16/10/2022 Dover

Dover

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1800.

17/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

18/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

19/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

20/10/2022 Cadiz, Spain

Cadiz, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

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. An included tour offers a relaxing introduction to the city.

Included sightseeing excursion

See some of the city’s attractions, both old and new, during an included sightseeing tour.

21/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

22/10/2022 Arrecife, Lanzarote

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 discover the vast lava fields and crater-studded landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Optional excursions

Seek out the colonial gems of the former capital, Teguise or walk across the barren landscapes of Timanfaya National Park and enjoy a memorable barbecue cooked with heat from the volcano.

23/10/2022 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

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 scenic 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 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. 

Included sightseeing excursion

An included excursion will highlight Las Palmas’ scenic highlights.

Optional excursions

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

24/10/2022 Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura

Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The second-largest island of the Canaries, Fuerteventura, is ringed by beaches and blessed with a mild climate. Several nature reserves protect the unique ecosystems of its undeveloped volcanic interior, including Corralejo Nature Reserve. In the capital, Puerto del Rosario, discover the old quarter, with its tangle of lanes and whitewashed houses while a variety of artworks, including statues and murals, add colour to the relaxed squares and streets. 19th-century sights include Nuestra Señora del Rosario church and the former house of novelist Miguel de Unamuno.

Optional excursions

Visit the former capital of Betacuria, or visit an aloe vera finca to learn how this hardy plant known for its naturally beneficial properties is farmed.

25/10/2022 Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Arrive 0800. Depart 2330.

Tenerife is crowned by Mount Teide. The capital of 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 sightseeing excursion

Look forward to an included sightseeing tour, taking in the highlights of Tenerife’s lively capital Santa Cruz.

Optional excursions

Go hiking on Mount Teide with an experienced guide, or enjoy a catamaran trip to visit a pod of whales that live year round off the perennially sunny south coast. The botanical gardens are well worth a visit, and you could also seek out the cannon responsible for Admiral Nelson losing his arm, on display in the Museo Miliar.

26/10/2022 Santa Cruz, La Palma

Santa Cruz, La Palma

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Known as the ‘The Beautiful Island’, La Palma is the greenest of the Canaries and large tracts of its laurel forests have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Take an included scenic tour of the island, or 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 colonial 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 sightseeing excursion

Discover La Palma during an included scenic tour.

Optional excursions

Explore the National Park of Caldera de Taburiente, a volcanic caldera in the centre of the island.

27/10/2022 Funchal, Madeira

Funchal, Madeira

Arrive 1000. 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 Botanical Gardens which brim with exotic indigenous and endemic plants. 

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing tour will reveal the scenic highlights of the island, also taking in Funchal’s bustling markets where many sellers dress in colourful, traditional costume.

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 marine biologists for a RIB ride in search of whales and dolphins.

28/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

29/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

30/10/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

31/10/2022 Southampton

Southampton

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.

Please note: Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.