The Azores Jewels of Portugal
Overview
Highlights
- Experience a truly unique Cozido das Furnas lunch in Furnas valley.
- Sample cheeses and get an inside look into production at a family-owned cheese factory.
- Visit a local bakery that makes queijadas, a pastry made with egg yolks.
- Traverse the entire rim of the Sete Cidades caldera and gaze upon the twin lakes from Lagoa do Canario viewpoint.
- Delight in an exclusive visit to the Terra Nostra Tea House for lunch.
- Spend 2 nights in the eco-friendly lava stone houses of Aldeia da Fonte.
- Discover Pico’s volcanic vineyards and sample its exclusive wines.
- Descend into Algar do Carvao, an ancient lava tube, with a local expert.
- Admire views of Pico Volcano, the highest point in Portugal.
What's this trip about?
Details
Destinations
Itinerary
This is the Azores. A set of islands virtually untouched by urban development. Your adventure begins on São Miguel, the largest of the nine volcanic islands. Sit along the seaside promenade and breathe in the mild air of the Atlantic. Get to know Ponta Delgada, the ca...
Leave the main road behind and embrace an off-road adventure on the “Green Island.” Traverse the dirt roads and pass by dairy farms before pausing at the highest point of the island, taking in the all-encompassing natural beauty at your feet. Venture to Sete Cidades, ...
On your way to the dynamic volcano complex of Furnas, get a glimpse of Portugal’s sweet side at a family run queijadas (pastry) bakery. Trading the warm aroma that wafts through the air of the bakery for the encompassing scent of floral splendor, wander through the or...
Wish São Miguel goodbye and say hello to the colorful island of Terceira. Stand along the edge of the crater at Serra do Cume viewpoint and take in the island’s patchwork of infinite green. Continue your journey and swap the grassy fields for sandy shores at Praia Vic...
Say bom dia (good morning) to Faial, the “Blue Island” of the Azores. With hydrangeas as far as the eye can see and stunning coastlines, discover the remarkable beauty of this island. Peek into the daily life of dairy production when you drop by the family-owned Morro...
Walk along the surreal landscape of grapes that grow between plots of rocky stone walls as you explore Pico vineyards (UNESCO). In the center of the vineyard, climb the bright red windmill and take in a new perspective of the stretching fields, lava rocks, and vines. ...
Depart Pico for São Miguel and enjoy some time at leisure. Whether you want to relax on the sandy shores, wander the streets of the capital city, or get one last taste of Portuguese pastries, spend the day however you please. Tonight, toast to the end of your Azorean adventure with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Say adeus (goodbye) to the Azores as you depart this Atlantic archipelago.
Enjoy a free morning to choose how you experience Terceira. Maybe you’ll decide on an optional tour, embarking on an adventurous hiking trek along two volcanoes at Misterios Negros Nature Reserve. Next we gather and head underground to experience the ethereal Algar do...
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Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Collette.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Collette Reviews & Ratings
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It was a wonderful trip and experience!
It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary ...
we had an absolute wonderful time
My wife & I just returned from your National Parks tour and we had an absolute wonderful time. Great itinerary, tour director (Merrin) and driver (John). First c...
Do not travel with Collette They area subpar company
This is worst tour I have ever taken. Poorly planned and not worth the money. Collette brought you to Lisbon where we sat for three days because NO TOURS or sited w...
Tour Operator
True adventures go beyond incredible destinations or inclusive packages. Collette delivers a sense of possibility across all seven continents.
Since 1918, we have been sharing our love of travel. Today our worldwide travel collection features comprehensive land tours, river cruises, rail journeys, small group tours, family trips, garden holidays and more. With Collette, wake each morning on tour with a new experience in front of you, and when your head hits the pillow, you will know it has been an amazing day. Best of all - we seamlessly handle the details. All you have to do is enjoy the adventure.
Everyone at Collette believes travel is vital to a life well-lived and our executive team sets the tone. Drawing on a diverse set of skills that includes operations, sales, information technology, law and financial planning, they work across three offices to bring you the best experience possible.
