Question:  Mary McLaughlin asks: My husband and I are considering a trip to the Azores in the fall. Any suggestions for places to stay, special activities. etc?

Answer: Linda Marsh, CTC, a AAA Cruise & Tour professional, answers: If you have a beach vacation in mind, you’ll find a few small excellent beaches in the Azores, but most of the coast is rocky since the islands are entirely of volcanic origin. Popular activities include diving, whale and dolphin watching, fishing, paragliding, caving and bird watching. There are plenty of craters, hot springs, high cliffs and beautiful lakes. The combination of a maritime climate and rich volcanic soils means year-round greenery, including abundant Himalayan ginger (which has overgrown many walking trails). And, as with most areas in Portugal, you may well catch a local soccer game during your visit. From Boston, you can fly to Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, located on San Miguel, the biggest and most populated of the nine main islands. The modern, pink stucco all-suite Hotel Bahia Palace offers a range of resort facilities and leisure activities, and offers direct access to the beautiful beach at Agua D'Alto Bay. Be sure to experience the sweet island pineapple, walking trails and hot, natural, open-air swimming pools. From Sao Miguel, you can take local flights to other islands. On the island of Terceira, the town of Angra do Heroismo, the original capital of the Azores, was magnificently restored after bad earthquake damage in 1983. The Angra Hotel is an excellent base for exploring the beautiful old buildings, harbor, fortress and Monte Brazil. The hotel looks over the town square in one direction and beautiful public gardens in the other. There’s much to see and explore along the mountain roads, including natural swimming pools of black volcanic rock and the quaint villages of Altares and Reminho Serrera.

Guided treks of Pico and Sao Jorge are a favorite among nature and wilderness lovers. With the majestic mountain as a backdrop, the Pico Hotel is an ideal resting place, marked by silence and breathtaking scenery and landscapes. Visit the old whale factory museum, cheese factory and Verdelho wine cellar. Be sure to try the legendary aperitif wine that once reached the table of Czars.

View stunning photos and more information from the Association of Tourism of the Azores - Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Enjoy your adventure, and be sure to tell us about it when you return!