BBC\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\nAzores<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\nMarooned in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean some 1,500km west of Lisbon, this nine-island Portuguese archipelago is one of Europe’s most isolated destinations and is known for its steaming natural hot springs, jewel-coloured lakes and sparkling lava tubes. The Azores already boast some of the continent’s most dramatic black-sand beaches and best\u00a0whale-watching<\/a>\u00a0opportunities, but the islands can now add another superlative to the list:\u00a0Europe’s largest protected marine sanctuary<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nIn a groundbreaking piece of legislation approved in October 2024, the Azores’ newly designated Marine Protected Area will extend 287,000 sq km (an expanse larger than all of Great Britain) and safeguard deep-sea corals, sharks and the 28 species of whales and dolphins found here. Protecting the long-term health and biodiversity of these coral reefs will be a boon for travellers eager to participate in whale-watching and sustainable marine research expeditions in the years to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/480xn\/p0kjnzn9.jpg.webp\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>The Azores have made protecting their coral reefs a top priority (Credit: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nElsewhere, a scenic drive from the capital of Ponta Delgada,\u00a0Furnas Valley<\/a>\u00a0is home to two active volcanoes. Spend some time hot spring hopping your way across the bubbling geothermal valley, wander through lush botanical gardens or enjoy a leisurely stroll in\u00a0Terra Nostra Park<\/a>, arguably one of Europe’s most beautiful parks. Dating back to 1775, the eponymous\u00a0Terra Nostra Garden Hotel<\/a>\u00a0is a bonafide green retreat that will offer guests 24-hour access to their newly enhanced thermal pools and jacuzzis starting in January 2025. Don’t leave without sampling the\u00a0cozido das Furnas<\/i><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a local meat stew buried underground and slow-cooked using the volcanic hot springs’ natural heat. Nearby, sample purple volcanic tea at\u00a0Chalet da Tia Merc\u00eas<\/a>, or plan a visit to the family-owned\u00a0Gorreana Tea Factory<\/a>, the oldest (and only) tea plantation in Europe. \u2013\u00a0Michelle Gross<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Marooned in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean some 1,500km west of Lisbon, this nine-island Portuguese archipelago is one of Europe’s most isolated destinations and is known for its steaming natural hot springs, jewel-coloured lakes and sparkling lava tubes. The Azores already boast some of the continent’s most dramatic black-sand beaches and best\u00a0whale-watching<\/a>\u00a0opportunities, but the islands can now add another superlative to the list:\u00a0Europe’s largest protected marine sanctuary<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a groundbreaking piece of legislation approved in October 2024, the Azores’ newly designated Marine Protected Area will extend 287,000 sq km (an expanse larger than all of Great Britain) and safeguard deep-sea corals, sharks and the 28 species of whales and dolphins found here. Protecting the long-term health and biodiversity of these coral reefs will be a boon for travellers eager to participate in whale-watching and sustainable marine research expeditions in the years to come.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Elsewhere, a scenic drive from the capital of Ponta Delgada,\u00a0Furnas Valley<\/a>\u00a0is home to two active volcanoes. Spend some time hot spring hopping your way across the bubbling geothermal valley, wander through lush botanical gardens or enjoy a leisurely stroll in\u00a0Terra Nostra Park<\/a>, arguably one of Europe’s most beautiful parks. Dating back to 1775, the eponymous\u00a0Terra Nostra Garden Hotel<\/a>\u00a0is a bonafide green retreat that will offer guests 24-hour access to their newly enhanced thermal pools and jacuzzis starting in January 2025. Don’t leave without sampling the\u00a0cozido das Furnas<\/i><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a local meat stew buried underground and slow-cooked using the volcanic hot springs’ natural heat. Nearby, sample purple volcanic tea at\u00a0Chalet da Tia Merc\u00eas<\/a>, or plan a visit to the family-owned\u00a0Gorreana Tea Factory<\/a>, the oldest (and only) tea plantation in Europe. \u2013\u00a0Michelle Gross<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n