The nine islands of the Azores archipelago are a thousand nautical miles from any place else. They exist at the very spot that the tectonic plates for Europe, Africa and North America meet. These are wild and diverse bits of earth, built from ancient volcanic eruptions. The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, are unlike anywhere else on earth. And, just four hours by plane from Boston, they are a breathtaking destination, undiscovered by most Americans. Situated about 1,000 miles from the European coast and about 2,000 miles from North America, the Azores consists of nine unique islands divided into three groups: * the eastern (São Miguel and Santa Maria) * the central (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial) * the western (Corvo and Flores). It is said that in the Azores, people still remember what the rest of the world has forgotten. Life moves at a different pace, and a handshake means more than an e-mail greeting. While these are without question some of the most beautiful islands in the world, they remain an emerging destination. Rather than focusing on the mass tourist market, the government of the Azores has nurtured an infrastructure to welcome the visitor who seeks a personalized and unique experience. In the towns, valleys, and seashore, fine hotels have been built in ancient monasteries and palaces. Azoreans are truly pleased to share their homeland with visitors. Unspoiled, Authentic, and Diverse To find the Azores, look at a map of North America and draw a line due east from New England. The islands were created by dramatic volcanic activity hundreds of millions of years ago, building an environment that is both unexpected and varied. From the 7,700-foot peak of Pico island, to the blue and green lakes at Sete Cidades on São Miguel, the Azores offers a lush and sculptured landscape that is reminiscent of many places: The green fields and gentle hills resemble Ireland. The baroque cities and classical architecture are like those of the north of Portugal. The mountains and valleys resemble northern California. The geysers and craters remind one of Iceland. There are sapphire blue and emerald green lakes; stone wall-lined prairies, volcanic cones and craters; wild hydrangeas and azaleas; 15th-century Gothic churches, and grand manor houses. This ocean-enveloped land enjoys a mild climate year-round (between 57°F and 71°F) and is lightly populated with 240,000 inhabitants in 868 square miles. The volcanic genesis of the Azores is unmistakable. Thousands of years of vegetation cannot hide the deep craters, some of which are filled with deep lakes today. Geysers and sulfur springs are common. The Azores are also known for their rolling landscapes, sprinkled with tiny settlements of whitewashed or black stone houses. The hillsides are planted with vineyards, tea, and fruit orchards. Some coastlines are strewn with black rocks, rugged and often plunging hundreds of feet into the emerald sea. But, there are plenty of welcoming bays, natural pools, beaches, and inlets for swimming and sunbathing (the water temperature is warm enough year-round). Watersports, fishing and whale watching are widely available. Click on the link bellow for more photos of our beautiful island http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/GeorgeSmid/Azores?authkey=MQrbTm906BE#