Azores island-hopping: Road trip to volcanic wonders

'Welcome aboard your flight to Ponta Delgada!' As you hear the flight attendant make the announcement, it all sinks in at once: your Azores adventure is finally about to begin. Then you finally set foot on Azorean soil – more precisely, on São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores. You pick up your hire car straight away and speed off towards the lush green expanses.  

You follow the winding roads between gently rolling hills and meadows, where cows curiously stretch their heads toward your passing car, until you reach the northern coast. There lies your accommodation for the next few nights, nestled in an interplay of fresh Atlantic breeze and restful tranquillity. Practically hypnotised, you gaze at the deep blue ocean and your plans for the rest of the day are already made: listening to the waves as you enjoy a well-earned drink! 

You lace up your hiking boots, hop in the driver's seat and head off towards Lagoa do Canário! When you arrive, you get a taste of the Azorean lakes' magic: the scent of the mystical forest, choruses of frogs and idyllic tranquillity. Filled with inspiration, you continue on to one of the island's biggest highlights: the twin lakes of Sete Cidades. Here, you hike up the green slopes and along the towering edges of the crater, where you're rewarded with a fantastic sight. You grab your camera and do everything you can to capture the view of the lakes – one vivid blue and the other a gorgeous shade of turquoise. And now it's time to discover another side of the island: the rugged coastline. At the Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado, you stand at the top of the cliffs as the surf roars beneath you and consider a refreshing dip. Just around the corner lies the former fishing village of Mosteiros, where small natural pools called Piscinas Naturais Caneiros have formed in the barren rock along its shore. The big question now: will you take the plunge?

The steam escaping your hot morning coffee foreshadows today's destination: the hot springs! So you grab your keys and jet off to Terra Nostra Park in the Vale das Furnas. Immersed in a world of colourful plants, you marvel at the clouds of vapour billowing from the calderas – the island's boiling springs – with the chance to kick back and float in warm thermal baths that reach up to 40 °C. The smell of sulphur, the creaking ground and the swirling mist almost make you think there's a dragon inside this volcano. And to make things even more interesting, you've also got the chance to see the second-largest lake on the island, because it's right here in Furnas.

The tranquil atmosphere at Lagoa das Furnas invites you to take a cosy break before continuing your journey. Pass by one fruit plantation after another until you reach Vila Franca do Campo. Whether it's chillin' at the beach, hunting for the most beautiful viewpoints or visiting the historical museum, here, the possibilities are endless! And if you've still got time for another one of São Miguel's gems on the way back to your accommodation, head to the glowing blue Fire Lake, which you can admire from the Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo.

Your hire car takes you back to the airport... but a lift home? Nope, no chance! Your adventure goes into the next round. No sooner have you blinked than you've landed on Pico – the next dream island. And guess what? Your next hire car is already waiting for you, ready for the next chapter of your film-worthy road trip.

Get ready for a staggering view of the island's namesake! Towering at 7,710 feet, Mount Pico is the highest mountain in Portugal and ever in view as you make your way to your accommodation. A little tip: take a short detour to the village of Cachorro and have a look at the Cabeça de Cachorro, a rock formation that looks deceptively similar to a dog's head. Snap a few quick pics, then get back along your way. Feel the wonder as the charming rural scene surrounds you more and more until you arrive at your accommodation, surrounded by little stone houses and boasting the best view of the volcano. Come sunset, head to the coast and get set to be stunned as the fiery sun sinks into the Atlantic on one side and bathes Pico in glorious light on the other. You won't know where to look first!