Azores

Exploring the Azores requires a mix of air and sea travel, as this mid-Atlantic archipelago is spread across hundreds of kilometers. The regional airline, SATA Air Açores, provides essential links between all nine islands, while the Atlanticoline ferry service offers a scenic way to hop between the central group—specifically Faial, Pico, and São Jorge. On the islands themselves, renting a car is the most practical way to reach iconic viewpoints like the Miradouro da Boca do Inferno on São Miguel. Expect car rental prices to range from €45 to €80 ($48–$86) per day during the high season.

Driving here is a joy, with roads lined by vibrant blue hydrangeas, but the mist can roll in quickly. To ensure you always have access to offline maps and real-time weather updates, activate a Hello eSIM before you touch down in Ponta Delgada. This allows you to avoid expensive roaming charges while navigating the winding coastal roads. You can also use the Hello trip planning feature to keep your various ferry vouchers and flight itineraries organized, ensuring a smooth transition as you move from the 'Green Island' to the 'Black Island' of Pico.

Azorean cuisine is a reflection of its fertile volcanic soil and the surrounding Atlantic. In the town of Furnas, you must try Cozido das Furnas, a rich stew of pork, beef, and vegetables buried in the earth and cooked by natural geothermal heat for several hours. A generous serving for two typically costs around €35 ($38). Seafood lovers should look for lapas (grilled limpets served with garlic and butter) and fresh tuna steaks, which are staples at local tascas.

For those with a sweet tooth, the pineapple plantations on São Miguel produce a small, incredibly sweet fruit that is often served with local blood sausage as a starter. When dining out with a group, the Hello expense splitting tool is incredibly helpful for dividing the bill after a feast of local cheeses and Pico wines. You can also use the Hello budget tracker to log your meals in Euros; it automatically shows your spending in your preferred currency, making it easy to see how much you’ve spent on those delicious Queijadas da Vila pastries without any mental math.

The Azores is often called the 'Galapagos of the North' for its incredible biodiversity. Whale watching is a premier activity, especially in Horta on Faial, where you can spot sperm whales and dolphins year-round. A three-hour boat excursion generally costs about €65 ($70). If you prefer to stay on land, the hiking trails are world-class. The trek around the Caldeira on Faial offers breathtaking views of the crater, while the climb up Mount Pico, Portugal's highest peak, is a bucket-list challenge for many.

After a day of trekking, there is nothing better than soaking in the iron-rich thermal baths of Terra Nostra Garden or the natural ocean-fed hot springs at Ponta da Ferraria, where the Atlantic waves mix with volcanic heat. Because many of these sites have specific entry times or limited capacity, use the Hello trip planning feature to schedule your visits and avoid the crowds. Staying connected with a Hello eSIM means you can check the live webcams at SpotAzores to see if the mountain peaks are clear of clouds before you start your hike, saving you a long drive to a foggy viewpoint.