Gandalf das Furnas

São Miguel Island is the largest--in both size and population--of the Azores. The Green Island was discovered and claimed by the Portuguese in the early 15th century. Mild climate and fertile volcanic soil made the island appealing for settlers. It quickly became an export hub for in-demand sugar. A fishing industry eventually followed. Now it's tourists who are flocking to the island. They're lured by black-sand beaches, hidden hot springs, lake-filled craters, Europe's only tea plantations, quiet hiking trails, volcanic hills, and whale-watching tours. Be sure to spend some time in Ponta Delgada, the easy-to-navigate capital, as well. This detailed guide includes: Places: cities, neighborhoods, towns, hidden villages Stay: hotels Eat: coffee shops, ice cream stands, restaurants, teahouses Drink: beach bars, rooftop bars Do: abandoned hotels, aqueducts, bamboo groves, beaches, botanical gardens, bridges, chapels, churches, fountains, fumaroles, gardens, gates, hikes, lakes, marinas, nature preserves, public parks, roads, sculptures, squares, statues, tourist offices, viewpoints Transportation: airports, car rentals, parking lots

There are secret islands in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. Nine of them, actually. The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal, even though they're nearly 900 miles off the coast of Lisbon. Mount Pico, on the island of Pico, is actually the highest point in the European country. The volcanic archipelago is covered with farmland. Small fishing communities line the coasts. Travelers were first introduced to the remote islands when they became a refueling stop for flights between Europe and North America. Direct flights from Boston and New York eventually followed. The Azores are finally being discovered by North Americans without Portuguese heritage. It's about time. Ponta Delgada, the little capital, mixes historic buildings with modern hotels and restaurants. São Miguel, the main island, is full of hiking trails and hot springs. Pico Island is famous for its wine. While seven other islands are just waiting to be explored. With mild climate, thanks to the jet stream, the Azores are a year-round destination. Go before the secret gets out. This detailed guide includes: Places: islands, cities, neighborhoods, towns, hidden villages Stay: hotels Eat: bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream stands, pizzerias, restaurants, teahouses Drink: beach bars, rooftop bars, tapas bars, wineries Do: abandoned hotels, aqueducts, bamboo groves, beaches, botanical gardens, bridges, chapels, churches, fountains, fumaroles, gardens, gates, hikes, lakes, marinas, mountains, natural swimming pools, nature preserves, public parks, roads, sculptures, squares, statues, tourist offices, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, viewpoints, windmills Transportation: airports, car rentals, ferries, parking lots