Our itinerary is subject to change, and is still in progress. We may switch up days, shoot orders, etc. to accommodate for changing weather and the pace of the group.
At this time of year, sunrises occur around 7:30 AM and sunsets occur around 7:45 PM. We will likely focus on sunsets rather than sunrises on this trip. We will dine out each night before the sunset.
September is the perfect time for swimming, with ocean water having been warmed by the summer sun.
The peak of Hydrangea season in the Azores is late July and August, but we'll still find plenty blooming in September, just less abundant.
š¼ļøMaking Impactful Landscapes
āļøUsing Tripods and Backpacks Properly
š· Concepts in Composition
šØ White Balance & Color
š»Depth, Compression of Perspective & Scale
š Using ND Filters
āļø Capturing Sun Stars
šļø "Day in the Life" Photography
š©ļø Drone Photography (optional)
Hotel Caracol is a 4-star hotel located just outside the city center of Angra do Heroismo - a UNESCO city. It is perched over the ocean on the southern coast. It has all the amenities you need, including a spa and wellness center, an indoor and outdoor pool, and easy access to the sea. You will have an option to upgrade your room to a Sea View.
Azores Airlines flies direct from Boston every day to Sao Miguel. We will fly overnight and arrive in the early morning on September 17.
We will visit the Gorreana Tea Plantation, the oldest tea plantation in Europe. Stroll through the fields, where the tea leaves are hand-picked (and trimmed by goats!), and learn about the fascinating history of tea production here since 1883. Donāt forget to sample the delicious local teas!
Learn about the cultivation of pineapples in Sao Miguel.
This park is renowned for its impressive waterfall, one of its main attractions. It boasts five 16th-century watermills that have been declared a "Public Interest Asset." Some of these mills are still operational, and you can witness the millers at work.
The park is also a sanctuary for endemic birds of SĆ£o Miguel, such as the Azores bullfinch and the chaffinch, which inhabit the Laurisilva forests.
There are public restrooms, a cafeteria and souvenir shop here.
Explore this beach town and grab some lunch. You may see surfers catching waves.
Stunning lookout points offering sweeping ocean views from verdant mountainside gardens. We will drive no further than the Sossego viewpoint, and backtrack to the hotel. It is an hour drive back.
It is a 45 minute drive to this area from our hotel to this little beach town. We will stroll about, but our focus will be on the lava stacks in the distance, just off the water for sunset.
We'll start the day at the gorgeous Dona Beija Hot springs - four small, "infinity" style thermal springs in a lush garden. We will go at opening so we don't need to feel crowded. There are locker, changing and shower facilities for a small fee.
Furnas is an area known for its geothermal activity. Here we will stroll around active fumaroles and little geysers, and we migth even see local restauranteurs making "cozido" - a stew cooked underground using volcanic steam.
We will be spending a large chunk of our day here.
A thermal pool known worldwide, an unparalleled botanical richness represented by the most varied collections of flowers, architectural treasures with centuries of history, gardens of romantic inspiration, and abundant magic. Parque Terra Nostra is considered one of the world's "Best Green Retreats." according to CondƩ Nast Traveler.
Parque Terra Nostra is home to 12.5 hectares of forest and garden, 8 collections of flora, and 1800 species. It is easy to roam and get lost in the beauty of this place.
If you would like to swim in the lagoon or jacuzzis, make sure to bring a bathingsuit. There are more extensive changing and shower facilities here.
You will eat lunch on your own. There is a food truck or you can eat the cafe at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.
We will spend the late afternoon and evening in this area. There is a viewing deck next to a parking lot for a great, and easy perspective.
We will also walk a trail to the viewpoint overlooking the craters, which requires some uphill walking. This is a 1.6-mile out-and-back trail. The weather will determine whether we do this hike at sunset, or before.
Board a 30 minute flight to the next, much smaller island.
We will get information upon landing about the touradas Ć corda - The Azorean version of a 'bullfight' that closer resembles the "running of the bulls" of Pamplona. This tradition is practiced on Terceira in public squares periodically from May to September, and if the schedule corresponds to our plans, we may try to see it.
