islands

THE Canary Islands have long been a go-to destination for winter sun.

But you can see similar beaches, luscious landscapes and year-round sunshine further into the Atlantic Ocean, with a Portuguese twist.

The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands, between 870 to 1,000 miles west of Portugal.

They have even been nicknamed the “Hawaii of Europe” due to their vibrant greenery and dramatic scenery.

They also share a similar volcanic landscape, with 26 active volcanoes spread across the islands.

However, the lesser-trodden Azores do not see as many visitors as winter sun competitors Lanzarote and Tenerife.

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They’re easy to get to from the UK, with airlines British Airways operating direct flights from London to São Miguel.

Once you’ve landed in São Miguel, you can hop from island to island by ferry or inter-island flight.

The best time to visit them is in spring or summer, when temperatures peak to a sunny 25 °C.

Plus, these islands make for a rather inexpensive holiday.

Most attractions are outdoor spectacles, meaning that they are free to admire.

Food and drink is affordable across the islands, too, with lunch and a drink averaging around just €10.

São Miguel – best for water sports and volcanic baths

São Miguel is the largest and most popular of the islands, and is home to some mind-blowing nature and wildlife.

It is nicknamed “The Green Island” for its signature rolling green hills backed by thick forests.

There is plenty of beautiful flora which makes the island burst with colour in springtime – from bright blue hydrangeas to pink rhododendron.

The volcanic island is also home to over 30 geysers, waterfalls, geothermal pools, as well as two crater lakes: one green and one blue.

There is also plenty of wildlife to spot, including whales, dolphins, turtles lizards and exotic birds.

The best time of year to visit for bird, whale and dolphin watching is from April to October.

Apart from admiring the nature, there are plenty of unique places to visit in São Miguel like the island’s pineapple plantation and tea factory.

Santa Maria – best for cheap food and sunbathing

Santa Maria is the southernmost island in the Azores, meaning it is the hottest and sunniest option.

It’s also a super cheap destination, with a meal and a pint costing an average of £8.91 per person.

It’s also home to the largest waterfall in the Azores, Aveiro Waterfall.

It’s great for sporty travellers, with plenty of walking trails, snorkelling and diving.

There’s 55 locations to go scuba diving, including caves and wrecks where you can come face to face with manta rays and whale sharks.

Hike to the island’s highest point, Pico Alto, for views over the rugged coastline.

For a unique experience, head to Barreiro de Faneca – the island’s vast “Red Desert” with a Martian-like landscape.

Or for something more chilled, you can spend your days sunbathing on its golden sand beaches to unwind.

Central Group – best for outdoor adventurers

The Central Group is a cluster of five small Azores islands – Pico, Faial, Graciosa, São Jorge, and Terceira.

The latter three islands are sometimes referred to as “The Triangle” due to their formation in the water.

Pico is famously home to Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal that towers over the islands.

Faial, on the other hand, is a tiny island more suited to day trip visits.

It’s often considered the best spot among the islands for whale and dolphin watching.

Graciosa, or the “White Island”, is a peaceful UNESCO biosphere reserve.

With its unique features like craters and lava caves, this island is more for adventure and exploring than sunbathing.

Similarly, São Jorge is known for its rare landscape features.

Most notably it is known for its fajãs, which are flat coastal plains formed by lava flows.

Terceira is one of the larger islands in the Azores, and is home to their oldest city – Angra de Heroísmo.

Here, cobbled streets and historic buildings give this island a more bustling and lived-in feel than the others in the Central Group.

Flores and Corvo – best for remote island feel

Flores and Corvo are known as the Western islands of the Azores.

These islands are not as frequently visited as others, and make for a real remote island experience.

Flores is bursting with wild greenery and unspoilt landscapes, and is often called the most beautiful island in the Azores.

“Flores” is the Portuguese word for “flowers” – and this island really lives up to its name, blooming with colour in springtime.

And if you’re looking to feel like you’ve really gotten far away from the real world, Corvo is the smallest and most remote island of the archipelago.

The island is home to just 430 people, who all live in one village called Vila do Corvo.

The island itself is tiny, covering just over 17 square kilometres.

