Overview

Our Terceira and Graciosa Island Hopping Holiday is one of our most-popular island pairings.

A stay on the island of Terceira is the perfect choice for anyone interested in Azorean island culture. Her capital Angra de Heroismo is famous for its UNESCO-protected historic architecture and grand religious buildings – harking back to the ‘Age of Discoveries’ and a time when the island was at the centre of Portugal’s vast trading empire. Terceira was a crucial resupply point on the trade routes between Lisbon, Brazil and India, and a constant stream of traders saw the city blossom economically, culturally and architecturally. 21st century Terceira is still one of the best-connected islands, with direct flights from Sao Miguel, Lisbon, Boston and Toronto.

A happy by-product of the influx of trade was the introduction of spices from far-flung destinations which the islanders happily adopted into their existing Azorean dishes. One of the best times to sample Terceiran cuisine is during June’s Sanjoaninas festival – a wonderful week of street food, colourful parades, live music, theatre and fireworks. It’s one of Portugal’s most-popular festivals and we recommend booking early. Whenever you choose to visit, you’ll also have a chance to explore the island’s remarkable natural landmarks with our resident guide, including the volcanic fumeroles at Furnas do Enxofre and the lava caves at Algar do Carvao.

It’s a short by plane to Terceira’s smaller neighbour Graciosa. The pretty capital Santa Cruz is quite a contrast to bustling Angra – it’s a sleepy little town with a laid-back, friendly atmosphere. Farming is has always been at the centre of Graciosan life: at the height of Graciosa’s agricultural output, the population of the island peaked at almost 14,000 – hard to believe as you wander around this peaceful rural idyll.

We’ll include a hire car to allow you to explore the island’s must-see sites at your leisure. Graciosa is home to arguably the most-spectacular volcanic cave in the Azores: the vast Furnas do Enxofre, a volcanic cavern 200m long and 50m high, with its own permanent underground lake. It’s a short drive to Termas do Carapacho, where you can take a dip in the Enxofre hot springs, or you might prefer to unwind at our favourite swimming spots – Graciosa’s coastline is dotted with secluded natural seawater pools.

Itinerary

You’ll begin your holiday by flying direct to the Azores. You’ll be transferred by our driver to your accommodation in Angra de Heroismo.
You’ll take a walking tour of Angra with our resident guide - it's a great way to get familiar with the layout of the city and its historic architecture: the Se Cathedral, Praca Velha square and the Jardim Duque de Angra. You’ll head down to the marina in the afternoon for a guided boat trip to the Ilheus das Cabras – an extinct volcano and protected nature reserve.
You’ll explore the interior of the island with our resident guide, visiting the Serra do Cume, Praia da Vitoria, Biscoitos and the volcanic caves at Algar do Carvao.
You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Graciosa. You’ll collect a hire car from the airport before driving to your new accommodation in Santa Cruz.
You’ll explore Graciosa by car, with visits to the extinct Mount Nossa Senhora da Ajuda volcano, Casa Museu Joao Tomas Bettencourt, Pico Timao, Ponta da Restinga and the geothermal baths at Termas at Carapacho.
You might like to spend today exploring the island’s volcanic past, walking the Volta a Caldeira trail around the island’s largest caldera. Once you’ve completed your circuit, it’s a short drive to Furna do Enxofre – a 200m long and 50m high volcanic chimney that once fed the caldera above.
You’ll return to Terceira for your final afternoon and evening.
You'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

From £1800 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

INCLUDED: international and inter-island flights, accommodation in twin/double en-suite rooms on a B&B basis, return airport transfers, a guided boat trip, a full-day guided tour of Terceira and a hire car on Grasciosa.

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