The Azores form a magnificent archipelago of nine emerald green islands set in the Atlantic Ocean between Portugal (1,500km) and North America (3,900km).

Belonging to Portugal, the Azores are technically part of Europe so no visa requirements are needed for EU citizens and the currency is the Euro. Tourism is still in its infancy. Because of their remote location, the traditional lifestyle of the Azores, outside the main towns, has remained virtually unchanged.

Terceira Island’s historic centre of its capital, Angra do Heroísmo, has been classified in UNESCO’s International Heritage list. Worth visiting are the forts of São Sebastião and São João Baptista, the palaces of the Bettencourts and of the Capitães-Generais and the Cathedral.

Santa Maria Island offers excellent water sports facilities. Worth visiting are Praia, Santo Espírito, São Lourenço, São Pedro and Vila do Porto, a village with superb manor houses.

São Miguel Island is the largest of all the islands. In Ponta Delgada, the capital, the famous 18th century town boasts a number of monuments that are worth visiting.