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Go Tour Managers!
On Day 1 of your trip, you’ll meet a friendly person who sure does know a lot about your tour and the destinations you’re visiting. This highly skilled professional is your tour manage and from the moment you meet this key player on your tour, you’ll know you’re in good hands. With their rich travel backgrounds, as well as their useful information about language, currency, and all things local, you can relax and enjoy the ride.
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Visiting a destination gives you a taste of the local culture. But imagine actually becoming part of that culture. Staying overnight in an Irish castle like Old-World royalty…feeling the cool waters of the Great Barrier Reef envelop you as you snorkel in its turquoise paradise…or rolling dough with an Italian chef to make the perfect pizza. It’s not just about all the iconic spots that will make for the best photos, it’s about diving into another world that makes for the best memories.
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Our product experts are probably on the road right now — scoping out the best of our worldwide destinations. They go, take it all in, and find the moments they love best. Those are the moments they create for you. Those experiences and sights comprise each itinerary and make each one extra-special. Best of all, you don’t have to plan a thing. You just need to choose which itinerary best suits you.
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Travel is social by nature. Guided travel is extra social. Meet a cast of characters: your fellow travelers, tour manager, driver, local guides and more. The social aspect of guided travel is one of the best parts! Many travelers on our tours have forged lasting friendships. Think of all the wonderful people waiting to meet you out in the world.
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Your peace of mind is the most important thing to us. And that starts with our roundtrip home to airport sedan service. Forget taxis, airport fees, or public transportation. We will get you there...and back. And if for any reason you need to cancel your tour, you can do so — right up until the day before departure — and receive a full refund (thanks to our travel protection plan).
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Among Collette’s worldwide collection of tours we offer a variety of guided travel choices. No matter where (or how) you want to go, Collette can take you there.
Small Groups, Big Experiences
From vibrant cities to remote villages, immerse yourself in other worlds. As part of a small group, enjoy accommodations chosen to capture the spirit of the destination, savor spectacular local cuisine, and take the time to explore on your own. Along the way Explorations sets the stage for the unexpected moments that make travel so special. With just 12-24 passengers, these are the personal adventures that today’s cultural explorers dream about.
Amazing Family Moments Included
Collette's Family tours bring travelers of all ages together to experience the world’s greatest destinations. There’s no better classroom than the world, no better education than taking a walk through history. Today’s parents — and grandparents — want to share the riches of travel with their children and grandchildren. Each tour in our family line is specially crafted with the best local experiences, iconic must-see's, family-oriented hotels and immersive cultural activities. Children ages 14 and under enjoy substantially discounted rates.
Collette's Cancel for Any Reason Travel Protection Plan
The Traveling Well Experience
Our Commitment to Your Well-being and Enjoyment
There’s no denying that life and travel will likely look a little different for the foreseeable future, which is why we worked with our partners all over the world to create enhanced protective measures for our guests. These measures are intended to help safeguard guests’ health and well-being, while allowing for an enjoyable travel experience.
From flexible booking to more open space on the coach and much more – all aspects of travel have been considered. This is The Traveling Well Experience.
- Travel Protection Plan – cancel for any reason up until 24 hours before departure, plus provides numerous on-tour protections
- More Physical Space – on the coach, in restaurants, and more
- Wellness Protocols – for partners like motor coach operators, hotels, restaurants, and airlines
- Enhanced Tour Manager Training – our tour managers are destination experts and highly equipped to handle a variety of unexpected situations – including illnesses and emergencies
Before Your Tour
Cancel for Any Reason Waiver
Our Travel Protection Plan financially protects you in the event you need to cancel or move your trip to a different date. Learn more here
Pre-Tour Health Screenings
We will ask all travellers to complete a wellness declaration form before joining their tour.
Private Sedan Service
Your ride to and from the airport will be stocked with fresh water for every pickup and all surfaces will be disinfected daily and after every passenger.
