Discovering Houston

Join Here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/portugal-azores-group-tours/

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club are relaunching their Portugal and Azores tour. It is an excellent program in a small group that highlights the diverse and stunning culture of Old-World Portugal and the gorgeous landscapes, beaches, and villages of the Azores.

Part 1: Mainland Portugal (8 Nights/9 Days)

Porto & the North (3 Nights)

• Privately guided walking tour of city landmarks including city hall, D. Luis bridge, and Stock Exchange Palace
• The most colorful & lively district: Discover Ribeira
• Wine tasting while exploring the valley: Road trip along the route that offers viewpoints, wine, and walks
• Cruise on the Douro

Central Portugal & Mountain Villages (1 Night)

• Free time in Piódão village: This is the perfect place to wander the narrow streets and peculiar alleys made of shale rock
• Exploring Foz d'Égua: This moderate hike begins in Piódão and takes us to an idyllic and unforgettable little village
• Convent of the Soothing of the Blessed Sacrament: This historical landmark and former 18th-century convent is our hotel for the night!
• The Schist Villages: Talesnal & Casal de São Simão
• Fragas de São Simão Walkway: The wooden paths embrace dramatic granite landscapes, steep hills, an enchanting valley, and also vestiges of laurel forest

Coimbra & the Coast (2 Nights)

• Privately guided tour of the University City
• Visit University of Coimbra: Highlights include their massive Baroque Library and Cabinet of Curiosities filled with unusual treasures through the ages
• The Old Cathedral built in 1117
• The Walled Labyrinth privately guided walking tour of Óbidos'

Lisbon, City of Hills (2 Nights)

• Guided tuk-tuk adventure in the capital
• St. George's Castle: Towering dramatically above Lisbon, the 11th-century fortifications
• Belém Tower & the Monument of Discoveries: See and photograph these World-Heritage Sites that represent the epi-center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery.

Part 2: The Azores (6 Nights/7 Days)

São Miguel: The Green Isle (2 Nights)

• Botanical gardens and hot springs
• The most unique meal in the world: The stew cooked using Furnas’s natural volcanic heat!
• The oldest tea plantation in Europe
• Epic photos at viewpoints
• Giant caldera hike
• The Azorean Pineapple: A fun stop takes us to one of the 6,000 pineapple plantations on the island

Faial: The Blue Isle (2 Nights)

• Explore the great crater & interpretation center
• Photograph from multiple viewpoints the caldeira, a massive volcanic cone now classified as a nature reserve
• Enjoy sprawling views of Ponta da Espalamaca with views of Horta town, the Northern Atlantic, and nearby islands

Pico: The Mountain Island (Day Trip)

• Cachorro Rocks: A photo stop reveals unique volcanic rock formations
• Visit Adega a Buraca winery to sample their product and learn about the process
• Visit Whaling Factory and Fishermen Museum to learn about the island's early economic driver
• Visit Church of São Mateus
• Criação Velha Vinyards: The unique methods for producing grapes ideal for winemaking on such difficult terrain is what lead to this site's important designation. Lajido da Criação Velha is the best example showcasing the art of dividing the land and planting vines in the lava rock.

Flores: The Flower Island (2 Nights)

• The westernmost county in Europe
• A curious rock: Rocha dos Bordões is the postcard image and symbol of Flores. The basaltic formation provides a unique and unforgettable landscape with geometrical rock columns that resemble a man-made structure
• The great fajãs: This Portuguese term describes the beautiful coastal formation of a small flat land on the ocean below giant cliffs
• More beauty at the highest point: The Morro Alto forest reserve area is the highest point on Flores Island
• The 7 Lagoas: We'll explore this lush area with a number of serene lakes throughout the valleys

Corvo Day Trip: The Black Isle

• Caldeirão, The Crater: This ancient crater is responsible for the epic landscape of the extinct volcano that gave rise to the island
• The Village: Vila Nova do Corvo is the sole town on the entire island and unites the old and new in two distinct sections
• Lots of wind: Before electricity came to the island wind was the main source of food production via a number of windmills. Today 3 unique windmills still stand and function from this long-lost tradition

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Price: $4,495
Single Supplement: $895

Deposit: $600

Check out our club's official trip page: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/portugal-azores-group-tours/

And Inquiring Minds can click here for more deets - https://www.gristworkz.com/ .

So BRUNCH AND BREWS it is ,,,,,, this Saturday AT GRISTWORKZ BREWERY !!!! All are welcome ! Feel free to bring a friend.

For those who would like a direct link to all of the different events we do, feel free to also join us here: https://www.meetup.com/social-events-zone/.