The 'lost Eden'

Some describe this part of Flores Island as unspoiled perfection; others call it a 'lost Eden.' Here at Ribeira do Ferreiro, dozens of waterfalls tumble down soaring, steep basalt cliffs carpeted in lush greenery, with some falls flowing into a wide pond. One reason this landscape remains pristine is due to its remote location. The Azores island chain is an autonomous region of Portugal, set some 850 miles west of the Portuguese mainland in the Atlantic Ocean. Another reason for the Edenic vibe? In 2007, UNESCO declared the entire island of Flores a Biosphere Reserve. The designation helps to balance commercial interests with ecological concerns and aims for sustainable development.