Christmas in the Canary Islands

Portsmouth

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Leixoes (for Oporto), Portugal

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Leixoes offers a gateway to Oporto, which is set beside the Douro River. On one bank lies Villa Nova de Gaia’s port wine lodges, which produce the city’s famous fortified wine, while on the other is the UNESCO-listed Ribeira old town.

Cobbled streets climb the steep hillside which is crammed with historic buildings, including the 12th-century cathedral, neoclassical Stock Exchange and Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara. The wooden Rabelo cargo boats, which once ferried barrels of port now carry sightseers along the river – the Ponte Dom Luis I bridge offers a good vantage point from which to appreciate the entire riverscape.

Optional excursions

Enjoy a memorable wine-tasting session in a traditional bodega.

Spend the day at sea.

Cadiz, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

3,000-year-old Cadiz is Western Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city, having been founded by the ancient seafaring Phoenicians. It sits 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 Sagrario, the Roman amphitheatre, Castillo de Santa Catalina and the Torre Tavira – one of 129 watchtowers dotted throughout the city. An included panoramic excursion offers a relaxing introduction to the city.

Included excursion

See more of Cadiz and its surroundings during an included panoramic excursion.

Spend the day at sea.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Arrive 1100. Depart 2000.

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 discovered 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.

Optional excursion

Head off into the mountains on a trip to discover villages seemingly lost in time.

Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

Tenerife is crowned by the UNESCO 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 mountain scenery and pausing in La Laguna for time at leisure.

Optional excursions

Go hiking on Mount Teide with an experienced guide, or visit the botanical gardens. You could also seek out the cannon responsible for Admiral Nelson losing his arm, on display in the Museo Miliar.

Santa Cruz, La Palma

Arrive 0800. Depart 2300.

La Palma is the greenest of the Canaries and large tracts of its laurel forests have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

You may like to explore the capital of Santa Cruz which 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.

The island’s maritime past is displayed in the Naval Museum which is housed inside a replica of Christopher Columbus’ famous vessel, the Santa Maria.

Included excursion

Join an island panoramic tour.

Spend the day at sea.

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.

The 18th-century San Jose fortress now hosts a collection of art by such renowned Spanish artists as Picasso and Miro, while the Science and Art Centre is housed in the 19th-century manor of La Casa de Los Arroyo. From Arrecife, you can also discover the vast lava fields and crater-studded landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Optional excursion

Walk across the barren landscapes of Timanfaya National Park and enjoy a memorable barbecue cooked with heat from the volcano.

Funchal ⚓, Madeira

Arrive 1300 on December 31. Depart 1400 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.

Optional excursions

Admire panoramic views across Funchal as you ascend to the suburb of Monte by cable car, before visiting the Botanical Gardens, step out onto the glass-bottomed skywalk at Cabo Girao, over Europe’s highest sea cliff, or join a team of local experts for a RIB ride in search of whales and dolphins.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Spend the day at sea.

Lisbon, Portugal

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

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. An included panoramic excursion is a great way to see some of the highlights.

Included excursion

See some of the city’s numerous attractions.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

Portsmouth

Arrive 0730.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.