Capturing Azorean Wonders

Welcome to João Paulo II airport in Ponta Delgada. You have the morning to relax or explore the city by yourself and we will pick you up later for a delicious welcome lunch in a local restaurant. This is the perfect opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have and to get to know your fellow travelers a little better.

In the afternoon we head to the oldest tea plantation in Europe, Gorreana Tea Factory. Get to know the factory and explore its surroundings. The landscape here is unique, the shape and texture of the green tea leaves creates endless photography possibilities.

Depending on the weather, for the sunset views we’ll visit the beaches of Santa Bárbara and Monte Verde near our hotel, or the jagged cliffs of Miradouro do Cintrão, overlooking the north coast with the Sete Cidades volcano in the background.

• Gorreana Tea Factory
• Miradouro do Cintrão
• Santa Bárbara beach

© Bruno Azera

© Bruno Azera

The day starts at Vila Franca Islet. The islet is famous for its unique geological formation. It is essentially a volcanic crater that has partially collapsed and allowed seawater to enter, forming a natural circular pool inside the crater. To create really unique perspectives here, you need a bird’s eye view of a drone.

Next is Lagoa do Fogo volcanic lake, one of the highest points of the island. It usually tends to be cloudy or foggy during the day and ultimately ruins any potential view to be had. If you have a drone, take full advantage of it. You can create really unique perspectives up here.

After breakfast, we travel west and explore the volcanic crater of Sete Cidades, and the two multi-colored lakes of Lagoa Verde and Azul. It’s an incredible sight and the best way to have a sense of the surrounding area. It is possible to kayak and paddleboard if you enjoy this type of activity.

We arrive at one of the highlights of the Azores, Grota do Inferno viewpoint. The crater lakes of Sete Cidades can be viewed from several different viewpoints, but it’s hard to beat this spot. If you have a drone, Lagoa do Canario by air reveals a really interesting shape.

• Vila Franca Islet
• Lagoa do Fogo
• Lagoas da Sete Cidades
• Lagoa do Canário
• Grota do Inferno viewpoint

© Bruno Azera

© Bruno Azera

We start our morning at Santa Iria viewpoint for epic sunrise views. The location of our hotel is perfect for photographers. Being so close to these sunrise locations, we’ll have breakfast before heading out to Lagoa das Furnas, a spectacular crater lake where you will have the chance to photograph mud pools and other steaming geothermal sights.

Next is Lagoa do Fogo volcanic lake, one of the highest points of the island. It usually tends to be cloudy or foggy during the day and ultimately ruins any potential view to be had. If you have a drone, take full advantage of it. You can create really unique perspectives up here.

We will try the famous local dish known as Cozido das Furnas, which is unique to this town and is cooked by volcanic steam, as well as the sweet muffins called bolo lêvedo.

Our next spot is Terra Nostra Park, one of the most beautiful gardens of the island with the added bonus of thermal pools. Be sure to bring your swimwear, and immerse yourself in the hot water with temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius, which provides a sensation of rest and relaxation for the rest of the day.

Next in our list are Ribeira Quente waterfalls. The unique brown and orange colors from the rich iron waters make this a must-visit location in São Miguel.

For the sunset, we’ll drive through Sete Cidades down to Mosteiros Beach to capture the last light of the day in a beautiful seascape photography location.

• Santa Iria Viewpoint
• Lagoa das Furnas
• Cozido das Furnas (local dish cooked by volcanic steam)
• Terra Nostra Park
• Ribeira Quente waterfalls
• Mosteiros Beach

© Bruno Azera

© Bruno Azera

Flight to Terceira Island, home of the Unesco World Heritage city of Angra do Heroísmo. After setting in at our accommodation, we have some free time to enjoy the city, before heading out and discovering the Island. The viewpoint of Monte Brasil is the perfect spot to start.

After lunch, we’ll visit the Black Forest. Due to its dense vegetation, light has a really hard time penetrating these trees, making it a unique location to explore. Taking photos in this spot depends a lot on the weather, and is never the same.

Five minutes up the road we go straight to one of the highlights of the Island, Algar do Carvão. It’s the only volcano in the world that you can walk inside. Unfortunately, tripods are not allowed, so bring the fastest and widest lens you have.

Along the way we explore beautiful forest roads, with some of the best-hidden photo gems. Depending on the weather, we head up for sunset at Serra de Santa Bárbara, the highest point of the Island and a really spectacular spot to finish our day.

• Monte Brasil viewpoints
• Black Forest
• Algar do Carvão Volcano
• Forests
• Serra de Santa Bárbara

© Bruno Azera

© Bruno Azera

This day’s plan is big views and seascapes. We start early with a drive to Serra da Ribeirinha. On top of the southern rim of a volcano, we’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the coast – with Serra do Morião and Serra Santa Bárbara on the right side, overlooking Monte Brasil and two more islands in the background, São Jorge and Pico.

Next, we head out to the most picturesque volcano cone in the Azores, Pico Dona Joana. With Ilhéu das Cabras in the background, this spot has to be one of the most unique perspectives you will see in the Azores.

At noon, we arrive at Praia da Vitória to have lunch and enjoy the view of the beach. Terceira Island is known to have the best food of the Azores, so we’ll sure make the best of it!

We head out to the north part of the Island, to Ponta do Mistério, one of the Island’s most attractive coastal areas. It boasts a mysterious green-glazed lunar landscape, with the blue Atlantic Ocean in the background, creating an amazing sight.

For the sunset, we’ll visit Biscoitos. A picturesque town, known for its wine-growing region and even more for its beautiful natural pools. The rugged black-colored lava fields sculpted by waves make for really interesting landscapes.

• Serra da Ribeirinha
• Ilhéu das Cabras
• Pico Dona Joana
• Manta de Retalhos
• Praia da Vitória
• Ponta do Mistério
• Biscoitos

© Bruno Azera

© Bruno Azera

We reserved the best for the last day. Serra do Cume is considered the most beautiful viewpoint in Portugal. The unique view of the interior of the island, known as the “patchwork”, consisting of walls of volcanic stones dividing the farmer fields into square-shaped figures, makes Serra do Cume the epic spot to photograph the first light of the day.

We’ll enjoy a final breakfast together, reminiscing about the incredible moments shared during the tour.

Unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye and fly home. We hope you’ll cherish all of these amazing memories and fantastic photographs from the Azores.

• Serra da Ribeirinha
• Ilhéu das Cabras
• Pico Dona Joana
• Manta de Retalhos
• Praia da Vitória
• Ponta do Mistério
• Biscoitos

© Bruno Azera

© Bruno Azera