Azores Getaways

Azores Getaways: Azores travel specialist

Azores Getaways is a travel agency focused on the Azores archipelago. The company presents itself as a specialist operator that has been organising travel to the region since 2009 and that, according to its own information, has served more than 10,000 travellers from the United States and Canada. Its team lives in the Azores, which allows it, it says, to know the particularities of each island first-hand.

The agency is part of the Inovtravel group, a Portuguese tour operator with RNAVT licence 3877 and IATA accreditation. IATA accreditation allows it to issue and manage airline tickets directly, an aspect the company highlights for its value in traveller protection.

Packages and travel styles

Azores Getaways' catalogue is organised into several travel styles, including multi-island packages, packages with car included, Azores tour packages and island & city combinations. The company also offers tailor-made trips and group trips, as well as individual services for flights, hotels, car hire and experiences.

The agency's usual proposal includes flights, accommodation and rental car in a single package. In addition, the company says it manages inter-island travel, which can be by inter-island flights or ferries, both subject to seasonal schedules.

The website shows a selection of popular packages and a sales section with discounts of up to 60% on some Azores getaways. Availability and prices may vary, so they are presented as catalogue information at the time of enquiry.

Islands and destinations covered

Azores Getaways offers packages for all the islands in the archipelago. Featured destinations include São Miguel, Terceira, Pico, Faial, Flores, Santa Maria, São Jorge, Graciosa and Corvo. The website shows an indicative number of trips per island: 69 for São Miguel, 25 for Terceira, 13 for Pico and 12 for Faial, among others.

In addition to the Azores, the agency sells trips to Madeira, Lisbon and Porto, thus extending its offer beyond the archipelago.

Local knowledge and supplier network

The company insists that its team lives in the Azores and knows the terrain. According to its presentation, itineraries include routes the team itself has walked and restaurants it has tried. It also states it maintains a network of local guides and regional operators it has worked with for years, which allows it to adapt to changes on the ground, such as variations in the whale-watching season on Pico.

The agency offers a single point of contact to manage flights, ferries, accommodation, guided excursions, car hire and contingency plans. If any unforeseen event arises during the trip, the team takes care of resolving it.

Additional services and loyalty programmes

Azores Getaways sells gift cards and has a loyalty points programme. It also has a customer support service and a phone line to speak to an expert. The company publishes a free Azores travel guide and maintains a blog with practical information on weather, inter-island ferries and choosing islands.

The agency offers flexibility in bookings, travel protection included and local support on every trip, according to its own description.

Sustainability

Azores Getaways declares its commitment to sustainability and collaborates with the Ocean Azores Foundation, donating part of each booking to marine life protection and research. The company also notes that the Azores are the world's first certified sustainable tourism destination, a fact it uses to contextualise its offer.

Reviews and recognition

The agency shows ratings of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot and 4.5 on Google, based on more than 2,600 verified reviews. Customer testimonials collected on its website highlight the organisation of the trips, the service received and the beauty of the islands.