Island in the Middle of Nowhere

Filed in archive Hidden Gems on February 22, 2008

The Azores are owned by Portugal. You've probably seen them on the map. Their those little islands that are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They sit, quite literally, in the middle of the ocean. Any number of planes fly over the Azores on the Europe-US route.

But do any stop?

In fact, yes, plenty of people do. Flights from many city's in Europe and Canada have flights to Ponta Delgada, the islands' administrative capital.

The climate is humid, but not overly hot during the summers. The volcanic make-up of the Azores makes them beautiful in a rugged sense, but not in the "sit-on-the-beach-with-a-drink" tropical beauty. Most of the areas bordering the sea are punctuated by steep cliffs.

What can one do on the Azores? There are numerous hot springs and plenty of hiking trails around the island of Sao Miguel. Cruises through the archipelago are also popular among visitors. Also, the towns have plenty of cafes and family run eateries.

The Azores are not a major destination, but if you are looking for a truly unique and off the beaten path destination, the remote islands are it.