Azores – Portugal: The Volcanic Archipelago

Set in the Atlantic Ocean, midway between North America and Europe, nine islands make up the Azores archipelago with a volcanic connection that makes them among the most beautiful in the world. Discovered in the 15th century by Portuguese navigators on their way to the new world they are still relatively unspoiled. We visit the islands of San Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Pico and feature a variety of volcanoes from young cones to collapsed craters and from old chimneys to the site of the Capelinhos Volcano that erupted from under the sea barely 50 years ago. Our explorations reveal the stunning beauty of the islands’ wild flowers; farmlands enclosed by stone hedges and hydrangeas; and beautiful churches, town halls, city squares, baroque and colonial architecture that reflect the historic importance of the archipelago. For more information see Episode 16 in International Features.