The HANSEATIC spirit sets a course for Madeira and the Azores where Mother Nature took no half measures. Bizarre volcanic landscapes, hot springs and lush, green vegetation are just waiting to be explored thoroughly. Cruising off Madeira marks the first stage of your Portuguese island adventure. Some dolphins might even burst out of the deep-blue waters of the Atlantic to awaken a sense of springtime in you. The island group of Madeira also includes the rarely visited Ilha Deserta Grande, an uninhabited nature reserve with rare Mediterranean monk seals. If the local authorities give the green light, the Zodiacs will take you ashore for a tour with a local ranger.

Glittering escarpments and kilometres of beach have earned Porto Santo its nickname of the “golden island”. Discover its riches on an island tour in an all-terrain vehicle* with fascinating geological insights. If you would rather get active, explore the island on horseback as you go riding on Porto Santo*.

Unspoilt natural experiences await explorers like you on the seldom-visited and largely unknown Azores. With a little luck, the many open deck spaces and the spirit Walk will allow you to watch marine creatures as well as the numerous contrasts along the coasts and ashore. The Zodiacs might also be used, depending on the local conditions. Sao Miguel, perhaps the greenest of the islands, is waiting to welcome you. It is home to numerous volcanic lakes, fumaroles and some of Europe’s few tea plantations which you can explore on an all-terrain vehicle tour*. No visit would be complete without the crater lakes of Sete Cidades* where you can take in spectacular views from the edge of the caldera. The green pastures and wine-growing areas on Pico create a significant contrast with the deep-black volcanic rock. Start at the heart of the crater island*: at over 2,300 m (7,545 ft), the volcano is Portugal’s highest peak. See the home of the Verdelho wine, famous to this day, when you explore Pico’s vineyards on foot*: surrounded by basalt walls, the white grapes are cultivated here. Alternatively, you can dive deep into the world of the ocean giants on a whale-and-dolphin-watching trip in an RIB*. Faial is a rather cosmopolitan prospect. Every year, thousands of sailing boats and yachts moor in Horta, the island’s capital, its old town one of the architectural gems of the archipelago. Marvel at the almost circular Caldeira do Pico Gordo on a panoramic trip through the volcanic landscape*. For those who love exercise, a hike around the caldera* along the roughly 400 m (1,312 ft) deep crater offers a stunning view. Sao Jorge is like something from primeval times. It is known as the “dragon island” because of its wide, undulating flank shaped by volcanic cones which you will come face to face with on an island tour*. The beauty of untamed nature is reflected in the many fajas – lush, green stretches of land formed by cooled lava where tropical fruits and coffee are cultivated. Here you can go an excursion that is typical of the island: fajas and coffee tasting*. The brightly coloured capital of Terceira was crafted by masters in a Renaissance style. On a city walk through Angra do Heroismo*, stroll through its centre which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you explore Terceira in a jeep*, bizarre lava formations and volcanic caves combine with delicious island specialities to fascinate the eyes and palate. Alternatively, a challenging hike in the wild highlands* will lead you past lakes, hot springs and heathland as you pass through almost untouched natural scenery. The Azores are also a gateway for beach lovers, as demonstrated by the idyllic island of Santa Maria. Take a hike to Formosa beach*, possibly the most beautiful in the Azores. Soak up the sun before you return home with the special feeling of spring in the middle of the Atlantic.