Blue, black, green, green, white, red and grey are the colours of this trip. Blue for the sea; black and green for the lava ground and the vegetation that struggle against each other to succeed there; white and red for the vines planted in the basalt using a unique technique; and finally grey for the whales, the Azores are one of the best spots for whale watching!
In the middle of the Atlantic, this archipelago consists of nine islands. Your stay is on the island of Pico, famous for its volcano – Mount Pico, of 2,351 m – and for its UNESCO World Heritage vineyards.
Your days alternate between easily accessible to walks, waterborne trips in search of the 28 species of whales present in the area, and thematic tours to discover the history, economy, life and culture of the Picarotos (inhabitants of Pico).
The island of Pico is an ideal destination to explore sketching, watercolour painting of the rich array of elements in the environment and preserved nature… A beauty that will certainly awaken your creativity and allow you to create a unique travel journal! Every day, some time will be devoted to the development of travel diaries. Games, exercises and technical contributions will be used to stimulate observation and discovery to deepen knowledge of the art of the travel diary (drawing, painting, collage, writing).
A teaching aid will be given to each participant.
This course is open to anyone who loves nature, creativity and, of course, to travel. The group will be made up of 4 to 7 participants and accompanied by Éliane Monnier, painter-carnettist.
It is not necessary to have drawing and painting prerequisites.
In the middle of the Atlantic, this archipelago consists of nine islands. Your stay is on the island of Pico, famous for its volcano – Mount Pico, of 2,351 m – and for its UNESCO World Heritage vineyards.
Your days alternate between easily accessible to walks, waterborne trips in search of the 28 species of whales present in the area, and thematic tours to discover the history, economy, life and culture of the Picarotos (inhabitants of Pico).
The island of Pico is an ideal destination to explore sketching, watercolour painting of the rich array of elements in the environment and preserved nature… A beauty that will certainly awaken your creativity and allow you to create a unique travel journal! Every day, some time will be devoted to the development of travel diaries. Games, exercises and technical contributions will be used to stimulate observation and discovery to deepen knowledge of the art of the travel diary (drawing, painting, collage, writing).
A teaching aid will be given to each participant.
This course is open to anyone who loves nature, creativity and, of course, to travel. The group will be made up of 4 to 7 participants and accompanied by Éliane Monnier, painter-carnettist.
It is not necessary to have drawing and painting prerequisites.
Price:
From CHF 1,875.–
Length of holiday:
9 days (8 nights)
Departure dates:
Small group
Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 September 2024
Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 September 2024
Tempted to go ?
Features of the holiday
| Destination: | Azores, Europe, Portugal |
| Season: | Spring |
| Responsible travel: | Accommodation, Carbon offset, Environment, Food, Local food, Micro-economy, Sensitization, Small organization |
| Travel type: | Mixed holidays |
| Traveller type: | Couple, Family, More mature, Small group, Solo |
| Activities: | Drawing class, Observation, Painting class, Tour, Trekking, Walk, Wine tasting |
| Accommodation: | Small hotel |
| Natural environment: | Birds, Dolphin, Flora, Geology, Island, Marine fauna, Sea, Volcano, Whale |
| Culture: | Agriculture, Architecture, Customs, History, Vernacular architecture, Viticulture |
| Climate: | Oceanic, Temperate |
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Itinerary of the holiday
- Day 1 (Saturday) : Flight from Geneva to Lisbon, then Horta (or Pico). Welcome at the airport, then a ferry to Lajes do Pico. Welcome drink & information concerning the planned activities.
- Day 2 (Sunday) : In the morning, a notebook workshop. Introduction (colours, maps) and in situ sketching around the hotel (architecture, street, perspective). In the afternoon, Vigia de Queimada walk (2 h, 7 km, little difference in altitude). In situ notebook workshop (coast, cliff, nature, birds).
- Day 3 (Monday) : Hiking in the vineyards, picnic at the port of Areia Larga, visit the wine museum and notebook workshop at the museum and outside.
- Day 4 (Tuesday) : In the morning, excursion on the sea. In the afternoon, private visit of the Gruta das Torres cave and workshop in situ.
- Day 5 (Wednesday) : In the afternoon, visit the whaling museum and notebook workshop (fauna, history of the island).
- Day 6 (Thursday) : In the morning, whale watching on the water, rapid sketching. In the afternoon, walk around Lajes with a notebook workshop (structure, rock, flora, colour contrast).
- Day 7 (Friday) : Day hike to the lakes and Laurisilva (primitive forest), in situ notebook workshop.
- Day 8 (Saturday) : Concluding workshop or optional climbing of the Pico volcano.
- Day 9 (Sunday) : Transfer to airport (Pico or Faial). Return flight to Switzerland.
The description of the trip is given as a guideline. The organisers may need to change or modify the trip depending on the weather conditions, security, number of participants and of course the presence of the whales.
Map
Length of the holiday |
9 days (8 nights) |
Departure dates |
Small group |
Price |
Price per person from 2 persons in a shared room: Base of 4 participants: CHF 2,285.- Optional: climbing of the Pico CHF 82.– Supplements: single room CHF 94.–, sea view CHF 55.– |
Included with the holiday
- welcome and transfer from Faial or Pico airport to hotel in Lajes do Pico
- 8 nights accommodation in a 2 ** hotel in a shared room with half board
- on-site transportation as planned in the programme
- two 3-hour excursions on the sea (includes boat, fuel, harbour costs, equipment, etc.)
- coaching of travel notebook creation with individualized advice
- 1 teaching guidebook of the travel diary
- 3 talks on a variety of themes (such as: Pico, volcanoes, the evolution of marine mammals, turtles, photo identification, etc.)
- free entrance to the Whaler’s museum
- government taxes and cetaceans observation permit
Not included with the holiday
- flights
- travel insurance
- lunches (mid-day meals)
- drawing/painting equipment (a list of the minimum equipment to be provided)
- single-room or sea-view supplements
- personal expenses
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- Dense vegetation along the north coast
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- Light contrasts
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- Downhill towards the south coast
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- Hills in the centre of the island
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- Vigia de Queimada, a whale-watching observation point once used for whaling
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- Dolphins swimming near the zodiac
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- The typical flat vineyard in squares protected by low walls, recognized as a World Heritage Site
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- Sunset from the port of Lajes
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- View on the volcano when arriving at Lajes do Pico by the south-east coast
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- The steep southeastern coast
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- The São Sebastião de Calheta de Nesquim church, typically black and white
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- On the way to the eastern tip of the island
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- A group of dolphins swim along the zodiac
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- A group of pilot whales swim in front of the volcano
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- Briefing before boarding the zodiac
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- Hotel in Lajes do Pico
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- Arrival in Pico at dawn from Faial
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- Ponta da Ilha lighthouse on black lava cliffs at the eastern tip of Pico
Our customers enjoyed their travel
A richly illustrated travel diary
The diversity of the places we visited to create a richly illustrated “travel diary” on Pico was much appreciated. Good support from the start and on site. Thank you to all involved.
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