São Miguel is the largest island in the Azore chain and with just over 60,000 inhabitants, Ponta Delgada is the Azore’s largest and most “bustling” city. Take a stroll in the town’s historical center or enjoy the view from the infinity pool on the roof of our Five Star Azor Hotel.

Thousands of years after its violent origin, the Sete Cidades crater is now a beautiful, verdant landscape.  With the Atlantic Ocean at feet to our left and beautiful pastures and lakes on our right, this is a walk that few  undertake and an opportunity to experience the Azore’s most dramatic vistas first hand.

Only a handful of modest villas and one small church adorn the shoreline of Lake Furnas, São Miguel Island’s mini-Lake District.  As we stroll past the thermal mud pots on the lake’s western edge, there is a good chance our lunch is cooking away.  Here, local villagers slow roast a special stew called Cozido, which is then served in nearby restaurants.

São Miguel is home to Europe’s only tea plantation.  We have wandered hundreds of paths in Europe but none quite like this.  The low growing hedges are constantly trimmed into slightly waving rows.  This is a dense green, undulating landscape, magical and slightly intoxicating.  Each time we return, we fall under its spell.  The ocean lies far below but here we are riding on waves of tea leaves.

Today, we take to the skies (if only briefly) as we make our way to Terceira Island and a complete change of scene.  Angra do Heroismo is the Azore’s oldest settlement and, unlike the more conservative Ponta Delgada, it is bursting with color.  Our walk today begins at water’s edge and winds through the streets of the old town.

We have never seen vineyards like these.  Low stone walls surround plots barely 20 feet square.  Within this patchwork, the vines are surrounded with volcanic rocks to reflect the heat to the fruit. Instead of stringing the plants in rows, the vines are allowed to wander at ground level, away from the wind.  There are literally hundreds of these mini-vineyards and we wander back and forth amongst them to the local wine museum.

The volcanic elements in the center of Terceira form a world of exotic beauty.  Hills of dark rock are known as the Black Mysteries, lava flows from thousands of years ago have left behind miles of twisting caves and it is possible to descend directly into the dormant volcanic mouth of the Algar do Carvão. This is a day of grand adventure and a fitting finale for a spectacular week of walking experiences.

From Terceira there are many flights daily directly to Lisbon or back to Ponta Delgada to connect with a direct flight back to the States.  We will help you choose the best route for your schedule and make sure that you are at the airport with plenty of time to spare!