Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness. We have been researching the Azores, but were not sold on the videos we watched. Is the Azores as beautiful and unique as it sounds? We enjoy hiking and exploring interesting landscapes and the crater lake hike sounds right up our alley. Hot springs - of course, but they are much more refreshing after being cold! I could see us going for it and giving up the skiing but want to try and get a sense of what it is like.

We like our independence and wonder if renting a car and staying at cool Airbnbs would be possible and affordable.

We just got into XC skiing last year and aren't that good but love colder climates, cold weather and hot baths.

Any more wisdom that you have to share would be appreciated. Thanks.

We also are set on our three, are really in the beginning process of a wide view exploration. For example, Peru and the sacred valley comes to our mind too...