Islands are a trip off the well-beaten tourist track ; Anthony Channer explores the volcanic beauty of the tiny islands in the mid-Atlantic that make up the Azores

There are few, if any, undiscovered travel destinations in theworld, and the Azores are no exception. However, they do existsomewhat on the fringe of the average holiday-maker's radar.

Located in the mid-Atlantic between Portugal and the USA andcovering an area approximately 600km wide, the nine islands of thearchipelago flourish on a junction at three of the world's largesttectonic plates.

For centuries the islands have been a stop-over and retreat forsailors, and have more recently become a much-loved destination foryachtsmen and pleasure cruisers.

Rugged The steep and rugged nature of the mountainous islands,with their characteristic flora and …