On this ten-day trip, explore the beauty of the Azores while helping to support a local dairy farm. The farm service learning project will put travelers to work in the day-to-day operations of a dairy farm while teaching travelers about organic milk production and regenerative farming. The trip will be run as a cultural, agricultural immersion program to help local communities build sustainability. Cultural and outdoor excursions include touring historic São Miguel, hiking Sete Cidades, swimming with dolphins, and exploring the natural beauty of the island.
This youth Service Learning trip is part of Stone & Compass’ Azores Sustainable Development Project supporting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Boston’s Logan Airport (contact [email protected] for quotes from other airports)
Ages for this trip are 14 to 22 and/or students who will enter 9th grade in Fall of 2021 through 2021 graduating college seniors.
We will take a nonstop flight leaving mid-morning to early afternoon from Boston’s Logan Airport to the Azores. There is a 4 hour time difference so we plan to arrive in São Miguel in the early evening. We will immediately go to our accommodations at the Quinta do Bom Despacho, a lodge 4 minutes from the airport.
Our first day on the island of São Miguel will include a walking tour of the area, specifically the capital at Ponta Delgada. We will explore popular tourist destinations as well as historic locations and eat at a small, local restaurant.
Today will include a full day of working on The Farm with our partners João and Gena. We will take a short bus ride to the property and complete hands-on work with João including harvesting, milking the cows, etc. There will be a picnic lunch followed by continued work, then we will travel back to the Quinta for a relaxing evening.
Another full day of working on the farm.
Today will include a visit to the Portas do Mar Shop at Ponta Delgada where we will spend a half day swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat while learning about the species. After our lunch break we will embark on a jeep tour through highland and flatland routes to the beautiful Lagoa do Fogo. Following that, we will visit Caldeira Velha, a scenic waterfall featuring lush vegetation and hot springs before heading home to enjoy a hearty dinner.
This day will be another full day of working on the farm.
Enjoy a later wake-up call before heading to Ponta da Ferraria, where we will relax at the hot springs. We will eat lunch at a local restaurant before traveling to Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado, a beautiful lookout point and a prime photo spot. We will then eat dinner at another local restaurant before heading back to the Quinta.
Today will be another day providing service to João and Gena on the Farm.
On our last full day in the Azores, we will travel to the Sete Cidades via bus. We will hike the beautiful volcanic crater and enjoy a packed lunch while taking in the breathtaking view. Following that, we will head back to the Quinta and prepare for departure the next morning.
We will take an early evening flight from João Paulo II airport on São Miguel and arrive at Boston’s Logan Airport in the early evening. After reuniting with family members, we will cherish the lasting memories that we have made.
Payment can be made in full or following the payment schedule below.
$2,450
$200
Due: March 1, 2021
$1,000
Due: April 1, 2021
$1,250
Due: April 15, 2021
