The nine islands of the Azores archipelago are a thousand nautical miles from anywhere. They stand in the Atlantic Ocean at the very spot where the tectonic plates for Europe, Africa and North America meet. The islands, built from ancient volcanic eruptions, have lush green scenery, enchanting lakes, picturesque villages and overall a peaceful yet mysterious aura. While these are without question some of the most beautiful islands in the world, they remain an emerging destination.

There are some 800-plus species of plants to be found on the islands, although only 300 of them are endemic. Newcomers include flowering hydrangeas, especially abundant at this time of year, along with roses, agapanthus and cannas. These we will find on our visits to notable gardens, established in the 19th century, while in the countryside we will see hibiscus, tree ferns and rare endemic plants, along with bubbling thermal pools (used as natural cookers), dazzling blue and green lakes and mountain tops clothed in mist. We also offer the opportunity to take part in one of the Azores specialist pursuits – whale watching.