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Azores Islands by Drone
At a Glance
Location
Azores, Portugal
Tuition
$11,495
Dates
July 10 – 19, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 8 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
Azores Islands by Drone Photography Workshop
Lush landscapes, unique culture, unusual geology, and unexplored beauty
July 10 – 19, 2027
- Creative compositions from above; captured with a drone
- Dramatic sea views, volcanic lakes, and lush tea plantations
- Photograph locations only our local guide knows about
The Azores is an archipelago of nine beautiful islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, considered a sanctuary of biodiversity and geodiversity.
We will explore two islands in particular, Sao Miguel and Flores, in a 10-day photo workshop. The breathtaking landscapes, sea views, volcanic lakes, tea plantations, stunning architecture, and lush green valleys offer unusual photography. Drones are allowed; there will be plenty of opportunities to photograph from the sky. It’s truly a photographer’s paradise.
We’ll take advantage of the long days to stay active throughout our itinerary. Of course, we’ll have our signature image reviews and plenty of photographic instruction in the field.
We will travel through roads filled with Laurissilva forest. The photographic possibilities in these places are almost endless. The atmosphere is clean and sometimes covered with a charming mist. The landscape is worthy of a fable or fairy tale, and we will journey through the interior of a volcanic cave.
You will be photographing the essence of places in an almost pure state when we visit the island of Flores in the western group of the Azores archipelago. We will traverse the vast paths that form the most fantastic patchwork quilt, so if you have a drone, you won’t be able to resist using it.
The islands are small, and the local people nurture and protect their unique culture and natural beauty. It’s an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in this unique culture. Expect warm-hearted people and enjoy their lively cuisine. Azorean cuisine is a delightful fusion of fresh seafood, rich meats, unique dairy products, and flavorful produce, reflecting the islands’ natural abundance and cultural heritage. Whether you’re enjoying a geothermal-cooked stew or savoring a slice of local cheese, the flavors of the Azores are sure to provide a memorable culinary experience.
Join us on this unexplored green gem and discover the unique charm of each island through our lens.
Your Pros
Bruno Ázera
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
July 9, 2027: Arrive Early, Relax at Recommended Hotel, Prepare for Flores Adventure
We highly recommend arriving this day and staying over in a hotel we will recommend to you. This way you can arrive anytime on July 9th and have a good sleep before we fly to the Island of Flores together the next morning. Our flight from PDL to Flores boards by 11:00 AM local time and we will board as a group.
July 10, 2027: Gather at Airport, Scenic Flight to Flores, Discover Western Europe’s Shoreline
Arrive at João Paulo II Airport (PDL), Ponta Delgada, Azores before 9:00 AM today. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
Together, we will fly to the island of Flores at 11:00 local time, gathering as a group to check-in to this flight by no later than 10:00 AM Local time at the Ponta Delgado Airport. We highly recommend arriving on the 9th and staying at the hotel of our recommendation. This way you won’t miss our first flight to Flores.
The flight to Flores is approximately one and a half hours. We will board our small vans and make our way across the island. The views are spectacular and you’ll suddenly feel as though you’ve been transported to the end of the world. The small villages are quaint and the roads are narrow and spectacular. When we arrive into our small hotel nestled on the most Western shore of Europe, there will be waterfalls towering above a dramatic volcanic coast, all within your view. We’ll make a decision on what to visit and photograph based on the current conditions.
July 11, 2027: Explore Azores’ Deepest Lagoons, Experience Dramatic Northern Coastline
The weather in the Azores, especially in Flores, is notoriously unpredictable, with rapid changes that may require us to always have a plan B. Our local guide is well aware of the weather here and always adjusts the schedule to accommodate for any weather changes.
Our day starts with the panoramic views of Lagoa Negra (the deepest lagoon in the Azores) and Lagoa Comprida, or Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa Funda, offering a fascinating rugged landscape characterized by differences in altitude and color between the two lagoons.
