The Story Behind The Project Called Follow Me Guided Tours
Introduction
We are Filipe and Marica, the friendly guides behind Follow Me Guided Tours in the stunning Azores islands. Though we come from very different backgrounds, we share a passion for adventure and providing personalized tour experiences.
Filipe grew up on Sao Miguel Island in the Azores, so this is his home turf. After studying engineering in mainland Portugal, he worked as an aircraft maintenance engineer and travelled the world for over a decade. From Africa to the Americas, Filipe gained a global perspective while developing his technical skills.
Marica was born and raised on the small Mediterranean island of Malta. She always had an affinity for traveling and experiencing new cultures. Marica studied aircraft engineering and quickly secured a job with an airline. For many years, she crisscrossed the globe troubleshooting plane systems and components.
Despite our vastly different upbringings, Filipe and Marica connected through our shared experiences as traveling aircraft engineers. Now we've brought our technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and adventurous spirits to Follow Me Guided Tours. We can't wait to show you the Azores islands through the eyes of locals!
Our Previous Lifestyle
For over a decade, we worked as aircraft engineers and traveled the world. Our jobs took us all across the globe - from Asia to Africa, Europe to the Americas. As engineers, we worked long hours maintaining airplanes and solving complex mechanical issues. Though the work was demanding, we loved the excitement of travel and discovering new cultures.
Some of our favorite destinations included the Philippines, Switzerland, Brazil, and Egypt. But the constant moving and hectic airport lifestyle eventually took its toll. After experiencing so many amazing places, we realized we craved something different - a calmer, more connected community lifestyle. The rewarding but stressful engineer work no longer fulfilled us.
We decided to make a major change. Though we loved immersing ourselves in cultures worldwide, our hearts longed for a place to call home. A place where we could put down roots and build local connections. And that place turned out to be the Azores.
Why We Decided to Settle in the Azores
After a decade of working as aircraft engineers and constantly travelling the world, we were ready for a major change. The hectic, fast-paced lifestyle started to take its toll, and we yearned to slow down and enjoy a calmer, more peaceful existence. Though we loved having the opportunity to live and work in different countries, the hustle and bustle of big cities had worn us out.
We decided it was time to find an island paradise where we could settle down long-term. Our priorities included finding somewhere with a laidback pace of life, surrounded by nature's beauty. The Azores immediately came to mind as the perfect place to start the next chapter of our lives. With its remote volcanic islands, quaint villages, and breathtaking landscapes, the Azores offered the tranquil lifestyle we craved. We wanted to become part of a small, friendly community and make a home in this Atlantic archipelago. After visiting Sao Miguel and falling in love with its rolling green pastures, mountain trails, and seaside charm, we knew it was the ideal island to call home.
The Azores represented an opportunity to reconnect with nature, slow down, and appreciate a simpler way of island living. We hoped that by settling in this remote string of islands, we could leave the stress of our global careers behind for good. The Azores gave us the peace and stability we desired after a decade of nonstop travel and constant change.
Why We Picked Sao Miguel
After traveling all over the world, we wanted to find a place that embodied the simple island life that we were seeking - somewhere we could be surrounded by nature and good people. When looking at the different islands that make up the Azores archipelago, Sao Miguel stood out to us as the perfect fit.
Sao Miguel is the biggest island in the Azores, but it retains a wonderfully relaxed pace of life. Lush green landscapes dominate the island, with rolling hills, dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean, and dense forests ready to be explored. The air is fresh and clean, and the sound of birdsong always seems to fill the breeze. Even the main city of Ponta Delgada has a peaceful, community feel despite its size.
More than anything, it's the local people that make Sao Miguel feel so welcoming. There is a warmth and generosity of spirit amongst the islanders that we found irresistible. Neighbors look out for one another, local traditions and festivals are enthusiastically celebrated, and visitors are treated with genuine kindness. After years of living in impersonal big cities, this sense of community was exactly what we were longing for.
We immediately felt at home in Sao Miguel's verdant nature and amongst its good-hearted people. That's why we decided this stunning Azores Island would be the perfect place to put down roots and launch the next phase of our lives.
Starting Our Tour Company
After settling in Sao Miguel and getting to know the island more intimately, we realized we wanted to share all of its beauty and charm with others. The Azores had completely captured our hearts, and we hoped it would capture the hearts of travelers too.
That's when we decided to start Follow Me Guided Tours. We wanted to provide personalized, small-group tours focused on adventure, nature, culture, food, and unique local experiences. Our goal was to help travelers see the Azores through the eyes of passionate locals who know all the insider tips and hidden gems.
A huge part of starting the tour company was our shared love of meeting new people from all around the world. Some of our best memories so far have been bonding with our tour groups over a meal, on a hike, or during a whale watching cruise. We've made friends from dozens of different countries!
