Yoga + Nature in the Azores - 8 days in Portugal
I am thrilled to be heading to Portugal in May 2022 and you are invited! We are offering a $300 off holiday special November 24-30th. Check out an overview of our awesome itinerary below with a lovely balance of activities and time to relax or explore on your own. São Miguel is the largest of the nine islands in the Azores archipelago and is known for its lush landscapes, beautiful views, culture, hiking, hot springs, beaches, natural swimming holes and pineapples! Planning this trip has been a true beacon of light for me and I am so excited to share it with all of you. Mark your calendars for May 14-21, 2022. A $500 deposit is required on or before 11/30 to save your spot on this awesome adventure.
Day 1 : Arrive Ponta Delgada – São Miguel Island
Welcome to The Azores. Upon arrival at Ponta Delgada, you will be greeted by our representative and have a transfer to your hotel. Settle in, relax, unwind.
After unpacking, make your way to the volcanic sand beach at our hotel’s doorstep. Enjoy the hotel Santa Barbara facilities and take in the breathtaking scenery all around you. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with the rest of the group.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa
Day 2 : Yoga | Tour To Lagoa Do Fogo
Wake up with an invigorating morning yoga practice by the water and have a leisurely breakfast before getting ready to head out and explore.
Explore Ribeira Grande and its surroundings, the parish of the Ribeira Seca (“Dry Ribeira”) and a stop at the old fountain covered by lava from a volcano that erupted in 1563. Check out the center of the city and a short walk to take in baroque architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Free time for lunch will be given for you to explore the area on your own. After lunch, we continue down the road to the mountain where we eventually arrive at Lagoa do Fogo a crater lake. Stops include: a regional park of Caldeira Velha and viewpoint over the Lagoa do Logo. The scenery is breathtaking and view stretches for miles as you can see both the north and south coasts of the island. Return to your hotel for leisure time where the rest of the evening is on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa
Day 3 : Yoga | Tour To Sete Cidades
Wake up with a heart-centered morning yoga practice and meditation followed by breakfast at the hotel.
Explore the most western part of the island, where the mountains and lagoon of the Seven Cities are located, the viewpoint of Vista do Rei, one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the island.
We continue with a visit to the village of the Sete Cidades, an authentic portrait of rural Micaelense. Return to Ponta Delgada, with visit to pineapple plantation to learn about the peculiar way this tropical fruit is grown in the Azores. Enjoy a tasting of this unique and famous pineapple liqueur before returning to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa
Day 4 : Yoga | Whale And Dolphin Watching / Vila Franca Campo
Meet for early morning yoga practice.
After breakfast we head to Ponta Delgada to meet our skipper.
Today we’re looking for whales and dolphins while viewing this treasure of an island from the sea. After this experience, we’ll make a stop in Vila Franca do Campo for lunch. After, we’ll be back on board for a short ride to the Ilhéu where you can relax and have a swim in the beautiful bay. Return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa
Day 5 : Yoga | Jeep Tour To Furnas & Thermal Bath
Start your morning off with a beautiful yoga session and breakfast by the sea. After check out, we head to Furnas Valley, which is inserted in one of the three active central volcanoes of San Miguel island. At the heart of the town is a crater lake surrounded by smoking fumaroles where you can witness the local “cozido” dish be cooked by the heat of the earth with an opportunity to taste this local dish for lunch. On the west bank of Furnas Lagoon is the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories which offers an impressive example of the Neo-Gothic style, unique throughout the archipelago.
In the afternoon, we visit the volcano boilers and the village. The next stop is Terra Nostra Park, a bicentennial garden with unique species and a splendid thermal pool, where we suggest a relaxing bath. The park is a unique repository of trees, plants and other plants species from around the world. After arrival and check in at the hotel, you will be given time to relax and enjoy the hotel amenities.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Furnas Boutique Hotel
Day 6 : Free Day in Furnas Hot Springs
After enjoying a leisurely morning and breakfast, the day is at leisure. If you decided to explore on your own or shop in town, the hotel can accommodate reserving a taxi for you. Should you wish to stay on property, wellness activities are endless including a spa and thermal spring with iron water, an outdoor thermal pool, an indoor dynamic thermal pool, active thermal circuits, massage, body and face treatments, reflexology, a 'Floatbed', a whirlpool, a sauna, a Turkish bath and a fitness center.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Furnas Boutique Hotel
Day 7 : Yoga | Hiking | Culture
After yoga and breakfast, we meet our guide for a guided hike.
We head to the charming village of Faial da Terra. Discover the abandoned village of Sanguinho as we go in search of waterfalls. We take some time to rest and chat over a picnic lunch and perhaps take a swim in the cool spring water. After our hiking excursion, head back to relax or have a swim in the ocean before enjoying a peaceful yoga practice.
Take part in an interactive cooking experience with a chef for our farewell dinner. This experience will give you a taste of true Azorean tradition and culture.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Furnas Boutique Hotel
Day 8 : Ponta Delgada
Today we’ll have our last yoga practice before leaving the Azores.
Have breakfast at the hotel and time to relax before your transport to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
