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 The North Atlantic’s Azores, like Hawaii, is a remote volcanic archipelago. This active gay group trip explores the crater of Sete Cidades (one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal), bathes you in natural thermal pools, and includes a world-class whale watching excursion. You'll have the opportunity to explore four iconic islands including São Miguel, Faial, Pico and São Jorge. Want to maximize your time in Portugal? Pair this tour with our Lisbon & Porto Gourmet Foray Gay Group Tour – a culinary tour of the country's mainland that immediately follows this tour.
• Explore volcanic sites like Sete Cidades, Capelinhos, and Caldeira do Santo Cristo
• Experience 4 unique islands: São Miguel, Faial, Pico and São Jorge
• Spot over 25 species of whales and dolphins on a special boat excursion
• Skip the whale tour to surmount the Azores’ highest peak
• Enjoy an afternoon soak in a thermal pool heated by volcanic vents
• Take part in a private evening party at an outdoor thermal pool, with bartender et al
• Peddle through a quaint village on São Miguel Island
• Visit Europe’s only tea plantation
• Virtually all meals included, along with water and soft drinks. Beer and wine included at dinners.
Day 1
 Olá! Welcome to Portugal’s Azores Islands! Since most flights arrive in the morning, we’ve confirmed early check-in at the hotel – have a snooze before our Group Meeting at noon!
We’ll venture out to explore Ponta Delgada – capital of the Azores – to sample tapas in the city's celebrated bars and restaurants. We’ll also see Portas da Cidade (the town gates), Matriz Church, City Hall, São Bráz Military Fort, and São Francisco Square. Freshen up before our Welcome Dinner. It’s at a slick waterfront restaurant featuring sublime local fare.
Day 2
 Let’s get physical at Sete Cidades, the twin lakes in the crater of a dormant volcano. Kayak, standup paddle board, or bike and hike your way around the volcanic complex. With appetites worked up, savour a traditional Azorean picnic on shore. We’ll then drive the south coast to visit Ponta da Ferraria, a thermal pool heated by the surrounding volcanic vents, and if the tide permits we’ll even have a soak. The evening is yours to enjoy on your own, or at an optional group dinner.
Day 3
 After we fly to Faial Island, let’s get to business with a hike through Capelinhos Volcano. You’ll visit the site of a volcanic eruption, an experience compared to walking on the moon. When we reach the historic lighthouse/modern interpretation centre, we’ll see the newest part of the island, born during the eruption of 1957. A picnic lunch is served in a natural forest reserve, then we continue on to Horta and its famous marina. From here, savour an afternoon gin and tonic at Peter’s Café. Tonight’s dinner is at a local restaurant where – if the owner is around – he will regale us with tales of circumnavigating the globe two times by sailboat.
Day 4
 After we take a 30-minute ferry to Pico Island, choose your own adventure!
OPTION ONE:
Enjoy a laid-back whale- and dolphin-watching tour in Lajes do Pico. We can’t guarantee cetacean sightings, but look for turtles, seabirds, and other marine mammals. After lunch, we’re off to Gruta das Torres, a volcanic formation, followed by a Pico Island cultural tour. The day ends with drinks at a local bar.
PLEASE let us know if you have any back problems, as there are some restrictions on the tour boat.
OPTION TWO:
If you fancy a technical challenge, and don’t have knee or ankle problems, hike Portugal’s tallest mountain (2,351m/7,713ft)! A picnic lunch is served, with time for cocktails at a local bar. Both groups then ferry back to Horta. Dinner is a short walk from the hotel. The menu features fresh fish, local seafood and meat.
Day 5
 Our ferry to the São Jorge Island is just over two hours. We then transfer to Serra do Topo for a downhill hike of medium difficulty. It covers 10km/6.5mi and should take about 3 hours. We’ll see the astonishing Caldeira do Santo Cristo, clams that grow in a saltwater lagoon, and maybe some surfers on what may be the longest waves in Europe. Lunch will be served on the terrace of a surf house, and the day wraps with a visit to Fajã dos Cubres – a debris field built by collapsing cliffs. After we transfer to our hotel and check-in, a group dinner is served.
Day 6
 The day begins with a flight back to São Miguel Island. Upon landing we head straight to one of the Azore's most beautiful, naturally preserved lakes: Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). We'll spend almost 4 hours hiking this stunning lake which covers 11km/7mi. We'll then check in to our fabulous hotel which boasts its own thermal pools, and one of the most spectacular gardens in the country. Tonight’s dinner is at the hotel, and the night ends with a private party at one of the outdoor pools where a private bartender will shake up cocktails for all.
