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January 23 – 31, 2027
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Azores Islands by Drone
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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.
Explore the Azores on an 10-day photography workshop across Sao Miguel, Flores, and Terceira. The breathtaking landscapes, sea views, volcanic lakes, tea plantations, stunning architecture, and lush green valleys offer unique photo opportunities. Drones are essential and 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 rich volcanic interior with plush vegitation and steep basalt cliffs that create towering waterfalls. All of these locations create incredible compositions from the air. When we visit the island of Terceira, you’ll have an opportunity to photograph the amazing patchwork of lava walled fields created many years ago by the local farmers.
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, 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 your lens.
Your Pros
Bruno Ázera
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
July 10, 2027: Arrival at Ponta Delgada, Beach Exploration, Scenic Sunset
Arrive at João Paulo II Airport (PDL), Ponta Delgada, Azores before 2:00 PM today. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
If you arrive early, take a 20 minute taxi to the small village of Santa Barbara, where our first hotel will be. Enjoy walking down to the beach, before checking in by 3:00 PM. Later, we’ll meet up for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant—an ideal opportunity to ask questions, bond with fellow travelers, and share in the anticipation of the journey ahead.
For sunset, we head to the picturesque beaches of Santa Bárbara and Monte Verde. Alternatively, we may head to the jagged cliffs of Miradouro do Cintrão, providing a breathtaking view of the north coast and the majestic Sete Cidades volcano in the background.
July 11, 2027: Discover Lagoa do Fogo, Visit Sete Cidades, Grota do Inferno
The day starts at Lagoa do Fogo volcanic lake, one of the island’s highest points. With your 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. 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 12, 2027: Start at Santa Iria Viewpoint, Explore Terra Nostra Park
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 13, 2027: Visit Vila Franca Islet, Travel to Flores, Rocha dos Bordões 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, creating unique geometric shapes for your compositions.
Then we’ll set off, via a brief flight, to the island of Flores– one of the best-kept secrets of Europe.
After settling into our accommodations, we have some time to relax before 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: Sunrise at Baía da Alagoa, Explore Santa Cruz, Editing Session
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 15, 2027: Explore Lagoa Negra and Lagoa Comprida, North Coast Sunset
The weather in the Azores, especially in Flores, is notoriously unpredictable, with rapid changes that require us always to have a plan B. If we have good weather, our sixth day begins 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 16, 2027: Morning Editing, Flight to Terceira, Explore Local Culture
After breakfast, we’ll work on editing and exploring our new captures from the two islands we’ve visited so far. This is a time for learning and exploring editing tools and settings.
After our image review and a great breakfast, we’ll packup and head to the small airport for our flight to our last island of Terceira. This process takes the afternoon.
Terceira is one of the most distinctive islands in the Azores because it combines dramatic volcanic landscapes, remarkably preserved history, pastoral countryside, and a deeply rooted island culture in a relatively compact area. Unlike Flores, which often feels wild and dominated by waterfalls and cliffs, or São Miguel, with its large crater lakes and geothermal landscapes, Terceira has a particularly strong balance between nature and human history.
July 17, 2027: Explore Island Forests, Sunset at Biscoitos Natural Pools
Next on our list are the forests of the Island and the Black Forest, a unique location with dense vegetation that makes it hard for light to penetrate. This will be a great location to use your land camera at. Your tripods will come in handy here, especially if the fog rolls in.
We will make sure to carve out plenty of time to visit one of the Azores Islands special locations, the Algar do Carvao. You will descend deep inside an ancient volcano. It is one of the island’s signature natural attractions because of its rare geology, lush vegetation growing within the crater, and unusual silica formations, all protected as part of the Terceira Natural Park
For sunset, we visit Biscoitos—a picturesque town known for its wine-growing region and even more for its beautiful natural pools. The rugged black lava fields sculpted by waves make for really interesting seascapes.
July 18, 2027: Serretinha Sunrise, Explore Pico Dona Joana, Serra do Cume
Our morning starts on the south coast of the Island at Serretinha natural swimming pools, overlooking Ilhéu das Cabras in the background. This is a fantastic spot for the first light of the day.
Next, we head out to Pico Dona Joana. With Ilhéu das Cabras in the background, it has to be one of the most unique perspectives you will see in the Azores.
Short break before we head out to Praia da Vitória to have lunch and enjoy the view of the beach. Terceira Island is known to have the best food of the Azores, so we have to make the best of it.
Considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Portugal, we reserved the best for the last day. The unique view of the island’s interior, known as the “patchwork,” consisting of walls of volcanic stones dividing the farmer fields into square-shaped figures. Serra do Cume is an incredible place to fly your drone over and the view point offers a great location to fly from. There are often beautiful images that can be captured with your land camera here as well.
July 19, 2027: Departure Day, Breakfast, Flight Home
Enjoy a final breakfast together. Unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye and fly home.
Depending on your route home, you might be able to fly directly from the local international airport (TER) or you may need to connect back to Sao Miguel international airport (PDL).
Depart at Lajes Airport (TER), Praia da Vitória, Região Autónoma dos Açores anytime 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 must be capable of taking off and landing your drone manually and safely, 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 photography instruction tailored to your specific needs and desires.
We will follow all drone-specific regulations and laws based on European regulations. You will be required to obtain your EU A1-A3 drone pilots license. 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, Portugal before 2:00 PM on July 10, 2027. Depart at Lajes Airport (TER), Praia da Vitória, Portugal anytime 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 Ponta Delgada, Azores and from Praia da Vitória, Região Autónoma dos Açores.
- 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 including coverage from point of injury (required).
- Travel Medical Insurance (required).
- Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming is available for a $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, including our cancellation and refund policy.
- 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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