Some 900 miles west of the coast of mainland Portugal are the Azores, an extraordinarily beautiful group of islands. The archipelago is often labelled ‘the Hawaii of Europe’ but these islands, which boast many of their own treasures, are still off the tourist trail and truly unspoilt. Positioned between the tectonic plates of Eurasia, Africa and North America, the Azores rose 20,000 feet from the depths of the Atlantic as a serendipitous result of spectacular volcanic activity. At every turn you’ll encounter awe-inspiring reminders of the power of nature: majestic volcanic peaks, immense crater lakes, flora-filled calderas and steamy thermal springs. These emerald islands are largely covered in vegetation, as so much thrives in the subtropical climate and fertile soil. With about 60 endemic plants and over 700 varieties introduced from across the world, the Azores have become a garden paradise with enchanting blooms all year round. Numerous species of birds and marine life are found here, making the archipelago one of the best destinations for spotting a staggering variety of splendid creatures, from pint-sized sandpipers to gargantuan blue whales. No one knows the actual date the archipelago was originally discovered, but it was first settled in the 15th century during the golden age of exploration, first by the Portuguese and Flemish, then other Europeans and the Americans. Along with Madeira, the Azores are an autonomous region within Portugal. Our tour explores three of the nine major islands and their many highlights. São Miguel, the largest, is renowned for its beautiful crater lakes, hot springs and the Terra Nostra botanical wonderland, as well as Europe’s only tea and pineapple plantations. On Faial, we delve into the origins of the Azorean volcanoes and explore the barren, alien-like Capelinhos landscape created as recently as 1957. We travel to Pico, whose eponymous volcano was described by author Mark Twain as ‘a stately green pyramid, which rose up with one unbroken sweep and thrust its summit above the white clouds like an island adrift in a fog.’ We’ll see Pico’s astonishing UNESCO-listed vineyards, an impressive testament to the ingenuity of the hardy Azoreans. To make the most of the land, Azorean crops are grown by altitude and even flowers are used in original ways – we’ll see hydrangea hedges doubling as windbreaks, and pretty azalea and camellia borders lining the roads. The Azoreans take conservation very seriously, and the archipelago is the first destination to win a Platinum Quality Gold Coast Award for sustainability. When it comes to food, the islands’ edible bounty is tremendous. The many microclimates yield an impressive variety of some of the healthiest fruit and vegetables you’ll ever see, and the endless pastures provide plenty of nourishment for healthy cows, from which come the most succulent beef and creamy dairy. And of course, all around the islands are the mineral-rich waters of the Atlantic Ocean, teeming with tuna, lobster, crab and so much more. A visit to the Azores is a treat for your senses, and on our tour, you’ll get fascinating insights into the myriad marvels of these paradise islands.