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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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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
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
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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.

Profile Image of Maria Gabriela Teves
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.
Profile Image of Nuno Garcia
Nuno Garcia View biography
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.
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Daniel James Edward Torres View biography
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.
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Gillian Torres View biography
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.
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Carina Costa View biography
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.
Profile Image of Diogo Falcao
Diogo Falcao View biography
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.
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Rita A. Martins View biography
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.
Profile Image of Susana Goulart Costa
Susana Goulart Costa View biography
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.
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