iStock International
Set off for a hassle-free summer escape
Azores
For dramatic scenery and Portuguese flair, skip the long flight to Lisbon and head to the Azores islands off the coast instead. This archipelago of nine volcanic islands is ripe for relaxation, but São Miguel – the largest and most populated atoll – is the easiest of the lot to visit, given the closest flights from the U.S. (via Boston) land here. Nicknamed the Green Island, São Miguel's glistening lakes and lush mountainsides are just as enticing as its sandy beaches, so you can spend your days exploring – there’s hiking, diving, whale-watching, sailing, and swimming with dolphins to keep you busy – or simply lazing away on Atlantic shores. When evening falls, head to Punta Delgada, the island’s most cosmopolitan town, where turn-of-the-century architecture, cobblestone streets, restaurants, and bars await.
How: Fly direct to São Miguel (PDL) from Boston (Azores Express; about 5 hours) or to Terceira (TER) from Oakland (Azores Express; about 11 hours).
See Bermuda Travel Guide | See Chicago Travel Guide | See Nova Scotia Travel GuideSee Pennsylvania Travel Guide
