Dreamy Diving and Dazzling Districts: Lisbon and the Azores Combo

Close to home, dive the Lourencos and Sabrina reefs, where sleek devil rays congregate above the colourful coral. If you'd prefer to head out a little further, hop aboard a boat to the marine reserve surrounding the Ilha Franca islet. Located less than a mile off the coast and formed from an ancient submerged volcano, these waters are home to moray eels, sting rays, groupers and octopus.

Fancy something a little more adventurous? Wreck-heads can head off to dive the Dori, a fascinating World War II wreck that was involved in the D-Day landings. Sunk in 1964, it now boasts a coating of coral, exhilarating swim-throughs and a variety of marine life, from large groupers to teeny nudibranchs.

In the evening, head back to your hotel for sundowners or drive back to Ponta Delgada to nibble on petiscos (Portuguese tapas) over live music. Saude…

Begin at Lagoa do Fogo, a half-hour drive east. Set in an extinct volcano crater in the centre of the island, this incredible natural pool boasts electric blue waters and lush scenery, so keep eyes peeled and cameras poised as you drive between viewpoints. Feeling active? Ditch the car and embark on the challenging hike from one viewpoint to another, soaking up the glorious views along the way.

Next, swap one body of water for another as you continue to Caldeira Velha, a natural hot spring set on the slope of a dormant volcano. Simply sit back and relax in the steaming pools - what better way to relax your muscles after a couple of days of diving?

Once you touch down, pick up another trusty car and drive ten minutes to your next hotel. The most southerly island in the Azores, Santa Maria enjoys the sunniest climate and is home to a number of beautiful beaches and tidal pools that are perfect for swimming in.

Drop off your bags and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Take a walk along the coastline, soak up the sun on the beach or simply find a local spot for some traditional Portuguese fare - pure bliss.

Keen to see manta rays? Ambrosio is renowned for its rays, so drop down into the deep blue for exhilarating devil ray encounters, with up to 50 known to gather at once. A little further out, the waters surrounding the Formigas Islets boast fantastic visibility and various cetacean species, including Galapagos sharks, hammerheads and even elusive whale sharks.

Located a few miles southeast of Formigas, Dollabarat features a steep seamount that starts at five metres and quickly drops to 30. Hover over the reef to spot dusky groupers and barred hogfish or look out to open water for the possibility of sharks and other pelagics.

After an active day of diving, unwind with dinner and drinks at your hotel, watching as the sun sets over the sea.

Once you've cleared customs, you'll be met and privately transferred to your hotel, where you'll be staying for the next three nights. Spend the rest of the day as you please, perhaps setting out to find your bearings. With its coastal location, cobblestone streets and year-round sunshine, Portugal's capital is perfect for exploring on foot.

Come evening, head out into the city for a tasty dinner - our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend the best restaurants in town.

One morning, catch the legendary 28 tram up the hill to the ruins of Castelo de Sao Jorge, gliding past the picturesque streets of Chiado, Baixa and Alfama along the way. Once you've taken in the gorgeous city panoramas from the top, wander the Alfama district, the oldest part of the city, before stopping in Baixa for a coffee (or a cocktail).

Visit Belem to see the Jeronimos Monastery and the iconic Torre de Belem (both UNESCO World Heritage sites), or head to one of Lisbon's lush green spaces, from the Jardim do Torel to the Ajuda Botanical Garden.

Come evening, pick a different sunset spot, enjoy a delicious dinner hand-picked from our Dossier and hit the city's buzzing bars for a nightcap - it would be criminal to leave without trying ginjinha, Lisbon's rich, sour-cherry liqueur.