Volcanic Islands of the Azores & Madeira

The Azores archipelago is a melting pot of Portuguese influences, and the capital of Terceira, Praia da Vitoria, offers a captivating blend of lush hills and volcanic vistas once the mist clears. After visiting the Facho viewpoint for panoramic views over the city and its bay, you could delve into the historic fortifications and cobbled streets of the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angro do Heroismo before strolling along the peaceful marina and sampling freshly caught seafood and local dishes like Azorean beef cooked in a claypot. Meanwhile, nearby Algar do Carvão, an ancient lava tube featuring striking geological formations, begs for exploration.

Horta, on the island of Faial, was discovered in the 19th century by Portuguese explorers, and has a vast maritime heritage. It is regarded as one of the most colourful marinas in the world, due to the thousands of paintings that adorn the marina walls, each marking the safe passage of a boat, and for calm seas as they continued their journey. The seas surrounding the island of Faial are considered to be one of the best places in Europe for whale and dolphin watching.

During your visit to the island of São Miguel, home to beautiful mountains, sandy beaches, and the famous twin crater lakes of the extinct Sete Cidades Volcano, there will also be the opportunity to explore Lagoa do Fogo, one of the highest crater lakes on the island, offering glorious autumnal scenery. You may choose to relax in the natural hot springs of Furnas Valley, surrounded by lush greenery and cascading waterfalls, or try the local delicacy of ‘Cozido das Furnas’, a hearty stew cooked underground by the heat of volcanic activity. You’ll also be ideally placed to taste the island’s tea at Europe’s only tea plantation, Gorreana, sample a sweet local pineapple, as it’s quite possible to experience four seasons in one day, so crops are plentiful, or join an exhilarating whale-watching tour.

The glorious island of Madeira is known as the ‘Garden Island’ due to its array of subtropical flowers and plants that seem to burst from every direction. From Funchal, you’ll be able to witness the floral beauty of the island at the exquisite garden in Monte, featuring themed gardens and tropical plants, while its levada walking trails offer unique views of enchanting forests and flowing streams. During May, you will have the opportunity to sample traditional foods and the renowned fortified Madeiran wine or visit one of Europe’s tallest cliffs, Cabo Girão, standing 580m above sea level, with a suspended glass platform viewpoint.

Overlooking the River Tagus, Portugal’s capital city offers an abundance of maritime highlights, including the iconic Ponte de Abril Suspension Bridge, and the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower, which served as an embarkation and disembarkation point for Vasco de Gama and other Portuguese explorers. The delicious pastéis de nata are also not to be missed when visiting Lisbon, particularly when sampled at the original bakery, which opened in 1837.

Matosinhos is a delightful city to explore, where a spring stroll along the promenade offers a laidback atmosphere and a lovely beach located just outside the town. Venture further afield to Porto, and you’ll be offered opportunities to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and colourful houses of Ribeira, or perhaps take a boat trip along the Douro River to witness scenic landscapes of terraced vineyards and traditional wine estates known as quintas. Meanwhile, the city is well known for its production of Port wine, which can be sampled at one of the many wine cellars, or for enjoying Porto’s signature dish, Francesinha, a mouth-watering hearty sandwich of meat covered with melted cheese and a hot, thick sauce in an authentic Portuguese restaurant.