From  £1750
per person
Tour Highlights
  • See spectacular UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Explore four of the Azores' beautiful islands with the freedom that comes with a hire car
  • See the volcanic crater and lake filled calder
  • Enjoy amazing sea and landscapes from special viewing places on island roads - just look for the binocular sign
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Beyond The Volcano Fly-Drive

10 Day Tour, from £1750 per person

Experience four beautiful islands within the Azores on our most popular fly-drive holiday in the Azores.

See dazzling geysers, mineral hot springs and extinct volcano craters. Bathe in a natural hot water swimming pool, taste traditional Azorean food and wine, and go in search of whales and dolphins by boat.

Best of all, travel at your own pace and enjoy the freedom that a hire-car provides to take the road less travelled and pull over to take in the views to your heart's content. This is a great way to explore the Azores independently, with all hotels and inter-island transfers pre-arranged. 

Speak to us about extending your holiday with a stop off in Lisbon 

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1
FLY TO SÃO MIGUEL
Ponta Delgada, The Azores

Fly to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island and pick up the hire car. Drive to São Miguel Park Hotel and check in for 3 nights. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation
Sao Miguel Park Hotel
DAY 2
SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND
SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND

Today, drive to the Sete Cidades Massif, an extinct volcano crater which features an emerald green and an aquamarine lake. Visit Ferraria in the south west of the island with its thermal springs and spa. On the return to Ponta Delgada visit the Gruta do Carvão, the longest lava tunnel in Sao Miguel, measuring 1912 metres. This ancient cave is classified as a Regional Natural Monument. (B)

Accommodation
Sao Miguel Park Hotel
DAY 3
SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND
Caldeira Velha swimming pool, the Azores

Drive to the village of Lagoa and visit the OVGA (Volcanology Centre) to learn about the Azores' volcanic history, before visiting the thermal activity in Furnas, a village with two ancient calderas and a beautiful lake. In the afternoon, visit the fumerols and the hot springs here or enjoy a stroll through the botanical garden. En-route to Ponta Delgada drive to the top of Lagoa do Fogo mountain for an amazing view before stopping for a swim at the natural tepid swimming pool, Caldeira Velha. (B)

Accommodation
Sao Miguel Park Hotel
DAY 4
SÃO MIGUEL TO TERCEIRA
Angra do Heroismo, the Azores

Take a short flight to Terceira Island for a two night stay at Hotel Praia Marina. Consider a drive to Angra do Heroísmo, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage town. Stroll through its cobbled streets and enjoy the view of Monte Brasil across the harbour. Then, drive to Monte Brasil and marvel at the extinct volcano that emerged naturally from the sea to join the city of Angra do Heroísmo. (B)

Accommodation
Hotel Terceira Mar
DAY 5
TERCEIRA ISLAND
TERCEIRA ISLAND

We suggest a drive to Serra do Cume to take in the landscape, locally known as the ‘Patchwork Quilt’ because it is made up of tiny pastures enclosed with volcanic dry stone walls. Visit the Algar do Carvão, an ancient lava tube located in the centre of the island filled with majestic stalactites and stalagmites and a pool of crystal clear water. Then, visit the Natal Cave, an extensive geological formation composed by fluid lavas solidified that formed several tunnels, ramifications and stalactites. (B)

Accommodation
Hotel Terceira Mar
DAY 6
TERCEIRA TO PICO
Beautiful Pico Island, Azores

After breakfast, drive to the airport to catch the flight to Pico. On arrival, collect a new car and drive to Hotel Caravelas. Check in for 2 nights. (B)

Accommodation
Hotel Caravelas
DAY 7
PICO ISLAND
Pico Island, the Azores

Today, explore the amazing sites of Pico island. Take a drive through the UNESCO World Heritage listed vineyard landscapes of Santa Luzia for an impressive view of the linear walls called currais, which were hand built to protect the vineyards from the salty winds. Consider a stop at Adega da Buraca where you can do a wine tasting and visit the wine museum. Visit Grutadas Torres in Criação Velha and marvel at the 5 kilometre long cave with its enormous stalactites and lava stalagmites. Leave some time for the Whaling Museum. (B)

Accommodation
Hotel Caravelas
DAY 8
PICO TO FAIAL
Landscapes of the Azores

Board the morning ferry to Faial Island. In Horta, spend some time sipping a drink in Peter’s Café Sport on the harbour - a favourite haunt of tourists and sailors alike. Also consider visiting the Cabeço Gordo Cauldron, which marks the highest point of the island and offers awe inspiring views of Faial and the ocean. (B)

Accommodation
Hotel Do Canal
DAY 9
FAIAL ISLAND
Capelinhos, the Azores

Drive to Capelinhos, which, in 1957, was the last volcano to erupt  in the Azores. Visit the Capelinhos Lighthouse which offers excellent panoramic views of the volcano extension and its rare beauty. It was here that the eruption started and the scenery provides a stark reminder of how the earth is constantly evolving. Today, the former living quarters of the lighthouse have been turned into the Interpretation Centre which provides detail about the eruption and the history of volcanic activity on Faial. (B)

Accommodation
Hotel Do Canal
DAY 10
FLY TO THE UK

After breakfast, drop off the car at the airport before your flight back to the UK. (B)

Pricing Information

10 day tour, from £1750 per person

Price Includes

  • Return international flights between the UK and the Azores
  • Inter-island transfers by domestic flights
  • All airport taxes
  • 9 nights accommodation as per the itinerary
  • Meals as specified by B,L,D (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
  • Car hire throughout in a Group B car (Hyundai I10 or similar) with unlimited mileage & SCDW insurance, and an additional driver 
  • Ferry tickets as detailed in the itinerary 

Price Excludes

  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Car PAI insurance (€6.56 per day)
  • GPS (€13.11 per day)
  • Fuel

Price Includes

Price Excludes

Price Notes

  • Price based on two people sharing for departures from 27 Oct to 21 Dec 24*
  • International flights from the UK are based out of London Heathrow via Lisbon in economy class. Regional flights are available (supplement may apply)
  • Please speak to us about adding a stopover in Lisbon 

 



For all other departures please contact us


Tour Route Map


  1. Azores, Sao Miguel
  2. Azores, Pico
  3. Azores, Terceira
  4. Azores, Faial

Tour Accommodation

Sao Miguel Park Hotel
Sao Miguel Park Hotel
Sao Miguel Park Hotel Located in the centre of Ponta Delgada, around the corner from the city's botanical gardens, São Miguel Park Hotel offers a great base from which to explore the......
Hotel Caravelas
Hotel Caravelas
Hotel Caravelas This is a large tourist class hotel overlooking the harbour in the centre of Madalena on Pico Island.Popular with groups, there are 137 rooms that have balconies,......
Hotel Terceira Mar
Hotel Terceira Mar
Hotel Terceira Mar Hotel Terceira Mar is located by the ocean, within one mile of Municipal Gardens, Monte Brazil and Fortaleza Sao Joao Batista.It is a pleasant 20 minute walk to the......
Hotel Do Canal
Hotel Do Canal
Hotel Do Canal The Hotel do Canal provides guests with the privileged location right on Horta’s oceanfront, with spectacular views over the city bay and Pico Mountain.This is the perfect......

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