WITH dramatic cliffs, a volcanic interior and ever-green forests, Sao Miguel in the Azores has to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Atlantic.
It is almost a thousand miles off the coast of Portugal, and you can fly there via Lisbon with Portuguese airline TAP.
GettySao Miguel in the Azores has to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Atlantic[/caption]
GettyA view of a local church through the palm trees in Ponta Delgada[/caption]
You can even add a stopover in the capital at no extra cost.
Here are ten great reasons to tick Sao Miguel off your list this year . . .
WHALE SPOTTING
THE waters around Sao Miguel are home to at least 28 species of whales and dolphins — and they are not shy about putting on a show.
Tour company Terra Azul has three-hour trips to see them, from £54pp.
Guides are so confident you will spot them that they promise another trip for free if you do not.
FUN NEIGHBOURHOOD
PONTA Delgada is the compact capital of the Azores and has become a buzzing port city while retaining its old-world charm.
Start by heading into the picturesque central square to see Sao Sebastiao church and the old city gates.
Then, wander down the narrow streets lined with 17th-century buildings with flower-filled balconies to find a local restaurant.
THE WOW MOMENT
ANOTHER unusual perk is the iron-rich thermal pools heated by the island’s volcanoes.
Surrounded by forests, the thermal pool in Terra Nostra garden was built in 1780 and is supplied by a thermal spring, with water temperatures sitting around 35C-40C.
The pool is a dark orange colour because it is enriched with minerals, making it excellent for your skin.
FANTASTIC FEAST
THE bubbling water and mud springs of the village of Furnas make for a great culinary experience.
There, they make volcano-cooked stew — a dish of various meats, potatoes and vegetables assembled in pots then placed underground to slow-cook for up to five hours in the steam of the hot springs.
It results in a smoky flavour.
While you wait, wander around Lake Furnas.
Huge clouds of vapour rise from the springs, giving the place an almost Jurassic Park feel.
Or take a dip in the Pool of Youth.
NEW FOR 2024
THE Gin Library (gin-library.com) has Europe’s largest collection of gins, with a total of 1,410 different varieties.
And although the place itself is not new, many of its tipples are.
The best in the collection has to be Ghosts of the Ocean, created by the library’s founder and infused with seaweed and lemon myrtle, among other botanicals.
CULTURAL FIX
AZOREAN people have a distinct sense of pride about what the islands have to offer — and that includes tea.
Sao Miguel is home to Gorreana (gorreana.pt/en), which claims to be the oldest tea plantation in Europe.
You can take a guided tour to learn about its rich history and how the tea makes its way from harvest to packaging.
April to October are the best times to visit to see the factory in action.
WITH THE KIDS
YOUNGSTERS will love scurrying through fascinating lava tunnel Gruta do Carvao, with their hard hats on.
The deep and dark caves, with blackened stalactites dangling above, are the longest of their kind on the island.
There are a 45-minute tours available (grutadocarvao.amigos dosacores.pt/en).
TOP TOUR
TAKE in the best of the island’s stunning views on an off-road jeep tour with Azores For All (azoresforall.com/en).
There are full and half-day tours from £22 which will take you to the edge of the largest calderas (depressions formed when volcanoes erupt and collapse) on the island.
You can stop to take photos of the stunning views over the island while you are at the top.
ONE MORE TREAT
MAKE sure you do not miss out on trying Azorean desserts.
Leite creme — a Portuguese version of creme brulee — is a common menu feature and it is unbelievably creamy and delicious.
A Terra, the restaurant in the Octant Furnas hotel (furnas.octant hotels.com) does a cracking tea-flavoured one that comes with biscuits for dipping.
THE HOTEL
FOR spacious, comfortable rooms in a fuss-free setting, head to The Lince Azores hotel, which occupies a prime spot in the quiet area of Ponta Delgada overlooking the city.
It is spread across six floors and has two bars, restaurant and an indoor spa pool with huge glass windows that retract so guests can swim outdoors when the sun is shining.
GettyGo whale watching in the Atlantic[/caption]
GettyPonta Delgada has become a buzzing port city while retaining its old-world charm[/caption]
GO: Azores
GETTING THERE: Return flights from London to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel via Lisbon start from £215 return.
Visit flytap.com.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Lince Hotel Azores start from £84 per night, based on two sharing.
See thelincehotels.com.
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