In the evening, we head north to explore the rugged north coastline of Ponta Delgada, stopping at viewpoints along the way. The day concludes at the impressive Baía do Além, offering striking seascapes in its surroundings, with Albarnaz lighthouse perched on the edge of the cliffs. Be prepared for the unexpected on Flores.
July 12, 2027: Sunrise Photography at Baía da Alagoa, Explore Santa Cruz, Majestic Ribeira do Ferreiro Waterfalls
Our day starts with sunrise at the scenic Baía da Alagoa, a rocky bay offering a mesmerizing view of rugged basalt sea stacks as our main subject, with Corvo Island in the background.
Our next stop is the picturesque town of Santa Cruz, and its natural basalt swimming pools are an excellent photographic opportunity to play with long exposure techniques.
After lunch, we get together for an editing session before we head out in the last light of the day to one of the most beautiful spots in the Azores. A short hike takes us to the stunning waterfalls of Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro. Nestled at the base of the waterfalls is an astonishing lagoon, offering a variety of exciting compositions.
July 13, 2027: Capture Sunrise, Explore Local Beaches, Visit Iconic Rocha dos Bordões
After a sunrise shoot at the local beaches, breakfast, and a image review we head out to the impressive basalt columns of Rocha dos Bordões. The variety of compositions you can create at this location is truly remarkable.
For the last light of the day, we explore the waterfalls of the western part of the island, overlooking the majestic Ribeira Grande waterfall and Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro.
July 14, 2027: Editing Workshop, Thrilling Boat Trip to Corvo, Sunset Photography on Corvo Island
After breakfast, we’ll work on editing and exploring our new captures from the island so far. This is a time for learning and exploring editing tools and settings.
Depending on the Atlantic conditions, our afternoon is dedicated to discovering the Island of Corvo with Carlos Mendes of Extreme Ocidente. Our private boat ride takes us through the impressive coastline of Flores, showcasing jaw-dropping waterfalls and caves. During our journey, we’ll likely encounter dolphins and other whales. Once in Corvo, we’ll take a short ride to the Caldeira.
We’ll then photograph Sunset at Corvo Island. The island, the smallest of the Azores, offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean as the sun dips below the horizon. The vibrant colors of the sunset create a magical atmosphere, illuminating the rugged landscape and reflecting off the surrounding waters. This serene and picturesque setting makes for an unforgettable moment.
July 15, 2027: Fly to Sao Miguel, Discover Santa Barbara, Capture Sunset Lights
Today we leave the wonderful oasis in the middle of the Atlantic for another incredible island Sao Miguel. Our flight time is pre-purchased and included in your tuition costs, so don’t worry about making this flight. We will make sure we all get to the small airport in plenty of time to make the flight after a nice breakfast. Our flight time is about 3 hours because of a quick stop over on another island on the way.
Once we arrive in Ponta Delgado we’ll board our vans and drive about 30 min to our first hotel, along the coast in the small town of Santa Barbara. After we settle in, we’ll grab a hearty meal before heading out to a location nearby to catpure the good light of sunset.
July 16, 2027: Drone-Friendly Volcanic Craters, Explore Sete Cidades, Sunset at Mosteiros Beach
The day starts at Lagoa do Fogo volcanic lake, one of the island’s highest points. If you have a drone, capture unique perspectives up here. After lunch, our journey heads west to explore the volcanic crater of Sete Cidades, home to the captivating multi-colored lakes of Lagoa Verde and Azul. It’s an incredible sight, providing a sense of the surrounding area.
Our next destination is one of the Azores’ highlights—the Grota do Inferno viewpoint. While the crater lakes of Sete Cidades can be admired from various vantage points, this spot stands out as one of the best. For those equipped with drones, capturing Lagoa do Canário from the air reveals an intriguing and visually stunning shape. We head to Mosteiros Beach for sunset to capture the last light of the day in a beautiful seascape photography location.
