Discover the culinary soul of the Azores on a cooking retreat in this breathtaking archipelago! Immerse yourself in the local culture, learn from passionate chefs and farmers, and savor the unique flavors of this remote and enchanting region of Portugal.

Includes 7 nights, meals, dairy excursions, and cooking classes.

Pricing

Early bird registration pricing until December 15th,

Double Occupancy: $7,725.

Single Occupancy: $8,610.

After December 15th

Double Occupancy: $7,985.

Single Occupancy: $8,925

The island of São Miguel has been chosen as our destination for the third time already. (It’s a five-hour nonstop flight from Boston or New York!)

This hidden gem is among a group of nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that form an autonomous region of Portugal. The Azores' natural beauty and culinary heritage are deeply rooted in the volcanic soil and surrounding ocean, evoking a profound sense of connection to the earth and sea. 

I found the best of the best in farming practices, those who bring food to the table, and those who create a life that reflects the textures and balance of the ruggedness, the fogginess, and the verdant edges carved out of the hillsides of Sao Miguel. I invite you to join us for a 7-day culinary retreat, where you can taste and learn. 

Cook with notable chefs, explore verdant farms and plantations, learn from local farmers, and experience a unique way of life. Fully immerse yourself in the archipelago. Whether you’re a novice cook or an experienced culinary professional, the Azores offers a soul-stirring discovery of a place, as we learn about the evolution of food anchored in traditions of this stunning region that will leave you inspired. The experiences will revolve around the local tastes and foods, with time planned for hiking and immersing oneself in nature.

It is an all-inclusive, 7-day learning experience and exploration of the flavors of the Azores. From the culinary experiences to the wine, to the conversations, and the accommodations, each has been carefully crafted and chosen for an ultimate week! 

DAY 1 | A Day to settle in and taste and toast the Azores

•Furnas Lake

Buffet lunch •Hike around Furnas Lake • Villa's host introduction to our property • Light dinner • Optional: night hot spring. São Miguel Island is home to an exceptional array of mineral hot springs that are sure to elevate you to unmatched levels of relaxation. We will explore the thermal paradise, featuring steamy, iron-rich pools tucked amid lush green vegetation and tropical trees, heated by a volcanic vent and cooled by the ebbing tides of the Atlantic.

DAY 2 | Water tasting experience, Tea plantation & hike

Breakfast at our villas in Furnas • Tour of the village of Furnas - with an eye on Azorean gastronomy, geothermal cooking with mineral water tastings and lectures on the water qualities. • Lunch at a local fish restaurant where the locals come from all over the island to eat fresh fish. • Organic tea plantation tour, tea tasting, and hike • Dinner in the village of Furnas

DAY 3 | Cozido Cooking class, farm to table experience & Hot springs

Breakfast at our villas in Furnas • Cozido cooking experience and lunch at our villas • Hike around Fogo crater • Dinner in the island's capital Sao Miquel is the perfect place for a variety of fresh fish, family style dinner with explanations of each of the fish, the harvesting and the preparations of melt in your mouth freshness, all perfectly paired with Azorean wine.

DAY 4 | Farm Tours and Private Hands-On Cooking class

Breakfast at our villas in Furnas • Fish market: shopping for our cooking class. Our host and chef, Maria, will teach us about the gastronomic culture of the area. Classes begin in her garden, and the class is hands-on, where secrets are unveiled on the methodology of Azorean cuisine. After cooking, we will sit together and enjoy the meal on the patio • Beach time •  Dinner at our villas in Furnas.

DAY 5 | Day to relax

Breakfast at our villas in Furnas • Jan's Cooking class at our villas • Free time to relax with offered options: massages, hot springs, botanical garden • Garden harvesting at an organic vegetable farm. Dinner with the farmer, paired with wine. This 3-acre family farm is dedicated to a diverse production of biological vegetables. Restaurant chefs from all over São Miguel seek this family's products for meal preparations, as our farmers prepare daily harvest boxes.

DAY 6 | Hike around crater, Picnic time, farm to table experienceHike around crater of Sete Cidades • Sete Cidades picnic for lunch • Dinner at sustainable organic farm - We will join this British-Canadian entrepreneur and media personality, Pete, known as a culinary fruit and vegetable expert, but in the Azores he grows vegetables and fruits on his farm overlooking the Atlantic. Pete will provide dinner and share stories about his life as a culinary visionary, accompanied by wines from his private collection.

DAY 7 | Free time & goodbye dinner party

There is so much more to explore and see, it was impossible to put it all in 6 days, and try as we could, we offer you a day for yourself! We will guide you or make arrangements for you to take part in anything you wish, be it a day of shopping in the city, a walk through the botanical garden, a day at the beach, a zip line through the forest or quiet moments around the 240 acre forest of the property, we will help you get there!  Cost of your Saturday experience is not included in the price • Dinner with our hosts, Helena and Manuel, and a goodbye until we see you again evening is included!

DAY 8 | Farewell

After breakfast, we bid each other goodbye until the next time! Departures to the airport.

Note: The trip itinerary starts at 8 AM local time on September 17th. The trip does not include transportation from the airport to the hotel; there are taxis available right outside the arrivals area for approximately $50.