All of our arrangements have been specially designed to incorporate a reason to travel and, for ease of choice, these have been categorised under the titles shown below.
7 nights from
£1945
In the middle of the northern Atlantic Ocean, the nine islands of the Azores were formed by the activity of 1,766 volcanos. Most are submerged beneath the waves, many are now massive craters, and nine are still active. This is the backdrop to a fabulous tour of four islands, as it takes you by air, road and sea, to view marine life, and magnificent landscapes.
The ‘green island’ of São Miguel is the largest and lushest, and home to half of all Azoreans. Scenically stunning from its sandy shores to thermal pools and geysers, it excels itself around the Lagoa de Fogo (lake of fire) and the Sete Cidades’ two crater lakes, spread below Vista do Rei. Nicknamed the Lilac Island, Terceira boasts the natural bathing pools of Biscoitos, the beaches of Praia across the bay from old-town Praia da Vitoria, and the beautiful town of Angra do Heroísmo, steeped in history and UNESCO listed. Faial, named for its beech trees (faias) but known as Blue Island for its hundreds of hydrangeas, is home to the Caldeira Nature Park and Horta’s whale-watching harbour; just a ferry away from Pico, a majestic mountain soaring from the sea, its cone intact, its ‘Black Island’ epithet pointing to vineyards planted in dark volcanic soil. The Azores are awesome.
The order in which the islands are visited is subject to change depending on flight schedules.
In certain countries we recommend the currency most widely accepted rather than the local currency.
Pousadas of Portugal
Staying in hand-picked Pousadas (inns), formerly a monastery, manor house and convent, this tour reveals the sights and psyche of Portugal, from regal splendour to religious heritage, from port-wine cellar to Fado show, from Porto to Coimbra and the capital, Lisbon
The Garden Isle of Madeira
A sub-tropical isle, where floral displays form kaleidoscopes of colour, traditional buildings blend seamlessly with bucolic landscapes and spectacular cliffs rise sheer from the Atlantic Ocean shore
Highlights of the Douro
Cruising the Douro from its mouth on the Atlantic to its crossing into Spain, with daily excursions to medieval towns, majestic palaces, port wine cellars, and vineyard valley landscapes, this beguiling journey includes visits to Guimarães, Lamego, and Salamanca
