With steaming vents, healing hot springs and some of the most arresting views in Europe, the volcanic islands of Portugal are environmentally remarkable and tailor-made for adventure. Cabo Girão – the tallest cliff on the continent – is a case in point, soaring above secluded coves with a glass-floored skywalk for high-octane thrills. This active food and wine journey takes you from Madeira, with its terraced villages, forest hiking trails, and unique viticulture, to the Azores, where knotted jungle gives way to crater lakes and “volcanic” cuisine – dishes cooked using geothermal heat generated underground. Whale watching off these islands is among the best in the world, particularly in the Azores, while hiking in both locations is rugged, wild, and offers trails for every fitness level. Surfing, bodyboarding, and snorkeling are also big draws, and there is never a bad time to visit.