Canary Island Medley

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.

The history of this Moroccan port on the Strait of Gibraltar, just 20 miles from the Spanish coast, goes back to the ancient Greeks and its beginnings are embedded in mythology. It is believed to have taken its name from Tingis, the daughter of Atlas, the mythical supporter of the Heavens. It was later ruled by the Romans and Arabs while Spain, Portugal, France and England also played important parts in the city’s diverse history. The city lies on a bay between two promontories and you can enjoy superb panoramic views if you head up to the ancient Kasbah, a former military fortress now full of elegant buildings and architecture while the Medina – the oldest part of town – is a warren of cobbled streets boasting a chronology of architectural styles charting the city’s colonial history. Perhaps sip a mint tea at a pavement cafe and watch the chaos of everyday life unfold around you.

Included excursion

See more of Tangier on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Visit Tétouan and wander through its walled medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0900. 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

See more with a choice of an included excursion.

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 1900.

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

Explore further with a choice of an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Join a scenic hike to Bandama Crater, one of the youngest volcanoes on the Canarian archipelago.

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

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 1700.

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 1600.

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 0800. Depart 1700.

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 with a choice of an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Join an optional excursion to explore the island by Tuxi or jeep.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.