August 28th to September 11th,2016

Transcription

1 August 28th to September 11th, Days, 22 Meals, Airfare from Boston $2,899 per person* based on double occupancy, includes taxes of approximately $ Nights at 3 and 4 Star Hotels in Sao Miguel, Terceira and Faial. Our program includes all flights from Boston to Sao Miguel and return from Terceira as well as inter-islands flights. 22 meals, private English speaking guide. Enjoy a traditional cozido in Sao Miguel, tour beautiful Sao Jorge, famous for its traditional cheese. Discover the island of Faial and its capital Horta known for its yacht harbor. Visit Capelinhos the site of the last volcanic eruption in the Azores and the islands of Pico and Terceira. English Speaking Private Guide, all transfers in the tour. Add-ons from your local airport to Boston and deviations available and based on current availability. Business Class and Hotel accommodation upgrades available upon request. Ask us about single supplement, and pre or post tour extensions.

2 August 28th, 2016 Board your Overnight flight to Sao Miguel, Azores August 29th, 2016 Arrive Ponta Delgada, Azores Arrive in beautiful São Miguel, also known as the green island, due to the abundance of pasture and forest covered peaks, is the largest and most enchanting islands on the Azores. Transfer to the 4 Star Royal Garden hotel in the city of Ponta Delgada. Located minutes from the center of Ponta Delgada, and near the area used during the celebration of Our Lord of Miracles. This evening join your group for our welcome dinner. (D) August 30st, 2016 Sete Cidades Tour, Sao Miguel Departure from Ponta Delgada towards Vista do Rei viewpoint. On the way you will have the opportunity to visit and discover some smaller lagoons such as Lagoa das Empadadas and Lagoa do Canário, before you get to the viewpoint where you can view the magnificent Lagoa das Sete Cidades. After driving along the dirt road that surrounds the rim of the volcanic structure, you will descend to the Sete Cidades village and have a short stop near the church of São Nicolau. Lunch at local traditional restaurant. On the way to Ponta Delgada, you will still have the chance to see Lagoa de Santiago. (B, L) August 31st, 2016 Furnas Tour, Sao Miguel Departures to Lagoa do Fogo driving by the south side of the island towards Barrosa Mountain. Stop at the belvederes to admire not only the beautiful quiet lake, but also the landscape of the surroundings. The descent will be by the north side to reach the city of Ribeira Grande where the clients will have the opportunity to observe the Barroco Architecture from the XVII and XVIII centuries. The drive goes on by the north coast making stops at belvedere of Sta Iria, tea plantations at Gorreana and belvedere of Pico de Ferro. From this last belvedere can be observed the biggest and oldest volcanic crater at the bottom of which lies Furnas lake and the spas of Furnas valley are located. Once in Furnas lunch will be served, the famous "Cozido nas caldeiras";. After lunch a visit to the park Terra Nostra may take place (optional). Still in Furnas valley, a visit to the hot springs will take place. Return to Ponta Delgada driving along Furnas Lake, Vila Franca do Campo, the former capital of the island and the home of the artesanal potteries. Along the south coast we will make a stop at belvedere of Caloura and will pass by the town of Lagoa. (B, L) September 1st, 2016 Day at Leisure, Sao Miguel Today, enjoy your free time as you explore the city of Ponta Delgada. Visit the local market where the locals sell their products. Enjoy a Explore some of our optional tours, visit a local ceramic factory, take a

3 day trip to Sta. Maria and/or visit the Museu dos emigrantes that tell the story of so many Azorean Americans now living the United Sates and Canada. (B) September 2nd, 2016 Nordeste Tour, Sao Miguel The Eastern part of São Miguel is considered the best kept secret of the island. The oldest part of the island is known for its beautiful gardens, which are worth visiting and view from them is breath-taking! For many the eastern part of the island is the most beautiful part of São Miguel Island. During the tour of Nordeste we visit the waterfall of Achada; next to the waterfall is an old mill, a picnic area, souvenir shop and café. In the village of Nordeste we will have our lunch and we will do a little walk around the village. From Nordeste we continue further to the south-east part of the island to Povoaçao and stopping on the way at garden viewpoints. In Povoaçao Village we will have time to walk around the city, enjoy a coffee break andlocal pastries. After Povoaçao we head back to Ponta Delgada driving through the south coast. (B) (L) September 3th, 2016 Fly to Island of Faial Board your short flight to the Island of Faial. Nicknamed the Blue Island It is often called because of its countless hydrangea hedges encountered everywhere on the island, is without doubt one of the most charming islands of the Azores. With a shape that resembles an irregular pentagon. (B) September 4th, 2016 Tour the Island of Sao Jorge Today we depart on a full day tour to Sao Jorge Island. We head towards the western part of the island, visiting a forestry park and cheese factory. We travel through Fajas, Faja do Ouvidor and Faja dos Cubres. As we travel around the island, our lunch will be at a local restaurant in Topo. After lunch we stop by Manadas to see the beautiful church of Santa Barbara. Our final stop before heading back to Velas, is the town of Urzelina where we will see the remains of a church buried under lava from the eruption of Return back to your Hotel in Faial (B)(L)

