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Important Information

Private: Portugal: Azores Islands Adventure
Uncover Portugal's best kept secret on this active adventure.
Special Booking Conditions

This tour is subject to special payment terms. A $750 deposit is required to secure your space, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. The following cancellation penalties apply:

  • up to 90 days or more prior to departure, we will hold 100% of your payment as a credit for future travel. If you require a refund, we will retain your $750 deposit and charge an additional 5% fee on any additional payments refunded.
  • between 45 and 89 days prior to departure, we will hold 100% of your payment as a credit for future travel, or provide a 50% refund.
  • between 45 and 30 days prior to departure, we will hold 75% of your payment as a credit for future travel, with no option for refund.
  • less than 30 days prior to departure, we will retain the full amount of your booking as a cancellation fee.

If full payment is not received 90 days prior to departure, Out Adventures reserves the right to cancel your booking based on the above cancellation terms.

Country info

VISA: If your passport is from the USA, Canada, Britain, or Australia, you don’t need a visa. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility. For more info, click here.

CULTURE SHOCK: Portugal is a highly-developed Western nation – one of Europe’s oldest, in fact. Crime rates are low and the nation is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets and petty theft anywhere that’s popular with tourists. It’s best to leave valuables at home or in your hotel room.

LOCAL LGBT SCENE: Portugal offers some of the best LGBT rights in the world, but it’s still a conservative Catholic country, and the Azores have no gay hotspots to call their own. You can expect to be safe from phyiscal harassment, but beware public PDAs could conjure shady looks from the locals.

WEATHER: Portugal is one of Europe’s warmer countries, so the temperatures, crowds, and hotel prices can be tragic come summer. That makes spring or fall (April/May, September/October) a splendid time to visit.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS: Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details please see our Covid-19 FAQ.

OTHER VACCINATIONS: If visiting the Azores or Madeira Islands from a country infected with Yellow Fever, a vaccination certificate is required. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, consult with your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as we cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

ELECTRICITY: F-type sockets. Visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/portugal for more info.

CONNECTIVITY: All of our hotels will have Wi-Fi access. Feel free to check email and post away on social media.

How we travel

Out Adventures is all about good times with likeminded guys. Whatever’s on the itinerary – from fireside camping to five-star decadence – our goal is to make the experience magical. We’re also committed to supporting the communities we visit by hiring local guides, staying at locally-owned accommodations when possible, and celebrating local cuisine. It all adds up to a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.

Domestic Airfare

On this tour domestic airfare is not included. We will provide the recommended flight details in the official Trip Guarantee email. If you are booking your trip less than 90 days to departure, there is a chance you will have to purchase a different flight than the rest of the group.

Travel Insurance

For everybody’s peace of mind, medical travel insurance is required on all Out Adventures tours. At a minimum, your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability, with a minimum medical coverage of US $200,000.

Click here for more details on our requirements and how to obtain coverage. We highly recommend that you insure your full purchase, including trip cancellation and medical.

Your guide

All Out Adventures are led by a gay (or gay-welcoming) guide. Whenever possible, we hire destination locals. And we can also connect you with the right people if you’d like to delve deeper into the local culture. If you’re pleased with your guide, we recommend a tip of US $5-10 per person, per day…they’ll certainly appreciate it!

Fellow adventurers

Out adventures are a great way to meet people from around the world and all walks of life. Bear in mind that everybody’s there for a good time, so mutual respect will go a long way. Please be on time for any meet ups, empathetic to the needs of others, and ready to roll with whatever the adventure brings.

Although we can’t tell you who your fellow travellers will be for privacy reasons, we can tell you many great friendships began with an Out Adventure. And just because we’re a gay tour operator doesn’t mean we’re exclusive: friends and family are always welcome to join the fun.

Flying solo

If you’ve never travelled on your own, it’s an amazing way to get to know yourself while making new friends along the way. We can arrange for you to share a room with people in your age range at no charge, or you can pay a supplement for your own room. If there’s an odd number of solos, we’ll rotate a single room on a random basis.

Itinerary disclaimer

The itinerary is correct at time of publishing. If anything, it will only improve with feedback from prior travellers and our own research. It’s best to reference your final trip documents, rather than our website, in case there have been any changes that affect your departure.

Optional activities

Every Out Adventure offers optional excursions that are not included in price of this trip. Please see the daily itinerary in your final pre-trip packet to learn what’s available.

Meals

On this tour breakfast is included daily as well as 6 lunches and 6 dinners. Beer and wine are included during dinners.

Starting Point

Hotel do Colégio
Rua Carvalho Araújo 39
9500-040 Ponta Delgada
Portugal

Standard check-in time is between 2PM and 3PM. We are unable to arrange early check ins, however you are able to store your luggage and explore the central area near the hotel while you wait. If you would like a guaranteed early check-in, you will need to reserve a pre-tour night of accommodation.

Finishing Point

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Rua Padre José Jacinto Botelho 5
+351 296 549 090

or

Hotel do Colégio
Rua Carvalho Araújo 39
9500-040 Ponta Delgada
Portugal

A group transfer will be provided to the airport just in time for international flights departing on the last day of our tour.

Money

The local currency is the European Euro (EUR). Use local currency for small purchases, however credit cards are accepted at most upscale restaurants and hotels.

