Azores

A few days in the Azores is a great way to break up the long flight across the Atlantic. It’s also a great vacay destination. Ponta Delgada on São Miguel will keep you busy with its thermal springs, interesting volcanic landscape, and rich marine life. The people are proud and independent of the rest of Portugal. You can drive around the island and see most everything in a day, but to really see the island and get to know it, you'll need three or four days and a rental car.

My favorite thermal was Caldeira Velha, where there's nice hiking and a great atmosphere. They limit the number of people allowed in pools at one time, so be sure and book your time in advance.

Enjoy a fish dinner overlooking the harbor, walk the long boardwalk, and visit the botanical gardens.

Don’t miss Sete Cidades (Lagoa Azul and the Lagoa Verde) on the western side of the island. On a sunny day, you can see blue color in one lake and green in the other.

If you walk the side streets of Ponta Delgada, you’ll experience a vibrant local life of colors and a wondrous assemblage of mosaic sidewalks.