Wellness hiking in the Azores

Arrival to São Miguel and transfer to the coastal village of Capelas, a charming and peaceful place surrounded by greenery. Check-in at Vale do Navio Hotel, a tranquil hotel with comfortable rooms and lovely facilities for relaxation.

Today you discover the western part of São Miguel and the magical crater Sete Cidades. Here two crater lakes meet – one green and one blue – separated by a seven-arch bridge that according to legend symbolizes the seven cities of the lost Atlantis. According to the saga, the lakes were formed by tears from two unfortunate lovers. After the hike, a beautiful car ride along the north coast awaits, through quiet and sheltered villages.

The day begins at Gorreana Tea Plantation, Europe's only tea plantation, where you get to stroll among the tea bushes and learn about traditional tea production. This is followed by a beautiful coastal hike to Maia and the secluded beach Praia da Viola. In the afternoon, the journey continues to Furnas, known for its hot springs, volcanic landscapes and lush gardens.

Today's hike goes up to the Furnas crater through lush greenery of ferns, palms and conifers – a picture of how Europe's forests looked before the ice age. Here you see the island's only active volcano with smoking sulfur springs and bubbling fumaroles. In the evening, a culinary experience awaits: the local dish "Cozido", a tender slow-cooked meal prepared underground using volcanic heat. The day ends with a bath in the hot springs at Terra Nostra Garden.

After a short transfer towards the southeast, you begin your hike along Ribeira do Faial da Terra. The trail winds through a green valley filled with endemic plants, cedar trees and rushing streams. You pass old mills and small bridges before reaching the picturesque village of Sanguinho, known for its traditional stone houses.

Short hike: 1 hour 30 min | 5.5 km | ±265 m
Long hike: 3 hours 30 min | 8 km | ±420 m

One of the trip's highlights must be the hike to the magnificent crater lake Lagoa do Fogo. You follow a levada (irrigation channel) through a geothermal area up towards the mountain ridge, where the views over the island are spectacular. Along the way you encounter rich plant life with several rare and protected species. The hike ends down at the coast before transfer to Ponta Delgada.

Join a four-hour guided food walk through Ponta Delgada and taste the Azores' culinary highlights. During the tour, a delicious lunch with local specialties is served. In the afternoon you have free time to explore the city's streets, shops and harbor promenade at your own pace.

Transfer to the airport in Ponta Delgada takes place 2 hours and 30 minutes before the flight's departure.