* copyright photo : Tourism Azores
9-day wine tour Azores, Portugal
Most important features
- 9 DAYS – 8 NIGHTS
- Visited countries: Azores – Portugal
Short introduction
During this 9-day wine tour to the Azores, you will discover Terceira and Pico, the 2 islands of the Azores where wine is produced and the main island of São Miguel.
Start at Terceira with the beautiful capital Angra de Heroismo, declared a World Heritage Site. Then continue to the island of Pico to learn more about the production of volcanic wines. The trip ends on the island of São Miguel, the largest in the Azores, with beautiful landscapes and great dishes to pair the wines with.
Highlights
- 2 wine tastings on the island of Terceira and 3 wine tasting on the island of Pico
- Glass of wine as a welcome drink at your hotel
- Visit the two wine islands of the Azores Terceira and Pico
- Taste volcanic wines on the island of Pico
- See the UNESCO World Heritage wine landscapes of the island of Pico
- Wine tour with a culinary touch
- See and stay in Angra de Heroismo, the capital of the island of Terceira and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Program
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL TERCEIRA – AZORES – PORTUGAL (D)
Today you fly with TAP Portugal via Lisbon and arrive on the island of Terceira in Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage city, in the archipelago of the Azores. After arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel with a beautiful sea view. After check-in at your hotel, you are expected at the hotel bar for a nice glass of wine as a welcome drink. After this, the rest of the day is at your leisure and you are expected to have dinner with local wines early in the evening.
Overnight.
DAY 2 – ANGRA DO HEROÍSMO – BISCOITO – NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS – VAQUINHA – ANGRA DO HEROÍSMO (B, L)
After breakfast, you will explore the northern and eastern part of the island of Terceira. First of all, you will visit a small seaside village called Biscoito and visit one of the most important wine producers on the island. Here you will participate in a wine tasting and taste a wine made from the local Verdelho grape. You will also have the opportunity to taste a selection of homemade sweets and liqueurs. Then continue with a visit to the local wine museum and also wine producer on the island for over 100 years. Then enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. We recommend that you try one of the delicious meat dishes. The restaurant is located near the Praia de Biscoitos, spectacular natural pools formed by the erosion of the volcanic rocks by the sea. Here you can take a nice dip in the afternoon and relax.
In the afternoon before returning to Angra Do Heroísmo, visit another famous Vaquinha cheese production, where you can taste different kinds of (regional) cheeses. Transfer back to your hotel. In the evening you have plenty of time to visit the picturesque Angra do Heroísmo. Dinner on your own. We are happy to make recommendations.
Overnight.
DAY 3 – TERCEIRA (B)
After breakfast, your day starts with a visit to Mount Brasil, a small peninsula where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the historical city of Angra. Then explore Angra Do Heroísmo on a walking tour. Lunch on your own in the center of Angra Do Heroísmo.
In the afternoon you continue along the coast towards São Sebastião, the oldest village on the island with its characteristic church. Then you leave the coast towards the interior and continue towards Serra do Cume for one of the most special views of Terceira that have made the island famous all over the world. Afterwards, travel back to your hotel and dinner on your own. We are happy to make recommendations.
Overnight.
DAY 4 – TERCEIRA ISLAND – PICO ISLAND (B, D)
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Terceira Airport for a flight to the nearby island of Pico. This is the second largest island in the Azores and is dominated by the “Pico”, a volcano almost 2500 meters high and the highest peak in Portugal. Many visitors come here to climb it. As a wine lover, you will visit the island of Pico mainly for its volcanic wines, as this is the main island for wine production. Due to this unique characteristic property, the island with its wine is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon you will visit the wine cooperative of the Azores. Here most of the grapes of the 800-hectare planted wine region of Pico are converted into wine. The unique character of the terroir on Pico Island determines its unique wines, which have gained a lot of reputation thanks to modern techniques and have achieved the highest rankings in international competitions. You visit the cooperative to get acquainted with the oenology of the Azores. Dinner in one of Pico’s most characteristic restaurants and located in the capital Madalena. Here you can taste regional cuisine and delicious local wines.
Overnight.
DAY 5 – VINEYARDS AND WHALES (B)
You certainly cannot leave the Azores without going to the Atlantic to observe whales and dolphins. The Azores are one of those special places on earth where you can see about 20 different species of these sea creatures. Pico was historically the whale hunting site as you will notice when visiting the local museum.
In the afternoon, continue your tour of the island and see some of its vineyards: green and black mix with the windows of the houses painted red – these are the colours you will remember forever once you get to Pico. The green vines are framed by small walls made of lava stones to protect them from the salt of the sea and the harsh Atlantic winds. You too enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery.
Overnight.
DAY 6 – PICO – PONTA DELGADA (B)
After breakfast you have some free time. Then you will have a flight to Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel located on the picturesque marina of Ponta Delgada. The rest of the day is at your own discretion and dinner on your own. Ask us about the possibilities.
Overnight.
DAY 7 – SÃO MIGUEL (B, L)
After breakfast, enjoy one of the highlights of the island of Sao Miguel today. You will visit Furnas, where you will take a short walk to visit the thermal waters which are naturally heated by the volcano. You will also be served lunch here, which is prepared using these heat sources. Traditionally, the “Cozido dos Açores”, a meat and vegetable stew, is prepared under the earth by the heat of the hot springs. For lunch you can’t help but try Cozido and you have to pair it with the fantastic volcanic wines of Pico Island, Enjoy!
After lunch you will be transferred back to Ponta Delgada. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight.
DAY 8 – SÃO MIGUEL (B, L)
After breakfast, head out today to see one of the other beautiful and famous Azores landscapes, Lagoa das 7 cidades. One of the most pleasant ways is to discover this incredible place while walking. The path starts at an altitude of 600 m and takes you to the highest point on the island, the Serra da Devessa. During the 5-hour hike, stop for a picnic. The path ends at the small village of the same name as the “Lagoa das 7 cidades”.
In the evening, dinner on your own.
Overnight.
DAY 9 – SÃO MIGUEL (B)
After breakfast, and depending on your flight times, you will get a transfer to the airport for your flight back home… or an extension of your trip to one of the other beautiful wine regions of Portugal or why not those other wine islands, Madeira. Ask us about the possibilities for a non-binding customized quote.
Included / Excluded
What’s included / not included in this wine tour ?
Included
- 5 wine tastings and wine cellar visits
- International flights
- Local (domestic) flights between the islands
- Transfer airport – hotel – airport on the 3 islands of Terceira, Pico and São Miguel
- 8 nights in a standard double room in good quality hotels, of which:
- 3 nights in a hotel on the island of Terceira
- 2 nights in a hotel on the island of Pico
- 3 nights in a hotel on the island of São Miguel
- Meals where indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Transport and activities as described in the program including whale and dolphin watching on Pico Island
Please note that due to available flight connections, this program may be subject to some minor changes.
Excluded
- Specialized wine guide
- Single room surcharge
- Experienced English-speaking guide unless otherwise stated, other languages on request
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks unless explicitly stated
- Meals other than mentioned in the program (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
- Tips
- Cancellation and travel insurance (we can arrange this for you if desired)
- Taxes to be paid locally, such as the tourist tax
- Everything that is not reported under the heading including
Request a quote for this wine tour and we can work with you to determine what will and will not be included. The choice is yours.
All flights (international and domestic), hotels and rental car are always subject to availability until the time of final booking with signing the sales file. The booking is made and recorded after receipt of the deposit on our bank account.
Prices are always subject to change and are signed up to the sales file without prior notice and / or evidence. The reasons, which are not exhaustive, can be seasonality and availability.
