AMAZING AZORES

Day 1: Hello Terceira & Volcanic Landscapes

Welcome to Terceira Island. After settling into our accommodation in the historic city of Angra do Heroísmo, we gather for a relaxed welcome lunch, where we meet as a group and begin the journey together.

In the afternoon, we head to Serra da Ribeirinha, a fantastic panoramic viewpoint overlooking Terceira's iconic patchwork of green fields and the coastline, with Ilhéu das Cabras floating offshore in the background. From here, we work with wide compositions, layering, and scale, capturing one of the most distinctive landscapes on the island.

We save the best for last, ending the day at Pico Dona Joana. This is arguably one of my absolute favorite places to fly a drone in the entire Azores. The volcanic cone rises majestically out of Terceira's patchwork of green fields, offering a spectacular layered composition. From here, we can frame the cone in the foreground with the dramatic Ilhéus das Cabras floating in the ocean background, blending green volcanic earth with the deep blue Atlantic beyond.

Day 2: Coastal Light & Volcanic Interiors

We start the day at Serretinha natural swimming pools, where the early light illuminates Ilhéu das Cabras rising from the Atlantic. This is an ideal location to work with foreground elements, reflections, and changing coastal light.

From here, we return once again to Pico Dona Joana, this time under morning conditions. The softer light reveals new textures and subtle tonal shifts across the fields, offering a completely different photographic interpretation of the same landscape.

After lunch, we head out to Algar do Carvão, one of the few volcanic chimneys in the world accessible on foot. Inside, we explore dramatic contrasts, textures, reflections, and the unique challenge of photographing in low light.

We end the day at Biscoitos, capturing the rugged volcanic lava pools as golden light reflects off the Atlantic and waves crash against the black basalt coastline.

Day 3: Heritage Streets, Forest Roads & The Great Patchwork

Our morning begins at Ponta das Contendas, where dark lava formations meet the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse provides a strong focal point, perfect for creating balanced coastal compositions.

We then head into Angra do Heroísmo for a relaxed photo walk through its historic streets. This UNESCO World Heritage city offers colorful facades, tiled sidewalks, and intimate urban scenes, ideal for street and architectural photography.

In the afternoon, we explore Terceira's forest roads and Black Forest, where misty conditions, winding roads, and dense vegetation create a moody, cinematic atmosphere, perfect for woodland photography and storytelling.

We conclude our Terceira experience at Serra do Cume, photographing the island's patchwork fields from one of Portugal's most famous viewpoints as the light turns warm and golden.

Day 4: Land of Cheese & Volcanic Coastlines

We take a morning flight to São Jorge Island, known for its rugged landscape and the finest cheese in the Azores. After settling into our accommodation, we head out for lunch together.

In the afternoon, we explore the dramatic seascapes near our base, focusing on lava rock formations and volcanic structures such as basalt arches, with Pico Island rising in the background.

Day 5: Fajãs, Cliffs & The Rosais Peninsula

We start the day at one of the island's most iconic viewpoints, Fajã dos Cubres, overlooking Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo on São Jorge's north coast. This is where a bird's-eye view from the drone completely transforms the composition. There's an incredible range of shots to capture here, and on clear days we may even catch Pico's silhouette in the background.

We head back for breakfast and after regroup for an image review and editing session.

In the evening, we head to the northwestern tip of the island, the Rosais area, home to some of my favorite locations on São Jorge. To the south, sweeping views open up with Pico Island as a backdrop; to the north, dramatic sea cliffs; and to close it out, the postcard-perfect lighthouse at Ponta dos Rosais.

Day 6: Peaks, Coffee & Natural Pools

Our morning starts at Ribeira do Nabo beach, just 5 minutes from our accommodation. Here we look for interesting compositions using the waves as foreground, experimenting with long exposures, with Pico mountain as our main backdrop.

Our next stop is highly weather-dependent, as we make our way up to the island's highest peaks. This area is prone to low cloud cover, but when conditions allow, there are incredible compositions to be found here.

From there, we drive to the easternmost tip of the island, Topo, stopping along the way to explore different fajãs and enjoy a local coffee at Fajã dos Vimes.

We then head back to our accommodation for lunch and some rest before heading out again.

We end the day on the coastline of Fajã do Ouvidor, at Poça Simão Dias, considered one of the most beautiful natural swimming pools in the Azores.

Day 7: Arrival & Tea Fields of São Miguel

We take a morning flight to São Miguel Island. After settling into our accommodation, we gather for lunch and have time to relax before heading out.

In the afternoon, we head to the iconic Gorreana Tea Plantation, Europe's oldest tea fields. The rolling green hills, winding paths, and repeating patterns make this the perfect introduction to the workshop. We focus on composition, visual rhythm, and working with natural light while easing into our first photography session.

We finish the day along the north coast cliffs, photographing the dramatic meeting of black volcanic rock and the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on conditions, locations such as Santa Bárbara or Cintrão offer powerful waves, textures, and changing light for our first sunset shoot.

Day 8: Coastlines, Furnas & Geothermal Landscapes

We begin the morning along the coast, photographing Ilhéu de Vila Franca from the shoreline. This location is perfect for working with minimalism, balance, and natural framing as the Atlantic surrounds the volcanic islet.

From here, we head inland to Furnas, where our focus shifts to details and atmosphere. In Terra Nostra Park, we explore botanical textures, rising steam, and the unique colors created by geothermal activity. Time is set aside to relax and enjoy the famous thermal pool.

Lunch is a traditional Cozido das Furnas, slow-cooked underground using volcanic heat — a true cultural highlight of the island.

In the evening, we cross the island to Mosteiros, photographing the dramatic black volcanic sea stacks. We focus on wave movement, long exposures, and sunset light as the ocean crashes against the basalt formations.

Day 9: Volcanic Caldeiras & Iconic Landscapes

We start early with sunrise at Lagoa do Fogo, one of São Miguel's most breathtaking volcanic lakes. As light spills into the crater, we focus on atmosphere, scale, and the interplay between light and shadow across the caldera walls and turquoise water below.

We head back to our accommodation for breakfast, then get together for more editing and advanced techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop.

The afternoon takes us west into the Sete Cidades Highlands, where we explore a series of volcanic viewpoints. We photograph Lagoa do Pau Pique and Lagoa do Canário, working with top-down perspectives, color contrast, and natural framing. We then move to the main caldera to capture Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, focusing on composition and depth.

We end the day overlooking the lagoons during golden hour. From this iconic viewpoint, we photograph the dramatic scale of the craters stretching toward the ocean, one of the most recognizable landscapes in the Azores.

Day 10: Final Morning and Return Home

After a farewell breakfast, it's time to head to the airport. Transfers are arranged based on your departure time at no additional cost. I hope you leave with incredible photographs, unforgettable memories, and a deep appreciation for the breathtaking landscapes of the Azores.