Island Hopping and Diving in The Azores: Pico, Santa Maria and Sao Miguel

As you glide through the water, keep your eyes peeled for moray eels, slipper lobsters and stingrays hovering above the reefs. Fancy a spot of macro diving? Dip deeper to spot nudibranchs and other teeny critters hiding in the rock formations.

Come evening, head back to your hotel for leisurely sundowners overlooking the landscape or venture out for some traditional Portuguese fare - our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some local gems.

Accompanied by a professional guide, set off up the mountain, crossing solidified lava fields, jagged volcanic rock and steep terrain. The hike is just over five miles in total, but your weary legs will be rewarded with postcard-perfect views across the surrounding islands from the 7,715ft summit, which also happens to be the highest point in Portugal.

Come evening, head back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest (best enjoyed with an ice-cold drink) and a tasty dinner.

Once you've landed, pick up your next trusty rental car and drive ten minutes to your hotel. It'll be evening by the time you arrive, so check in, drop your bags and head straight to the restaurant for some seafood and sundowners.

Home to some of the best diving in Europe, the waters surrounding Santa Maria boast a huge variety of dive sites to explore, including the iconic Formigas Islets and Dollabarat reef. When you descend, you'll be rewarded with up to 40m visibility, steep drop-offs and a thriving underwater ecosystem, including manta rays, mobula rays and several species of shark.

When you're not masked up, spend your time entirely as you please. For those seeking active exploration, we can arrange hiking or boat expeditions; if you'd rather some much-needed R&R, simply sit back and relax with your holiday read at your hotel. Pure bliss.

When you arrive in Furnas, check in for three nights, drop your bags and contact your local Concierge for some lunch recommendations. The rest of the day is yours to spend settling in, whether you'd rather wander the town, marvel at Furnas Lake or simply soak up the sun back at your hotel.

As you drive towards Vista do Rei, an iconic local miradouro (viewpoint), you'll have the opportunity to stop and marvel at smaller lakes, such as Lake Empadades. Once you reach Vista do Rei, however, it's time for the main event: views over the magnificent Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a twin lake set in a dormant volcano crater. Cameras at the ready…

Next, continue back down to the village of Sete Cidades, stopping at Saint Nicholas Church to take in its black-and-white facades and intricate stained-glass details. Enjoy a tasty lunch in town before heading back to Furnas for a peaceful afternoon, complete with an ice-cold sundowner - you are on holiday, after all.

Armed with a full-to-the-brim camera roll, it's back in the car for the drive to Caldeira Velha, a natural reserve boasting lush greenery, a sparkling waterfall and, perhaps most importantly, a series of relaxing hot springs. Shed your shorts and sunnies and spend as long as you like relaxing in the steaming water, heated by the volcano's geothermal activity.

Once you arrive, there's no time to waste, so check in and head straight back out for the final dive session of your holiday. Alongside an expert guide, set off from Ponta Delgada's harbour to a series of offshore reefs and volcanic formations, where you'll have the opportunity to dive among rocky outcrops, lava flows and submerged arches.

Wildlife lovers, you're in luck: these crystal-clear Atlantic waters are home to myriad marine marvels, from shimmering shoals of bream and wrasse to moray eels and octopus nestled in the rocks. You might also have the chance to spot a few of the ocean's most iconic residents, including rays and sharks - not a bad line-up for your final dive.

As you sail out, keep an eye out for a range of dolphin species dipping in and out of the water, including the short-beaked, common and Risso's varieties. The most celebrated resident in these waters is the majestic sperm whale, which can be seen year-round, but if you happen to be travelling during spring and summer - traditional migratory periods - you might also be able to spot blue whales and even orcas cruising through the deep blue.

Later, head back into Ponta Delgada for one final dinner, toasting to the highlights of your island-hopping adventure.

Once you've landed in Lisbon, grab a quick snack (and any last-minute souvenirs) before your final flight home. You'll land back in the UK this evening, after just under three hours in the air - the perfect amount of time to decide on your next dreamy diving destination.