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 Azores
Days 2-4
Furnas, Sao Miguel
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!
Furnas Village Center Visit
Take a leisurely walk around Furnas Village. Chat with residents, take in the sights and try the local delicacies, such as “bolo lêvedo” (homemade sweet bread) and “maçaroca de milho” (corn on the cob), cooked on the volcanic steam of hot springs.
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.
Cozido das Furnas dinner
Enjoy Cozido das Furnas, your farewell dinner prepared and cooked by master chefs: YOU!
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!
Coasteering Adventure
Coasteering along the wild Azorean coastline is an adventurous way to gain new views and perspectives of the island. During this adventure, you will have the chance to scramble across rocks, traverse the tide line, swim in a volcanic area surrounded by fauna and flora, climb cliffs and jump into the water.
Days 5-6
Faial Island (Horta)
Flight from Furnas to Faial Island
Enjoy a change of scenery with a flight to Faial Island (Ilha do Faial), a hexagonal landmass known as the “Blue Island” for the plentiful hydrangeas that bloom there in summer.
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.
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.
Days 7-8
Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel
Flight from Faial to Sao Miguel
Hop into a jeep to go and explore Fire Lake (Lagoa do Fogo), one of the most beautiful crater lakes in the Azores.
Discover Fogo Lake
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!
Ponta Delgada Walking Excursion
With your guide, explore Ponta Delgada and see some of the city’s main attractions, including the iconic Town Gates, City Hall, São Brás Fort, São Francisco Square and the seafront.
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.
Day 9
Depart
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Dates & Prices
2023 Dates
06/24-07/02
Adult $5390Teen $5390Child $5190Internal Air
07/08-07/16
Adult $5390Teen $5390Child $5190Internal Air
08/19-08/27
Adult $5390Teen $5390Child $5190Internal Air
2024 Dates
06/22-06/30
Adult $5390Teen $5390Child $5190Internal Air $300
07/06-07/14
Adult $5390Teen $5390Child $5190Internal Air $300
08/17-08/25
Adult $5390Teen $5390Child $5190Internal Air $300
Additional Info
Small Group Supplement
A supplement may apply to smaller groups. Please contact a Travel Consultant for more information.
Single Supplement
Additional $890 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 Guard – 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 and snacks in the vehicle.
Guaranteed departures.
- Hotels
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.
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.
Grand Hotel Azores Atlantic
The Grand Hotel Azores Atlantic is located opposite the marina in Ponta Delgada, close to the city’s historic center. Amenities include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a coffee/tea maker, room service, private bathrooms, a room safe and television. The hotel also has a pool, lounge, laundry services, fitness center, restaurant and complimentary breakfast.
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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