Since 2006, Dame Guida Ponte has been hosting culinary tours of her homeland, Sao Miguel Island in the Azores. She grew up there, and she returns often to visit family and friends. It brings her tremendous joy to share the beauty and bounty of her island paradise with others. 

Last July, Guida and her assistant, Boston Dame Jennifer Wolcott, hosted a group of seven travelers on her island of Sao Miguel, the largest of the nine Azorean islands, and the tour was a huge success. The group visited the island’s colorful farmer’s market, the only tea plantation in Europe, a small family-owned banana farm, and a pineapple plantation with the sweetest, juiciest pineapples one could ever taste. They sampled local specialties, including octopus, lapas, sausages (chorizo, linguisa, morcela), steak from the island’s grass-fed cows, St. George cheese, breads, tarts, wines, ports, pineapple liquor, and so much more. When guests weren’t feasting on the island’s fabulous foods, they were soaking in its warm, soothing, geo-thermal waters or marveling at the stunning plants and flowers that thrive in the island’s semi-tropical climate. 

Guida and Jennifer are eager to host other guests, especially fellow Boston Dames, in 2016! Guests fly direct from Boston, a mere 4-1/2 hours to Sao Miguel, via SATA Airlines. Tours in February and April are already full, but others are scheduled for August and October. Minimum of 8 guests required. Additional dates for October can be arranged with a minimum of 7 guests.

Cost is $2,900, including all expenses except airfare. For more information about Guida’s tours, including reviews from past guests, please visit azoresfoodtour.com. To sign up, contact Jennifer Wolcott at azoresfoodtour@gmail.com or jenwolcott@mac.com.