How can you get far, far away at half-term with no jet lag? Head south for the Azores. The Portuguese bagged the nine islands that make up this green archipelago by leaving a few goats on them in the early 15th century. People soon followed - then sea battles erupted when the islands became an important stopping-off point on the way to the Americas. But now all is calm in this most westerly outpost of Europe, two hours’ flight from Lisbon and five hours from New York.
On Sa Miguel you can visit the lakes that fill extinct volcanic craters, or the thermal springs at Furnas, which, says the tourist website (www.drtacores.pt), “makes us recover the youth and smoothes our soul”. Afterwards try caldeirada de peixe (fish stew) or cozido das furnas (meat and vegetables stewed in a volcanic hole in the ground).
Sunvil Discovery Europe is offering a break on Sa Miguel in October from pound;713 per person (based on two sharing), which includes seven nights’
Bamp;B at the Hotel Caloura, on the outskirts of a fishing village about 20 minutes’ drive from the island capital of Ponta Delgada, flights from Heathrow or Gatwick via Lisbon, transfers and three days’ car hire. Details: 020 8758 4722; www.sunvil.co.uk.
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