Islands of the Azores: Basalt Peaks to Volcanic Vineyards

Arrive in Ponta Delgada, the charming capital of the Azores. Transfer from the airport to the city and spend the day at your own pace exploring the sights, sounds and tastes of this island capital. Check in with the hospitality desk this afternoon before embarking the ship.

The tallest mountain on the Atlantic Ridge, the long dormant Ponta do Pico is a defining feature of this beautiful island whose claims to fame are whaling history and wine. Visit one of the island’s former whaling villages and learn about the importance of the whaling industry to these islands. Travel to the wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and see the unlikely lava stone corrals that protect the precious vines. Enjoy a tasting of these very special wines. Sail to the island of Faial in time to raise a glass at Peter Café Sport, a legendary pub where sea adventurers historically dropped off their mail.

Head to Capelinhos, where you can see how dramatically the landscape changed when its volcano erupted in 1957. Farms and villages were covered with ash, which added nearly an extra mile of land to the island. Later, stroll in the marina, visit the excellent scrimshaw museum or enjoy a coffee at a local café.

Visit São Jorge, formed by volcanic fissures. On trails that crisscross the ridge and beaches, hike to Caldeira de Santo Cristo Lake, known for its clams; visit the small villages perched on the fajãs; explore the coffee and tea plantations and taste world-renowned São Jorge cheese. Be on deck with binoculars this afternoon as you sail around the tip of the island, passing cliffs with nesting seabirds and looking for Risso’s dolphins and whales.

First settled by Portuguese navigators around 1450, Terceira became a popular port of call for merchant ships and the economic and religious center of the Azores. Wind along the coastline and explore historic villages like Porto Judeu, Sao Sebastiao, and Altares. Upland at Algar do Carvao, be amazed by a huge lava tube adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, and later, stroll the streets of Praia da Vitoria. Or, take a walking tour with local guides to see the majestic Angra do Heroismo, a 15th-century UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cruise toward the island of Santa Maria and be on deck to search for the islands’ many cetaceans. Then, go ashore at Santa Maria, historically significant as the first landfall of Christopher Columbus on his return from the Americas in 1493. See a statue of the explorer in the village of Anjos and admire breathtaking vistas as you travel along the coast or choose to hike the Pico Alto-Baíia dos Anjos trail to travel from the highest point on the island to the sea.

Explore the Furnas Valley and sample a typical Azorean specialty for lunch: cozido, a dish made with a variety of meats and vegetables naturally cooked underground from the heat of volcanic activity. Then, join local cetacean spotters and a marine biologist on a catamaran in search of cetaceans.

Disembark in Ponta Delgada and transfer to the airport for flights home. Departure Time: Depart after 10:00 a.m. local time. Departure City: Ponta Delgada, Azores