If you'd like to take a dip in some beautiful natural pools among lava rock, consider this your chance! There's plenty to photograph here, too, and we'll also be sure to grab lunch.
Serra do Cume is the highest point on Terceira offering panoramic views of the "pathwork" looking farms and hillsides below. This is a great spot to watch the sunset, among the windmills and the cows!
We will take a ride up Monte Brasil, a volcanic mountain on Terceira that offers views of the surrounding landscape. Monte Brasil is also a fortress, The Fortress of SĆ£o JoĆ£o Baptista. There's also an outdoor deer and bird sanctuary here.
We will descend into Algar do Carvao, an impressive volcanic cave - a "must-see" on Terceira. This natural wonder features towering walls of basalt, lush green ferns, and an underground lake. There is a brand new visitor center being built set to open in April 2026.
Founded in 1478, Angra do HeroĆsmo was historically the most important city in the Azores. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering stunning photo opportunities with its colorful buildings, lush landscapes, and picturesque harbor. Capture the charm of the city as you explore its cobblestone streets and historic architecture.
If you'd like the best view of the city, consider climbing to the top of the Duke Of Terceira Garden for 360 degree, panoramic views.
We will leave the morning and afternoon open for any stops we want to repeat, or leave time to explore new things before boarding the flight home.
Flights leave Terceira direct to Boston once per week on Tuesdays. Flights depart in the evening arriving in Boston around 8 PM.
This tour is rated as easy.
This trip is paced to make the most out of each day, but have some breaks in between. There is a lot to see and photograph.
By nature, you will need to be careful when walking on any lava rock because it is sharp. You must use your own judgment on how far you want to venture out on the beaches or among lava rock. You must also be mindful of the ocean because it can be unpredictable if you choose to shoot along the shore of these areas.
We will be hiking the Boca do Inferno trail to one of the best viewpoints in the Azores. This is a 1.6 mile trail, roundtrip. There is 387 feet of elevation gain to the top. This trail takes an average of 51 minutes to complete. It is mostly dirt and flat-packed, but you will want to take breaks on the way up.
ā All overnight accommodation
ā Inter-island Flight from Sao Miguel to Terceira
ā Ground transport
ā Park Permits or Fees
ā Admission to Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens
ā Admission to Furnas
ā Photography guidance & instruction
ā Optional After-tour Zoom session for Feedback/Critique
ā Flights
ā Alcohol, Meals, Groceries
ā Any tips or gratuities
ā Visa(s)
ā Travel Insurance
You will automatically receive information about travel insurance with our partner, Redpoint, a couple of days after your successful trip registration. You can take a peek here.
Allie Richards is a professional landscape photographer and year-round resident of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She's best known for her strikingly vibrant photographic style and for showcasing her work on aluminum. She plans many of her photographs in advance; she pays attention to weather events, the phases of the moon, and uses various apps to aid her artistry.
Allieās work has earned her several awards, including the PRC Boston Student Image Award in her college years, and an ambassadorship with f-stop Gear. She participates in local exhibitions at the Chatham Creative Arts Center and the Chatham Chamber of Commerce Art in the Park Event. Her work has been published by Cape Cod Life Magazine, The National Parks service, and other publications.
Hope Pashos has embraced the digital medium after shooting on film since she was a child. Her specialties are nature, landscapes, and astrophotography. She loves to photograph the world around her, but focuses on New England and its shores and abundant waterfalls and travels frequently to Iceland as well as many US National Parks.
Hopeās passion is to share her knowledge with others. A former Pro and Genius with Apple, Hope has been able to teach iPhoneography and develop techniques with the iPhone for both taking and editing photographs. She developed one of the first iPhone photography workshops, teaching her signature macro technique on an iPhone 4. As the iPhone camera developed, so too did her techniques. With the built-in capabilities of the newest iPhones and additional attachment lenses, Hope can now photograph any type of subject, under any conditions. And using a combination of the latest mobile editing apps, she is able to digitally process her images - both from her phone and from her full-sized Sony camera - while on the go.
Hope has had her collection āBoston After Darkā displayed in a collective exhibition. She has also been exhibited in locations around the US, including an exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Photography, and printed in various publications.
