Azores island-hopping: Road trip to volcanic gems

'Welcome aboard your flight to Ponta Delgada!' As you hear the flight attendant make the announcement, it all sinks in at once: your Azores adventure is finally about to begin. Then you finally set foot on Azorean soil – more precisely, on São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores. You pick up your hire car straight away and speed off towards the lush green expanses.
You follow the winding roads between gently rolling hills and meadows, where cows curiously stretch their heads toward your passing car, until you reach the northern coast. There lies your accommodation for the next few nights, nestled in an interplay of fresh Atlantic breeze and restful tranquillity. Practically hypnotised, you gaze at the deep blue ocean and your plans for the rest of the day are already made: listening to the waves as you enjoy a well-earned drink!

'Bom dia, Ponta Delgada!' Passing orchard after orchard, you cruise through the countryside to the city. Once you arrive, you set off on foot through the picturesque alleyways of the old town, past historic buildings and through the famous Portas da Cidade city gate. Inspired by the relaxed lifestyle of the locals, you drift from one little shop to the next, enjoy a coffee in one of the many cute cafés and simply soak up the sun. Fancy a change of scenery? Just pop over to the Jardim Botânico António Borges and explore the gorgeous array of rare plants, old stone grottos and mystically overgrown arches and gates. A little tip: The wealth of gorgeous greenery here makes the perfect backdrop for Insta pics! Up for a lazy day at the beach? No problem. Just take the bus (payable on site) to São Roque, a suburb of Ponta Delgada, where several beaches and bays await – perfect for swimming or just splashing around.

Fruit plantation follows fruit plantation until you reach today's destination: Vila Franca do Campo. And of course, the Azores is known for its marine life! So once you arrive, you jump into a dingy and head out to sea to spot whales, dolphins and everything you can imagine. Your guide's a real wildlife expert and knows exactly where the cool creatures can be found, and before you know it, a misty fountain suddenly shoots into the air – a sperm whale! You snap pic after pic because this once-in-a-lifetime moment just has to be captured forever. Then on the way back to the mainland, you pass close by the Princess Ring volcanic island and simply marvel at what nature can do.
After an eventful adventure, your stomach's ready for some local specialities. So sit down in one of the many fish restaurants and order a portion of 'polvo guisado em vinho de cheiro', aka octopus in a red wine sauce. Tuck in and enjoy it while you watch the sunset over the Atlantic – the perfect end to your day!

You lace up your hiking boots, hop in the driver's seat and head off towards Lagoa do Canário! When you arrive, you get a taste of the Azorean lakes' magic: the scent of the mystical forest, choruses of frogs and idyllic tranquillity. Filled with inspiration, you continue on to one of the island's biggest highlights: the twin lakes of Sete Cidades. Here, you hike up the green slopes and along the towering edges of the crater, where you're rewarded with a fantastic sight. You grab your camera and do everything you can to capture the view of the lakes – one vivid blue and the other a gorgeous shade of turquoise. And now it's time to discover another side of the island: the rugged coastline. At the Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado, you stand at the top of the cliffs as the surf roars beneath you and consider a refreshing dip. Just around the corner lies the former fishing village of Mosteiros, where small natural pools called Piscinas Naturais Caneiros have formed in the barren rock along its shore. The big question now: will you take the plunge?