In the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic.

 "Where else can you be as free as by yourself in the middle of nowhere, or in the middle of the ocean, or on the peak of a mountain. Adventure is freedom."

-- Daniel Norris
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(in the Macaronesia region of the North Atlantic Ocean) The Portuguese islands called the Azores lie almost midway between North America and Europe. The Azores, an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands, is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal. The islands and several islets form a group that stretches for about 400 miles (640 km). Flores, the westernmost island, is only about 1,200 miles (1,930 km) from Newfoundland, Canada. São Miguel, one of the easternmost islands, is some 800 miles (1,300 km) from Portugal. (The capital is Ponta Delgada on São Miguel.)

+ The Azores are of volcanic origin. In 1522 the town of Vila Franca was buried under volcanic debris. The mild climate and fertile volcanic soil support fine vineyards, orchards, pastures, and gardens. The Azores remained virtually unknown until they were reputedly discovered by a Portuguese navigator in 1427. Faial Island was given to Flanders in 1466, but was then ceded to Portugal in 1480. Its Atlantic climate has given way to evergreen vegetation, resulting in landscapes that are ripe for exploration. In the Azores, you will find its islands dotted with miles-long calderas enshrouded in tropical foliage, filled with multi-colored lakes, and centuries-old Portuguese villages. In the water, you will find one-third of the world's cetacean species at any given time. Should you take a trip to Furnas Valley on São Miguel island, you can take a dip in thermal pools that contain minerals produced from a dormant volcano, which are believed to help with issues ranging from allergies to anemia.

+ During World War II, the Portuguese leased air and naval bases in the Azores to Great Britain. These facilities were occupied by the British in 1943 (which was a key turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic), enabling the Royal Air Force, the U.S. Army Air Forces, and the U.S. Navy to provide aerial coverage in the Mid-Atlantic gap. In 1944, the U.S. constructed an air base on the island of Santa Maria. In 1945, a new base was constructed on the island of Terceira, named Lajes Field. Lajes, a broad, flat sea terrace that had been a large farm, is a plateau rising out of the sea on the northeast corner of the island. This air base is a joint American and Portuguese venture.

+ Sometimes called the Hawaii of the mid-Atlantic, this remote archipelago abounds with adventures. It has whale watching, sailing, diving, hiking, canyoning, and surfing, plus other watersports.

+ The Azores contain two of Portugal’s 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites (the vineyards of Pico and the old town of Angra do Heroismo on Terceira) and three biospheres (Graciosa, Flores and Corvo). The regional government has bolstered this with a network of natural parks and marine reserves to safeguard the unspoiled environment.