Archives: Retreats

The Triangle: Azores Eco-region Roadmap, in São Jorge, is a one-day experience that invites guests to discover the island’s organic and regenerative farming landscape. Innovation, biodiversity and respect for natural cycles guide the projects visited, reflecting a strong connection between production and nature. Throughout the day, guests explore farms that combine permaculture, agroforestry, rural tourism and sustainable livestock farming, revealing diverse systems thoughtfully integrated into the landscape. The journey ends at the table, with a gastronomic experience that highlights local and organic ingredients.

The guided visit to the organic farm at Glamping Retiro Atlântico is led by Hugo, an edible plants specialist and founder of the project, established in 2012 and continuously evolving. Walking through the vegetable gardens and permaculture-based food forest, guests discover around 1,500 plant varieties, including one of Europe’s largest collections of rare organic tropical and subtropical fruit trees. The space reflects innovation, diversity and a strong commitment to sustainability.

Make It Happen Farm is an organic farm that brings together rural tourism, sustainable livestock farming and environmental education. Its production is varied and includes fruits such as banana, avocado, mango, persimmon, citrus, chestnut, strawberry, macadamia, goji, araçá, guava and coffee, as well as a wide range of vegetables, edible petals and mustard. The farm is also home to animals that play an active role in soil fertilisation through compost production and land management, contributing to forest maintenance and the preparation of new cultivation areas.

The experience concludes at Fornos de Lava, a well-regarded restaurant on São Jorge that values Azorean culinary traditions while embracing circular economy principles and sustainability. Dishes are prepared over a wood fire and highlight local products, vegetables and aromatic herbs grown in the restaurant’s own organic garden, resulting in authentic, seasonal flavours that reflect the island’s identity.

Discover The Triangle: Azores Eco-region Roadmap on Faial and Pico as well.

The Triangle: Azores Eco-region Roadmap, on Faial, is a one-day experience offering the opportunity to discover the island’s most sustainable and authentic side through projects that combine organic farming, agroforestry, permaculture and high-quality gastronomy. Throughout the itinerary, visits are made to farms and productive gardens where biodiversity, soil regeneration and respect for natural cycles guide every practice, culminating in a gastronomic experience that reveals, on the plate, the richness and identity of the territory.

A visit to Quinta Myrica – Faial Permaculture Farm introduces regenerative agriculture practices under a Market Garden model, permaculture principles, holistic animal management and sustainable constructions developed by the team itself, ending with a tasting of their organic products—an example of balance between production and nature.

Quinta da Meia Eira integrates gardens, vegetable plots, orchards and pastures within an organic production system based on agroforestry and permaculture. The guided visit includes an overview of agriculture in the Azores and concludes with a tasting of farm products such as honey, jams and herbal infusions.

The Plantation Faial is an organic agroforestry garden in Feteira, featuring more than 20 fruit varieties across approximately 5,000 m² of plantation, including one of the island’s oldest banana trees. The visit presents the principles of organic agriculture in the Azores and may include a seasonal fruit tasting.

The cuisine at Cantinho das Provas is rooted in sustainability, prioritising high-quality local and organic products. The tasting menu highlights authentic and seasonal flavours, with emphasis on fresh fish from the local fleet, meat from animals raised on Azorean pastures, and fruit and vegetables produced in the region.

Discover the Triangle: Azores Eco-region Roadmap on Pico and São Jorge as well.

The Triangle: Azores Eco-region Roadmap, on Pico Island, is a full-day experience showcasing the growing importance of organic production on the island. Along the way, you’ll visit a certified organic vineyard, an artisanal distillery that values local raw materials, and a syntropic farm applying regenerative principles. In a landscape shaped by volcanic soil and a strong agricultural identity, these projects bring together tradition and innovation, promoting more conscious and sustainable practices. The day ends at the table, with a dining experience that highlights local and seasonal ingredients, reflecting Pico’s identity and natural richness.

The Cabo Branco organic vineyard, planted with historic grape varieties present on Pico since the 19th century, is cultivated with deep respect for nature and ecological balance. Guided by biodynamic principles, it encourages biodiversity and relies solely on mechanical methods, with the help of sheep and chickens for natural fertilisation and vegetation control—without herbicides or pesticides. The result is a wine that truly expresses Pico’s volcanic terroir, revealing purity, character, and a genuine connection to the island’s landscape and winemaking traditions.

