The Azores: Landscapes and Local Life
About the Trip
April 6–14 | 9 Days
Set in the middle of Atlantic, the Azores feel quieter, greener and deeply connected to the land and sea. This nine-day journey around São Miguel Island introduces you to volcanic valleys, crater lakes and small coastal towns, with ample time to enjoy each place. Wander through gardens, sip locally grown tea, learn about island cooking traditions and head out on the water in search of whales and dolphins. Between guided experiences, there’s room to explore the Azores on your own, settle into local cafés and enjoy the simple pleasure of being somewhere new.
CAA Member-exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations®
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Fish Scale Floral Art Workshop
Discover one of the Azores’ most distinctive art forms in this hands‑on workshop led by a local artist. Rooted in the islands’ fishing heritage, this sustainable craft turns real tinted fish scales into delicate floral designs inspired by Azorean nature. Learn how each scale is shaped into petals and leaves, then assembled into intricate compositions using eco-friendly techniques. The experience highlights the creativity and resourcefulness of island craftsmanship while offering insight into a tradition rarely seen by visitors. The workshop concludes with a tasting of Azorean tuna specialties paired with local wine, a delicious glimpse into the region’s culinary flavours.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Ponta Delgada
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Furnas
- 4-night stay in first-class accommodation in Ponta Delgada
- 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners and 4 tastings
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
- Local English-speaking guides
- Destination transfers
The Azores: Landscapes and Local Life
Activity Level: Active. Experience the beauty of the Azores on this 9-day tour through crater lakes, tea fields, ocean wildlife and everyday island life on São Miguel.
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg on an overnight flight to Ponta Delgada.
Day 2
Furnas - Arrive in Ponta Delgada and meet your Tour Director before transferring to a local restaurant for lunch. Continue to Furnas and check in to your hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure. (L)
Day 3
Furnas – Enjoy a guided walk through Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, followed by time to relax in its famous open-air thermal pool. The afternoon is at leisure before a group dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Day 4
Furnas – Visit the historic Gorreana Tea Plantation for a guided tour, tasting and scenic walk overlooking the coast. Continue to Furnas Valley to learn about and eat Cozido das Furnas, a traditional stew cooked underground using geothermal heat. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (B/T/L)
Day 5
Ponta Delgada – Travel toward Ponta Delgada, stopping at the Santa Iria viewpoint for sweeping views of the north coast. This evening, enjoy a farm-to-table dinner at Quinta dos Sabores, including a garden walk and a five-course meal made with seasonal ingredients. (B/D)
Day 6
Ponta Delgada – Drive through the island’s interior to viewpoints including Pico do Carvão and Vista do Rei, overlooking the twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades. Enjoy a village walk and lunch, then visit the Arruda Pineapple Plantation. (B/L/T)
Day 7
Ponta Delgada – Morning at leisure before a whale- and dolphin-watching excursion led by marine biologists. Continue to Apiário Margaridas, a family-run bee farm, for a guided hive visit and honey tasting. (B/T)
Day 8
Ponta Delgada – Explore Ponta Delgada on a guided walking tour, including Portas da Cidade, local markets and the Church of São Sebastião. In the afternoon, take part in a fish-scale art workshop, followed by a tasting of Azorean tuna and wine. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant this evening. (B/T/D)
Day 9
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2027. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance. Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. Deposit is non-refundable at the time of booking. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg on an overnight flight to Ponta Delgada.
Day 2
Furnas
Arrive in Ponta Delgada and meet your Tour Director before transferring to a local restaurant for lunch. Continue to Furnas and check in to your hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure. (L)
Day 3
Furnas
Enjoy a guided walk through Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, followed by time to relax in its famous open-air thermal pool. The afternoon is at leisure before a group dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Day 4
Furnas
Visit the historic Gorreana Tea Plantation for a guided tour, tasting and scenic walk overlooking the coast. Continue to Furnas Valley to learn about and eat Cozido das Furnas, a traditional stew cooked underground using geothermal heat. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (B/T/L)
Day 5
Ponta Delgada
Travel toward Ponta Delgada, stopping at the Santa Iria viewpoint for sweeping views of the north coast. This evening, enjoy a farm-to-table dinner at Quinta dos Sabores, including a garden walk and a five-course meal made with seasonal ingredients. (B/D)
Day 6
Ponta Delgada
Drive through the island’s interior to viewpoints including Pico do Carvão and Vista do Rei, overlooking the twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades. Enjoy a village walk and lunch, then visit the Arruda Pineapple Plantation. (B/L/T)
Day 7
Ponta Delgada
Morning at leisure before a whale- and dolphin-watching excursion led by marine biologists. Continue to Apiário Margaridas, a family-run bee farm, for a guided hive visit and honey tasting. (B/T)
Day 8
Ponta Delgada
Explore Ponta Delgada on a guided walking tour, including Portas da Cidade, local markets and the Church of São Sebastião. In the afternoon, take part in a fish-scale art workshop, followed by a tasting of Azorean tuna and wine. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a waterfront restaurant this evening. (B/T/D)
Day 9
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner