Best European island for: whale-watching and swimming with dolphins in the wild
Way out in the North Atlantic, the Portuguese Azores feel even further from the Algarve than they actually are. Leave your espadrilles at home; on the volcanic island of Pico, you’ll need your walking boots instead for hikes across basalt-walled vineyards and up the dominating Mount Pico. The island is the second largest in the Azorean cluster, and one of the world’s top destinations for whale-watching, being the closest land mass to their migration routes. Visit from March to October for whale-watching, and from July to October for the optimum opportunity to swim in the wild with dolphins. The Princess Alice Bank, a submerged seamount 45 nautical miles from Pico, is a big draw for experienced divers who come to see diverse sea life and huge shoals of mobula and manta rays. Back on dry land, whales form the inspiration for a new cypress-wood extension at Cella Bar, the island’s designer hotspot for drinks and dinner.
Getting to Pico: The Azores’ own SATA airline hops around the islands and also operates a four-hour flight from London Gatwick to São Miguel. Alternatively, fly to Lisbon, where you can pick up a direct flight to Pico.
Where to stay: Rent one of the twelve adegas or cottages – made from dark volcanic stone from Adegas do Pico – situated in the small village of Prainha.
