Whale Watching in the Azores

Depart the UK for your flight to Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. Continue to the locally rated 4-star Hotel Marina Atlantico (4Q) for a four-night stay.

After a morning welcome meeting, look forward to your first whale watching trip this afternoon in the waters off Ponta Delgada. São Miguel is the largest island of the Azores and its capital, Ponta Delgada, lies on the southern coast. Cruise the clear waters of its bay as you embark on your first quest for sightings of whales. Humpback and fin whales have been sighted off Ponta Delgada as well as the lesser known sei whale, bottlenose and common dolphins, so have your binoculars at the ready. B, L, D

Enjoy today at leisure or perhaps join an optional half-day excursion to the Sete Cidades lake. B, D

Head into the beautiful Furnas valley to visit the village of Furnas and Nordeste, an attractive town with a famous seven-arched bridge built in 1883. Lunch is included. B, L, D.

Today, travel to the airport for your flight to the island of Faial. Continue to Horta where you stay four nights at the locally-rated 4-star Hotel do Canal (4Q). Horta became an important port and whaling centre during the 19th century. Look out for the seawall decorated with paintings by seafarers who visited the port. B, D

Look forward to a morning whale-watching excursion when you visit the feeding grounds of humpback, sei, fin, pilot, sperm and blue whale, the largest mammal on earth. After your trip take time out with an afternoon at leisure, and a talk from your expert host to look forward to this evening. B, D

Join an optional full-day tour of this island including Capelinhos Museological Nucleus and the crater, or perhaps explore the island independently. B, D

Travel to neighbouring Pico Island, home of Portugal's highest mountain. It's also where you'll visit the cetaceans observation base and Pico's whaling museum, with its three nineteenth-century boat houses and fascinating range of exhibits. This evening look forward to a talk from your host. B, L, D

Travel to the airport and fly to Angra do Heroismo on the island of Terceira, where you stay four nights at the locally rated 4-star Terceira Mar Hotel (4Q). B, D

Your day starts with a whale watching trip when you'll take to the waters around the island. Keep a lookout for sperm whales, as well as dolphins and fin whales, which may be frequenting the waters. Afterwards enjoy the afternoon at leisure, when you might like to explore the town. Angra do Heroismo was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, reflecting its importance as a port of call for some 400 years, as well as its impressive military fortifications. This evening look forward to a talk from your host. B, D

Explore the island on a full-day tour, taking in rural scenery, the Monte Brasil peninsula and the summit of Serra do Cume. You'll see the Monte Brasil peninsula, the port of Praia da Vitória and the summit of the volcanic crater of Serra do Cume, plus look forward to an included lunch in the village of São Sebastião. B, L, D

Enjoy a day at leisure or perhaps join an optional half day tour that visits the volcanic cave of Algar do Carvão. B, D

Travel to the airport for your flight back to the UK. B