A trip I'm designing
The Azores
Nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic, still blissfully slightly under tourism the radar
Still in the dreaming stage. Officially.
I have been dreaming about this one for so long it has become slightly embarrassing.
The trip is still a dream. Your name on a list is what will make it real.
What I’m imagining…
Crater-rim hiking
Walk the edges of ancient calderas with the sea on one side and volcanic lakes on the other. Dramatic, accessible, unforgettable.
Dark sky experience
These islands are a certified dark sky destination. On a clear night, the Milky Way is simply there, overhead, in a way most of us have never actually seen.
Cultural excursions
Cobblestoned villages, whale watching watchtowers, traditional festivals, the quiet pride of a place that knows it's special without making a fuss about it.
Whale watching
The Azores sit on one of the great whale migration routes. If timing works, this will be the real thing.
Thermal springs
Natural hot springs heated by volcanic activity, some right at the edge of the ocean. This is where we decompress after a hiking day.
Cooking classes and local food
Fresh seafood, local cheeses, caldo verde, pasteis de nata that taste entirely different here than anywhere else.
The shape of the trip
When: June, July or September 2027, or 2028
Duration: 2 weeks minimum
Group: 8 to 12 women (Solo travellers very welcome)
Style: Comfortable, not luxury - affordable without compromising experience
Fitness: Active, not athletic - crater hikes are manageable, not gruelling.
Timing note: Still in planning - your interest shapes what happens next
This is the kind of trip I design from the inside out. Adventure, culture, local people, women creating something together. Those come first. The destination shapes around them. What I'm really building is the conditions for you to come home more expansive than when you left.