TEEN CULTURAL IMMERSION AND ADVENTURE PROGRAM
JUNE 18 - JULY 1, 2024
(waitlist)
LENGTH 14 Days
COMPLETING GRADES 9-12
SERVICE: 15 -20 Hours
ARRIVE/DEPART Sao Miguel, Azores (PDL)
TUITION $6,195
Join us on a 14-day teen cultural immersion and adventure program as we return to the Portuguese island São Miguel in the Azores, Europe's best-kept secret! Immerse yourself in this unique local culture and explore the diversity of the island’s natural environment. Help with ongoing service work to restore the island’s natural habitats, while learning about life from local residents, and experiencing the native wildlife. The Azores island chain is often overlooked in Europe, but offers some of the most impressive ecosystems, from abundant marine life, to dense rainforests. Explore with us this summer!
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO LEARN MORE!
TRIP OVERVIEW
Activities
Paddle: Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board in Caldeira de Sete Cidades
Swim/Snorkel: Ponta Delgada, Mosteiros black sand beach
Waterfall Hike: Ribeira do Faial da Terra to Salto do Prego
Whale Watching: Princess Ring Islet
Hot Springs: Caldeira Velha, Caldeiras das Furnas, Parque Terra Nostra
Explore: Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca do Campo
Surf: Santa Barbara Beach
Canyoning: Climb, rappell, swim and slide through the river gorge around Nordeste
Pineapple Plantation: Explore Augusto Arruda Pineapple Plantation
Visit: Tea Plantation and Art Centre
Taste: Traditional Portuguese stew and pastries
SERVICE
A Certificate of Community Service indicating the total number of hours worked, and a group Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program. Service work could include some of the following:
We'll spend two days volunteering at a local donkey sanctuary. While there, we will help with upkeep and maintenance at the sanctuary. Our project might include light construction, fencing maintenance, painting, and direct animal care that can include feeding, bathing, and other enrichment.
We may also have the opportunity to help make paper from manure and harvest plants used to make natural dyes that are all sold to support the sanctuary and local community.
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION
The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.
SWIMMING ABILITY
Due to the nature of this program, it is required that participants are comfortable being in the water and swimming in various depths.
Accommodations and showering
Accommodations for the 14 days is tent camping at campgrounds or in the backcountry. For tent camping, we aim for it to be 2 participants in a 3-person tent or 3 participants in a 4-person tent with luggage, divided by gender.
Bathrooms and showers can be rustic so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will have access to showers every 3-4 days. Bathrooms are a mix between flush toilets and latrines.
food
Participants on this trip will plan, prepare, and eat meals as a group. Split up into smaller cook crews, each crew will have the chance to prepare a meal approximately once per day. This process is supervised by staff who offer advice on nutrition, and menu planning, and ensure safe food storage, preparation, and handling.
Meals are prepared on camp stoves. Meals are nutritious and filling, but the camping component of the program often necessitates a simpler menu than a restaurant or home cook might allow. While students and staff plan and prepare some meals, an effort is made to incorporate local ingredients and cuisine from the local culture.
We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.
travel
Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare or making their own travel arrangements to get their participant from home to São Miguel's Aeroporto João Paulo II Airport (PDL) on the first day of the trip, and from São Miguel (PDL) to home on the last day of the trip. RLT will provide exact windows of time that we require all participants to arrive and depart within. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so.
A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available from the New York area (but is not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader. Please contact our office for details.
PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
For all international travel, we require participants to have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 MONTHS past the end date of your participant's RLT trip. If your participant's passport is due to expire within those 6 months, please work on updating your participant's passport as soon as possible upon enrollment. According to the State Department, routine passport renewal will take 10-13 weeks and expedited processing, which costs an additional $60, will take 7-9 weeks. It is your responsibility to ensure your participant's passport is up to date and meets these requirements. We encourage families to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Department of State website for all up-to-date and accurate passport recommendations.
TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance. However, we require participants to purchase travel insurance through a third party for all international programs. For additional details, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.
VACCINE & MEDICATION INFORMATION
We always encourage families to review the CDC website regarding recommended vaccinations and medications for international travel. More information will be provided to enrolled families from our Admissions Team in the Spring.
TECHNOLOGY
As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.
“Julia's RLT trip was an experience that will stay with her long after the trip is over. She learned so much about herself that it was an invaluable opportunity to push the limits of how she perceives her abilities and herself.”
