Azores
The Amazing Azores: From Volcanoes to Vineyards
Program No. 22755RJ
Venture to the extraordinary volcanoes of the Azores, and explore the islands’ dramatic lakes and craters. Join experts to learn the islands’ fascinating history of wine and whaling.
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13 days
12 nights
28 meals
11B 10L 7D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
5
Free Time, Fly to Terceira Island
Angra do Heroismo
6
Orientation Walk of Angra; Biscoitos Rock Pools & Vineyards
Angra do Heroismo
8
Orientation Walk of Ponta Delgada, Pineapple Farm
Ponta Delgada
9
Free Time, Twin Lakes at Sete Cidades
Ponta Delgada
10
Furnas Environmental Interpretation Center, TN Garden
Thermas de Furnas
11
Gorreana Tea Factory, The Fire Lake
Thermas de Furnas
12
Vila Franca do Campo, Ceramic Factory
Thermas de Furnas
At a Glance
Join local experts and fellow explorers as you discover the striking landscapes of the Azores — a stunning Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Hear of its strategic importance in world communications and navigation between North America and Europe. Venture to the islands’ enormous volcanos and vast craters, and marvel at shimmering crater lakes and dramatic coastlines. Along the way, learn about the island’s exquisite vineyards, and trace the history of Azorean whaling. Finally, survey the centuries-old churches and bustling markets that form the lifeblood of the Azores.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles daily over varied terrain. Elevations up to 3,000 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about the extraordinary volcano on Pico Island, the highest mountain in Portugal.
- Explore the magnificent natural wonders of the legendary Sete Cidades — the “Seven Cities.”
- Marvel at Azorean flora at the Faial Botanical Garden.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Maria Gabriela Teves
Maria Gabriela Teves is a native of São Miguel in the Azores. She graduated as a professional leader in 1975 and has been working in the Azores with a focus on culture and tourism. Fluent in French and English, Mrs. Teves is very active in other areas related to her work such as cultural learning and orienting recent graduates from her university program. Among her areas of interest and learning is the multifaceted and complex botanics of the islands in their full floral diversity.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Maria Gabriela Teves
View biography
Maria Gabriela Teves is a native of São Miguel in the Azores. She graduated as a professional leader in 1975 and has been working in the Azores with a focus on culture and tourism. Fluent in French and English, Mrs. Teves is very active in other areas related to her work such as cultural learning and orienting recent graduates from her university program. Among her areas of interest and learning is the multifaceted and complex botanics of the islands in their full floral diversity.
Nuno Garcia
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Mr. Garcia has a bachelor degree in Modern Languages from the University of the Azores, and degree in World Heritage " Vineyards, History and Culture" by UNESCO for the Vineyards Landscape of Pico. He has been active as a multilingual leader since 2006, and is fully qualified for all the nine islands of the Archipelago since 2011. His main areas of interest and continuous study are History, Geology, Volcanology and the Flora of the Azores. He is also a private tutor in Languages and History.
Daniel James Edward Torres
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Daniel Torres has worked with Road Scholar programs in the Azores since 2017. He started his professional career as a site coordinator in Barcelona in 1997 before going on to lead programs in Spain, Portugal, and Brazil. Born and raised in London, he moved to Rio de Janeiro at the age of 24 and worked for 14 years as a singer-songwriter, writing and recording music for Brazilian television and movie projects. Daniel is fluent in English and Portuguese and teaches English as a foreign language.
Gillian Torres
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Gillian Torres was born in the North East of England but was raised in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, and Mexico. She returned to London to finish her studies, and later, with her husband, ran the first Brazilian restaurant in the UK from 1975 to 2002. In 2003, the two moved to Ilheus, Bahia, Brazil. It was there that Gillian had the opportunity to become a Road Scholar group leader, responsible for leading programs in Brazil from 2006 to 2017, and now in the Azores.
Carina Costa
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Carina Costa earned a degree in Agronomy from the University of Azores in 2010. Inspired by her father, Chief Gardener at the Terra Nostra Park, she followed in his footsteps and joined the park team. She interned at the Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight (UK) and later obtained her Master’s degree in Agronomic Engineering. In 2019, she began work on her Ph.D. in Agronomic Sciences to expand knowledge of ornamental flora in the Azores. Carina has led Road Scholar groups since 2017.

Diogo Falcao
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Diogo Falcao was born and raised on Terceira Island in the Azores. He moved to Portugal to attend university and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in tourism and heritage from the Instituto Politecnico de Leiria in 2009. His love for new cultures inspired him to spend time in the U.K. and Spain, where he became fluent in Spanish and English. With his passion for the Azores, Diogo works as a full time official guide. He has been working as a Road Scholar instructor since 2019.
Rita A. Martins
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Dr. Rita Martins earned a degree in Geology from the University of Lisbon followed by a Master’s in Dynamic Geology. She moved to the Azores in 2003 as a geologist on a short-term contract. Fascinated by the Azores, she extended her stay, working on geothermal projects in the islands of Terceira and Sao Miguel. Since 2017, she has been the Senior Project Manager responsible for the exploration and exploitation of geothermal resources for power production. Dr. Martins has worked with Road Scholar groups since 2019.
Susana Goulart Costa
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Susana Goulart Costa was born in Azores. She holds MA and a PhD degrees in history from the University of Azores. She is currently Head of the History, Philosophy and Arts Department at the University of Azores. She is a full researcher member of CHAM — Centre for the Humanities — an inter-university unit of the Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade NOVA of Lisbon, and of the Universidade dos Açores. She has written books and articles about Azores history from the 15th to 20th centuries.
Suggested Reading List
(9 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Amazing Azores: From Volcanoes to Vineyards
Program Number: 22755
In Pursuit of Their Dreams: A History of Azorean Immigration to the USA
Paperback: 216 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1933227192 ISBN-13: 978-1933227191
Product Dimensions: 15 x 1.5 x 22.1 cm
The Azores, or Western Islands: A Political, Commercial and Geographical Account
ISBN-10: 1334250421 ISBN-13: 978-1334250422
Also Available on Amazon Kindle –
File Size: 1578 KB
Print Length: 364 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
Language: English
ASIN: B009V5VUZE
Plants and flowers of the Azores
transklated by David Sayers (Author), Ben Fogle (Foreword)
Paperback – 1191 pages
Saudade
Paperback: 360 pages Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615982735 ISBN-13: 978-0615982731
Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 2.1 x 22.9 cm
The Tenth Island:Finding Joy, Beauty, and Unexpected Love in the Azores
Paperback: 252 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1503941310
Product dimensions:13.97 x 2.54 x 20.96 cm
Baleia! The whalers of the Azores
Hardcover: 206 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0370003845
ISBN-13: 978-0370003849
Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 14.4 x 3 cm
History of the Azores
ISBN-10: 1511516097 ISBN-13: 978-1511516099
Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 1.2 x 22.9 cm
Azores: Nine Islands, One History
Paperback Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981933602 ISBN-13: 978-0981933603
Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15 x 2.5 cm
Natural History of the Azores, or Western Islands-
Paperback: 371 pages Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402165293 ISBN-13: 978-1402165290
Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 2.1 x 21 cm