Ruin of old farmhouse on the Azores coast. by Marjolein Zijlstra

Island group Azores, belonging to Portugal. Beautiful vegetation on these scattered lava islands in the Atlantic, where time seems to have stood still. Ancient buildings built mainly of lava rock of volcanic origin, which is plentiful on these islands. Volcanism on several islands still actively present, among others islands again in dormant form, waiting for the awakening of which nobody knows where and when it will take place. Depopulation of the archipelago is creating more and more ancient and historic buildings that are falling out of use and where, over time, nature takes over again. As icons, these ruins often stand in the landscape and form an idyllic ensemble with their beautiful surroundings. Industry is hardly there, livestock and arable farming are abundant. In addition, appropriately, tourism is an important source of income. Yet here it is not primarily the resorts, holiday flats or other ostentatious mass holidaymaker buildings, but the sleeping quarters are mainly embedded in the existing villages and towns and are hidden behind the normal front doors of many houses. Azores, wonderful holiday spot to unwind and come home with a head and heart full of memories.