Islands of the Azores: Basalt Peaks to Volcanic Vineyards

Dates: July 21-28, 2027

Price: From $8,645 

Tour Operator: Lindblad

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At first glance, one might expect nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic to share the cool climate of Iceland or Scotland. Yet the Azores, warmed by the Gulf Stream, enjoy a temperate range of 60 to 75 degrees year-round. This remote Portuguese archipelago remains one of Europe’s most distinctive and captivating destinations—an oasis of emerald peaks, sapphire seas, and centuries-old traditions.

Aboard the elegant National Geographic Orion, travelers will explore the islands’ dramatic landscapes and vibrant culture. On São Miguel, experience the steamy Furnas Valley and sample cozido, the island’s renowned stew slow-cooked by geothermal heat. Wander through lush calderas and serene crater lakes while keeping watch for dolphins and seabirds in the nutrient-rich Atlantic waters. Each day reveals a new facet of the Azores’ beauty—shaped by volcanic fire, softened by mist, and steeped in maritime history.

On Pico Island, discover vineyards rooted in black lava rock and hear stories of the region’s whaling heritage. Visit Faial to explore the stark slopes of Capelinhos Volcano and São Jorge to walk beneath its dramatic cliffs, across fertile fajãs, and taste its celebrated farmhouse cheeses. Conclude on Terceira, where ancient lava caves and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Angra do Heroísmo—lined with cobbled streets and pastel facades—capture the islands’ timeless charm.

Between onshore adventures, enjoy fine dining, engaging talks by naturalists, and breathtaking views from the deck of the Orion—your front-row seat to one of the Atlantic’s last great island frontiers.

Traveling With You

Christopher D. Connors is the William E. Pritchard III ’80 Professor of Earth and Environmental Geoscience at Washington and Lee University, where he has been a professor for 27 years and, for six of those years, served as department head. He holds a BS from Penn State University, an MS from the University of Pittsburgh, and an MA and PhD from Princeton University. At W&L, Chris has taught structural geology, geophysics, petroleum geology, planetary geology, geologic mapping, and the regional geology of New Zealand, the US Southwest, and the Appalachians. He has supervised 30 undergraduate W&L theses.

Over the last 35+ years, Chris has conducted geologic research in several of the world’s ocean basins and on every continent but Antarctica. His current field areas are in the Southern Central Appalachians and Arctic Alaska, where he works closely with the US Geological Survey. Through his work and for pleasure, he has been fortunate to have travelled extensively. He spent two sabbaticals in Spain studying the geology of the Iberian Peninsula. This past January, he spent a week hiking with his wife Lisa on the Portuguese island of Madeira, a cultural and geologic cousin to the Azores. Chris has enjoyed traveling with alumni on four previous W&L Lifelong Learning trips.