In this video, we head to the breathtaking Azores – a remote archipelago of islands that, along with Madeira, is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal.

Situated in the Macaronesia region of the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1,400 km west of Lisbon, the Azores are composed of nine major islands and an islet cluster: Flores and Corvo, to the west; Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico and Faial in the centre; São Miguel, Santa Maria, and the Formigas Reef to the east.

The main industries here are agriculture, dairy farming, livestock, fishing and tourism. And speaking of tourism… if it’s adventure you’re after, then look no further. Here, you’ll find world-class whale watching, sailing, diving, hiking and canyoning; excellent surfing and other watersports; with equally rich opportunities to be had on horseback, bikes or paragliders.

As for the magnificent island landscapes – they offer a playground of seething mud pots, caverns and surreal crater lakes that remind of a volcanic past.

Unsurprisingly, the Azores contain two of Portugal’s 15 Unesco World Heritage sites – the vineyards of Pico and the old town of Angra do Heroismo on Terceira – and three biospheres (Graciosa, Flores and Corvo). The regional government has bolstered this with an award-winning network of natural parks and marine reserves to safeguard the unspoiled environment.

Should you find yourself here, consider adding the following to your visiting itinerary:

  • Sete Cidades
  • Angra do Heroismo
  • Mount Pico
  • Capelinhos Volcano
  • Vineyards of Pico

View the original video here.

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