Discover Wanderlust Travel | Azores instead of Hawaii?


Carla’s Curated Compass

Where culture, luxury, and adventure meet to spark your next unforgettable escape.

Hi Reader,

Hawaii is beautiful, but have you consider The Azores? If Hawaii has been on your bucket list for too long but feels overwhelming, let me introduce you to its European counterpart — the Azores. This Portuguese archipelago, rises dramatically from the mid-Atlantic and offers that same Hawaiian combination of volcanic landscapes, lush tropical greenery, warm hospitality, and adventure around every corner - with the added appeal of Old World charm at a fraction of the travel time for those flying from the East Coast.

São Miguel is the largest and most accessible island, and is where most visitors begin. Let's dive into it...


Adventures on the Island: Something for Every Day
​
Sete Cidades, São Miguel

One of the most iconic experiences on São Miguel is a visit to Sete Cidades. It is a breathtaking twin-lake caldera set inside a three-mile-wide volcanic crater. The lakes are nestled in a lush caldera filled with gorgeous vantage points, hiking trails, and a small village at the water's edge. For a more thrilling approach, an off-road quad bike or ATV adventure takes you along rugged crater roads with epic views that you simply cannot get from a tour bus.

After this excitement, there's no better way to unwind than soaking in the island's natural hot springs. Guided tours pair volcanic landscape exploration with a thermal bath at Dona Beija hot springs — a deeply relaxing, restorative finish to a day of discovery.

If marine life and wildlife are of interest to you, its helpful to know that the waters surrounding São Miguel are home to a remarkable variety of whale species and playful dolphins. This island is considered one of the best whale watching destinations in the world. Expert biologist and naturalist guides accompany guests on marine wildlife tours, offering insights into whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and the full Atlantic biodiversity. It's the kind of encounter that stays with you long after you return home.

Where to Stay?
​
White Exclusive Suites & Villas

For travelers who want privacy, beauty, and an adults-only sanctuary, I look no further than White Exclusive Suites & Villas. It is simply exceptional. The property is housed in a historic manor and wine production estate on the south coast of São Miguel. The property preserves traditional Azorean architecture with classic whitewashed walls, and basalt stone accents. The property offers nine suites and two villas with modern finishes and kitchenettes.

Suites are dressed in crisp whites with driftwood details, striking a balance between minimalism, island heritage, and contemporary luxury - dramatic Atlantic views included! The Villa perches on a cliffside with its own private saltwater plunge pool.

This property consistently earns praise for exceptional service and unforgettable stays, and the owners are marvelous!

The Azores won't be undiscovered for long. If this feels like the kind of journey you've been waiting for, I'd love to help you plan it.

Need a little travel inspiration? I've got you covered.

Highlight the country (or countries) of your choice and explore start-to-finish curated itineraries in just minutes. Whether you have a destination in mind or are starting from scratch, I can bring your vacation vision to life. Once you`ve built your Wishlist, I`ll follow up promptly to make it happen! Start designing your dream trip today with my link below.

or


Travel Industry News & Headlines

⚓

Check out Celebrity's New River Cruise Designs

Celebrity is shaking up the European river cruise scene and the early designs are pretty impressive.

​Read More→​

🔱

Pick Your Greek Island

It isn't all about Santorini and Mykonos. This article helps define which lesser frequented islands might be better suited to your style!

​Read More →​

🐧

The Ultimate Once-In-A-Lifetime Adventure...

It's the closest you'll probably ever get to another planet. Expedition travel at its finest...

​Read More→​


Monthly Travel Tip

When traveling to the Azores, it's best to pack layers as the weather can shift quickly in the middle of the Atlantic.


Have a friend or colleague who loves to travel and would appreciate the value a dedicated travel advisor like myself can bring? Refer them to me! I am passionate about travel and will take care of all the details. I provide top-tier service from beginning to end, and can offer amenities not found by booking direct.

Please share this newsletter with them!

​Sign up link here​

Contact me when you are ready to stress less and elevate your next travel adventure!

Follow me on social, and view my client testimonials!

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA, 98104-2246

​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

​

Carla | Discover Wanderlust Travel

Hi, I'm Carla, an Virtuoso luxury travel advisor based in Tampa, Florida. I help busy couples alleviate the stress of researching and planning their well-deserved vacations. By personalizing the travel experience according to my clients' travel style, preferred pace, and goals, I help eliminate decision fatigue. My expertise is in crafting unique and personalized itineraries for Italy first-timers, luxury river-cruises with pre and/or post cruise immersions, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as chasing the Northern Lights and Antarctica or Galápagos expeditions. My clients are adventurous or curious at heart and prefer to travel off-the-beaten path, desire small-group and private touring, and appreciate travel as an essential part of living a full life. I help manage the finer details to avoid hiccups along the way. I'm with you as your advocate from the planning stages, during travel, and until you return home. All you need to do is pack! Join my NEW PRIVATE Facebook group to get to know me. It's a fantastic space where curious travelers can ask honest questions, share personal experiences, and tips in a safe space with like-minded travelers. I'll also debunk some travel myths, share industry news, travel tips, insider details and more.

Read more from Carla | Discover Wanderlust Travel
Private Facebook Group

My group is called Adventures By Carla: Boutique Europe, Italy, River Cruises & Expeditions. I'd love you to join me there. You can do so by clicking the link below⬇️ 👉🏼 JOIN HERE! 👈🏼 Over the past few months, I decided that I needed a better way to connect with my clients and other travel loving folk who are interested in having deeper conversations about travel. We receive an incessant amount of e-mails these days, and I no longer want to be a part of that nonsense (even though my emails...

World Map Travel

Carla’s Curated Compass Where culture, luxury, and adventure meet to spark your next unforgettable escape. Happy July my travel loving friends! As a Virtuoso Adventure Focused Advisor, I wanted to share some news. Over the past few months, I've been tuning my business to focus more on my adventure travelers who are curious at their core and desire more than just a run-of-the mill cruise. They want more out of their investment in travel, and ultimately want to return home from a transformative...

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Carla’s Curated Compass Where culture, luxury, and adventure meet to spark your next unforgettable escape. Hi Reader, Every month I decide on a destination in which to focus for my newsletter. I choose a destination that I feel offers what I and my clients love most. That is, extraordinary beauty, genuine warmth, and that feeling of discovery. This month, I'm talking about Slovenia. Slovenia is east of Italy, south of Austria, and north of Croatia and offers more than meets the eye. Think...