Essential Azores Azores
5 Days from £940pp
based on 45 students and 5 free teacher places, Feb 2025 excluding school holiday peak dates
A trip to the Azores islands is a journey to a natural paradise normally saved for the documentaries on National Geographic. You don’t have to spend much money to have an incredible experience on Portugal’s archipelago.
There are so many things to do including highlights like exploring the culture in the capital city of Ponta Delgada, admiring the flowers at Terra Nostra Gardens and soaking in hot springs at Caldeira Velha.
Depending on your budget and group size, our travel specialists will be able to recommend an itinerary which not only meets your expectations but also offers excellent value for money.
What's included
- Return flights from Heathrow via Lisbon
- Hold luggage for all passengers
- 4 nights' accommodation
- Full board basis
- A professional guide on days 2 to 4
- All visits as described in itinerary including Terra Nostra Gardens, Sete Cidades, Furnas and much more!
- Our Covid Assurance
Ask about our approach to Responsible Travel
We believe the benefits of travel should not be lost for the next generation. In order to protect this world we live in and also inspire a new group of young people to fight for our planet, we are developing an approach to Responsible Travel that is founded in facts, empowers young people to take action and involves suppliers at all levels in minimising negative impacts of travel.
We are committed to finding and implementing maintainable strategies which include developing teaching resources, offsetting carbon emissions, benefitting local economies, protecting local cultures and becoming ‘Plastic Clever’ travellers.
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Responsible School Travel
“The Azores was a fantastic location to travel to and one I would recommend to everyone... Thank you for providing excellent staff who clearly are passionate about their jobs and the locations. ”
Day
1
Exploring Ponta Delgada
You will fly into Ponta Delgada, the capital city on the largest island in the Azores, Sao Miguel.
You can choose to explore the town independently or follow the walking trail through town. You will find cobbled streets and colourful houses in the old town and may spot the occasional cruise ship harboured in the port.
Day
2
Furnas Geothermal Village, Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens and Tea Plantation
On your first full day in the Azores, you will head into the green countryside to the village of Furnas.
The lake at Furnas is known as Lagoa das Furnas. You can walk around the lake for stunning views of the volcanic crater.
Furnas itself is filled with local charm with white houses, lush gardens and of course hot springs, The bubbling mud pools around the town are a distinctive feature reminding visitors of the tectonic activity below the island. You can visit the interpretation centre to learn more about the town’s geothermal history.
Students will enjoy the geothermal energy in the town by taking a swim in the large warm pool in Terra Nostra Gardens. The gardens themselves are rich with botanical diversity.
Your last stop of the day is at the tea plantation where students will learn more about tea production and even get to do a tasting.
Day
3
Lagoa do Fogo, Hot Springs and Rainforest Treks
You will visit the picturesque lake of Lagoa do Fogo. The bright blue waters have filled the caldera of the youngest volcano in the Azores which erupted only 15,000 years ago.
Your next stop is one of the trip’s biggest highlights, the natural hot springs at Caldeira Velha. Your students will swim in the warm waters surrounded by the verdant forest.
View geothermal energy and hydro-electric power plants during a trek through the forest. This is a great opportunity to see how Azorean people connect the natural and manmade worlds for sustainable energy.
Your final stop of the day is at Cascade Salto Do Cabrito waterfall, which is an excellent photo stop in serene surroundings.
Day
4
Sete Cidades and Mosteiros Beach
To the west of Sao Miguel is the parish of Sete Cidades which is home to one of the island’s most distinctive lakes.
The two crater lakes at Sete Cidades are distinguished by colour, blue (Lagoa Azul) and green (Lagoa Verde). Students will visit and walk around the craters to see both lakes.
After taking in the view at Ponta do Escalvado, head to the beach at Mosteiros constructed on the flat land or faja land created by lava flows.
Day
5
Fly home from Ponta Delgada
Say ‘Tchau‘ to the green islands of the Azores and head home to share your stories.
Trip notes:
There is a variety of cost-effective additions that can be made to this trip, for example a Cozido lunch which is cooked using geothermal heat underground.
The Azores is also a popular area of whale and dolphin watchers and a whale watching tour can be added to your trip. Simply talk to your travel specialist to include this in your trip.
This trip has been costed based on a group of 40 students travelling with 4 teachers (free places) in February 2022. If you would like to add an additional teacher you can do so for just £15pp extra.
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