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Azores

The Amazing Azores: From Volcanos to Vineyards

Program No. 22755RJ
Venture to the extraordinary volcanos 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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Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 11 - Feb 20, 2024
Starting at
3,999
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Feb 23 - Mar 6, 2024
Starting at
4,899
Itinerary Note

This date has an extended 13-day itinerary that includes 3 nights in Terceira Island!

Mar 10 - Mar 19, 2024
Starting at
3,999
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Apr 7 - Apr 16, 2024
Starting at
4,299
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Apr 26 - May 8, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Itinerary Note

This date has an extended 13-day itinerary that includes 3 nights in Terceira Island!

May 26 - Jun 4, 2024
Starting at
4,499
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Sep 15 - Sep 24, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Oct 13 - Oct 22, 2024
Starting at
4,299
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Oct 25 - Nov 6, 2024
Starting at
4,999
Itinerary Note

This date has an extended 13-day itinerary that includes 3 nights in Terceira Island!

Feb 13 - Feb 25, 2025
Starting at
5,349
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 6 - Mar 18, 2025
Starting at
5,349
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 20 - Apr 1, 2025
Starting at
5,349
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

May 1 - May 13, 2025
Starting at
5,899
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Jun 12 - Jun 24, 2025
Starting at
6,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Aug 28 - Sep 9, 2025
Starting at
6,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 2 - Oct 14, 2025
Starting at
5,799
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 16 - Oct 28, 2025
Starting at
5,799
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 13 - Nov 25, 2025
Starting at
5,349
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Feb 11 - Feb 20, 2024
Starting at
4,399
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Feb 23 - Mar 6, 2024
Starting at
5,449
Itinerary Note

This date has an extended 13-day itinerary that includes 3 nights in Terceira Island!

Mar 10 - Mar 19, 2024
Starting at
4,399
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Apr 7 - Apr 16, 2024
Starting at
4,829
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Filling Fast!
Apr 26 - May 8, 2024
Starting at
6,049
Itinerary Note

This date has an extended 13-day itinerary that includes 3 nights in Terceira Island!

Filling Fast!
May 26 - Jun 4, 2024
Starting at
5,079
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Sep 15 - Sep 24, 2024
Starting at
5,219
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Oct 13 - Oct 22, 2024
Starting at
4,829
Itinerary Note

This date is the 9 day version of this program and does not include Terceira Island.

Filling Fast!
Oct 25 - Nov 6, 2024
Starting at
5,559
Itinerary Note

This date has an extended 13-day itinerary that includes 3 nights in Terceira Island!

Feb 13 - Feb 25, 2025
Starting at
5,949
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 6 - Mar 18, 2025
Starting at
5,949
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 20 - Apr 1, 2025
Starting at
5,949
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

May 1 - May 13, 2025
Starting at
6,689
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Jun 12 - Jun 24, 2025
Starting at
7,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Aug 28 - Sep 9, 2025
Starting at
7,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 2 - Oct 14, 2025
Starting at
6,559
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 16 - Oct 28, 2025
Starting at
6,559
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 13 - Nov 25, 2025
Starting at
5,949
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

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.

General Notes

This program includes round-trip airfare from Boston. Participants attending this program cannot book their own airfare, book airfare with deviations, or book airfare for back-to-back programs. Select dates of this program offer a longer version of this program; these dates include round-trip airfare from JFK and are ideal for anyone who wants to see more of the islands! Due to late arrival times into Boston and JFK, participants may have to overnight on their way home depending on their domestic flight schedules.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Profile Image
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 Claudia Melo
Claudia Melo View biography
Cláudia Melo is a proud "Picarota" (Pico Island-born woman) who left Pico Island in 2003 to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in tourism and heritage from the Instituto Politécnico of Leiria. She worked for six years in the tourism department of her hometown municipality, and then decided to write her own script and started her project, creating the first travel company owned by a woman on Pico Island in 2015. She is also an advisor and part of Road Scholar's local provider development team.
Profile Image of Carina Costa
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 Arianna Meschia
Arianna Meschia View biography
Arianna Meschia was born and raised in Genoa, Italy. After studying English, French, and Spanish, she graduated in Film & Creative Writing in London and worked as a Production Manager. Later, she decided to volunteer in a French refugee camp and then in Malawi. She began leading groups and continued her travels in East Africa, crossing six countries to Egypt. She also developed her travel writing portfolio with a wealth of online publications. She leads Road Scholar groups in the Cinque Terre and the Azores.
Profile Image of Altair Silva
Altair Silva View biography
Altair Silva was born in Brazil and has always been interested in travel, history, and art of different cultures. He started his career working for Varig (Brazilian Airlines) in Rio de Janeiro and continued his career after moving to London at age 23, working in various capacities for leading airlines. He was a Group Leader for Study Journeys in Spain and Portugal, and is returning as a Group Leader for Azores programs. Al has been a member of British Mensa for more than 40 years.
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.
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.
Natural History of the Azores, or Western Islands-
by Frederick Du Cane Godman
Paperback: 371 pages Language: English ISBN-10: 1402165293 ISBN-13: 978-1402165290 Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 2.1 x 21 cm
Azores: Nine Islands, One History
by Susana Goulart Costa
Paperback Language: English ISBN-10: 0981933602 ISBN-13: 978-0981933603 Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15 x 2.5 cm
Saudade
by Miriam Winthrop
Paperback: 360 pages Language: English ISBN-10: 0615982735 ISBN-13: 978-0615982731 Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 2.1 x 22.9 cm
In Pursuit of Their Dreams: A History of Azorean Immigration to the USA
by Jeery R Williams
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
by Walter Frederick
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
History of the Azores
by Thomas Ashe
ISBN-10: 1511516097 ISBN-13: 978-1511516099 Product Dimensions: 15.2 x 1.2 x 22.9 cm
Baleia! The whalers of the Azores
by Bernard Venables
Hardcover: 206 pages Language: English ISBN-10: 0370003845 ISBN-13: 978-0370003849 Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 14.4 x 3 cm
Plants and flowers of the Azores
by Erik Sjögren
transklated by David Sayers (Author), Ben Fogle (Foreword) Paperback – 1191 pages





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