A Canarian Christmas

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set on hills overlooking the river, Leixoes is known for its narrow streets, granite church towers and Baroque architecture. Leixoes makes a great starting place from which to visit nearby Oporto where the cobbled streets of the old town are crammed with historic buildings, including the 12th-century cathedral, neoclassical Stock Exchange and Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara.

Included excursion

See some of the highlights of Oporto’s surroundings on an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Go sightseeing in Oporto and take a Douro river cruise.

Arrive 0900. Depart 2000.

The sprawling city of Lisbon is spread across seven hills. It boasts two UNESCO-listed sites: Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama is entombed and Bélem Tower, built in his honour. Close by is the charming town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of its 19th-century romantic architecture.

Included excursion

See more of Lisbon on a choice of included excursion.

Optional excursions

Visit Arrabida Natural Park and the Azeitao Winery, or explore Lisbon’s highlights by Tuk Tuk.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1630.

3,000-year-old Cádiz is Western Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city since its founding by the ancient seafaring Phoenicians. It is strung along a peninsula, and was refortified in the 17th-century after the British attacked twice, nearly destroying the city. Key landmarks include the Baroque and neoclassical cathedral with its yellow dome and the adjoining El Sagarario, the Roman amphitheatre, Castillo de Santa Catalaina and the Torre Tavira – one of 129 watchtowers dotted throughout the city.

Included excursion

See some of the city’s attractions, both old and new, with a choice of an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Enjoy a day trip to Seville or discover the secrets of Brandy production.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 1100. Depart 2100.

Nearly half of Gran Canaria has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island is fringed with beautiful coves and sandy beaches to the south and wild mountains to the north. The subtropical capital of Las Palmas is set beside two broad bays and features cafe-lined squares and courtyards overflowing with exotic fruits, flowers and palms. The oldest sights can be seen in a trio of historic neighbourhoods: San Antonio, Triana and Vegueta. Discover over 500 years of history in the landmark Santa Ana Cathedral which encompasses Gothic, Renaissance and neoclassical styles.

Included excursion

See the highlights on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

See more of Las Palmas by Tuk Tuk, join a scenic hike to Bandama Crater, or opt for a tour to the north of the island.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Named in Spanish after the reef that edges its shoreline, peaceful Arrecife has been the island’s capital since it took the title from nearby Teguise in 1852. This relatively sleepy port’s origins can be seen in the whitewashed fishermen cottages and 17th-century church set around the coastal lagoon of El Charco de San Gines. From Arrecife, you can discover the vast lava fields and crater-studded landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Included excursion

Choose from a snapshot tour of Arrecife or an independent visit to Puerto del Carmen.

Optional excursions

Visit northern Lanzarote and the Jameos del Agua Cave which showcases the architectural work of César Manrique, or perhaps head to Timanfaya National Park.

Arrive 0800. Depart 2300.

Tenerife is crowned by the World Heritage Site, Mount Teide. Its capital Santa Cruz has a mix of old and new sights, from the central square of Plaza de Espana, which was built in 1929 to the auditorium, an expressionist structure that resembles a wave.

Included excursion

Explore further with a choice of an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Take a cable car to the summit of Mount Teide, or enjoy tea at the Orchid Garden.

Arrive 0800. Depart 2200.

It was in La Gomera that Christopher Columbus readied his ships for his New World adventures. Local legend holds that he took mass in La Asuncion church and water from a well at the manor Pozo de la Aguada, which displays exhibits on the explorer’s expeditions. One of the oldest remaining structures is the stone Torre del Conde tower which protected the wife of the island’s first governor, Hernan Peraza, when ill-treated islanders rebelled in 1488.

Included excursion

See more of your surroundings on an included excursion.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

La Palma is the greenest of the Canaries and large tracts of its laurel forests have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The capital, Santa Cruz, is set in a sweeping natural amphitheatre and was a hub for New World explorers and merchant traders during the Age of Exploration. Its history is reflected in the 16th-century Castilian architecture and the old quarter with its wooden balconies and cobbled lanes is set around the Renaissance Plaza Espana.

Included excursion

An included excursion offers a relaxing way to see some of the highlights.

Optional excursions

Visit the historic sugar producing farm of La Hacienda and learn more about the traditions of silk making at the Silk Museum; or explore Los Tilos Forest, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, on foot.

Arrive 1200 on December 31.
Depart 1300 on January 1.

Madeira is a verdant, mountainous island formed from a volcanic eruption and known for its namesake wine. Often described as the ‘floating garden in the Atlantic’, the island is home to the world’s largest laurel forest and Botanical Gardens where exotic indigenous plants grow.

Included excursion

See more of Funchal on a choice of included excursion.

Optional excursions

See more of the scenery during a levada walk or join a whale and dolphin watching RIB adventure.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.