Sharing our new home with open-minded travelers and providing exceptional tours focused on authenticity - that's what starting Follow Me was all about for us. We can't wait to meet you and show you the Azores islands we've fallen so deeply in love with.
Our Passion for Adventure
Our love of exploration and adventure is what led us to start Follow Me Guided Tours in the first place. After years abroad working as aircraft engineers, we craved the freedom to spend our days immersed in nature and sharing our discoveries with others.
The Azores is the perfect place for us to follow our passion. With over 25 hiking trails crisscrossing São Miguel alone, there are endless opportunities to explore the island’s volcanic landscape. We especially enjoy taking small groups on hikes to remote waterfalls, winding through lush forests, and climbing to panoramic viewpoints along the coast. Witnessing our guests marvel at the diverse natural beauty of the Azores gives us immense satisfaction.
Beyond hiking, we are eager to introduce visitors to other outdoor activities like canyoning, kayaking, surfing, whale watching, and more. Through personalized and thoughtful tours, we aim to help travelers step outside their comfort zone and create unforgettable memories. Sharing our sense of adventure with our guests is extremely rewarding.
At Follow Me Guided Tours, our passion shines through in every unique experience we create. We can’t wait to show you the Azores we know and love! Let us help you plan your island adventure today.
Our Focus on Personalized Tours
At Follow Me Guided Tours, we want to get to know each and every one of our customers. That's why we keep our tour groups small and intimate. Before your tour, we'll have a chat to find out what interests you most. Do you love food and wine? Are you an avid hiker or surfer? Tell us what piques your curiosity, and we'll design a custom tour tailored just for you.
Maybe you want to explore hidden waterfalls or sample artisanal cheeses found only in local farms. Or perhaps you're dreaming of spotting whales, dolphins, and seabirds along the coast. Whatever your travel passions, we'll take the time to understand them and craft an unforgettable experience.
With Follow Me Guided Tours, no two adventures are ever the same. We eschew rigid, cookie-cutter itineraries in favor of flexibility and personalization. You'll get to see the Azores through the eyes of passionate locals who want to share the island's unique beauty and culture. Let us be your guides on a journey tailored distinctively for you.
Our Most Popular Tours
We offer a variety of guided tours and experiences to help our guests discover the beauty and adventure of Sao Miguel. Our two most popular tours are:
Sete Cidades Tour
This full-day tour takes you to the stunning Sete Cidades caldera, known for its twin lakes of deep blue and emerald green. We'll start at Vista do Rei viewpoint for the famous postcard view of the lakes and surrounding forests. Then we'll hike along the rim of the crater, stopping at scenic lookouts along the way. After a picnic lunch, we'll hike down to the lake shore, hop in a canoe, and paddle across the waters. This tour shows off the island's natural splendor at its best.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
On this ocean adventure, we'll board a Zodiac boat and cruise along the coast in search of whales and dolphins. Sao Miguel is one of the best places in the Azores to spot these amazing marine mammals. We'll head to key areas where sperm whales, dolphins, and other species feed and socialize. An onboard marine biologist will help identify the animals and provide commentary. This is an unforgettable experience, getting up close with giants of the deep.
Let us know if you would like us to expand on any part of this outline. We can provide more details about each tour and craft engaging descriptions. The goal is to entice readers to book these signature experiences.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism
We are dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism in the Azores. When we started Follow Me Guided Tours, we knew we wanted to operate in a way that supports the local community and protects this beautiful island environment.
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We partner with local businesses, restaurants, and accommodations that also prioritize sustainable practices. This helps ensure the money we generate as a tour company stays in the local economy.
We are mindful of our environmental impact. We stick to designated trails and paths when hiking to avoid disrupting vegetation and wildlife. We always carry out any trash or waste generated on our tours. And we offset the carbon emissions from our vehicles by supporting reforestation projects in the region.
In addition, we aim to have a positive social impact. We hire local guides to lead our tours whenever possible. This provides economic opportunities for residents.
As travelers ourselves, we understand how tours can shape the way people view a destination. We want to represent the Azores authentically while encouraging sustainable and responsible tourism. By operating Follow Me Guided Tours in line with these values, we hope to do our part in keeping these islands unspoiled for generations to come.
Start Your Azores Adventure
The Azores are waiting to be explored! With its lush green landscapes, volcanic craters, hot springs, and picturesque coastlines, Sao Miguel offers adventure for all interests. Whether you want to go whale watching, canyoning, hiking, or simply relax at a geothermal spa, we can craft the perfect custom tour for you.
Our experienced guides are passionate about sharing the magic of these islands. We keep our groups small and personalized, with a focus on cultural immersion and sustainable tourism practices. With Follow Me Tours, you'll get an authentic insider perspective on São Miguel.
Don't just visit the Azores – experience them with people who love this place as much as we do. Browse our most popular tours and let us know how we can help design your dream Azorean adventure! We can't wait to show you the Sao Miguel we know and love.
Book Your Azores Tour Now.