Start your culinary adventure in the capital city of Azores, Ponta Delgada. Get a taste of traditional Azorean food and wine by indulging in the local fish stew "Caldeirada" or the meat soup "Cozido das Furnas". Visit the Mercado da Graça market and try fresh cheese, fruits, and vegetables. Don't forget to end the day with a glass of the famous Azorean pineapple liquor "Licor de Ananás".
Start your day by visiting one of the oldest tea plantations in Europe, "Gorreana Tea Plantation". Then, head to Ribeira Grande's historic center to taste the famous "Queijadas da Vila" pastry and "Bolo Lêvedo" bread. Finally, have dinner at "Taberna Açor", a cozy restaurant that serves local ingredients cooked with a modern twist.
Furnas is famous for its hot springs and geothermal activity. Start your day by visiting the Terra Nostra Garden, a geothermal park with a natural swimming pool. Then, head to the Furnas Lake for a picnic lunch with traditional "Cozido das Furnas" that is cooked underground using the natural hot springs. End your day by visiting the Gorreana Tea Plantation from the day before, for a glass of green tea or their rosehip infusion.
Drive to Nordeste to explore the picturesque landscapes and stunning viewpoints. Start your day with a traditional breakfast at "Paisagem Verde" café, where you can try the "Bolo de Forno" pastry. Head to the viewpoints of "Vista dos Barcos" and "Borda da Água" to marvel at the beautiful surrounding nature. Then, enjoy a seafood lunch at "Casa da Igreja" restaurant, followed by a relaxing walk through "Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões".
Faial da Terra and Povoação are two beautiful villages located on the east side of the island. Start your day with a hike to "Salto do Prego" waterfall, followed by a traditional lunch of "Cozido das Furnas" or "Polvo à Lagareiro" at "Tasca do João" restaurant. Then, head to Povoação to visit "Miradouro da Lomba do Cavaleiro" viewpoint and try a dessert at "Doce Mar" pastry shop.
Vila Franca do Campo is a charming village that used to be the capital of the Azores Islands. Start your day with a boat trip to "Ilhéu de Vila Franca", an islet that used to be a volcano crater. Then, savor a local lunch of "Lapas Grelhadas" or "Alcatra" at "Associação Agrícola" restaurant. End your day by watching the sunset at "Miradouro da Senhora da Paz".
Sete Cidades is a must-visit destination in Azores for its breathtaking views of twin lakes and natural beauty. Start your day with a hike to the "Lagoa do Canario" lake, followed by a horse-riding tour to the other twin lake "Lagoa das Sete Cidades". Have lunch at "Restaurante Lagoa Azul", where you can try local seafood dishes or a vegetarian menu. End your day with a visit to "Miradouro da Vista do Rei" viewpoint, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the two lakes and the village.
Mosteiros and Ginetes are two beautiful coastal villages located in the west of the island. Start your day by swimming in the natural pools of "Piscinas Naturais do Mosteiros". Then, have lunch at "Restaurante Maré Cheia", which serves fresh fish caught by local fishermen. In the evening, head to the "Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro" natural pool for a relaxing swim.
Spend your last day in Azores exploring Ponta Delgada's cultural heritage. Visit the "Museu Carlos Machado", a museum with an extensive collection of Azorean art and history. Then, have lunch at "Alcides", a restaurant that serves traditional Azorean dishes with a modern twist. End your day by strolling around the marina and trying different types of lobsters and crabs at "O Galego" seafood restaurant.
You can explore Azores by renting a car or taking a taxi. The estimated cost is around 50 EUR per day for a rental car and 25 EUR per ride for a taxi. The distances between locations can range from 10 to 50 miles, and the estimated travel time is 20 minutes to 1.5 hours.
If you have less time, consider skipping some villages or combining them into a single day trip. If you have more time, add a visit to "Ilhéu das Rolas", a small island near Sao Jorge that you can reach by boat. Also, consider attending the "Festas do Divino Espirito Santo", a religious festival that takes place in various villages from May to September.
Joao Paulo II Airport (PDL) is the main airport in Azores, located in Ponta Delgada, about 3 miles from the city center. It provides domestic and international flights to various destinations. A taxi ride from the airport to the city center costs around 10 EUR.