THE AZORES: EUROPE’S WESTERNMOST POINT

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

Early on, Horta linked the Old World with the New and is the most international place in the archipelago. The port is a hub of activity; almost every yacht that sails across the Atlantic makes a stop at Horta, making her famous port the world's most colorful marina. The quay walls are a kind of guest book for skippers where for centuries people have immortalised themselves with a painting or inscription. The Azores last proved their volcanic origin in 1957 when the Capelinhos volcano suddenly emerged out of the sea in an eruption. The caldera is two kilometres (1.3 miles) in diameter and Faial expanded by 2.4 square kilometres (1 square mile). Nowadays the area is a bizarrely picturesque spot.

Graciosa, the second smallest island in the Azores, has the most unusual natural phenomena in the archipelago. Furna do Enxofre, the huge sulphurous cave in the dark centre of the caldera, lets you take a glimpse into the underworld. A large steaming lake, 15 metres (49 foot) deep, stretches across an 80-metre (262 foot)-high volcanic cave and is bewitchingly lit by daylight shining in. On the island's fertile soil, only slightly protected from the wind by walls of lava rubble, cereal crops, fruit and vines flourish. Red-crested windmills are now the emblem of this charming island.

Praia da Vitória is located on the southern coast of Terceira Island in the Azores, known for its picturesque bay and golden sandy beach. The island is famous for its stunning volcanic landscape, historic towns, and charming villages. Notable highlights include the São João Baptista Fortress and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angra do Heroísmo. Terceira offers a rich cultural history, pristine nature, and plenty of opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities.

Velas, the charming capital of São Jorge Island in the Azores, captivates visitors with its historic architecture and scenic landscapes. The town is an ideal starting point for exploring the famous "Fajãs", flat coastal plains formed by volcanic activity. In Velas, visitors can savor traditional Azorean cuisine, renowned for its cheese and fresh seafood. Numerous hiking trails offering breathtaking views make Velas a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers.

The lively capital of São Miguel receives its guests at the trefoil-shaped city gate and invites them in on mosaic-like cobbled pavements through narrow lanes leading to whitewashed houses with black facade decoration made from basalt. The historic old city of Ponta Delgada is covered by a preservation order. Two large lakes are picturesquely set in the crater of Sete Cidades – the sapphire blue Lagoa Azul and the emerald green Lagoa Verde. At the edge of the crater the view widens out and exposes a spectacular panorama. On one side ebony sand and by the azure Atlantic, on the other side turquoise crater lakes amidst green rolling hills and blue flowering hydrangea bushes.

The lively capital of São Miguel receives its guests at the trefoil-shaped city gate and invites them in on mosaic-like cobbled pavements through narrow lanes leading to whitewashed houses with black facade decoration made from basalt. The historic old city of Ponta Delgada is covered by a preservation order. Two large lakes are picturesquely set in the crater of Sete Cidades – the sapphire blue Lagoa Azul and the emerald green Lagoa Verde. At the edge of the crater the view widens out and exposes a spectacular panorama. On one side ebony sand and by the azure Atlantic, on the other side turquoise crater lakes amidst green rolling hills and blue flowering hydrangea bushes.