Terceira, la terza isola delle Azzorre per estensione, è stata plasmata del vulcanismo.

A POD of dolphins joined us for breakfast on the first morning of our voyage to the Azores, a cluster of nine Portuguese volcanic islands far out in the mighty Atlantic.

While many European beach destinations are throbbing with parties, the Azores’ low-key, untouched ambiance will enchant expectant parents who need a break from it all. Located off the coast of Portugal in the Atlantic, this group of islands is a hidden gem according to Les.

In the town square of Angra do Heroismo, a temporary stage hosts guitarists nearly every night during the Christmas season. At the Taberna do Fado up the hill, waiters and bartenders make sure everybody is well served when they shut the front door and play guitar-accompanied, soul-baring songs that don’t require you to know Portuguese.

It’s a balmy evening in Ribeira Quente, a sleepy fishing town on the southern shore of São Miguel, the largest of the Portuguese Azores islands.

Eén van de mooiste eilanden die ik bezocht heb is Flores. Niet Flores in Indonesië, maar Flores op de Portugese Azoren. In Europa dus. Werkelijk fenomenaal! Bergen, afgronden, kratermeren, kliffen, heel veel groen en een geweldige flora. Wat een natuurpracht! En die uitzichtpunten!

So you’ve explored the streets of Lisbon, maybe even its dazzling rival city, Porto. What’s next on your Portugal itinerary? About 900 miles from the mainland you’ll find the craggy shores of the Azores, a nine-island archipelago that has all the geographic splendor of Hawaii, the Scottish Highlands, and New Zealand rolled into one. 

Maria Lawton’s mission to showcase Portuguese food and culture has been a long road. But like her own journey emigrating from her native Azores to the United States, she’s finally arrived.

Once you have volcanic BBQ, you'll never go back.