Azores Family Adventure
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Overview
The Azores, a nine-island archipelago about 875 miles west of its Portuguese homeland, is packed with unique adventures, from kayaking crater lakes and whale watching on São Miguel to hiking dormant volcanoes on Faial Island and walking through Azorean Wine Country, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll be talking about this Azores family vacation for a long time!
Whale Watching Sea Safari
We’ll take a whale watching tour in one of the world’s 10 best sighting destinations. The waters that surround the Azores Islands are teeming with marine life as we’ll search for whales, dolphins, turtles, and sea birds.
Refresh and Relax in Natural Hot Springs
Natural hot springs are some of the archipelagos’ most fascinating features. The thermal pools at your hotel are heated by these underground vents. On other parts of the island, their heat is even used to cook food, called cozido, underground!
Explore Ponta Delgada
Hike around the twin volcanoes and blue and green crater lakes of Sete Cidades and meet a local farmer on a Five Senses Cultural Immersion Tour.
Walk Through UNESCO Vineyards on Pico
The vineyards of Azorean Wine Country received UNESCO designation in 2004 to preserve their beautiful and unique landscape.
Venture Around Furnas
Hike to abandoned villages, visit the only working tea plantation in all of Europe, and journey to different centers of geothermal activity and learn about the science behind it.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Sao Miguel, Azores
Days 2-4
Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel
Mountain Bike & Kayak in Sete Cidades
Find adventure on the “Green Island.” Then, you’ll visit Sete Cidades, a village located in a dormant volcano with twin crater lakes. Kayak in the serene waters and bike around the village.
Five Senses Cultural Immersion
During a Five Senses Tour, spend time at a local farm milking cows, plowing soil, and baking delicious traditional bread.
Lakeside Picnic Lunch
Take a break with a lakeside picnic. You’ll be able to relax on the shore and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings of Sete Cidades.
Friends Across Borders Meeting (Pen Pals)
As part of our Friends Across Borders program, the kids who exchanged letters with local students before leaving on their adventure have the chance to meet and play games or share activities together. Everyone enjoys making new friends from a culture different from their own.
Dolphin and Whale Watching
You’ll take a whale watching tour in one of the world’s 10 best sighting destinations for a chance to spot sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins and more!
Snorkel Vila Franca do Campo Islet
Hop on a fishing boat toward Vila Franca do Campo Islet, a volcanic crater enclosing a natural lagoon, to snorkel its crystal-clear waters teeming with protected fish species!
Days 5-6
Faial Island (Horta)
Hike the Capelinhos Volcano
Take a “walk on the moon” on the island’s westernmost point, Capelinhos Volcano, the site of the last volcanic eruption in the Azores.
Visit to Capelinhos Volcanic Interpretation Center
While at the Capelinhos Volcanic Interpretation Center, you’ll watch a 3D movie and talk to the staff to learn about the formation of the Azores Islands. You’ll also visit the lighthouse, which offers an incredible view of the “new” part of the island, formed by a volcanic eruption in 1957.
Canto da Doca Dinner
Get a chance to play “chef” at the popular Canto da Doca restaurant in Horta. You’ll use stones heated up to 500 degrees to cook your choice of fresh meat or fish.
Walk Through Azorean Wine Country
Experience the island’s wine country at Vinhas da Criação Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore the Volcanic Caves of Gruta das Torres
Venture through Pico Island’s underground world at Gruta das Torres (Grotto of Towers), the longest lava cave in the Azores.
Lunch at the Adega "A Buraca" winery
Winery Lunch at the Adega “A Buraca” winery
Days 7-8
Furnas, Sao Miguel
Jeep Safari to Fire Lake
Hop into a jeep to go and explore Fire Lake (Lagoa do Fogo), one of the most beautiful crater lakes in the Azores.
Outdoor Thermal Pool at Terra Nostra Hotel
The Terra Nostra Hotel has an outdoor botanical garden and a naturally heated outdoor thermal pool that you’ll be able to take full advantage of while exploring Furnas. There isn’t a much better way to relax after a day of adventure!
Lunch at Santa Barbara Beach
You’ll head to Praia de Santa Bárbara (Santa Bárbara Beach), where you’ll eat lunch on a terrace overlooking beautiful, black-sand beaches.
Hike in Faial Da Terra
Visit the area’s natural wonders with a hike to the abandoned village of Sanguinho, that’s undergoing restoration. Finish the hike back in town with refreshments and mingling with locals.
Cozido das Furnas Cooking Experience
Visit the “Caldeiras da Lagoa” (Lake Calderas) region and prepare dinner for the evening like a traditional Azorean and place ingredients in the hot earth.
Terra Nostra Gardens Botanical Park
Visit Terra Nostra Gardens botanical park. Enjoy the peaceful beauty and local flora of Furnas.
Day 9
Depart Sao Miguel
Visit a Tea Plantation
Taste several different kinds of tea and learn about tea production at Europe’s only tea plantation.
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Dates & Prices
2020 Dates
06/20-06/28
Adult $4990Teen $4990Child $4490Internal Air $250
07/18-07/26
Adult $4990Teen $4990Child $4490Internal Air $250
08/08-08/16
Adult $4990Teen $4990Child $4490Internal Air $250
Additional Info
Triple Discount
$300 discount for children under 12 sharing with 2 adults
Single Supplement
Additional $490 for single accommodations
Alumni Discount
If you are a returning Thomson guest, please subtract $500 per family from these prices.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We’ve received great feedback about Travel Insured – you can learn more about the benefits of travel insurance there.
Price Includes
All entrance fees, accommodations based on two to a room, land transportation, private bilingual guide throughout, all meals, and bottled water & snacks in the vehicle.
Guaranteed departure. Surcharge applied to groups smaller than 4 guests.
- Hotels
São Miguel Park Hotel
The São Miguel Park Hotel is located near the center of Ponta Delgada and the Botanical Gardens. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, cable TV, a hairy dryer and safe box. The hotel has a pool, fitness center, restaurant and lounge.
Hotel do Canal
The Hotel do Canal is located in the small town of Horta on Faial Island. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, cable TV, a hairdryer and telephone.
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel in located in the Furnas Valley on the Island of Sao Miguel. Amenities include air conditioning, telephone, TV, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi. The hotel has pools, a restaurant, spa, fitness center, hot tub, thermal pools and a botanical garden.
Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary and its hotels as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.
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