There are getaways, and then there are revelations. Our trip to the Azores Islands—a wild, green paradise floating in the Atlantic—was absolutely the latter.
I’m not even sure we meant for it to be as luxurious as it was. But once you’re there, wrapped in volcanic landscapes and thermal springs with ocean views around every curve, you stop trying to define it. You just feel it.
My wife still calls it “the most romantic trip of her life,” and after everything we experienced, I completely understand why.
Chapter Trail
Welcome to São Miguel: Nature’s Five-Star Retreat
We based ourselves in São Miguel, the largest of the nine islands, and stayed at Octant Ponta Delgada—a sleek, modern hotel that made us feel like minimalist royalty. Infinity pool facing the harbor? Check. Ocean breeze drifting through our balcony doors? Check. The kind of calm that makes you forget what day it is? Absolutely.
Waking up every morning to the sound of gulls and the smell of espresso drifting from the hotel’s open-air lounge was my new favorite thing. My wife would sit by the window wrapped in one of those soft white robes, already planning our spa appointment or a walk by the sea. She looked completely at peace.
Soaking in Thermal Springs and Silence
One of the most unforgettable moments of our trip was soaking in the terra-cotta-colored thermal pools at Furnas, surrounded by tree ferns and steam rising like fog. We went early in the morning when it was still quiet, and it felt like we had the entire world to ourselves. Later, we shared a “cozido,” the traditional stew slow-cooked in volcanic soil. My wife described it as “earthy, soulful, and exactly what this place tastes like.”
After lunch, we wandered through the Terra Nostra botanical gardens, hand in hand, where the hydrangeas practically swallowed the paths and every corner looked like it belonged in a fairy tale.
Lagoa do Fogo: Our Favorite View
I’ve seen a lot of lakes. But Lagoa do Fogo—hidden high in the mountains—was something else. We hiked up just after sunrise, with clouds parting like a show just for us. When we reached the viewpoint, my wife didn’t say a word. She just leaned into me and smiled. That’s when I knew this trip would stay with us forever.
Whale Watching and Wine by the WateR
On our second-to-last day, we went whale watching off the coast. Within thirty minutes, a pod of dolphins played alongside the boat, and then—like some divine appointment—a sperm whale breached in the distance. We were speechless. Nature in the Azores doesn’t ask for your attention. It commands it.
That evening, we dined at A Tasca, one of São Miguel’s top restaurants, where we enjoyed fresh octopus and local wine while jazz played softly in the background. It wasn’t over-the-top. It was better. Understated. Thoughtful. Delicious.
The Goodbye We Didn’t Want
On our last morning, we took a final stroll through Ponta Delgada’s quiet streets, kissed by drizzle and cobbled charm. My wife turned to me and said, “We should come back. Maybe bring the kids. Or maybe not.” And we laughed, already missing it.
Conclusion
The Azores aren’t just a destination. They’re a mood. A place where you slow down, breathe deeper, and fall in love—with nature, with silence, and if you’re lucky, all over again with the person beside you.
Obrigadinho, Azores. We’ll be back—with sandals, swimsuits, and soft hearts ready.
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