Day 7
 Begin the day with a bike ride from the village to Furnas Lake for a picnic lunch. From there we’ll transfer to Faial da Terra for a 2.5h hiking tour of the island’s interior. Our walk along a steep, narrow road leads to Sanguinho – a village abandoned since the 70’s that’s in the midst of a restoration. The remainder of the trail goes through woods with short hilly stretches through dense vegetation. Upon reaching Salto do Prego’s waterfall you may opt for a brisk dip (the water’s chilly) before we head back along a different route. Enjoy a refreshment in town and some mingling, then join us for our Farewell Dinner.
Day 8
 We have one short activity this morning – a visit to Europe’s only tea plantation. After lunch and some time to shop, you’ll be transferred to the airport at 3:45PM, officially ending our Azorean escapade. You may wish to continue your tour with Out Adventures on our mainland Portugal Lisbon & Porto Gourmet Foray. If not, we wish you safe travels home, and Até à vista!
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• Arrival & departure transfers to/from accommodation booked through Out Adventures
• 4+ Star hotel accommodations throughout
• Ferry trips
• Museum and other entrance tickets
• All activities mentioned in the itinerary
• English speaking guide
• All meals EXCEPT dinner on Day 2. Beer and wine included during dinners.
• International airfare and airfare between Ponta Delgada and Horta Island
• Other activities, meals and extra costs at hotels not mentioned
• Travel insurance is mandatory for all travellers.
• Gratuities for drivers/guides/hotel staff etc. (budget $10-14 USD per person per day)
• All items of a personal nature (laundry, drinks, etc.)
• Items of a personal nature
• Visa fees
How We Travel
Out Adventures is all about good times with likeminded guys. Whatever's on the itinerary - from fireside camping to five-star decadence - our goal is to make the experience magical. We're also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
Portugal Visa
If your passport is from the USA, Canada, Britain, EU, or Australia, you don't need a visa. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller's responsibility.
Culture Shock
Portugal is a highly-developed Western nation - one of Europe's oldest, in fact. Crime rates are low and the nation is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets and petty theft anywhere that's popular with tourists. It's best to leave valuables at home or in your hotel room.
Local LGBT Scene
Portugal offers some of the best LGBT rights in the world, but it's still a conservative Catholic country, and the Azores have no gay hotspots to call their own. You can expect to be safe from phyiscal harassment, but beware public PDAs could conjure shady looks from the locals.
Weather
Portugal is one of Europe's warmer countries, so the temperatures, crowds, and hotel prices can be tragic come summer. That makes spring or fall (April/May, September/October) a splendid time to visit.
Required Vaccinations
The WHO suggests immunization against Hepatitis A and B, rabies, and influenza before visiting Portugal. If visiting the Azores or Madeira Islands from a country infected with Yellow Fever, a vaccination certificate is required. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as we cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Electricity
F-type sockets
Connectivity
All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access. Feel free to check email and post away on social media.
Physical Preparedness
This is a fairly active trip. Activities include hiking, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and cycling, with some warranting peak physical condition.
Travel Insurance
For everybody's peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $50,000.
Meals
Aside from dinner on Day 2, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included. Beer and wine are included during dinners.
Starting Point
Hotel do Colégio, Ponta Delgada
Situated in a 19th-century building on São Miguel Island, this hotel is a 5-minute walk from the University of the Azores and the seaside. It offers a swimming pool and free WiFi throughout.
Finishing Point
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Furnas
Situated in the Furnas Valley, Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is surrounded by calderas, mineral and thermal springs. It is a short drive from volcanic beaches, forest areas, and two golf courses.
Tipping
If you are happy with services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation, however we recommend budgeting approximately $150 USD.
Money
The local currency is the European Euro (EUR). Use local currency for small purchases, however credit cards are accepted at most upscale restaurants and hotels.
NOTE: We recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This should be in addition to any spending money.
Flying Solo
If you've never travelled on your own, it's an amazing way to learn about yourself while making new friends. We can arrange for you to share a room with someone in your age range (at no charge), or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there's an odd number of solos, we'll rotate a single room on a random basis to keep things even.
Itinerary Disclaimer
The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from travellers and our own research. Please reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, for final details and any changes that may affect your departure.
Optional Activities
Every OUT Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see your daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to see what's available.
What to Bring
Most OUT Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you'll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don't keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.
Groups Within Groups
We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you're celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time.
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