Canary Island Discovery: January 20
Spirit of Adventure departing Portsmouth
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No fly
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Chauffeur service
Island hopping in the Canaries…
Enjoy the winter sun and explore the unusual landscapes of the Canaries, from the dense forests of La Palma and sacred mountains of Gran Canaria, to the lava fields of Lanzarote and black sand beaches of Tenerife. This all-inclusive cruise to the Canaries also visits El Ferrol, on Spain’s northwest coast, and includes an extended stay in Funchal.
Your four included panoramic excursions will be in
- Funchal, Madeira
- Santa Cruz, La Palma
- Santa Cruz, Tenerife
- Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
This cruise also operates on January 4, 2024 aboard Spirit of Discovery - Canary Island Discovery: January 4 and on February 17, 2024 - Canary Island Discovery: February.
Joining you on board…
Expert gardener Charlie Dimmock

Charlie will share her gardening knowledge during a talk and Q&A on board.
Charlie is one of Britain’s best known and best loved gardeners, specialising in water features. She trained for four years as an amenity horticulturalist in Winchester and Somerset and spent a year of her training at the Chelsea Physic Garden.
Charlie first came to the nation’s attention on BBC1’s ‘Ground Force’. Charlie has presented numerous programmes, such as ‘River Walks’, ‘Garden Invaders’ and ‘Charlie’s Gardening Neighbours’, and is in her seventh year of filming ‘Garden Rescue’, for BBC.
Charlie also dabbles in acting, and has played Celia in ‘Calendar Girls’ and the Fairy Godmother in the panto at Theatre Royal Windsor.
Chris Dean and the Swingshift band
Chris Dean and the Swingshift band will be on board from Nov 25 to perform live.
Chris began his career as a soldier in the Household Cavalry. Then, after a spell at the Army School of Music at Kneller Hall, he joined the Mounted Band of the Lifeguards before leaving to pursue a career as a freelance musician. His first job was as lead trombone at the London Palladium, followed by a stint as lead trombone in the Syd Lawrence Orchestra before focusing on his career as a session musician.
Chris has recorded with many famous artists including Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Barbara Streisand, Shirley Bassey and many more. He has also worked on soundtracks for numerous films, from Superman and Out of Africa, to Batman and Bond movies.
Chris has performed on pop albums for the likes of Eric Clapton, Robbie Williams, Wet Wet Wet and Queen as well as being featured in television shows such as The Benny Hill Show, Stars in Their Eyes, Come Dancing and several Royal Variety Shows. He performed live at the Royal Albert Hall, for the late Queen Elizabeth II at her 92nd Birthday party, televised globally on BBC.
Look forward to dancing the night away or simply sit back and enjoy the very best in swing arrangements.
Itinerary

Portsmouth
Embark Spirit of Adventure.
Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Funchal, Madeira
Arrive 1200 on Jan 24. Depart 1300 on Jan 25.
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
An included panoramic excursion will reveal the scenic highlights of the island.
Optional excursions
Step out onto the glass-bottomed skywalk at Cabo Girao, over Europe’s highest sea cliff, or join a team of marine biologists for a RIB ride in search of whales and dolphins.

Santa Cruz, La Palma
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 panoramic excursion offers a relaxing way to see some of the highlights.
Optional excursion
Visit the historic sugar producing farm of La Hacienda and learn more about the traditions of silk making at the Silk Museum on an optional excursion.

Santa Cruz, Tenerife
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
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
Look forward to an included panoramic excursion, taking in the highlights of Tenerife’s lively capital Santa Cruz.
Optional excursions
Go hiking on Mount Teide with an experienced guide, or take tea at the Orchid Garden.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
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, and an included panoramic excursion will show you the highlights. 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
An included panoramic excursion will highlight Las Palmas’ scenic highlights.
Optional excursion
Join a scenic hike to the Bandama Crater.

Arrecife, Lanzarote
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.
Optional excursion
Join an exhilarating trek to El Cuervo Volcano which sits between Timanfaya National Park and the protected area of La Geria.

Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
El Ferrol, Spain
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
El Ferrol sits on the Atlantic coast of northwestern Spain. It has been one of Spain’s most important seafaring cities for centuries and was the birthplace of General Franco. The city centre’s La Magdalena district has rows of parallel streets created during the city’s enlightenment, and two large squares that feature 18th-century houses and modernist-style buildings. From here you could head to the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela to explore the charming old quarter and cathedral. Alternatively, you might enjoy a scenic tour of Galicia’s rugged Costa da Morte.

Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Portsmouth
Arrive 0730.
Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.
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