April, May or June: This photography tour is not currently in the schedule, but can be added by request

  15 nights/16 inclusive days  |  Maximum of 6 participants, and a minimum of 4 participants

  $6,885 USD per person  |  Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

  The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

  Explore our discounts for client loyalty, early enrollment, 2 trips in 12 months, referrals and more

  Do you have a question? Ask us via email: Click here
  Arrival airport: João Paulo II, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Portugal [PDL]
  Departure airport: Lisbon, Portugal [LIS]
  Arrival window: For a variety of travel related reasons, arriving one day early is recommended
  Search fares at Kayak, Skyscanner, Orbitz, Google Flights or your favorite airline
  Spain and Portugal photo gallery
  Map of overnight locations
  Client responses to our photo tours
  For the single supplement, cancellation policy and enrollment guidance see below

  3 places are on hold, and 3 place is available at this time
  Updated: Wednesday the 2nd of October, 2024

  Indicates that we have sufficient enrollments and the trip is a 'go'
  Indicates that this trip requires the minimum number of participants as indicated on line two above

Photography Tour Overview: Our Spain and Portugal photography tour gets underway on the Portuguese Azores island of São Miguel, then progresses northwards on mainland Portugal via Lisbon and Porto. On into northern Spain where we'll explore the spectacular coastline, while also making brief excursions into the Cantabrian mountain range just to the south. To conclude we take in the best of Madrid, Cordoba and Merida before departing homewards from Lisbon, Portugal. The photography throughout is rustic, historic, colorful, spectacular and inspiring. As with all of our photography tours, early and late shooting is scheduled for each day.

Our itinerary . . .
But first things first! We suggest that you set your camera's clock to the local time, as your images will then synchronize with the times in our included photo tour field notes.

Days 1, 2, 3 + 4  |  São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
Our small group with will gather in the lobby of our gateway hotel at 9:30 am, and following introductions we'll head out to photograph the island. We'll have three full days to photo-explore, with the days given over to east, west and central explorations. Among the island highlights will be waterfalls, coastal cliff scenes, lakes, dormant volcanic landscapes, harbors, historic buildings, gardens and geyser basins.
São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal, 4 nights

Day 5  |  To Lisbon, Portugal
Photography this morning will be dependent on our flight time to Lisbon on the Portuguese mainland. Once in Lisbon we will head for our hotel, take a short break, and head out into the city to photograph a handful of the best locations in the city. Dinner and twilight shots adjacent to the '25th of April bridge', the Monument to the Discoveries, and the medieval Belém Tower will close out our day.
Lisbon, Portugal, 1 night

Day 6  |  To Monsanto, Portugal
Breakfast, then off in the direction of Monsanto via Santarém, Porto de Mós Castle, Batalha and more. Our ultimate destination today is the ancient hill village of Monsanto, where locals have incorporated huge boulders into their homes, chapels and monuments. Monsanto is popularly known as "the most Portuguese village of Portugal" in a class of twelve classified historic villages in Portugal.
Near Monsanto, Portugal, 1 night

Day 7  |  To Porto, Portugal
We'll photograph more Monsanto this morning, then off in the direction of Porto via a variety of stops both ancient and modern. Evening light shots and dinner adjacent to the Douro River and Luis the 1st bridge in Porto.
Porto, Portugal, 1 night

Day 8  |  To Galicia, northwest Spain
Today we move from Portugal into Spain, and will zigzag our way north taking in Ponte de Lima, and the massive fortress at Valença. Into Spain for stops at historical locations and much, much more as is usual on our photography tours. Our one-night home is near Corcubión in Galicia, Spain, a region which takes its name from the Gallaeci people who were the Celtic folk living north of the Douro River during the last millennium BC. We'll close the day photographing a local waterfall.
Near Corcubión, Spain, 1 night

Days 9  |  To Ribadeo, Spain
Early light photography, then after breakfast we'll follow the coast northwards and pause for harbors, lighthouses, and ocean scenes dotted with sea stacks and pounding waves. We're now deep into northern Spain's mountainous region as we approach Ribadeo, and we'll make detours for the best scenes and historical villages as we make our way to the northern Spanish coast for a one night stay.
Ribadeo, Spain, 1 night

Days 10 + 11  |  The Asturias, Cantabria, and Basque country Coastline, Spain
We will go east along the Bay of Biscay coastline on day 10 which you'll find to be awash with spectacular coves, sea stacks, arches, lighthouses and much more. Our route takes us through the Spanish districts of Asturias, Cantabria, and Basque country. The Santander region offers a varied photographic palette including lighthouses, Magdalena Palace, spectacular waves, and yet more spectacular ocean scenery.
Santander, Spain, 2 nights