Destillazores is dedicated to the production and sale of 100% organic essential oils, highlighting the botanical richness of the Azores through sustainable and certified practices. Using steam distillation, the company preserves the plants’ natural properties, ensuring authentic aromas and high quality. The visit includes an introduction to the company and its commitment to organic certification, an explanation of the distillation process and sustainability and traceability principles, and concludes with a sensory exploration of the different essential oils and their applications.

In the north of Pico, Vale da Fonte is a three-hectare agroecological sanctuary with more than 1,100 varieties of tropical fruit grown outdoors. The visit includes a seasonal tasting and shows how syntropic agriculture and Nature-Based Solutions can support ecological regeneration, while also highlighting research carried out in partnership with the University of the Azores and the richness of local fauna and flora.

In the Azores, gastronomy reflects tradition, culture, and a strong sense of sharing, with each meal celebrating fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. At Bioma restaurant, a five-course tasting menu showcases fresh and organic products whenever possible, reinterpreting Azorean traditions through a contemporary culinary approach.

You can also discover the Triangle: Azores Eco-region Roadmap on Faial and São Jorge.

This 7 day hiking trip is a program on Faial and Pico Island, in the central Azores. Two of the activities included are the Faial Caldeira Descent and the Pico Mountain Climb. These two trips will take you to the heart of two unique natural reserves. Throughout the Natural Parks, you will find the last strongholds of the Azorean endemic vegetation.

Hiking in the Azores is an adventure and, at the same time, a lesson. We will share our knowledge about different disciplines such as geology, biology, history and environment. This program is for active people between the ages of 18 and 70 who are passionate about hiking. It is important that you only participate in this retreat if you do not suffer from any medical conditions that could compromise your well-being during these activities.

A customized trip for families in the Azores. If you are coming to the Azores for the holidays, we can manage all of your needs and organize your entire trip with a customisable program. This program takes place on the three Triangle Islands – Faial, Pico and São Jorge. We offer our knowledge and expertise so that you can experience the trip you’ve always dreamed of.

A customized trip in the Azores is suitable for many audiences. Families or groups of friends who have a particular idea of what they want out of their trip. Companies who wish to offer holidays to their employees or to create a team building environment of excellence. Sports associations that are looking to organize training camps. As well as working projects in artistic fields, or other projects that can benefit from the peaceful and inspiring environment of the Azores.

Whether on holiday or on business, you will be presented with a fully personalized trip schedule. This way you can enjoy a trip that is designed to your needs.

This is a 12 day hiking retreat on the islands of Faial, Pico, and São Jorge in the central Azores. The itinerary will include seven hiking tours, a whale watching trip, and several cultural activities. For example, three of the activities on the itinerary are the Faial Caldeira Descent, the Pico Mountain Climb, and the Caldeira de Santo Cristo Hike on São Jorge Island. These activities will take us to the heart of three very important natural reserves on three different islands. We include all land and sea transportation. Walking in the Azores is an adventure and, at the same time, a lesson. Throughout the Natural Parks you will find the last strongholds of the Azorean endemic vegetation. We’ll lose ourselves in forests that were once utilised by ancient farming cultures. We’ll experience traditional architecture, as many of the trails we will walk on are ancient paths paved with dirt and cobblestones.

Hiking with a certified, local guide is the best way to get involved in the culture of the Azores. Your guide will share their knowledge of geology, biology, history, and the environment. This program is for active people between the ages of 18 and 70 who are passionate about hiking. It is important that you only participate in this retreat if you do not suffer from any medical conditions that could compromise your well-being during these activities.

Mountain biking trip in the Azores. We offer rides under safe and exciting riding conditions in the two neighbouring islands of Faial and Pico. Our routes are based on our own experience which, along with our knowledge about the local history and culture, will surely lead to a very fulfilling holiday experience.

This mountain biking trip is for active people between the ages of 18 and 60. It is important that you only participate in this retreat if you do not suffer from any medical conditions that could compromise your well-being during these activities.