CHRIS, CROSS

When Christopher Columbus was sailing home after happening on the New World, he stopped at Santa Maria – the southernmost of the Azores – in February 1493, and received a hostile reception; the locals not liking Spanish boats at their dock. They are more friendly these days. A seven-night stay at the Charming Blue Hotel starts at £1,072pp, including flights from Stansted, via Sunvil.co.uk