OVERVIEW

Fall under the spell of the island of Faial’s unique natural beauty on a tour that highlights a stunning landscape largely developed from volcanic eruptions. Drive to Espalamaca, a dazzling overlook affording the finest view of enchanting Horta. If the day is clear, you’ll treasure the arresting sight of three other Azorean islands: Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa. Journey past elegant windmills and a landscape ripe with vivid blue hydrangeas to Caldeira, a massive crater left by the now-extinct volcano that created the island of Faial. Behold the mile-wide depression, sumptuously blanketed with indigenous junipers, tree heathers, cedars and ferns. Travel to Capelinhos, where the strikingly barren terrain is rocky and hauntingly lunar-like. See the stately lighthouse, the only building to survive the devastation of a volcanic eruption in the mid-20th century. You’ll pass through verdant Capelo Forest Park and Praia do Norte, a splendid seaside parish shaped by a volcanic eruption in 1672 that’s now a surfing mecca. Marvel at fascinating sights on this journey through the wonders of Faial.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience Espalamaca’s exceptional view of charming Horta and beyond.
• See natural wonders created by volcanic activity once prevalent in the Azores.
• Marvel at the mile-wide Caldeira crater, cloaked by gorgeous native trees.
• Observe the jet-black volcanic ash still covering the floor of the Capelinhos lighthouse.
• Delight in Praia do Norte, where massive waves are the result of an incredible underwater ravine.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Set sail for an exhilarating journey on the deep blue waters surrounding the Azores, home to a wide array of marine mammals and other mesmerizing denizens of the sea. Enjoy the chance at enticingly intimate encounters with magnificent creatures including the sperm whale, the Azores’ most commonly seen marine species, as scientists believe they live in these waters year-round, feasting on indigenous squid. Train a keen eye on the sparkling seas in hopes you’ll catch sight of frolicking bottlenose dolphins and incredible beaked, pilot and sei whales, the latter of which is the world’s third-largest whale species. In this spectacular habitat, you may be more likely to capture a precious glimpse of such arresting sights than in any other place on earth. Be on the lookout for a plethora of seabirds, such as the petrel and the shearwater, that are rarely found outside of this thriving region. You’ll be captivated by this unforgettable seafaring voyage and the unique opportunity it affords you to feast your eyes on the myriad species of whales, dolphins, seabirds and fish that call the Azores home.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Thrill at the chance for up-close encounters with whales, dolphins and other creatures.
• Anticipate the epic sight of a mammoth sperm whale emerging from the waters’ depths.
• Add to your birdwatching list the names of seabirds rarely seen elsewhere.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history and astonishing ramifications of a devastating volcanic eruption off Faial Island, with an enlightening visit to an underground interpretative center. Settle in for a picturesque drive to Capelinhos, where the strikingly barren terrain is rocky and hauntingly lunar-like from the volcano’s violent eruption in 1957. Experience a definitive understanding of the natural phenomenon as you stop at the interpretative center that was built beneath the stately Capelinhos lighthouse, the only building to survive the eruption. You’ll enjoy a peerless look at the year-plus following the natural phenomenon, painstakingly captured by scientists on film and in photos. Through interactive exhibits, you’ll learn about the dramatic impact on the island’s landscape and its people, half of whom were forced to emigrate after farmlands and homes were blanketed in ash. Relish your time at the interpretative center to discover more captivating exhibits that will afford you a thrilling up-close understanding of the geology and volcanic activity of the Azores.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Delve into the dramatic impact of a volcanic eruption that transformed Faial Island in 1957.
• Marvel at the stunningly lunar-like landscape of Capelinhos.
• Visit a fascinating interpretative center under a lighthouse, the only structure to survive the eruption.
• See the entrancing work of scientists who tirelessly filmed and photographed the area over 13 months.
• Explore incredible exhibits chronicling the effect of the eruption on the region and its inhabitants.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Lose yourself in the eerie, spectacular panorama that emerged from a devastating volcanic eruption during this expedition along the ravishing southern coast of Faial Island. Settle in for a beautifully scenic drive of approximately one hour to Capelinhos, where the strikingly barren terrain is rocky and hauntingly lunar-like from the volcano’s violent eruption in 1957. You’ll see the stately Capelinhos lighthouse, the only building to survive the eruption. Behold the dramatic impact the natural phenomenon had on the island’s landscape and its people, half of whom were forced to emigrate after farmlands and homes were blanketed in ash. You may catch sight of clusters of the vivid blue hydrangeas whose prominence in the region has inspired some to call it the Blue Island. Continue on foot to the gorgeous, volcanically formed shore of Varadouro Bay. Gaze at the inviting natural pools below and cherish the time you’ve enjoyed exploring the beguiling wonders of the eclectic island of Faial.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Delve into the majesty of the volcanically formed landscape of Faial Island on a walking tour.
• Roam through Capelinhos’ wild, wonderful scenery, punctuated with tenacious plants.
• Observe the jet-black volcanic ash still covering the floor of the Capelinhos lighthouse.
• Treasure Varadouro Bay’s deep blue waters, stunningly rimmed with jagged black volcanic rock.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Carry bottled water and an energy bar from the ship.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Embark on a leisurely guided walk among Horta’s treasured landmarks, visit an enlightening museum and relax over a crisp cocktail at a seaside bar. Stroll through Faial Island’s charming capital, which has long been a stop for ships crossing the Atlantic. At the lovely Praça da República, you’ll gain a genuine feel for daily life in the Azores. See the colorful Horta Market, where locals buy fresh seafood and delicious produce like pineapple and guava. Cherish the significance of the Sociedade Amor da Pátria, an art deco building that was the site of the regional government’s first legislature. Wander through the Horta Regional Museum, whose splendors include evocative paintings dating to the 16th century and singular miniature sculptures carved from the white pith of fig trees. Pass the lively marina, where you’ll glimpse colorful paintings, sketches and personal notes left by sailors to mark their transatlantic voyages. At Peter Café Sport, you’ll savor a refreshing gin and tonic and toast the grand experiences you’ve enjoyed.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Roam the quaint streets of Horta, the charming capital of Faial Island.
• Visit notable landmarks, including the stately Praça da República and the lively Horta Market.
• Stop at the Horta Regional Museum and see remarkable miniature sculptures crafted from fig trees.
• Relish a tasty cocktail at Peter Café Sport, an oceanfront spot popular with seafarers.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Carry bottled water, as you may require hydration.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the barren terrain that the last eruption of the Capelinhos volcano left in its wake and gain an understanding of how that event and others affected the island’s microclimates and marine ecosystems. That offshore eruption occurred in the late 1950s and transformed the nearby landscape into a hauntingly lunar-like surface. Although the lighthouse survived, its first floor is still covered by volcanic ash. An interpretative center was constructed underground behind the lighthouse so as not to disturb the appearance of the strange setting. Inside, you will find exhibits that clearly explain the Capelinhos eruption and the volcanic formation of the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago of nine islands. The eruption continued for more than a year and dramatically changed the lives of the local population. The Varadouro natural swimming pools are one of the few positive effects of the eruptions that have altered the island. You may have the opportunity to pause there for photos.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Browse an interpretative center that explains the 1957 eruption of a nearby volcano.
• Be awed by the bizarre lunar-like landscape that the volcano left in its wake .
• Gain an understanding of past volcanic activity that formed the Azores archipelago.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.