THE AZORES ISLANDS

Course Description

The trip is organized by a CAS Trips educational student travel tour operator. They focus on sustainable tourism and tackle the UN SDGs whilst engaging in volunteer projects inspired by the notions of Creativity, Activity and Service. Every trip has destination-specific elements that focus on the creative, active and service-orientated parts of volunteer travel.  The Azores Islands are a group of nine volcanic islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, known for their breathtaking natural beauty and stunning landscapes. Ponta Delgada, the largest city and capital of the Azores, is famous for its charming old town, historic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Visitors can enjoy exploring the city's museums, parks, and botanical gardens, as well as embarking on outdoor adventures such as hiking, whale watching, and diving. This program is a combination of action, service and creativity. 

Program (subject to change) 

Day 0 Departure from Prague, arriving to Lisbon airport and morning flight to Sao Miguel island

Day 1 Arrival,  Walking Tour of Ponta Delgada - The Azorean capital is surrounded by either luscious green mountains or the clear blue ocean. Discover its narrow streets and unique gothic architecture in an enjoyable walking tour lead by your CAS Trips Leader.

Service Challenge: CAS Project Challenge - Get ahead with your CAS Project! After an introduction to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and their future targets, you will receive the tools and framework to plan, organize and engage in a long-term collaborative team CAS Project that will have a positive impact on your own community back home.

Day 2 Hot Spring and Tea Tasting - This morning we will stop off to visit the oldest and largest tea plantation in Europe where we will learn about the cultivation process and sample a good old cuppa en route to the volcanic town of Furnas.Once we arrive in Furnas, we will take a stroll around the stunning Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens before taking a long soak in the natural thermal springs.

Volcanic Research and Tree Planting - Following lunch, discover the fascinating sights, fauna and flora at the dramatic, active Volcanic Crater in Furnas Valley. This afternoon, we will visit the Monitoring and Research Center of Furnas to understand the science behind Furnas’ unique geothermic composition. Following this, we join forces with a local land regeneration project to plant endemic trees and combat the damage that decades of over-farming and cattle has done to the area.

Day 3  Sustainable Design Challenge: Ponta Delgada - Around the port area of the city, you will investigate and planning a Sustainable Design project that would help to contribute to the sustainable development of Ponta Delgada. In this 3-part collaborative challenge, students must interview members of the community to help determine their needs, analyse and design a public space that would help alleviate that need and then present their project to the group.

Understanding the Azorean Pineapple - Do Pineapples grow in Europe? Only in the Azores! 100 years have shaped the fruit in unique ways - understand the history, culture and culinary tradition of the Azorean Pineapple as you visit the biggest and only plantation on the island. If you are lucky, you may get the chance to taste this freshly picked staple of Azorean cuisine.

Day 4  Service Challenge: Planting endemic trees in Sete Cidades - We will join forces with a local land regeneration project to plant endemic trees and combat the damage that decades of over-farming and cattle has done to the area.

Sete Cidades Trek and Sketching Workshop - The island is famously known for its beauty and offers many stunning viewpoints. None are more famous than A vista da Rei, high above the twin craters of Sete Cidades. On this 1.5- hour trek to the viewpoint, you will be given the challenge to reflect creatively through a series of short sketching challenges.

Day 5 Whale Watching (sightings cannot not guaranteed) - Embark on an incredible journey into the Atlantic to see the largest mammal on the planet up close and personal! Student will get experience a breathtaking 2-hour boat trip to observe & investigate the Giants of the Sea and learn important traditional techniques used to spot both whales and dolphins alike.

Service Challenge: Coastal Clean- Up - While Sao Miguel rightly earns its reputation as one of the most pristine and green destinations in Europe, there are stretches of the coastline that harbour ocean drift waste and waste created as a result of the fishing industry. We roll up our sleeves and do out bit to protect the oceans with a group coastal clean-up.

Day 6 Beach Yoga - This morning we will rise with the sun and set ourselves up for a day of service with a session of yoga on the beach.

Priolo Conservation center Way up in the hills and forests above the town of Nordeste sits an EU and government-funded conservation center dedicated to the preservation and regeneration of the native Priolo species of bird. We will learn how the bird almost became extinct as a result of the island’s agricultural past and find out how the center is helping to revive this precious species.

Service Challenge: Priolo Regeneration - In collaboration with the conservation center workers, we will volunteer to help with the habitat restoration and/or plant production work that is vital to encouraging the Priolo bird to regenerate in the area. Tasks are seasonal but can include beat bog restoration, seed collection, seed treatment, sowing, growing or planting.

Day 7 Departure from Sao Miguel with a transfer in Lisbon and arrival to Prague in the evening

CAS Opportunities for IB Students: This trip relates to the “Activity” aspect of CAS. The first half of each day is the active part, and full participation and cooperation with the farmers and your student team is expected. Talk to the trip chaperones in advance if you would like the trip to become part of your CAS portfolio. ​

Learning Goals

1. Developing an appreciation for different cultures and ways of life.

2. Enhancing language skills by practicing communication with local people.

3. Learning about historical and cultural landmarks of the destination.

4. Developing teamwork and collaboration skills through group travel.

5. Improving problem-solving abilities by navigating unfamiliar territory.

6. Gaining a better understanding of global issues and how they affect different regions.

7. Building confidence and independence by traveling to a new and unfamiliar place.

8. Developing a sense of empathy and compassion by learning about the struggles and triumphs of people from different backgrounds.

ISP Mission Links

1. Inspire curiosity: The trip could expose learners to new cultures, environments, and perspectives, sparking their curiosity and encouraging them to ask questions and seek out new learning experiences.

2. Foster competence: The trip could offer learners opportunities to develop a range of skills, from communication and teamwork to problem-solving and cultural competence, all of which can contribute to their overall sense of competence.

3. Cultivate compassion: The trip could promote empathy and understanding, as learners engage with people and places that are different from their own. This exposure to diversity and difference could help learners develop a sense of compassion and respect for others.

4. Encourage changemaking: The trip could inspire learners to take action and make a positive impact in their communities and the world. Whether through service projects, activism, or simply sharing their experiences with others, learners could be empowered to become changemakers.