WIRTW #720: the 'Azores' edition

Last summer, my family and I fell in love hard with Portugal. So, this summer we are going back, sort of.

In a little over three weeks we leave for the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. It's a subtropical archipelago of nine islands known as the "Hawaii of the Atlantic." 

We'll be on São Miguel, the largest of the islands, choosing to explore that one island in depth over the span of 8 days instead of hopping between islands and only getting a smaller taste of several. It's renowned for its stunning landscapes, which include green hills, crater lakes, and ocean-side miradouros (viewpoints), volcanic hot springs, black-sand beaches, marine life, and cows. (In fact, there are twice as many cows on the island than people.)

For any of you who've been to São Miguel, what are your must-sees and must-dos? What are your favorite hikes? What off-the-beaten-path sights are worth our time? Which tours do you recommend? How about some A+ restaurant recommendations?

Thanks in advance for playing tour guide for me. I'll reward you with pictures and stories after my return.

Here's what I read this week that you should read, too.

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Anchor Brewing's New Billionaire Owner Claims He'll Bring Back Its Workers. Hold Him To It. — via VinePair

Creature Comforts CEO Chris Herron steps down — via Beer Street Journal

Lack of LGBTQ+ support turns talent away, Indeed says and More than 40% of LGBTQ+ workers say they've faced prejudice at work — via HR Dive

The Impact of Banning Gender-Affirming Care on Employees — via EntertainHR

I'm an adolescent mental health provider, here's what happens when a kid tells me they're trans — via MomsRising

Starbucks Leadership: 'Everything Is Fine.' Starbucks Customers: 'Where's My Coffee?' — via Evil HR Lady, Suzanne Lucas

Record UAW Contracts = Record UAW Layoffs — via LaborPains

US lawmakers express 'serious concern' to NLRB about fired Google contractors — via The Verge

GenAI Is Leveling the Playing Field for Smaller Businesses — via Harvard Business Review

NFL Guardian Caps consistent with OSHA, could signal things to come — via Employment & Labor Insider

How to Handle Layoffs Mindfully — via TalentCulture

My boss made us all attend a session with his therapist — via Ask a Manager

Biglaw Firm Sued for Revoking Offer to Arab-American Who Condemned Gaza Bombing — via Above the Law

Here's why the FTC thinks its non-compete rule will survive a legal challenge — via Eric Meyer's Employer Handbook Blog