Days 12  |  To Zumaia, Spain
We've several stops scheduled along Spain's northern coast today beginning with the photogenic and spectacular Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. The outstanding medieval hermitage on the island of Gaztelugatxe is another main highlight due to it's spectacular location just off the coast. A second hermitage will feature prominently in the evening, and is situated not too far from our hotel. We'll be back at the same spot when the early morning light is in attendance.
Near Zumaia, Spain, 1 night

Days 13  |  To Madrid, Spain
After early shooting and breakfast we'll head southwards towards Madrid, pausing for several photo stops throughout the day . . . as usual! Among the highlights will be beautiful rural landscapes, quaint villages, and an hour and half photographing architectural oddities . . . a favorite place! On down to Madrid to check into our hotel near the Royal Palace of Madrid, and an evening exploration of the old city on foot, plus dinner.
Madrid, Spain, 1 night

Day 14  |  To Córdoba, Spain
Before breakfast we'll conclude our essential Madrid photography and head southwards. Our first sojourn of the day will be for the classic windmill and castle scenes near Consuegra. On via Despeñaperros Natural Park to Córdoba for our overnight stay, and ample time to explore the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba plus the adjacent Roman bridge spanning the River Guadalquivir.
Córdoba, Spain, 1 night

Day 15  |  Merida, Spain, and our return to Lisbon, Portugal
More shooting around Córdoba this morning prior to weaving our way towards Lisbon via ever-changing scenery. The highlight of the day will be the ancient town of Merida where the Roman remains of a bridge, amphitheater and an impressive aqueduct still stand nearly two centuries on. The included dinner on the last night of our photography tour will feature an 'It's You!' presentation of clients in action on this tour by John.
Near the Lisbon airport [LIS], Portugal, 1 night

Day 16  |  Departure day
As there isn't any photography scheduled for the day of departure on this trip, your flight home can be arranged for any time today. Transport to the airport is included unless you’re staying on for a day or more.

Photo Tour Photographer/Leader: John Baker, Travel Images Photography Tours
The preceding itinerary is a copyrighted work by John Baker Photographer LLC, and Travel Images Photography Tours

Enhancing Your Photography Skills
Describing the assistance you'll receive on one of our photography tours takes more than a few words, so for greater detail please go here.

Exertion level: This photography tour is classified as 'non strenuous' to 'moderately strenuous'

The walk to the Grota do Inferno viewpoint on Sao Miguel island is relatively short but strenuous

Monsanto is a hill town, and is graded as 'moderately to quite strenuous'

There is a steep trail down and back at the Gaztelugatxe monastery site which is very strenuous. However the view from part way down the trail is excellent, and shortens the climb considerably.

Do you need a Visa for travel to Portugal and Spain?
Travelers from all countries can do a quick check of visa requirements here or here
Our international clients may need to contact the embassy of their intended destination in their own country for a visa. Go here or here

Photography Tour Cost, Deposit, Cancellation Policy and Enrollment Guidance

Trip Cost: $6,885 USD per person not including airfare. A 5% discount is applied to all double occupancies. A single room supplement is required for single occupancy

Single Supplement: 14% of the base cost of the trip

The deposit for this photography tour is $400. Make a deposit, or pay your tour balance here

Cancellation policy: Go here

Enrollment guidance: Go here

Included in the Trip Cost: The following items are included in the trip cost . . .

• Photography instruction throughout the trip by John

• All accommodations with private facilities [en-suite]

• All breakfasts

• Lunch on day one of the trip

• Dinner on the last night of the trip

• On-vehicle snacks and bottled water

• All ground transportation

• One-way domestic flight on Day 5 from São Miguel island to mainland Lisbon

• Airport pick-up on day 1, and drop-off on departure day. Arrival prior to day 1 is not included

• Entrance fees for sites and activities listed below under ‘Admissions Included’

• Following the trip you'll receive detailed field notes describing the time, place and subject of each photo stop, plus image uploads to a private web page of clients 'in action' on the trip

Not Included in the Trip Cost: The costs for these items are the responsibility of each participant . . .

• Airfare

• Travel costs between your home and the gateway airport and return

• Any transportation or travel costs incurred prior to or after the tour’s inclusive dates

• Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodation

• Lunches and dinners except for lunch on day one of the trip, and dinner on the last night of the trip

• Alcoholic beverages

• Entrance fees or costs related to optional sites or activities not included in the itinerary

• Baggage fees

• Medical expenses

• Personal items such as the hotel mini-bar, laundry et cetera

• Incidental charges incurred at our accommodations such as movie rentals, internet and phone

• Travel insurance

• Passport or visa expenses

• Airport departure taxes, if applicable

Admissions Included in the Trip Cost:

• Terra Nostra gardens

• Furnas hot springs

• Any other admissions are optional and not included