The ‘paradise on Earth’ European island with natural pools and dolphins – you can even stay in an abandoned village
ANYONE thinking of heading somewhere a little different for their holidays this summer might want to consider a trip to an island regularly labelled "paradise on Earth".
Despite its tempting moniker, few tourists turn up to explore the island, with other locations nearby considered more convenient options.
But Ilha das Flores in the Azores in Portugal has plenty to offer visitors, regardless of what they're looking for from a holiday.
That said, its main attraction is its obviously its natural beauty, which completely covers the entire island.
The island is named after the bright blue hortênsias (hydrangeas) that can be found growing wild everywhere.
But it also has secluded beaches, natural pools, waterfalls, canyons, hiking trails and dolphins swimming off shore.
The island is mostly uninhabited which has allowed such nature to flourish and it is regularly compared to Jurassic Park as a result.
One of the most popular places to visit on the island are the hugely impressive waterfalls that cascade down from the hills and peaks across the island.
Among the best are Poco de Bacalhau and Ribeira Grande, both of which offer natural pools at the foot of them where people can swim and cool off, with temperatures reaching the high 20s in the summer.
Other pools on the island include the Santa Cruz sea pools, which sit just next to the sea, enclosed by rocks, making them look almost like natural infinity pools.
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described them as "heavenly" and one of the best places to swim on the island.
They wrote: "This set of natural pools is heavenly.
"The natural swimming pools of Santa Cruz das Flores are one of the most coveted swimming places on the whole island for visitors and locals alike."
The pools and waterfalls were among the main reasons included Flores on its list of 18 hidden gems in Europe.
They wrote: "The island of Flores is located in the northernmost part of the archipelago and for that reason is less visited by tourists and is a real paradise on Earth for nature lovers and hikers.
"Enjoy the natural pools of Santa Cruz, the beaches of Lajes das Flores and Faja Grande or swim at the foot of the Poco de Bacalhau and Ribeira Grande waterfalls."
The seas just beyond the Santa Cruz pools are a great place to see dolphins, with the cetaceans frequently spotted around Flores.
said that it was a place where people frequently "come across many dolphins, which are always cheerful and playful".
As well as amazing natural sights, the island is home to some unique accommodation options as well, with abandoned villages converted into cosy cottage stays.
Included in that is Aldeia da Cuada, which was once a thriving agricultural community consisting of more than a hundred farmers and their families.
However, its residents left gradually throughout the 1960s, with most of them heading to America for work.
However, they left behind their farm houses, stables and mills, completely abandoned.
Now, the homes have been lovingly restored by their owners Teotonia and Carlos Silva, with visitors able to rent them out for self-catering stays.
Previous visitors have praised the homes, with one reviewer on Booking.com wrote: "What a little gem of a place! I was fortunate to find a chance to stay here while on the island and it was one of the highlights of my trip.
"The restoration of buildings in a town that was abandoned is such a forward thinking idea, and it really did feel like its own magical little world."
A night for two in the stone houses can be booked from £83.
Although they are self-catering a restaurant nearby offers Portuguese cuisine for anyone wanting to try the local food.
Meanwhile, the nearby village of Faja Grande also has plenty of restaurants and is just a five minute drive or twenty minute walk away.
Getting to Flores requires an internal flight from Sao Miguel, Faial, Ponta Delgada or Terceira. A ferry is also an option from Faial or Sao Miguel.
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