If you’re picturing your next getaway in a far-off tropical paradise with turquoise lagoons, lush volcanic landscapes, and tranquil eco-resorts, the Maldives or Bora Bora may come to mind.

But for UK travellers seeking a similar, dreamy escape closer to home, Portugal’s Azores — known as the “Bora Bora of Europe,”— offers an unexpected alternative, at a fraction of the price.

A collection of nine stunning islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and about 1,500 km off the Portuguese…