By: Aaron Baynton
I was fortunate to embark on a recent overseas adventure to the Azores; that Portuguese gem of an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic with a favourable year-round climate, a rich historical tradition entrenched in a nautical past, and scenery rivalling any AI generated dreamscape available online. Sustainability isn't just a concept here; it's woven into the fabric of daily life, a testament to the islanders' deep respect for their home. But most importantly, the Azores was exactly what I needed to reset.
I'll admit, burnout had crept up on me - the kind that comes from giving your best to the corporate world while losing yourself in the process. Late nights, endless emails, and the pursuit of perfection had chipped away at my sense of self, leaving me mentally and emotionally exhausted. In moments of crisis, I’ve often turned to travel to find my way back. Trekking solo in Nepal helped me heal after heartbreak. The natural beauty Kauai, HI, and its sense of aloha restored me in the wake of a sudden career loss. I spent three years in Australia after being faced with my own mortality following the death of a dear friend. Travel teaches us things about ourselves that we can’t see through the haze of daily life. I knew the Azores would be special, but I had no idea how deeply they would restore me.
As we descended into Ponta Delgada, a short 6hr flight from Toronto, and the executive capital of the Azorean territory, a sense of calm started to wash over me, and my all-too-active mind finally began to quiet. By the time we reached the gate and I stepped off the plane, I was already beaming - ready to explore this temperate, verdant paradise.
Picture this: The first beads of sunshine cascading out from the horizon line, the mighty swell of the Atlantic Ocean crashing in rhythmic fashion against a rugged volcanic shoreline weathered by time and the power and magnitude of water. Those beads turning to rays as they pierce the remnants of night, burning off the collected moisture and adding a haze to the first glows of dawn - illuminating in colour what had previously been a muddling of darkened forms in the distance. Green, the dominant colour (and my favourite), now showing off a variety of shades and hues as more light gives way to detail and the unfurling pastel plumage of flowers. Tropical plants swaying as a warm morning breeze catches them and tussles them around, birds singing a bright melody as they leave their midnight perches in search of fresh food, and me - a freshly ground cup of coffee in hand, quietly contemplating how I found myself in such a peaceful and serene setting as this.
As I wandered the island, I found that their unhurried pace mirrored the sense of calm I was rediscovering within myself - a stark contrast to the bustling tourist hubs of mainland Europe. The Azorean people know that they have something special. While they certainly want to see an increase in tourism for their economy, their sustainable approach to growth and development across the archipelago is done so organically in a way that ensures the rich natural beauty of their landscapes and the time honoured cultural traditions of their people don't become prey to the mainland's over-tourism problem. Our local guides were proud to share with us that the Azores are the only island chain to hold a platinum certification by EarthCheck, recognizing a long-term, consistent commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental management. Platinum status is only granted to organizations or destinations that have maintained EarthCheck certification for at least ten consecutive years, demonstrating the Azores as a continuous force in environmental, social, and economic initiatives globally.
My standout moment in this magical place was a short trip inland to Sete Cidades to meander in the volcanic craters long filled-in by rainwater. Across 27 countries I've visited, I have never seen colours pop as brightly and appear as richly and in-focus as I did standing on the vista viewing point, overlooking Lagoa Verde & Lagoa Azul. As a Canadian on the cusp of winter's first whispers and a self-described eco-tourist, views such as this leave me transfixed and in a hypnotic state. I nearly missed the call to get back on the bus, simply because I was lost in quiet contemplation, or perhaps it was that sense of awe and wonder that had been stamped out in favour of efficiency and targets. What I learned through my time in the Azores, was that sustainability can be applied to so much more than just our environment. Burnout happens when we treat ourselves as an infinite resource - when we forget that even we have limits. We chase the proverbial 'carrot', but at what cost? Eventually, something has to give.
My time in the islands was brief, but it left me with a powerful lesson learned. When we borrow time from our lives with the explicit purpose of achieving something superficial, it's not growth no matter how high we seem to climb. It's like credit - and if we don't pay our bills, the interest we accumulate will bury us under insurmountable debt. When we strip away the distractions of our day-to-day (titles, endless goals and sales targets, emails, and spreadsheets) we open ourselves up to something bigger than ourselves: the beauty of our natural world, the joy of a new dish or culture, or the simple mindfulness of presence in a space so pure and intentional that it nourishes a part of our soul we've oft left neglected.
I truly believe that travel is healing and makes us better people. Through travel, we challenge conventional norms and open up to new sights, sounds, flavours, and experiences. Travel challenges our bias, nurtures growth and understanding, and through it, we receive the greatest gift of all: memories of a life well-lived. If you, like me, have ever found yourself craving a reset - a place to breathe, reconnect, and just 'be' - then maybe the Azores are exactly what you're looking for.
If the Azores are calling to you, let's make it happen - I'd love to help you plan your own journey of renewal. (Book A Consultation)