- SUMMER 2023 ALUM PARENT -
SAMPLE ITINERARY
*Please note the itinerary listed below is the intended itinerary for this trip. No two trips are exactly the same. All itineraries are subject to change to ensure the best possible program experience. Weather, group dynamics, new opportunities, and the unpredictability of travel all shape the final trip itinerary - and it's all part of the adventure!
Arrival (Days 1 and 2)
We leave the US and head overnight to São Miguel, Azores. After a short transfer to our campsite, we set up camp and settle in. We spend the evening playing games and getting to know each other.
Ponta Delgada exploring and donkey sanctuary service (Day 3)
We kick off the trip by meeting some of the four-legged locals. At a local donkey sanctuary, we help with the day-to-day tasks required to look after the welfare of the donkeys. Tasks may include feeds, bath time, medication, mucking out, grooming, cleaning hooves, clearing field shelters and paddocks, sweeping yards, and leading and herding them around the paddocks.
Pineapple plantation and snorkeling (Day 4)
We jump into the crystal clear waters and experience the island from beneath the surface. Snorkeling around Ponta Delgada allows us to see some of the island’s marine life. In the afternoon we visit Augusto Arruda Pineapple Plantation. The plantation is over 100 years old and allows us to see (and taste) all the phases of pineapple cultivation.
Serra Devassa hike and kayaking (Day 5)
We'll hike on the Serra Devassa trail and take in the mountain and sea views as we pass beautiful lagoons, forests, and many types of flora and fauna. We will explore the hidden lakes in Lagoa das Empadadas and the view at Miradouro da Boca do Inferno. After our hike, we'll kayak or SUP at Caldeira da Sete Cidades where the green lake (Lagoa Verde) and the blue lake (Lagoa Azul) are separated only by a narrow land bridge.
Whale Watching and Princess Ring Islet (Day 6)
We'll head out on a guided whale-watching tour and end up on Princess Ring Islet to swim, snorkel, and relax on this small unique island. Later in the day, we explore the charming town of Vila Franca do Campo.
Tea Plantation and Art Centre (Day 7)
Today we head to the north of the island, stopping off at various points along the way. Some of the highlights include the Chá Gorreana tea factory that makes Gorreana Tea. This is the oldest tea plantation in Europe! We also stop off at Arquipélago, a modern Contemporary Arts Center located in Ribeira Grande, the second-largest town on the island.
rest day, laundry and transfer (Day 8)
Today we transfer to our next accommodation at Campismo Nordeste. We take a more relaxed day to recharge, do laundry, and explore our new surroundings. We spend the evening on the beach watching the sunset and playing games.
service days, hot springs and food tasting (DayS 9 and 10)
We spend the next two days focusing on our main service projects. Full details of these will be released shortly. After the service, we taste our way through the capital of the Azores! At Caldeiras das Furnas, we'll learn how Portuguese stew is cooked in pots that are dipped into the naturally boiling water of the caldeiras (hot springs) and then buried and left for several hours. After swimming in the thermal swimming pool and exploring Parque Terra Nostra, we'll head to the famous Bolos Levedos Rosa Quental to fill up on their delicious pastries. We also explore Ponta da Ferraria and soak in the beautiful cove of hot springs surrounded by lava rock cliffs.
surfing and waterfall hike (Day 11)
We test our surfing skills in the morning with our first of two surf lessons. Local instructors provide guidance and support to help us master the waves! In the afternoon, we hike the Ribeira do Faial da Terra to Salto do Prego, a beautiful waterfall hike through lush green surroundings.
lagoa do fogo and canyoning (Day 12)
We'll hike Lagoa do Fogo and explore this huge blue lake that was created during an eruption in 1563. This protected nature reserve is encompassed by tall mountains and white sand beaches with rich vegetation. In the afternoon, we get our wetsuits on for an adrenaline-filled canyoning experience where we jump, slide, abseil, and climb in the unique waterlines of Nordeste.
Beach, Surfing, and final banquet (Day 13)
We spend our last full day together on the sand of Santa Barbara beach. Choose to surf, snorkel, or just relax. That evening, we'll celebrate our adventure with a final RLT feast, and reflect on our adventures over the last two weeks.
Homeward Bound (Day 14)
We say our final farewells and return to the US.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Check out #azoresrlt and follow @therlt on Instagram for trip updates this summer!
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