New ways to discover three Atlantic Ocean islands
Easier access to the Azores, fresh adventures in Madeira and volcanic excursions in La Palma: Gary Noakes discovers how these three destinations are enticing more visitors to their shores
For easier access to the Azores
The Azores raises its UK profile this summer with British Airways offering non-stop flights to two of its nine islands. Weekly services to Sao Miguel, which houses the archipelago’s capital Ponta Delgada, will run from 2 July to 3 September, with another to Terceira operating from 10 July until 28 August.
The Azores will appeal to anyone who discovered an affinity with nature during lockdown. Cross the landscapes of New Zealand and the Yorkshire Dales, mix volcanic hot springs and dolphin and whale watching with Portuguese culture, and you have an intriguing combination only three-and-a-half hours away.
The Azores’ spectacular landscapes have always attracted hikers, but 4x4 tours, quad biking, caving and even canyoning are now among the options.
BA does not have a monopoly on UK flights – Sata Azores Airlines also offers services with regional connections using the Worldwide by easyJet interline agreement.
Book it: Sunvil has a week’s activity package based in Ponta Delgada from £1,568pp including BA flights, accommodation with breakfast and excursions. sunvil.co.uk
For fresh adventures in Madeira
Madeira is moving to shake off its reputation as a winter bolthole for older travellers, with the tourist board foregrounding adventurous activities.
The island has evolved into one of the world’s top canyoning and abseiling destinations thanks to its numerous waterfalls, while off-road tours, trail running, sunrise hikes to its peaks and even paragliding are now options.
Madeira’s few beaches are not really for sitting on, but are put to good use by surfing schools, while wrecks and marine reserves provide excellent diving.
Funchal has an accommodation option suiting younger clients keen on retro style. Few 1970s hotels are design classics, but the Pestana Casino Park Hotel & Resort is a true icon. Designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who built Brasilia, the modernist construction has vast floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining area with spectacular Atlantic vistas.
Book it: EasyJet Holidays has five nights’ B&B at the Pestana Casino Park from £314pp, with flights departing Gatwick on 31 October. easyjet.com/en/holidays
For volcanic excursions in La Palma
La Palma was rocked by the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano last September, which officially ended on Christmas Day after destroying an estimated 3,000 buildings.
The lava flows are now something of a tourist attraction and, by visiting the Canary island, tourists are helping businesses devastated during the eruption.
Excursion companies have been fast to adapt to the new landscape, with whale watching operators adding itineraries to give the best views of the magma path from offshore. On land, there are guided tours of landscapes the lava flows created, which include new beaches and rock pools. Underwater, nature has created a new seascape for divers.
La Palma is now back on sale with operators, with Tui adding an incentive by switching its charitable efforts to the island in October, matching every pound donated to the Tui Care Foundation with its own contribution.
Book it: Tui has seven nights’ half-board at the Hotel Sol La Palma, with flights departing Gatwick on 15 December, from £445pp. tui.co.uk
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