On São Miguel, the largest island of the Azores, life moves at a slow, steady pace. No one is surprised that the dairy queens of the pastures outnumber people.The tradition of cattle herding is so deeply rooted here that it even gave rise to a native breed of four-legged guardians—Cão de Fila de São Miguel.

And Sensi Azores is a retreat in even greater seclusion. Just eight apartments and zero neighbors—unless you count the sweeping ocean views, in which case, it's a whole neighborhood. Each room has a private terrace overlooking the garden and water, and some even come with a heated pool, so you can admire the waves in total comfort.

São Miguel is a prime spot for whale watching. We've heard that humpbacks really do make an appearance here, and even if you only catch a glimpse of a tail, the impression is just as massive as the whale itself. We won’t go on about how lush this island is. Let’s put it this way: if the Azores weren’t on your travel list yet,a quick look at the photos should change that.

Photos: sensiazores.com