Join us on an unforgettable photography adventure in the Azores, where the dramatic beauty of São Miguel, Terceira and Flores Islands awaits. Scattered across the North Atlantic, the Azores are a sanctuary of biodiversity, volcanic landscapes, and timeless charm. Over the course of nine days, we’ll explore three of its most photogenic islands: São Miguel, with its crater lakes and tea plantations, Flores, a lush paradise of waterfalls and ocean vistas, and Terceira, a volcanic island in the known for its rolling green pastures and dramatic lava caves.
From sweeping coastal views and vibrant architecture to verdant valleys and volcanic wonders, the Azores offer endless opportunities for compelling images. With the option to fly drones, you’ll also be able to capture this unique destination from above, making it a true dream for photographers.
Local photographer Bruno Ázera will be our host and guide and Leica specialists Colin McKinley and David Farkas from Red Dot Photo Workshops will be on hand to give assistance and advice as you photograph these magical islands.
This tour is suitable for all levels of experience and ability and anyone who is interested in landscape photography. While other cameras are certainly allowed, the focus is on Leica camera systems and learning how to use them to their full potential. Current owners as well as those wanting to try Leica gear out for a week of real shooting are encouraged to attend. We’ll share our favorite tips and tricks so you can get the most out of this exceptional gear. *This trip is also a fantastic place to fly a drone if you own one!
This trip will begin on the island of Terceira (TER) on Friday, June 11th. We recommend taking Sata Azores Airlines Flight SP 542 to Terceira (TER) from Ponta Delgada (PDL), arriving at 12:50 pm.
If you’re coming from the US, Sata Azores Airlines has non-stop flights from Boston and New York. Air Canada also offers direct flights from Toronto and Montreal. If you’re coming from Europe or if you prefer spend some time in Portugal, you can fly to the Azores through Lisbon or Porto on carriers like TAP Air Portugal or EasyJet.
The tour will end in Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island. Ponta Delgada is served by a single airport, João Paulo II Airport (PDL), which handles all international and domestic flights to the island, so plan to depart from here at anytime after Noon on Saturday, June 19th.
*As with all of our international trips, we recommend arriving a day early to avoid any travel delays.
This trip will begin on the island of Terceira (TER) on Friday, June 11th. We recommend taking Sata Azores Airlines flight SP 542 to Terceira (TER) from Ponta Delgada (PDL), arriving at 12:50 pm. If you’re coming from the US, Sata Azores Airlines has non-stop flights from Boston and New York. Air Canada also offers direct flights from Toronto and Montreal. If you’re coming from Europe or if you prefer spend some time in Portugal, you can fly to the Azores through Lisbon or Porto on carriers like TAP Air Portugal or EasyJet.
*As with all of our international trips, we recommend arriving a day early to avoid any travel delays.
After checking in at our hotel, we’ll pick you up for a delicious welcome lunch at a local restaurant. We’ll do introductions, talk about the workshop and get to know each better. After lunch, we’ll visit Algar do Carvão, a rare volcano you can walk down inside. Tripods aren’t allowed, so bring your fastest, widest lens. From there we take scenic forest roads to a few of the island’s hidden spots, and weather permitting, we finish with sunset at Serra de Santa Bárbara, the island’s highest point.
Today is about big views and seascapes. We start early at Serra da Ribeirinha, on the southern rim of a volcano, looking out over the coast toward Monte Brasil, with São Jorge and Pico on the horizon. Next is Pico Dona Joana, one of the most striking volcanic cones in the Azores, with Ilhéu das Cabras behind it. We break for lunch in Praia da Vitória overlooking the beach. Terceira is known for the best food in the islands, and we plan to enjoy it. In the afternoon we head north to Ponta do Mistério, a green, almost lunar lava landscape against the Atlantic. We close with sunset in Biscoitos, a wine village with natural pools and black lava fields carved by the waves.
Today, we’ll fly to Flores Island (SATA SP800, 1:05 to 2:05 pm). After settling in, we head to the west side of the island for a short hike to the waterfalls of Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro. The lagoon at their base gives you plenty of compositions as the light fades.
We begin at the Morro Alto nature reserve, with views over Lagoa Negra and Lagoa Comprida, and a long straight road that looks wonderful from above. Next are Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa Funda, two lakes at very different elevations and colors. Heading north to the village of Ponta Delgada, we stop at viewpoints along the rugged coast, then finish at the Albarnaz lighthouse, perched on the cliff edge. Flores weather changes fast, and that’s part of what makes it so photogenic.
Sunrise is at Baía da Alagoa, a rocky bay with basalt sea stacks and Corvo Island in the distance. We then spend time in the town of Santa Cruz before lunch, and visit a nearby sea cave that frames the open Atlantic. A wide angle is a must here. We end the day at Rocha dos Bordões, a wall of basalt columns with endless composition options.
This morning, we’ll fly to São Miguel Island (SATA SP863/SP443, 11:15 am to 1:30 pm), via Horta. After check-in you’ll have time to rest or explore nearby beaches. For sunset we shoot the beaches of Santa Bárbara and Monte Verde, or the cliffs of Miradouro do Cintrão, looking along the north coast toward the Sete Cidades volcano.
We start at Lagoa do Fogo, a crater lake near the island’s highest point and a great place to fly a drone. After lunch we head west to the Sete Cidades crater and its twin lakes, Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul. Kayaking and paddleboarding are available if you’d like to get on the water. Our next stop is Grota do Inferno, in my view the best viewpoint over the crater lakes. Drone pilots should look for Lagoa do Canário from above. Weather permitting, we finish at Mosteiros beach for the last light.
Sunrise is at the Santa Iria viewpoint over the north coast. After breakfast we drive to Lagoa das Furnas to photograph the mud pools and steaming vents, then visit Terra Nostra Park, one of the loveliest gardens in the islands. Bring a swimsuit for its thermal pools, which run 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F). Lunch is cozido das Furnas, a stew slow-cooked in volcanic ground, with bolo lêvedo, a sweet local muffin. In the afternoon we visit Gorreana, the oldest tea plantation in Europe, to tour the factory and photograph the rows of tea. We return to the coast for sunset.
Our final sunrise is at the Vila Franca Islet, a partly collapsed volcanic crater that holds a circular pool of seawater. You can get great aerial shots with a drone here.
Afterward we’ll take you to the airport or back to the hotel, depending on your flight. You can plan to depart from João Paulo II Airport (PDL), which handles all international and domestic flights to the island, anytime after Noon.