Portuguese Gems and the Solar Eclipse

Embark Spirit of Adventure.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0700. