2026 Summer Special: The Azores
Known as the Paradise of the Atlantic, Azores is a group of 9 islands in the middle of the Atlantic – part of Portugal. This magical place established Europe’s largest marine protected area in October 2024, creating a network of protected areas covering 287,000 sq. km. of ocean. This initiative positions the Azores as a leader in ocean conservation, in alignment with global goals to protect 30% of the planet’s oceans by 2030.
The west side of São Miguel in the Azores features the iconic Sete Cidades crater, the charming coastal town of Mosteiros, and the Pico do Carvão Viewpoint, offering dramatic views of volcanic landscapes, twin lakes, and ocean vistas.
The vegetation is quite interesting. Sao Miguel has both temperate forests filled with pines, but has gigantic ferns reminiscent of the tropics. Some areas look like it should be in Jurassic Park. New Zealand probably is the closest in terms of how Sao Miguel looks, especially with the dairy cows, but the Azores has much better weather. It also reminds me a little bit of Hawaii.
Photos and text courtesy of Angie Zafra
