FAQs

Our holidays are centred on the twenty-three Portuguese speaking islands of the Atlantic: the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe and of course mainland Portugal.

We also travel to other beautiful and fascinating destinations: Costa Rica, Cuba, Namibia, Baja California and the Faroe Islands.

The best journeys begin with a conversation. Share your travel ideas with us, and we’ll help turn them into something extraordinary. We’ll design an itinerary that brings your ideas to life, plus a few thoughtful suggestions based on our own experiences of visit the destinations we offer, and you might not have considered. You can adjust and refine everything until it’s exactly the holiday you want.

Yes, please call us toll-free on 1-800-490-0446 (if calling from the USA or Canada), complete our online enquiry form or email team@archipelagochoice.com

Absolutely. When you book with Archipelago Choice, your money is fully protected in the unlikely event of our insolvency. All of our holidays include comprehensive financial protection, either through the ATOL scheme if you live in the UK and have bought your flights through us, or via our International Passenger Protection policy for anyone living outside of the UK, or if they have bought their own flights. We’re also proud members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, AITO.

You can call us on 01768 721 040, complete our enquiry form on the website, or email team@archipelagochoice.com. If you’re based in the US please call toll free 1-800-490-0446.

Most people pay by either a bank transfer or via their credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard and Amex). There is no charge from us to use a credit/debit card.  We require a non-refundable deposit of £250pp ($350pp) plus any flights and pre-paid accommodation. Actual deposit amounts will be clearly explained in an quote we send to you.

Archipelago Choice (formerly known as Archipelago Azores) was founded in 1998 by Sarah Bennett and Ian Coates (current directors and owners).  Ian has been MD since 2004. Sarah is now a paramedic.

When we’re not travelling to keep up to date with what’s happening on the ground in the destinations we offer, you’ll find us at our HQ in Keswick – at the heart of the beautiful Lake District.

For us, tailor-made means no off-the-shelf itineraries and no forcing your plans into a pre-designed package. We take the time to understand how you want to travel, what inspires you, and the experiences you’re looking for – then create a journey designed entirely around you. Our suggested itineraries are there to spark ideas and show what’s possible, but every trip we create is uniquely personal.

Yes, we do.  The Travel Agent network is an important part of how we work; we like to treat agents like friendly additions to our hard-working team in Keswick.

Travelling with your family is a very rewarding experience and getting it right is often the hardest part. Our family holidays are designed around the holidays we’ve done with our children, so we know what works and what does not. Any of our holidays can be tailored for a family but our family range includes options that we have found to work particularly well.

Yes. We offer a small selection of small-group tours and escorted experiences in the Azores, Baja California and Namibia. These trips are a great way to explore with like-minded travellers while benefiting from expert local knowledge. Contact our team to find out which group tours are currently available.

Absolutely. We specialise in creating unforgettable honeymoon experiences, from secluded island escapes and luxury beach retreats to once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Our travel experts can help tailor the perfect honeymoon to suit your style, interests, and budget.

We do our best to make sure you’ll have a safe and rewarding holiday with us.  We have stayed or visited most of the accommodation we offer and taken part in the majority of experiences we offer, so we can make sure they are suitable for you.

Yes, you can count on us for easy communication and honest first-hand advice. Because we’re a small team, you’ll get to know us personally and will always be able to reach us when you need us, including 24/7 assistance while you’re away.

Travel insurance isn’t offered by Archipelago Choice, though it is a condition that you do have adequate insurance when booking any trip with us.  There are many travel insurance policies available and it’s important you read through the terms and conditions to make sure you are adequately covered for the destination you’re travelling to and the activities you’ll be participating in.

Yes, where required or we feel a car adds value to your holiday.  In some countries, like Namibia, it’s essential. In others, like Cape Verde much less so.  It might be that you only need a car for some of the time because you’re doing linear walks or staying in towns where the car just sits in the car park.  We’ll use our judgement and advise as to when and how long you should have a hire car for.

From your very first enquiry to your return home, we look after every detail. That means personalised recommendations, honest advice, seamless planning, local support throughout your trip, and 24/7 assistance whenever you need it.

Vaccination requirements vary depending on your destination, travel plans, and medical history. We recommend speaking to your GP, travel clinic, or healthcare professional well before you travel to get the most up-to-date advice and ensure you’re fully prepared for your trip.