Azores island-hopping: Road trip to whale songs and hot springs

'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!

Fruit plantation follows fruit plantation until you reach your destination for today, Vila Franca do Campo, and what else are the Azores known for? Whales, dolphins and simply everything you can imagine in terms of marine life. So get on the dinghy and head out to sea! Your guide is a real wildlife specialist and knows exactly where the animals can be found. A short time later, the time has come: suddenly a misty fountain shoots into the air - a sperm whale! Cameras ready? This once-in-a-lifetime moment needs to be immortalised! On the way back to the mainland, you pass very close to the Princess Ring volcanic island - it's crazy what nature can create.
After an eventful adventure, your stomach will tell you: someone wants to be filled up with local delicacies! Sit down in one of the many fish restaurants and order "Polvo Guisado Em Vinho de Cheiro" - octopus in wine sauce. Enjoy it with a sunset view of the Atlantic - the perfect end to your day!

Early in the morning you lace up your hiking boots, your destination? Sete Cidades. On your way, however, you make a stop at Lagoa do Canário. Here you can get a taste of the magic of the Azorean lakes: the scent of the mystical forest, frog concerts and idyllic tranquillity! Inspired, you continue to the twin lakes of Sete Cidades. Hike up the green slopes and walk high up along the edges of the crater, where you will be rewarded with a marvellous view. One of the lakes is a vivid blue colour, while the other is turquoise. You do everything you can to capture this view with your camera. Adventure is followed by pure relaxation in the evening! Together with other adventurers, you sit in the Poça da Dona Beija hot spring and really enjoy yourself. Did you know that the spring is located above an active volcano? On a guided hike, you will explore the volcanic complex and the best is yet to come: to top it all off, a traditional stew prepared underground with the heat from the surrounding springs awaits you. Enjoy the flavour!

From one green island paradise to the next today! Drop off your hire car at the airport and get on the plane. Don't worry, you won't be travelling for long, your next destination is just a hop, skip and a jump away.
Welcome to São Jorge! Also known as the island of cheese - and therefore also the island of cows! You can see this for yourself on your way to your accommodation, because cows are everywhere on the island! So, grab your hire car and off you go. Would you like a taste of São Jorge cheese? Head to the Uniqueijo cheese factory, if you feel like it, you can also take part in a guided tour of the dairy (optional, payable locally). But São Jorge is known for even more: the island is also nicknamed the "Island of Fajãs". There are more than 40 recognised fajãs - small headlands formed by lava flows or rock slides - crazy? It gets even better. Another natural wonder of the island: Poças, natural pools formed by erosion. So there's plenty to discover! Have you already written your to-do list for the next few days?