The trip I took to the Azores — an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, less than 1,000 miles from mainland Portugal — had been a long time coming.

The nine islands span approximately 370 miles and operate as an autonomous region of the European country. My boyfriend's family is from São Miguel, the largest one, so the Azores have been on our "must-visit" list for some time.

After learning that their beaches, lush landscapes, and unique flora and fauna have earned them a nickname as the "Hawaii of the Atlantic," I knew I had to go.

Even as the Azores have experienced an uptick in visitors since the pandemic, the two islands we visited, São Miguel and Flores, felt unspoiled. At multiple moments of our 10-day trip in March, my boyfriend and I felt like the only people for miles.

Reaching the Azores is surprisingly easy from the US.

There's a five-hour flight from Boston and a six-hour flight from New York City direct to São Miguel. I was arriving from Lisbon, so I took a two-and-a-half-hour direct flight to the island.

We spent six days on São Miguel before flying to the more remote, westernmost island of Flores, where we stayed for four days.

The most popular time to visit the Azores is the summer, specifically between June and September. Accommodations and rentals regularly sell out during this period, so it's best to book in advance.

I recommend planning a trip during the shoulder seasons, either between March and May or September and December, for lower accommodation rates and less tourist congestion — two things I prioritize when I travel.

When we went in March, some restaurants were still closed for the offseason, and we had to deal with more rain than we likely would've in summer. However, those blips were worth it for the cost savings and lack of crowds.

My boyfriend and I flew between São Miguel and Flores, but once we were on each island, we got around by rental car. I highly recommend adventurous tourists do the same.

Although the main towns are walkable and we could've relied on buses, tours, or taxis, having our own car gave us so much freedom to explore.

Driving throughout the islands was one of my favorite activities because of the countless miradouros, Portuguese for "viewpoints," where we stopped to take in remarkable coastal views.

Scattered throughout the islands, some of the miradouros only have room for one or two cars to pull off onto the side of a cliff. Others were more conducive to gathering, with picnic tables and grills.

My favorite one was São Miguel's Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego, which has a garden filled with perfectly manicured hedges and vibrant flowers and looks out to the North Atlantic. Cats greeted me upon arrival, and every vantage point (even the restroom) had an unbelievable view.

We had no shortage of hiking trails to explore on São Miguel and Flores. During our trip, we hiked along dramatic coastlines, to hidden waterfalls, through historic villages, past fields of cows and horses, and around serene lakes.

Most of the trails were well-marked, but a few sections lacked clear footpaths, so we had to forge our own. Although both islands have year-round residents, we rarely saw anyone else on our hikes. So when we reached the trail's destination, whether it was a waterfall or beach, we had it all to ourselves.

We loved the Salto do Cagarrão and Salto do Prego waterfall trails on São Miguel and also did a portion of the PR02 FLO route on Flores.

Even for those who don't hike, the Azores are an outdoor paradise. Visitors can soak in geothermal pools, ride ATVs, go canyoning, or spend time whale watching.

On a rainy morning in Furnas, a town on São Miguel, we visited the natural hot springs and soaked in the mineral-rich, 102.2-degree water underneath cool raindrops.

I felt a sense of calm and a deep connection to the world around me while in the Azores, and I deeply admired the residents' slow-paced lifestyle, strong sense of community, and commitment to protecting the environment.

Thrill-seekers, ecotourists, or those simply seeking a nature-filled escape will find what they're looking for there.

However, it's essential that they remain mindful of the locals and environment, preserving the islands' natural wonder. Even though the government proactively protects the islands through strategies such as the Sustainability Charter of the Azores, a voluntary initiative that encourages organizations to adopt eco-friendly practices, visitors should still do their part.

My boyfriend and I hope to return soon and explore the other islands. Until then, I'll feel saudade, a Portuguese word for a deep sense of longing and nostalgia, for the islands and the peace I felt there.