Group members across Canada gather in Toronto for our overnight flight bound for the Azores.

Welcome to the Azores! Named Terceira, meaning ‘third’ in Portuguese, this island is traditionally considered the third island in the archipelago to be discovered by Portuguese explorers. We meet our local guide and transfer to our hotel for an early check-in and time to rest. In the afternoon, we visit an organic plantation where coffee, bananas, and exotic fruits thrive, concluding with a tasting of the estate’s own coffee, tea, seasonal produce, and coffee ice cream. A welcome dinner at our hotel eases us into island life. 

Hotel Torel - 3 nights

Accounting for nearly 30 percent of Portugal’s dairy production, Terceira’s rolling green pastures tell a story of deep agricultural roots. We experience this heritage firsthand along the island’s Milk Route, visiting a working farm to see how the herds are cared for and learning how milk travels from pasture to table. A tasting of regional specialties follows, featuring local cheeses, savoury sausages, and massa sovada, a traditional sweet bread. In the afternoon, a guided walk through Angra do Heroísmo reveals why this Atlantic port of call earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983. We will see the Palace of the Captains General, the Convent of São Gonçalo, public gardens, and the cathedral, leaving the rest of the day free for independent exploration.

A morning hike takes us through the volcanic landscapes of Monte Brasil. Following lunch featuring alcatra, Terceira’s signature slow-cooked beef pot roast, we descend into Algar do Carvão, a remarkable volcanic chimney with a serene subterranean lake at its base. On the way, we stop at the Serra do Cume viewpoint, looking out over a vast patchwork of agricultural fields divided by stone walls. Heading to the north coast, we admire the natural swimming pools carved into black volcanic rock at Biscoitos. 

Today we fly to Horta for a full-day excursion. Our first stop is Caldeira do Faial, a volcanic crater surrounded by dramatic landscapes that offer a glimpse into the island’s origins. We then continue to Capelinhos to explore its underground interpretation centre and learn how a volcanic eruption in 1957 permanently expanded the island’s landmass. In the afternoon, a guided walk through Horta leads us to the historic marina. Long a strategic mid-Atlantic refuge, Horta’s harbour features walls covered in colourful artwork left by sailors passing through. We finish at Peter Café Sport, a legendary mariners’ meeting place operating since 1918. 

otel Azoris Faial Garden - 1 night 

A ferry carries us across the channel to Madalena on Pico Island for a walking tour of the town. Then, we explore the landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where black basalt walls enclose small plots known as currais, protecting the vines from harsh winds and sea spray. A tasting of local wines follows, complemented by a visit to the Wine Museum, housed in a former 17th-century Carmelite convent, which showcases a winemaking tradition dating back to the 15th century. 

Pico Terramar - 2 nights

We dive into the maritime legacy that defines Pico Island, tracing a history deeply shaped by the Atlantic. Our scenic drive passes the revered shrine of Bom Jesus Milagroso in São Mateus, followed by a stop at a local crafts house and lunch in Lajes do Pico. As the island’s first settlement, Lajes shares its past at the Whaling Indistry Museum, housed in former boat sheds where crews once launched in pursuit of whales. Then, we take in panoramas of Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest peak at 2,351 metres.

Known as the Green Island for its lush calderas, thriving agriculture, and dramatic crater lakes, São Miguel welcomes us today as we fly in and meet our local guide. We begin exploring Ponta Delgada on foot with a peaceful stroll at Jardim António Borges, a 19th-century garden featuring ponds, lava-stone grottoes and centuries-old trees. From here, we walk into the historic centre to view the 18th-century Portas da Cidade and the landmark Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Grand Hotel Açores - 4 nights

Driving west, we journey toward Sete Cidades to witness one of the island’s most iconic natural wonders. We pause at Vista do Rei viewpoint to admire the striking contrast between its emerald-green and sapphire-blue lakes. Heading down into the crater, we stroll along the peaceful lakeshore beside the village. Then, we visit a family-run farm for an authentic look at rural Azorean agriculture, followed by a tasty lunch prepared right on the property. We end the day with a stop at a pineapple plantation, where the sweet fruit is cultivated inside traditional glasshouses.

Today we uncover the volcanic heart of São Miguel in Furnas, beginning at the historic Terra Nostra Botanical Garden. Established in the 1780s, the park features a vast collection of endemic flora and an inviting thermal pool. Lunch highlights cozido das Furnas, a regional specialty of meats and vegetables cooked slowly underground using natural geothermal heat. After walking among the steaming fumaroles and bubbling mineral springs of the nearby caldeiras, we visit Gorreana, the oldest operating tea plantation in Europe. Here we tour the terraced fields, observe traditional processing methods, and sample some tea before returning to the hotel.

Our final full day brings us to Ribeira Grande, where we stroll through the historic centre to admire its architecture. Nearby, we visit Caldeira Velha, a forest sanctuary where warm thermal springs cascade into natural pools beneath towering trees. We continue to Lagoa do Fogo, a pristine nature reserve where crystal-clear waters fill a crater surrounded by green mountains. Tonight, we gather for a farewell dinner to toast our wonderful journey through the islands.

We enjoy a morning at leisure in Ponta Delgada before our return flight to Canada.