Azores: Nature's Pristine Atlantic Paradise

While part of #Portugal, the #Azores are essentially in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and are still largely untouched by mass tourism. This means pristine landscapes and #natural experiences at almost every turn: 60+ hiking trails, volcano climbing, countryside cycling, dolphin and whale watching (20+ whale species), bird watching (64+ species), sailing, challenging surfing, #water sports. Interestingly, the islands are extremely self-sufficient in terms of production, making their own alcohol, tobacco, and dairy; growing their own produce to sell and turn into jams, curries and mustards; and keeping livestock for high quality meat production. São Miguel in particular is heaven for nature lovers, nicknamed “The #Green #Island." Can you #see why? :)