NOTE: We recommend carrying approximately $400 USD to be used in case of an emergency, or if your credit/ATM cards are placed on hold. This should be in addition to any spending money.

Tipping

If you are happy with services throughout your trip, a tip is recommended. Tipping details will be provided in your final trip documentation, however we recommend budgeting approximately $150 USD.

What to bring

Most Out Adventures entail carrying your own luggage on occasion. And while you’ll never schlep far, things can quickly get costlier than a celebrity breakup if you don’t keep your baggage under 20kg/44lb thanks to costly surcharges on domestic flights. You should also bring something smaller for day trips to carry water, your camera, and any souvenirs you find along the way.

The following packing list is a guideline, not gospel. Our Out Adventure Specialists are happy to answer any specific questions about how much or little to bring.

Travel Documents:

  • Passport/Visas/Flight Itineraries/Travel Insurance
  • Pre-trip packet
  • Credit/ATM card

General Personal Items:

  • Eye mask/ear plugs
  • Smartphone/camera/tablet/charging cords/International travel plug.
  • Daypack
  • Luggage lock
  • Personal Wipes
  • Guidebook/Phrase book/Reading material
  • Protection for your devices from water
  • Travel-size towel

Clothing/Gear:

  • Shoes
  • Socks (Preferably both hiking and quick-dry socks)
  • Hiking shoes or hiking boots (Worn-in)
  • Sandals or Water shoes
  • ‘Nice’ shoes for dinners

Bottoms:

  • Underwear (Preferably sweat-wicking briefs)
  • Pants (Preferably lightweight hiking pants with zip-off legs)
  • Shorts
  • Swimwear
  • ‘Nice’ pants for dinners

Tops:

  • Short-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
  • Long-sleeved shirts (Preferably sweat-wicking)
  • Sweaters (Lightweight)
  • ‘Nice’ shirts for dinners

Jackets:

  • Light jacket for cool evenings
  • Waterproof jacket/poncho

Other:

  • Sunglasses/Hat
  • Small Umbrella
  • Refillable water bottle(s)
  • Walking sticks/poles (optional)

Health-related Items:

  • Small First aid kit including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, zinc oxide tape and small scissors, blister pads, diarrhea tablets, dioralyte rehydration packs
  • Personal Medication
  • High protection sunscreen/lip balm
  • Insect repellent/bite cream/antihistamine
  • Antibacterial gel/wipes
  • Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste & deodorant
  • Vaseline to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blisters
  • Blister pads such as Band-aid or Dr. Scholls blister cushions
Groups within Groups

We love when groups of friends join us on an OUT Adventure, whether you’re celebrating a major milestone, or you just love to travel together. However, since we have travellers that will be flying solo, or as a couple, we would love your help ensuring everybody feels welcome and has an epic time. Here are some ways you can give us a hand, while also getting to know and befriending your fellow travellers:

  • Sit with (and get to know) different people at different meals
  • Mix up walking partners on excursions
  • Invite solo travellers to join you for an optional excursion or meal
  • Enjoy inside jokes in privacy, or let the group in on the secret ?

If you’d rather relish an exclusive escape with just your own party, we also offer private departures. This is a great way to create and manage your own holiday guest list, while possibly saving money as well. Please contact one of our Adventure Specialists if you’re interested in a customized quote.

Physical ratings & considerations

All Out Adventures guests must have a good level of health. All tours, regardless of activity level, involve uneven steps, stairs, walking tours, and you will be required to carry your own luggage from time to time. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate individuals with limited mobility unless they are willing to absorb the cost of a private guide/assistant which varies by country and is only possible on a case by case basis. It is also your responsibility to advise Out Adventures of any pre-existing medical conditions that may increase the risk of you requiring medical attention, or that may affect the normal conduct of the tour and the enjoyment of the tour by other participants.

Below is a breakdown of our Physical Rating guide.

1 – Relaxing

  • Very little or no hiking
  • Light activities such as walking, bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
  • Low altitude
  • Suitable for all fitness levels

2 – Light

  • Light walking and hiking (2 hours or less per day and at low altitude)
  • Light activities such as bike tours, paddling or swimming are completely optional
  • Suitable for most fitness levels

3 – Average

  • Light walking and hiking (3 hours or less per day, rarely at high altitude)
  • Some activities such as biking, paddling or swimming. Active days are mixed with relaxed days
  • Suitable for an average fitness level

4 – Demanding

  • Walking, hiking is a component of the tour (can range from 2 hours to 6 hours per day, at various altitudes)
  • Activities such as biking, paddling or swimming may be mixed in
  • Suitable for a good fitness level

5 – Challenging

  • Walking, hiking, biking, paddling or kayaking are the vast majority of the trip (can range from 2 hours to 8 hours per day, generally at high altitude)
  • Activities will likely happen day after day with limited rest days
  • Suitable for above average fitness level

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE

We can’t wait to help you plan an awesome adventure, but due to a high level of fake inquiries we now record your IP address when you submit an inquiry. This helps local authorities identify and prevent harassment against Out Adventures, or any intended recipients.

CHOOSE YOUR DEPARTURE

Ask a Question

Ask a Question

We can’t wait to help you plan an awesome adventure, but due to a high level of fake inquiries we now record your IP address when you submit an inquiry. This helps local authorities identify and prevent harassment against Out Adventures, or any intended recipients.

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