For world-class diving sites you can reach on a budget airline, try the Azores archipelago. The seamounts (volcanic underwater elevations) have barred hogfish and stingrays on the seabed, and devil rays and skipjack tuna closer to the surface, plus dolphins, turtles and whales to spot on the boat there and back. 

Entre Amérique et Europe, l’archipel des Açores est longtemps demeuré sous le radar médiatique, et c’est bien tant mieux : encore relativement méconnu, il a su préserver sa personnalité unique, ses décors naturels spectaculaires, ses cités et villages aussi pittoresques qu’authentiques. Tour d’horizon en deux îles.

Located in the center of São Miguel island, Lagoa do Fogo (or Fire Lake) is one of the most beautiful sights in the Azores – and that’s saying a lot because everything in the Azores is GORGEOUS. 

ar da Coloura is such an awesome lunch spot in the Azores, we went twice on our four day trip. Europeans know how to do lunch right – usually al fresco, at a leisurely pace, and with plenty of wine. Bar da Caloura takes that to another level at their seaside dining spot with a pretty sweet ocean swimming pool just steps away.

Pulling onto the Furnas Lake Villas property, we parked our rental Peugeot next to an awesome old Land Rover Defender. Immediately, both our husbands were peering over at it, ohh-ing and ahh-ing over the cool vintage vehicle. Little did we know, days later, we’d be piling into the bed of the truck and embarking on an incredible tour of the property.

The archipelago of the Azores was created from many volcanic eruptions. Today, there are still many hot springs bubbling up from beneath, creating natural thermal baths all over the island of São Miguel. One of our favorites is Poca da Dona Beija. Comprised of 5 thermal pools, it’s located in the town of Furnas.

Outside of the Azores, the largest population of Azoreans live in and around Boston, Massachusetts. It makes sense then, that the first direct flight to the Portuguese archipelago from the U.S. departs from Boston’s Logan International with Azores Airlines.

One of the most beautiful and interesting things about the island of São Miguel is the ever changing terrain and foliage. To a visitor, the island seems to be many places at once; the rolling green hills of Ireland, the dense woods of Northern California, and the tropical landscape of Costa Rica. For a concentrated glimpse at what we mean, look no further than Furnas Lake.

Terceira, a 400-square-kilometre island with 56,000 residents, gained its international reputation as a global crossroads.