Unique Azores - An Island Hopping Adventure

Furnas Valley is a living, breathing volcanic landscape complete with thermal pools, mineral springs and steaming fumaroles. Our visit includes Terra Nostra, a beautiful botanical garden where you can bathe in the deliciously warm hot springs (pack a dark coloured swimsuit and towel as iron-oxide in the water can stain). Lunch is Cozida, a traditional Azorean stew cooked underground in hot volcanic soil.

The twin lakes of Sete Cidades appear to be different colours - one blue, one green - making this one of the most photographed places in the Azores. The lakes are actually one giant caldera separated by a narrow slither of land, and the surrounding forests are criss-crossed by some of the island’s most scenic walking trails.

Don’t forget your camera as we ascend to the highest lake on São Miguel, a crater lake called Lagoa do Fogo. On a clear day you can see all the way to Ponta Delgada from the summit.

A drive around the northeast of São Miguel gives us a glimpse into times gone by. We’ll see views little changed in centuries, taste traditional sweet treats and even visit a family-run tea plantation which has been cultivating quality teas since 1883.

Capital of Terceira, ancient Angra do Heroísmo (or Angra as it’s locally known) is an architectural treasure. Our walk reveals the chequerboard main square flanked with traditional Azorean architecture, and the town’s tall, elegant houses with wrought iron balconies overlooking the streets.

Viewpoints, volcanos, lava tubes and fumaroles… this excursion showcases the spectacular volcanic landscapes on Terceira. Not only will we learn how volcanos have shaped the island, we’ll see how locals have learnt to use this to their advantage, such as by producing delicious wines from vineyards planted on lava fields.