THE AÇORES, 9 dream islands

Situated between Europe and North America, the Azores archipelago comprises 9 volcanic islands stretching over almost 500 km.

A dream destination for hikers, adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts, the Azores charm with their lush green and volcanic landscapes.

The Azores are a favourite destination for those who dream of peace and quiet, and for whom contact with nature is a priority. Although the lush vegetation is breathtaking and the natural scenery is sure to capture our hearts with its great beauty, the Azores are much more than a postcard landscape. Their charm also lies in their disarmingly generous inhabitants. The Azoreans are endearing people who have managed to adapt and brave the elements.

A promised land for sailors since the century of the Great Discoveries, the struggle to survive is at the very heart of their history. These struggles have forged their culture, character and identity, making them a humble, religious and true people, at one with the elements.

If these islands seem idyllic to those who visit them today, it's a different story to the people who lived there in the last century. From the 1950s onwards, due to lack of work and precarious living conditions, there was a major exodus of Azoreans to the United States and Canada.

Today, many Azoreans who have managed to make a living in America are returning to their native island. The economic situation has improved and the Internet has broken the isolation.

Still untouched by mass tourism, this jewel of the Atlantic, with its temperate climate and seemingly lost in the middle of the ocean, cannot hide all its treasures for much longer...

Show less