4 September 5th, 2016 Faial Tour We begin our full day tour to discover the island of Faial by driving through the city of Horta. Horta is most famous for its cosmopolitan yacht harbor. We next stop at the scenic point of Espalamaca to view the harbor and all its surroundings, followed by a visit to the Caldeira. The Caldeira is a large crater in the central part of the island, where we view the beautiful natural landscape. As we descend the center of the island, we encounter cattle grazing on hill sides. Our tour s next destination is the Capelinhos volcano area, where the volcano last erupted in 1958 (Museum entrance optional). Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, after lunch we stop at a camping area with a reconstructed home depicting a typical old farm Faial house. (B, L) September 6th, 2016 Pico Tour Today our full day tour of Pico Mountain Island begins at the famous wine vineyards (Criacao Velha), recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in We continue on to Lajes do Pico stopping at the beautiful Church in Sao Mateus. As we proceed we make several stops at handicraft exhibition, cheese factory, whaling museum (Museu dos Baleeiros), etc. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant as the tour proceeds around the island. We continue our tour towards Sao Roque do Pico stopping briefly at the Arcos do Cachorro, an impressive display of rock formations (one in the shape of a dog), coming out of the sea, as well as to taste the various liquors of the region. (B) (L) September 7th, 2016 Day at Leisure, Faial Island Enjoy this day at leisure to explore the capital of Faial, the city of Horta. he city contains the Horta Regional Museum which has a permanent exhibit, Exhibition of Capelinhos Volcano, that details in photographs the recent (1957) volcanic eruption in the Azores. The museum also contains a large Rosa. The marina is a primary stop for yachts crossing the Atlantic, and its walls, and walkways are covered in paintings created by visitors who noted the names of their vessels, crews, and the years they visited. collection of scale models of buildings, ships, and people carved from fig kernels carved by

5 Euclides. Peter's Cafe Sport, which is located across from the marina and houses the island's scrimshaw museum, a collection artifacts carved from whale tooth and jawbone, is a point of reference for transatlantic yachtsmen and sailors. (B) September 8th, 2016 Fly to Terceira A brief flight from the island of Faial, will take us to the island of Terceira known as the lilac island, so called because of its captivating pastel sunsets, is a vibrant place of people, culture and colour. Also known as the Island of Never-Ending Festivals, the summer months on Terceira bring a permanent festival of colour. The Festas do Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit Celebrations) bring the ceremony of the Crowning of the Emperor to every village on the island, followed by a united celebration where food and locally produced wine are enjoyed in abundance. The largest town, Angra do Heroísmo, is a UNESCO world heritage site a testimony to the royalty and noblemen who have at one time or another contributed to the landscape of the town resulting in its wonderful examples of 17th and 18th century architecture. It s a regional administrative and cultural centre, whereby music, literature, theatre and education influence the style and atmosphere of this fascinating town. (B) September 9th, 2016 Terceira Tour Today we take a full day tour to explore the island of Terceira The Lilac Island. We depart for Monte Brazil passing by the beautiful city of Angra do Heroismo stopping at Pico das Cruzinhas. This is the highest point on Monte Brasil, with a beautiful view of the city and its outskirts. The tour continues towards the eastern side of the island, showing the typical settlements and rural architecture and colorful Imperios. We stop in the town of Sao Sebastiao, where the church is one of the oldest of the Azores. After lunch we drive to Praia da Vitoria, and then onto Serra do Cume, with beautiful views overlooking the town of Lajes and the ocean. Our final stop is Biscoitos, a wine area, where we visit a wine cellar, and a taste of the wine is a must. (B, L)

6 September 10th, 2016 Day at Leisure Your day at leisure in the island of Terceira, provides you the opportunity to explore the UNESCO city of Angra do Heroismo, Enjoy lunch at one of the many traditional restaurants. Chose one of our optional tours and go swimming with the dolphins, or a half day hike in one of more picturesque landscapes in the Azores. Tonight join your fellow travelers for our farewell dinner featuring a traditional Azorean cuisine. (B) (D) September 11th, 2016 Return to US. Bid Adeus to Terceira and the Azores as you board your homebound flight. (B) FUN FACTS ABOUT THE AZORES. Azores is 4 Hours ahead of Eastern Standard Times Home to about 250,000 people, the Azores are known for their vibrantly-colored blue green lakes, fertile prairies, volcanic craters, colorful hydrangeas, 15th century churches, and majestic manor houses. Year-round temperatures in the Azores range between 57 F and 71 F Mount Pico, on the island of Pico, at 7,713 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the Azores and all of Portugal. While they are not native to the Azores, colorful hydrangeas flowers were introduced to the islands and are today are very common. Faial Island is known as the blue island due to the vast number of hydrangeas present. The International Dialing Prefix for Portugal is Highest Elevation on this tour will not exceed 1,000 feet The Currency in Azores & Portugal is Euros