Air Travel
Specific details will vary by airline, but standard operations typically include flight attendants wearing masks, sanitizing all surfaces between flights and physical distancing. For links to major airlines, head to the bottom of the page, or visit your airline’s website for specific information.
On Your Tour
Smaller Groups
Tours will operate with a number of empty seats to allow guests to space out for a more comfortable experience.
Your Tour Manager
We have employed new and enhanced hygiene & physical distancing protocols for tour managers. They are local experts and highly trained to handle a variety of unexpected situations — including illnesses and emergencies. They are also available 24/7 for guests throughout the tour should any situation arise.
Use of Face Coverings
Face coverings will be included with your pre-tour documents and will be required throughout many experiences on tour including the motor coach and air travel.
Motor Coach
All surfaces will be sanitized often, including regular cleaning of high-touch areas with disinfecting wipes. Hand sanitizer will be available at all times and drivers will wear protective gear when appropriate.
On-Tour Experiences
We work closely with our local partners to ensure adequate physical distancing during meals, experiences, and sightseeing. Guests may be rotated in smaller sub-groups when necessary.
On-Tour Insurance Coverages
When you purchase our Travel Protection Plan, you’ll have access to telehealth services should you need it, plus you’re covered on tour for emergency assistance, baggage loss, trip interruption, medical expenses, and more. Learn more here
Self-Screening
We will ask all travellers to monitor their health throughout their tour, with protocols in place in the event someone becomes ill.
Hotels
Specific protocols will vary from destination to destination, hotel to hotel. Overall, rooms and areas like restaurants, fitness centres, etc. will be deep-cleaned regularly, with rooms disinfected thoroughly between guests. High-traffic areas like lobbies and elevators will be cleaned hourly.
After Your Tour
Post-Tour Survey
After you get home, you’ll be able to share your opinions of your tour experience, allowing us to constantly improve for the benefit of future guests.
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What's excluded
- The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end-of-trip gratuities for your Tour Manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship waitstaff, and any incidental charges.
Whale-Dolphin Watching - $99
Sao Miguel, Azores Welcome to a unique experience in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean! The isolated archipelago of the Azores has a reputation as one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. The islands are a permanent or temporary home to more than a quarter of all known cetacean species. In addition to the sperm whale, other migrating species include baleen whales, blue whales (especially during early spring to late summer), pilot whales and even killer whales. The Azores are also ideal for spotting many different dolphin species, including resident dolphins such as the short beaked common dolphin, the common bottlenose dolphin and Risso’s dolphin, as well as yearly summer guests like the Atlantic spotted dolphin and the striped dolphin. Your amazing journey begins with a briefing where your naturalist guide explains the historical background of the whale hunting industry and its modern conversion to whale watching. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn about the biodiversity of the islands. Duration approximately 3 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Option will operate weather permitting. Depending upon the number of passengers booked, this option will operate utilizing a Catamaran or Zodiacs.Swimming with Dolphins - $120
Sao Miguel, Azores Dive into the world of the dolphins when joining these friendly, playful and intelligent mammals in their natural habitat. Board a small boat, and begin by learning from an expert how to respect and harmoniously swim with the dolphins. Then you’ll enter the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean donning your mask, snorkel and wetsuit and be transported into another world. You’ll immediately be drawn in by their unique personalities and be overcome in the excitement and wonder this experience provides. This personal adventure will be in small groups and will use zodiac (RIB) boats with a maximum of 8 participants aboard. Only two people are allowed in the water at the same time. Duration approximately 3 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 4 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Option will operate weather permitting. It is recommended that you bring comfortable clothes and shoes, bathing suit, towel, wind jacket, hat, sunblock and water. Restrictions may apply for pregnant women and guests with lower back problems. Participants must feel comfortable swimming in the open sea and know how to properly use the mask and snorkel. Children over 8 years old are allowed to participate as long as they meet these requirements. This excursion includes: Pre-tour briefing, mask and snorkel, shorty wetsuit, raincoat and pants, life jacket, marine biologist or nature guide aboard and refreshment after the trip.Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations