Visite historique d'une demi-journée de la base aérienne de Lajes

Intro: I try to write reviews that are helpful to others when visiting unfamiliar destinations because this is what I hope to find when looking for things to do in unfamiliar destinations. If you have already read this intro on my other Terceira reviews, then hit the fast-forward button to jump to the specifics for this particular tour. First let me start by saying Terceira Island is an absolutely beautiful hidden gem in the North Atlantic Ocean, and to get the most of your visit I highly recommend scheduling a full day (7 - 8-hour tour) if time permits. I also highly recommend doing this on one of your first days on the island. This will help familiarize you with the island, the most visited attractions, and help determine sites that are worth another visit for a photo op, further exploration, or to simply return for a relaxing siesta or meditation moment. Terceira is a spot for the conservationist/nature enthusiasts, with 35% of its land being in protected areas where it is not permitted to disturb the land through human habitation. Though not the most populated island in the Azores, there is still plenty to see... from the volcanoes to the oceans, to the patchwork of fields. Terceira's economy is built on farming; cows, milk, and cheese, with tourism becoming increasingly popular. It's history dates back to the 1400's with familiar historical characters popping up like the explorer Vasco da Gama, Spanish kings and queens, and of course a family feud between brothers who desired to be Portugal rulers, but I'll save the stories for the tour guides to share. Why do I start my reviews with a brief introduction about the island??? Well, it is simple, Terceira is an island that according to the Azores' Nature and Park officials is only 29 km across (east–west) and17.55–18 km at its widest point (north–south). This means that with several of the tours you are likely to visit some of the same places. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because with a good tour guide you will learn something new with each visit. I only share this, so you know what to expect. Also, if you let your tour guide know in advanced some of the places you have already seen, he or she might be able to adjust the tour and show you some of the island's hidden secrets only known to the locals. This is exactly what happened to us. Specific Tour Info: Victor was our guide, and oh boy what a book of knowledge. Let me start by telling why we decided to choose this excursion. My husband is a proud Air Force veteran and I am a proud Air Force brat. Anytime I can tie something military related to our trip, I do. What can I say, I am a sucker for that boyish smile and pride that is written all over his face when we talk Air Force. Our conversation with Victor started the night before our excursion. He reached out to confirm the details for the next day. I asked Victor if we could change the pick-up location to our hotel since it was not an option on Viator’s pick-up list. He kindly accommodated my request. We started on our scheduled date at 9AM. He was a few minutes early and his vehicle was clean. We made our way to the air base stopping at relevant historical military sites; like the fortress built by the U.S. and British forces, Goat Islet, etc. For each stop, Victor showed historical pictures that helped connect what we see today with what it looked like earlier in history. It was simply amazing to see pictures of people from yesteryear, who have long passed, standing where you are standing today. My husband immediately recognized Victor’s admiration for the military and asked him why he had such an affinity. Victor is a native Terceirian who grew up around the base. He mentioned the hay days of the base and how his family would visit it during his childhood and earlier adulthood. I had heard a few stories of Lajes Field from my dad, who visited the base on his way to the middle east for his three deployments, but stories just don’t do this place justice. As we stood outside the base, we spotted an aircraft as it approached. Victor was able to identify the airplane and note that it belonged to the French Air Force. It was coming in to be refueled. We drove along the base gates where we could see the over 400 abandoned housing units that used to be filled with U.S. airmen and their families. We discussed the impact the downsizing of the base has had on the economy. We also saw the many cows that are brought out to the base by locals to graze. This trip was filled with knowledge, historical facts, memories, emotions, and a bit of nostalgia. Beccause this was only a ½ day tour, Victor returned us to our hotel a little after 1PM where my husband and I spent the rest of the day talking about all we had seen and walking down memory lane. What a nice day. In total, during our seven-day visit to Terceira we took three different excursions and a private photo shoot that visited some of the same locations. We learned something new each time. I asked my husband if there was one he would rather not do again now knowing what we know, and he and I both felt as though we would do them all again, with this one being one that hit close to home because of the relevancy in our lives an relationship we have with the Air Force. Recommendation: I recommend you choose your excursions by those that meet your visit's purpose and personality. If you are looking for history, a deeper understanding of the military presence on the island, and/or to connect or reconnect with the past then this is your tour! Best wishes for an enjoyable and safe trip!

Victor was a wonderful tour guide. He was so kind & knowledgeable. We saw many more sights and learned much more about Terceira than just what related to the Air Force base. He went above and beyond. Thank you for an amazing day.

Very informative and to stop by a lot of amazing views Victor is friendly and knowledgeable highly recommend this tour

Much more inclusive than you may think Excellent tour with Excellent guide giving both history and present day implications of what you are seeing.

The Vítor is a well of history and extremely attentive! A morning that enriched us and that started flying without realizing the time passed. We recommend, without any doubt.

This tour is conducted by Victor whom is very knowledgeable and accommodating. He picked us up at our hotel (not near the tour at all) and drove us around and showed us many cool things. I would highly recommend booking Victor for this tour, he took us to many historical sites and a few fun spots based on my love for airplanes. Book this tour, you won’t regret it.

Victor was outstanding. His tour was so informative and answered all our questions. We never felt hurried. Victor could not of been more accommodating with our schedule. I would highly recommend this tour and Victor as a tour guide. All 5 of us learned so much including 2 on the tour that were born and raised on Terceira Island. Thank you Victor

Victor was so informative and interesting. He has a good sense of humor and an intellectual curiosity. We learned so much and really enjoyed the tour.

We took the Lajes Air Base Historic Sightseeing Tour and learned so much and saw so much we wouldn't have seen on our own, even though we had rented a car. Vitor picked us up at our rental house in his comfortable SUV and gave us an excellent tour over the next four hours. The history he told us about was so interesting. Often his clients have some family tie to the Air Force Base; we didn't, but still found the information on its heyday and history fascinating. The viewpoints he took us to were so impressive -- we went on some roads we never would have ventured down on our own. And what a surprise treat he had in store for us at the end of the tour! Vitor was an excellent, personable guide and this was a great tour.

My father was based at Lages in WW2 and this tour with Vitor brilliantly filled in the history and brought to life what my father would have been part of. Vitor was an excellent and knowledgeable guide who went above and beyond to make sure we enjoyed the trip.