“I’ve spent my entire career exploring every corner of Portugal, and yet the Azores still managed to completely reframe my idea of natural luxury. These islands don’t try to impress you, they simply do. The refinement here comes from purity, serenity, and landscapes so dramatic they feel almost unreal.”
This is what Portugal by Travelive Country Leader Armando Maestre had to say after returning from his recent trip to the Azores, one of Portugal’s most beautiful discoveries. Visiting four of the nine islands in this breathtaking Archipelago, he got to witness not only how they operate, but how they can spark the imagination of even the most seasoned traveler.
Even a couple of rainy days couldn’t dampen Armando’s impressions of these wonderlands, which, like any great explorer, he couldn’t wait to share upon his return. So, let’s crack open his travel journal and take a look at some of his reflections.
São Miguel
Often called “The Green Island,” São Miguel is the Azores’ gateway; a place where volcanic forces and gentle pastoral landscapes exist in stunning harmony. It is there, among steaming geothermal valleys and volcanic cliffs draped in emerald that travelers first understand that the Azores are not simply islands, but nature’s most inspired creations.
This is what Armando experienced overlooking the bountiful lakes of Sete Cidades at sunrise, which he describes as “a slow unfurling of color – blues, greens, golds, like nature is performing just for you.” Walking along the rim of its iconic crater in complete silence, broken only by wind and birdsong, he said it’s “the kind of moment travelers spend years chasing.”
Meanwhile, in Furnas, he got a chance to soak in otherworldly geothermal hot springs and savor a traditional cozido cooked underground by volcanic heat, which, in his words, is “rustic, but in a way that feels deeply luxurious; a connection to the earth that is delightfully tangible and unique.”
Pico
Defined by its dramatic silhouette and the monolithic gaze of Portugal’s highest peak, Pico is an island where black volcanic rock meets lush vineyards in true elemental bliss. Pico is a place that speaks directly to the emotions, leaving impressions as deep as its geological roots. This, Armando explained, is why the island left “a deeper emotional imprint than almost anywhere” he’s been.
“Standing beneath Portugal’s highest peak, watching cloud shadows pass over the black-rock vineyards… I don’t know many places where the landscape tells its story so clearly.” Portugal by Travelive Country Leader Armando Maestre on Pico
During his time there, he was welcomed at family-run wineries woven into UNESCO-protected lava fields, where centuries-old stonework still shields each vine from the Atlantic winds. Tasting the island’s signature wines, he found them inseparable from their origins. “There, wine tastes like the island itself: mineral, bold, unapologetic. Luxury doesn’t get more authentic than this.”
Terceira
Known for its lively cultural traditions and its remarkably preserved UNESCO-listed capital, Terceira balances heritage, elegance, and volcanic wonder in a display of truly astonishing diversity. From Angra do Heroísmo’s pastel façades, azulejo-framed balconies, and sunlit plazas to the geological marvels that lie dormant beneath its surface, this is where nature and culture fill every moment with curiosity.
For Armando, Terceira marked a shift from raw volcanic drama to a more architectural and cultural immersion. “Angra do Heroísmo is elegant in a surprisingly understated way,” he said. “Every corner feels like a postcard – azulejo-trimmed balconies, sunlit plazas, boutique patisseries that have been around for generations.”
Yet the island’s natural forces proved just as captivating. Descending into the famed Algar do Carvão, he found himself inside a volcanic chimney alive with prehistoric formations and shimmering mineral textures. “I’ve visited hundreds of natural sites in Europe, but that one left me speechless. It’s Portugal’s version of entering the Earth’s cathedral.”
Faial
Gentle, breezy, and effortlessly welcoming, Faial offers a softer counterpoint to the intensity of its neighboring islands. Known as “The Blue Island” for the hydrangeas that blanket its hillsides in summer, it carries a maritime spirit shaped by centuries of transatlantic crossings.
For Armando, arriving on Faial brought on a palpable emotional shift. “After the intensity of Pico’s volcano and Terceira’s geology, Faial felt like an exhale,” he said.
Porto Pim Bay, with its graceful arc of white sand and tranquil blue water, quickly became his favorite place to unwind. He ended one evening in quintessential Faial fashion: sipping a local gin distilled on the island as the sun dropped behind the horizon, casting warm light across Pico’s unmistakable silhouette. “It felt like the Azores were putting on a private show.”
Where Grandeur is Approached with Modesty
Across all four islands, what struck Armando most was not simply the scenery, but the quiet confidence with which the Azores reveal themselves. In conversations with hoteliers, guides, and everyday residents, he sensed a deep, unspoken pride in a place that has remained true to its essence.
“The Azoreans don’t position themselves as a luxury destination – but that’s exactly what makes the experience so luxurious. It’s refined by nature, culture, and sincerity.”
For him, the verdict was unmistakable: “Luxury in the Azores comes as natural as its beauty.” And it’s this lasting impression that makes the Azores not only a destination, but an experience that quietly transforms those who venture there. A place of unbridled, all-around discovery.
“For American travelers, the Azores offer something rare: European charm mixed with raw natural drama, far from the usual tourist circuits. These islands stay with you long after you leave.” Portugal by Travelive Country Leader Armando Maestre
Want to offer your clients a chance to uncover the magic of this Portuguese wonderland? Then have them trace Armando’s footsteps with Portugal by Travelive’s newest escape to the Azores and let it reinvent their idea of true luxury!
