My recent trip to the Azores was my second with Flash Pack (I travelled to Türkiye with FP two years ago). Both were uniquely wonderful experiences, incomparable in most ways, but overall the Azores really stands out. In Türkiye the pace of the itinerary was frenetic at times, but in the Azores, FP has struck the perfect balance. Our small group of eight got on very well, and our guide Eduardo was a highlight of the trip for everyone. His authentic love for his island is evident and his demeanour is very well suited to his job. We had the best time with him, including many shared laughs. We felt very safe, he anticipated our every need, and made small adjustments as needed to suit our preferences. The entire island of Sao Miguel is a lush botanical paradise. The itinerary is very well balanced, with stunning hikes of varying intensity (and the option to sit out for the more strenuous hike if desired - but if I can do it, anyone can!). The payoff: a dip in the cool waters of breathtaking waterfall. Even the activities that I would not have chosen on my own turned out to be fantastic: breakfast with goats was an absolute blast (complete with an amazing spread of locally made jams, cheeses, breads, fruits etc.) and cuddles with baby goats! Whale watching was in a speedboat type-vessel that was both incredibly fun and that placed us basically at water level as dolphins and sei whales frolicked beside us in the water. The thermal waters were relaxing and located amongst the most incredible botanical gardens I’ve ever seen (Terra Nostra). There was a perfect amount of free time to allow for enjoyment of the hotel’s fantastic amenities and for a bit of exploring on our own. Finally, after our farewell dinner Eduardo helped us to organize our own sunset trip Ferraria (ocean thermal pools that are heated by volcanic activity) which was unforgettable (and not for the faint of heart!). Overall an unforgettable trip that has left me already dreaming of my next Flash Pack adventure…