The Azores comprise of nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic half-way between North America and continental Portugal. The Portuguese discovered this remote archipelago, scattered 1,400 kms west of their mainland in the early1500s. The islands are mythical land of volcanoes, bubbling thermal waters, geysers of rising steam, turquoise-toned lagoons, and bottle-green lakes. Lagoa des Furnas is a volcanic crater lake in Furnas Valley. Fed by the valley’s geothermal activity, a number of alfresco pools provides the perfect rejuvenation, courtesy of Mother Nature. This volcanic caldera has lain dormant since 1630, and it’s one of São Miguel’s most intriguing…
Category: Azores
São Miguel
São Miguel is the largest island of the Azores archipelago, with an enviable landscape of forest-wrapped volcanic peaks, azure lakes and improbably perfect calderas. Its charming capital, Ponta Delgada, exudes history, but the true reason to visit São Miguel is the call of the verdant terrain that gives it the nickname ‘Ilha Verde’ (Green Island), and its dramatic coastline battered by the wild Atlantic Ocean. The most iconic crater lake and instagram-worthy photo opportunity in all of the Azores is of Sete Cidades – beautiful twin lakes Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul (or Green Lake and Blue Lake blue) situated…
Ponta Delgada
The largest island of the Azores archipelago is São Miguel. It is well worth spending a day in its comely capital Ponta Delgada. Characterized by striking black basalt and whitewashed Portuguese architecture, this compact coastal city serves a walkable urban base and starting point for exploring the island’s dramatic natural interior. Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, the town’s landmark building. It’s built in a curious mixture of styles: originally 16th-century late Gothic, with a Portuguese Manueline facade and baroque features added in the 18th century. Forte de São Brás, which once protected the island from attacks by pirates. These days…