July 17, 2027: Sunrise at Santa Iria, Visit Lagoa das Furnas, Photograph Terra Nostra’s Thermal Pools
Our morning begins at the Santa Iria viewpoint for a captivating sunrise overlooking the north coastline of the Island. After breakfast, we head to Lagoa das Furnas, a crater lake with opportunities to photograph mud pools and steaming geothermal features. Our journey continues to Terra Nostra Park, renowned as one of the most beautiful gardens. It features inviting thermal pools. For lunch, we try the famous local dish, Cozido das Furnas, uniquely cooked by volcanic steam.
In the afternoon, we venture to the oldest European tea plantation, Gorreana Tea plantation. Discover the intricacies of the factory and its scenic surroundings. The unique landscape, shaped by the vibrant green tea leaves, offers endless possibilities for captivating photography. During the afternoon hours, we head back to the island’s coastline to capture the mesmerizing colors of the sunset and continue photographing into blue hour.
July 18, 2027: Visit Unique Vila Franca Islet, Enjoy Local Cuisine, Prepare for Final Sunset
We begin our morning with a visit to one of the most unique locations in São Miguel, the Vila Franca Islet, renowned for its unique geological formation. This islet features a volcanic crater that has partially collapsed, allowing seawater to enter and form a natural circular pool inside the crater.
We’ll be sure to partake in a great local Azorian meal before planning to hold another fun and educational image review. We’ll have plenty of work to look through and inspire us for another sunset location, our last. We’ll make sure to choose a place that will be spectacular.
July 19, 2027: Final Breakfast, Farewell Azores, Plan Departures After 5 PM
Enjoy a final breakfast together. Unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye and fly home.
Flights out can be made after 5:00 PM on July 19, 2027.
Drone Workshop Specifics
This itinerary is designed for drone photography. We plan to make as many as 4-5 stops each day for photographic flights. You will be responsible for bringing enough drone batteries to fly for at least two hours daily. Typical drones fly for 30-40 minutes on each battery.
You should be capable of taking off and landing your drone manually, and flying simple flight plans to reach a designated location from the air. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced drone photographer, you will receive instruction tailored to your specific needs and desires.
We will follow all drone-specific regulations and laws based on European regulations. We will be visiting regions that allow drones. Leaders will work with each participant, helping them verify their flight paths.
Fitness
Moderate: Hikes up to one mile on uneven, often slippery surfaces with moderate elevation gains. Expect to be walking uphill for 20 minutes at a time. Trekking poles recommended.
Flights
Arrive at João Paulo II Airport (PDL), Ponta Delgada, Azores before 9:00 AM on July 10, 2027. Flights out can be made after 5:00 PM on July 19, 2027. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,500 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- Internal flights during the workshop.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!.
Not Included
- Travel to and from Ponta Delgada, Azores.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $1,500 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $5,495 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $3,000 is due by November 1, 2026.
- The balance is due not later than March 1, 2027.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll learn to master drone photography, including manual take-offs and landings, and flying simple flight plans to capture stunning aerial views. You'll also practice long exposure techniques at natural basalt swimming pools and explore editing tools to enhance your captures.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. Cancellations made more than 150 days before the start date receive a full refund. Between 150 and 91 days, refunds are given for payments exceeding 50% of tuition. Between 90 and 61 days, refunds are for payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.
A moderate fitness level is required, as you will be hiking up to one mile on uneven, often slippery surfaces with moderate elevation gains. Expect to walk uphill for about 20 minutes at a time. Trekking poles are recommended for added stability.
Its best to obtain the A1–A3 drone permit when flying in Europe and we will follow all drone-specific regulations and laws based on European regulations. Our leaders will assist you in verifying flight paths to ensure compliance with local rules.
The workshop is limited to a maximum of 8 participants, ensuring personalized attention and instruction from the two professional photographers leading the trip.
You'll have the chance to photograph breathtaking landscapes, volcanic lakes, tea plantations, and stunning architecture. The itinerary includes visits to Lagoa Negra, the rugged north coastline, and the waterfalls of Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, offering diverse and unique compositions.
Yes, medical evacuation insurance and travel medical insurance are required for this workshop. While trip cancellation insurance is optional, it is recommended to protect your investment.
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