Azores Bucket List: Wild volcanic islands of the Atlantic

'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!

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. There, you hike up the green slopes and along the towering edges of the crater, where you're rewarded with a fantastic view. 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 have formed in the barren rock on its beach, Piscinas Naturais Caneiros. The big question now: will you take the plunge?

The steam escaping your hot morning coffee foreshadows today's destination: the hot springs in Furnas! It's time to drive into the Vale das Furnas to marvel at the clouds of vapour billowing from the calderas, the island's boiling springs. The smell of sulphur, the creaking ground, the swirling mist – you could almost believe there's a sleeping dragon living in this volcano. You immerse yourself in the colourful variety of plants in Terra Nostra Park, where you have the chance to float in warm thermal baths that reach up to 40 °C and revel in pure relaxation. And you've also got the chance to see the second-largest lake on the island, because it's right here in Furnas!
The tranquil atmosphere at Lagoa das Furnas invites you to take a cosy break before continuing your journey. Pass by one fruit plantation after another until you reach Vila Franca do Campo. Whether it's chillin' at the beach, hunting for the most beautiful viewpoints or visiting the historical museum, here, the possibilities are endless! And if you've still got time for another one of São Miguel's gems on the way back to your accommodation, head to the glowing blue Fire Lake, which you can admire from the Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo.

Do you prefer coffee or tea in the morning? If it's the latter, then you should definitely make a stop at the Chá Gorreana tea factory today. It's home to the only tea plantation in Europe and undoubtedly worth a visit (optional, payable on site)! Once you've stocked up on your favourite varieties, get back on the road and head to the day's highlight, the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park. Its winding paths that cut through the evergreen forest are sure to awaken the explorer in you and tempt you on a little adventure. Follow the trails past colourful flowers as you near your destination: splashing waterfalls that create an atmosphere of paradise as the sun reflects through droplets of water and fills the air with rainbow colours. Continue on towards Nordeste, where each viewpoint outshines the next. Make a stop at the Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego or the Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada and be enchanted by the lush green cliffs and the beautiful sea of flowers right on the Atlantic Ocean.