The Azores, Portugal

 

The history of the Azores starts with a classic misunderstanding. Portuguese discoverers were impressed by the native buzzards but wrongly thought they were hawks. For this reason the archipelago became known as the isle of the hawks - Ilha dos Açores.

Nine islands rise out of the Atlantic in the middle of nowhere. Far away from the continent, an untouched natural paradise was able to develop. The volcanic birth of the nine islands millions of years ago can still be seen today in the crater lakes, such as are assumed to be on the moon, and the hot geysers.

But this is only one of the Azores many sides. On the other side, an incomparable fauna has developed in the almost everlasting spring, which is especially enchanting in July when the hydrangea bloom. 

However, if you should wish for some civilization again, pretty colonial towns, like Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroismo or Horta, offer many hotels, pensions, apartments or vacation apartments in all price classes.
An array of lookout points give you the possibility to marvel at the archipelago in its entirety.

To wander through the Azores’ natural wealth for hours on end and to turn your back on the haste of the continents is an invitation you will never regret taking. 

 

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