Embark on a 14-day cruise that begins in Porto, Portugal, and unfolds into an exploration of the enchanting Azores archipelago. The cruise begins with the narrow lanes of Porto's historic Ribeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, leading to the Douro Valley. Discover the vibrant capital of São Miguel and the sapphire blue Lagoa Azul in Ponta Delgada, surrounded by turquoise crater lakes and green rolling hills. Horta in Faial boasts a colorful marina with a rich maritime history, while Graciosa's Furna do Enxofre provides a glimpse into the underworld. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira, showcasing Portuguese Renaissance architecture. Pico Island, dominated by the highest mountain in Portugal, offers dramatic landscapes and UNESCO-designated vineyards.
Highlights
Explore UNESCO Ribeira, Douro Valley, and Historic River Exploration
Discover São Miguel, Horta's Maritime Legacy, UNESCO Landscapes
Explore Historic Old Town in Porto and cross Eiffel bridge
Encounter Enchanting Underworld, Red-Crested Windmills, and Lava Walls
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Porto considers itself the country's secret capital. The narrow lanes of the historic old town "Ribeira", a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extend in terraces up the slope overlooking the Douro. The former working-class district has blossomed into a beautifully restored trendy neighborhood. A student of Gustave Eiffel created the bold design for the bridge, which stretches over the river in a wide arc and links the Ribeira with Vila Nova da Geia and its 50 port wineries that lie on the other side. The best way to reach the incredible Douro Valley and the countryside of the Alto Douro wine region, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is by river.
Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand
The lively capital of São Miguel receives its guests at the trefoil-shaped city gate and invites them in on mosaic-like cobbled pavements through narrow lanes leading to whitewashed houses with black facade decoration made from basalt. The historic old city of Ponta Delgada is covered by a preservation order. Two large lakes are picturesquely set in the crater of Sete Cidades – the sapphire blue Lagoa Azul and the emerald green Lagoa Verde. At the edge of the crater the view widens out and exposes a spectacular panorama. On one side ebony sand and by the azure Atlantic, on the other side turquoise crater lakes amidst green rolling hills and blue flowering hydrangea bushes.
Early on, Horta linked the Old World with the New and is the most international place in the archipelago. The port is a hub of activity; almost every yacht that sails across the Atlantic makes a stop at Horta, making her famous port the world's most colorful marina. The quay walls are a kind of guest book for skippers where for centuries people have immortalised themselves with a painting or inscription. The Azores last proved their volcanic origin in 1957 when the Capelinhos volcano suddenly emerged out of the sea in an eruption. The caldera is two kilometres (1.3 miles) in diameter and Faial expanded by 2.4 square kilometres (1 square mile). Nowadays the area is a bizarrely picturesque spot.
Graciosa, the second smallest island in the Azores, has the most unusual natural phenomena in the archipelago. Furna do Enxofre, the huge sulphurous cave in the dark centre of the caldera, lets you take a glimpse into the underworld. A large steaming lake, 15 metres (49 foot) deep, stretches across an 80-metre (262 foot)-high volcanic cave and is bewitchingly lit by daylight shining in. On the island's fertile soil, only slightly protected from the wind by walls of lava rubble, cereal crops, fruit and vines flourish. Red-crested windmills are now the emblem of this charming island.
Two fortresses standing guard over the harbor, splendid Renaissance facades, colorful little houses, churches and palaces – the old city of Angra do Heroísmo is a shining example of Portuguese Renaissance architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taking a stroll is like a journey back in time. As the oldest town in the Azores, it received city status in 1474 and was even the capital of Portugal for three years from 1580. In its heyday as a center for overseas trade, for centuries it was an important hub between three continents.
At 2,351 meters (7,713 foot), Ponta de Pico volcano is the highest mountain in Portugal and magnificently epitomises the island's personality. Dominated by the mountain, Pico has only a small amount of flat coastal land, but this only makes it all the more beautiful. Many small harbours and walled fields create a contrast with the wildly dramatic mountains in the background. Laurel, juniper, tree heath and wine grow on this green island, protected by kilometre (miles)-long walls of lava. The island's viniculture has even been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Pico, once a whaling centre, now has two whaling museums and is the starting point for whale watching, as numerous sperm whales inhabit the sea around the island.
Santa Maria, with its tiny capital Vila do Porto, is the third smallest and most southerly island in the archipelago and, in contrast to the other islands in the Azores, is not a volcanic island. Like all the islands in the Azores it is lush green but has its own softer, almost Mediterranean character. Nature is more gentle here, the land seems hillier and is characterised by green swathes of forest, steep terraced vineyards, banana plantations, lush meadows and a sea of flowers. With its perfect weather, Santa Maria is the only island in the Azores that has broad, white sandy beaches.
Day 14: Ponta Delgada | São Miguel | Azores | Disembark
1 Breakfast
The lively capital of São Miguel receives its guests at the trefoil-shaped city gate and invites them in on mosaic-like cobbled pavements through narrow lanes leading to whitewashed houses with black facade decoration made from basalt. The historic old city of Ponta Delgada is covered by a preservation order. Two large lakes are picturesquely set in the crater of Sete Cidades – the sapphire blue Lagoa Azul and the emerald green Lagoa Verde. At the edge of the crater the view widens out and exposes a spectacular panorama. On one side ebony sand and by the azure Atlantic, on the other side turquoise crater lakes amidst green rolling hills and blue flowering hydrangea bushes.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$15,0582-3 travelers
Superior Single Stateroom
Superior Single Cabins (approx. 140 sq. ft.) are equipped with a built-in single bed, closet
chair, and dressing table. The bathroom is equipped with a shower and golden fixtures. These are located on the Cabin Deck.
Superior
Superior stateroom (approx. 183 sq. ft.) is equipped with a California king bed (2 mattresses), seating with table, closet, seating with table, and dressing table. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a shower and golden fixtures. These cabins have portholes and are located on the Cabin Deck.
Deluxe Stateroom
Deluxe Cabins (approx. 215 sq ft) are equipped with a California king bed, 71 in. x 79 in. (2 mattresses), a small comfortable sitting corner with a chair or couch and a table as well as a dressing table, bureau and wardrobe. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a sink, shower and WC. These cabins have portholes and are located on the Cabin Deck.
Grand Stateroom
Grand Stateroom (approx. 194 sq. ft.) is equipped with a double bed (two single beds), closet, chair with table, dressing table, WiFi, TV, telephone, hair dryer, minibar, coffee machine, and safe. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a shower and golden fixtures. These cabins are located on the Lido Deck.
Junior Veranda Suite
Junior Veranda (approx. 237 sq. ft.to 65 sq. ft. including balcony) is located on the Veranda deck and offers a private balcony and twin arched windows. The cabins include a California king bed, walk-in closet, sofa, chair with table, dressing table, WiFi, TV, telephone, hair dryer, minibar, coffee machine, and safe. The bathroom is equipped with a shower, bathtub, and golden fixtures.
Veranda Suite
Veranda Suites are located on the Veranda Deck, approximately 301 sq. ft. of luxury living space with an 86 sq. ft. balcony. Features include a marble bathroom with shower, bathtub, and golden fixtures, along with a California king bed, walk-in closet, L-shaped sofa with full-sized fold-out bed, dressing table, WiFi, TV, telephone, hair dryer, minibar, coffee machine, and safe.
Notes
Rates are based on double occupancy. A limited number of cabins can be booked for individual use for an additional charge.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 254 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 254 reviews on
2 days ago
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
2 days ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
2 days ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
1 week ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.