Book a holiday home in the Azores for your dream holidays

These paradise islands in the Atlantic Ocean are a great location to feel the wind on your face, the sun on your back and the sand between your toes as you relax on the beach. Rated as one of the best places for eco-tourism in the entire world, the Azores lie out in the Atlantic Ocean, some 1500 kilometres west of Lisbon. There are nine major Azorean islands, and visitors who book Azores holiday lettings will notice that there is some cultural and linguistic variation between each of these rock outcrops. This is due to the fact that they were settled intermittently over the course of a couple of centuries; they were uninhabited by people until 15th century, when Portuguese explorers reached them. Visitors who like going outside and being active will love their stay in Azores holiday homes. The clean air and sea, along with the diverse terrain, makes the islands a superb place for walking and trekking, as well as golf. The coastline means that there a host of water sports on available for those making bookings in rentals here such as Azores villas, with yachting and sailing popular alongside more alternative activities like surfing on the beach. There are also a lot of Spanish isles with nice rental properties where you'll find similar conditions for these activities. Biking routes are well developed on the Balearics, especially on Mallorca, and Gran Canaria would be the perfect destination to book a rental property to enjoy long walks through the beautiful landscape. The isle of Ibiza is well known for its ideal watersports conditions, not just its crazy night life!

Watching dolphins and whales – the Azores will be unforgettable

The sea around the isles also has a wide variety in terms of wildlife. Guests who are staying in Azores holiday lettings with great waterside views will almost certainly want to do some whale watching around the coasts, and anyone at sea will probably be greeted by dolphins. Should anyone want to test themselves against the creatures of the deep, then there are plenty of well-equipped boats offering fishing trips out onto the water. The islands also have a wide range of bird species for keen watchers to spot.

Discover an enchanting archipelago - The Azores

Visitors to Azores apartments who are interested in crafts and local traditions will also find plenty to keep them interested. Local crafts use an interesting range of materials, largely determined by their island environment. As well as wood and whale bone, fish scales and teeth, potters' earth and basalt all feature in distinctive, locally-made craft artefacts. There is also embroidery and lace making at isles such as Sao Miguel and Terceira, while Pico is well-known for its items carved from whales' teeth. The cuisine on the Azores is largely the same as will be found on the Portuguese mainland, with more of a local emphasis on meat and potatoes, and there is some excellent seafood to be enjoyed as well. A stay in an Azores holiday home will leave visitors refreshed and relaxed, on account of the uniquely maritime environment of these volcanic isles. Thanks to the large range of accommodation options available, whether you rent a house, apartment or villa boasting exquisite countryside or coastal views, you will be sure to find what you're looking for. There are rental houses with a swimming pool and their own private gardens with enough room to house up to 11 guests - perfect for a getaway for a week with a large group of friends. Or, if you're travelling as a couple for a special weekend break, there are smaller, self catering apartments, cottages and villas so you can enjoy your privacy.

If you have travelled to the Azores before, perhaps you'd like to explore what nearby mainland Portugal has to offer. You could take a trip to the capital, Lisbon, but of course if it's really an island getaway you're looking for, another suggestion for you could be to find a rental property in Curacao, part of the Netherlands Antilles located in the Caribbean.