's paradise, combining beautifully unspoilt scenery and a wonderful relaxed, old-fashioned rural charm. For generations they have been known by mariners as a stopping off point and today they are still popular with yachtsmen.

During our 10-night holiday we'll be staying on three of the nine islands and visiting another. We start on the largest, São Miguel, where we'll spend a couple of days walking in the fabulous scenery and exploring the more remote parts of the island. The volcanic origins will soon become apparent and we'll have an expert geologist with us to interpret what we see. We'll also be looking for the islands' only endemic bird, the endangered Azores Bullfinch, known locally as the Priolo.

Our next base will be Pico which takes its name from Portugal's highest mountain which dominates the island. En route we'll spend a day visiting the World Heritage Site of Terceira (so named as it was the third island to be discovered). On Pico we'll see why the islands' wines are so unique and, naturally, have plenty of opportunity to taste them.

Our last base will be on the island of Faial, renowned amongst international yachtsmen. Here we'll visit the caldeira and the new part of the island formed when a volcano erupted in 1957. During our holiday we'll spend two mornings at sea hoping to see some of the wealth of marine life including whales, dolphins and seabirds.

Your Itinerary

Friday 07 September
Our TAP Air Portugal flight to Lisbon leaves London Heathrow at 0830 hours (schedule to be confirmed) with an onward connection arriving in Ponta Delgada (the capital of the islands on São Miguel) in the evening. Upon arrival we transfer to the Hotel Camões, located in the historical heart of the city, which will be our base for the first four nights of our holiday.

Saturday 08 September
In Azorean terms, São Miguel is a huge island so we'll be taking our time to explore small sections. Today, after yesterday's travel, we start with a 2 ½ hour walk with our local guide. The Sete Cidades area is one of the most beautiful settings in the Azores, comprising two lakes set in a 3-mile wide volcanic crater on the west side of the island. One lake looks blue (reflecting the sky) and is called Lagoa Azul and the other appears green (reflecting the surrounding vegetation) and is named Lagoa Verde. According to a legend, the differently coloured lakes were created when a princess and her lover, a young shepherd, had to part from each other. The tears they shed at their farewell became the two lakes, with the water coloured like their eyes. The afternoon is perhaps less romantic but equally enjoyable as, after a picnic lunch, we drop down to the coast for a spot of birding. Bird life in the Azores is not prolific but there's plenty to be found and enjoyed.

Sunday 09 September
Geologically, the Azores are unique and absolutely fascinating, even to the amateur. Compound volcanoes, domes, maars, cinder cones, tuff cones and stratovolcanoes were all part of the formation of the islands. Today we'll be joined by a specialist guide who will take us around the central part of the island showing us how Plinian, Strombolian and Surtseyan eruptions, pryroclastic and lava flows and avalanches have, over the millennia, formed the islands as we see them today. Don't worry - it won't get too technical, but it will be fascinating. We'll round off the day with a visit to a small cave in Ponta Delgada before returning to the Hotel Camões for dinner and overnight.

Monday 10 September
Our last day on São Miguel is spent in the east of the island in the area of Pico da Vara and Furnas and its hinterland. In the hills we'll be looking for the only endemic bird in the islands - the Azorean Bullfinch, or Priola as it is known locally - in the company of a conservationist who will explain the efforts being made to ensure the survival of this endangered species. Then, after lunch, we'll have a gentle wander around the Terra Nostra botanical garden and visit Furnas lake and the fumaroles where the typical dish, cozida, is cooked in holes in the ground. We return to our hotel in Ponta Delgada for dinner and overnight.

Tuesday 11 September
This morning we have an early start so that we are at the airport in time to catch our 0700 hours flight to the island of Terceira - the third largest in The Azores. We'll have a drive around the island before stopping for a mid-morning snack on the terrace of a local seaside café. From here we continue to Angra do Heroismo, nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, much of which was destroyed by a huge earthquake in 1980 although much remains, including the beautiful cathedral. Lunch will be at the delightful Quinta do Martelo, a traditional farm which has been restored using traditional craftsmanship. In the afternoon fly to the island of Pico. Here the delightful Casa do Comendador near the town of São Roque will be our base for the next three nights.

Wednesday 12 September
This morning is the first of the two whale watches which we will enjoy during our holiday. The waters round the Azores are rich in nutrients and are now protected. Here Sperm Whale, Short-finned Pilot whales, Bottlenose Dolphin, Common, Risso's and Spotted Dolphin are regularly seen throughout the summer. In addition, there's always the chance of some of the less common species to the area such as Killer Whales (Orca), Blue Whales, Humpback Whale and Rough-toothed Dolphin to name but a few. Please note that whalewatching is a weather dependent activity and that, when watching them, the welfare of the animals is paramount. We return to Lajes for lunch, after which we'll visit the excellent whaling museum which shows how whales were used in a very different way - and not that long ago.

Thursday 13 September
Today we have a full day to explore the island of Pico concentrating on the viniculture for which the island is renowned but also enjoying something of the cultural and historical aspects of the island. One of the highlights will be a visit to the famous Verdelho vineyards, now a World Heritage Site, where, if we're in luck, the grape harvest might be in progress. We return to São Roque for our last night on Pico.

Friday 14 September
It's time to leave Pico and head to the neighbouring island of Faial - a half-hour ferry crossing. Upon arrival we transfer to Hotel Faial which is located just above the town with lovely views over Horta and back to Pico. Once we've checked in we'll return to Horta with some free time to explore the fascinating international marina with its entertaining pavement artwork. After a light lunch we'll join our boat for the second whalewatch of our holiday. Dinner and overnight is at Hotel Faial.

Saturday 15 September
This morning we drive up to the caldeira with its fantastic views and fascinating flora. From here we continue to Capelinhos to see the 40-year-old moonscape created by the eruption of 1957 and to visit the new visitor centre which houses a photo history of the eruption. We return to Horta for lunch at Peter's Café and a visit to the Scrimshaw Museum with its brilliant carvings on whale teeth and bones. The last night of our holiday will be at Hotel Faial, going out for dinner at a local restaurant.

Sunday 16 September
Our flight to Lisbon leaves at 1220 hours and the onward connection arrives in London Heathrow at 2105 hours (schedules to be confirmed).

Please note that this itinerary can be changed without notice at the sole discretion of Island Holidays or their representatives.