Corvo only received electricity in 1963, and is most popular with birdwatchers and hikers.

These westernmost islands feel truly isolated – the perfect spot if you’re after that castaway, edge-of-the-world experience.

First Choice has launched holiday deals for 2026 including savings of up to £500 on trips to destinations including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura

As 2025 draws to a close, many of us are already dreaming about our summer escape for the upcoming year – and luckily, travel companies are starting to roll out some tempting deals.

First Choice has discovered that nearly half (48%) of holidaymakers this year are keen to cut their travel expenses compared to previous years. Coupled with the escalating costs of flights and accommodation, it can be a tough task to snag a budget-friendly break without sacrificing your dream destination.

To help ease the strain on your wallet, the holiday booking giant is offering up to 10% off selected package holidays when you spend £500 or more, and there are savings of up to £500 off to be found on holidays departing between May 1, 2026 and October 31, 2027.

Bargain breaks start from a mere £225 per person, with a 10% discount automatically applied to some of the most sought-after destinations from 2025, including Cape Verde, Turkey, the Balearics, Cyprus, and Mexico. The stunning Canary Islands are also part of the deal, allowing sun-seekers to soak up the rays in popular spots like Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, all at a reduced price.

Among the First Choice 10% discounts is a 7-night stay in June 2026 at the four-star TUI BLUE Atlantic Hills in Tenerife, on a half-board basis with flights included from around £567 per person. This holiday offers a generous total saving of around £580, including checked-in luggage and transfers, with two adults sharing a double room.

The same package but for May 2026 starts from around £618 per person, offering a total saving of £446. Other discounted holidays to the Spanish island are also available at a catalogue of luxurious beach resorts.

Moreover, holidaymakers can book a 7-night stay at the four-star Hotel H10 Lanzarote Princess in Lanzarote, on a half-board basis with flights included from £548 per person. This offers a total saving of around £310 and is based on two adults sharing a twin room, although transfers and checked-in luggage are not included.

Beyond the reductions, customers can also benefit from additional deals, including a £0 deposit scheme that allows holidaymakers to reserve their getaway and spread payments throughout the year. Furthermore, hundreds of hotels and resorts provide free accommodation for children, creating opportunities for even greater savings.

First Choice has also partnered with Airalo to offer all guests a complimentary 1GB eSIM, helping to reduce expenses when using mobile roaming overseas. Kevin Nelson, Managing Director of First Choice, commented: “We know people don’t want to compromise on amazing holiday experiences, but the impact of the cost of living is hitting us all.

“That’s why we’re offering our biggest ever discounts, on top of other great ways to save. So people can get the most holiday for their budget and take a break they deserve in 2026.”

For further details or to book your next getaway, you can visit the First Choice website.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

LOVE Island star Lucie Donlan is shockin’ around the Christmas tree in a saucy low-cut Ann Summers dress.

The model, 27, helped the raunchy retail chain launch its Styles range, including this red All Wrapped Up festive number with a giant bow.

She has also been seen sleighing it in the company’s Sexy Santa Basque set.

In July Lucie enjoyed a spectacular break in Abu Dhabi which she received free of charge in exchange for an advert to her 1.5m Instagram followers.

In her caption, Lucie wrote: “This week I’ve had the pleasure of staying at @erth.uae.

“A breathtaking and unique Hotel located 15 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi.

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“When I first arrived it felt like stepping into nature as the whole hotel has been beautifully designed with sandy warm colours inspired by our planet and aspects of rich cultural Emirati heritage.

Lucie has been in a relationship with her former co-star, Luke Mabbott, 29, with the pair going on to become engaged in 2021.

Back in December the loved-up pair got accused of ‘getting engaged for likes on Instagram’ when they celebrated their proposal on holiday.

Luke shared a snap from their special moment with the caption: “2 year’s engaged…”

Some took to the comments section to share how confused they were by their engagement.

One user commented: “I’ve always said that an engagement isn’t real unless they’ve set a date for a wedding.

They continued: “Otherwise, it’s just like my plan to be a millionaire: it’s it’s vague goal without any realistic “when” or “how”.”

The couple shot to fame on different series of Love Island.