UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF SAO MIGUEL
Enjoy an amazing experience at the Solar Branco Eco Estate. We carefully curate unique insights into the Azores through activities such as Shinrin Yoku (Forest bathing), a vegan cozido as well as our gin tastings in the world-famous Gin Library. Our experiences are designed to be sustainable and aim to highlight and support the local economy. We hope to inspire you and enable you to leave your mark on our wall of memories to revisit one day. For our partner experiences please click here.
Baleia Gin
Advance booking highly recommended – Click here to check availability. Named after the Portuguese word for whale, Baleia is distilled overlooking the never-ending Atlantic Ocean on the island of São Miguel. Blending traditional botanicals such as juniper, citrus and rosemary with seaweed sustainably sourced from the waters around the island. Baleia gin has an exceptionally smooth flavour, mixing a touch of sweetness with the salt of the ocean. Every bottle sold supports marine conservation projects in the region, through a donation to The Ocean Azores Foundation.
Azorean Gin Masterclass
Advance booking highly recommended – Click here to check availability. The Azores may be a tiny archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, but that hasn’t stopped it from producing several excellent gins. Your tasting takes you through gins created or inspired by the Azores as you learn about the rich history of gin and its modern renaissance. You will try 3 gin and tonics with selected tonics and garnishes matched for each.
VIP Gin Masterclass
VIP guests are invited to join a private Gin masterclass at the Gin Library, where you are invited to taste an exclusively curated range of gins, including our Japanese collection. These gins are not offered normally due to their exclusivity, and each is individually paired with its perfect match of tonic water and garnish. The Gin Library houses one of the largest collections of gin in the world.
Free Gin Masterclass
Free Gin!? Join us for a gin masterclass, bring a craft gin we don’t have in the collection, and you and one other will enjoy the class for free (please note the terms and conditions below.) The gin collection was started with friends brining new gins to the collection and trying out ones already here.
Azorean Wine Tasting
Join us for a wine tasting at the historic Solar Branco Eco Estate, above the town of Livramento. The area was known for growing wine grapes in the 1700s, before citrus took over in the 1800s. You will be hosted by João Couto, our in-house private wine sommelier.
Note: Minimum 4 people for this experience
Vegan Cozido
Advance booking highly recommended – Click here to check availability. One of the most unique and exciting things to enjoy on the island is the Cozido das Furnas – a meal cooked in a volcano. The Solar Branco Eco Estate signature version is a modern plant-based interpretation of the dish, using fresh local seasonal ingredients and a special blend of herbs and spices delivering a delicious and refined twist on the traditional dish.
Note: Minimum 4 adults for this experience
Shinrin Yoku
Discover the never-ending green lands of the island of São Miguel. Take part in our signature Shinrin Yoku experience. The Eco Estate is a place to allow your unique senses to experience and connect with nature. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without modern-day distractions. Shinrin Yoku is often referred to in English as forest bathing (the literal translation of this Japanese term) or forest therapy.
Sushi + Gin Dinner
Join hosts Ali and Joana at The Gin Library for a sushi dinner that includes a gin and tonic. Additional gin and tonics, as well as locally sourced wines and beers are also available. Locally born Joana is considered the best sushi chef in the Azores. She will introduce you to the sushi on offer. She personally collects the fish as the boats come into the port of Rabo de Peixe. A vegetarian option is available (please request at the time of booking.)
Note: Minimum 6 people for this experience
Create Your Own Gin
Ever wanted to learn how to make your own gin? Think you don’t have the time or equipment? Well think again as you join us at The Gin Library to make your own fruit infused gin. Most distilleries use a “base” of pure alcohol, shipped into the distillery and then they infuse it with juniper and other botanicals to make gin. In this experience you will copy the same principles (without using a still) to make your own fruit infused gin.
Discover More of the Azores
Sao Miguel Guide
Eco Whale Watching
Top Restaurants
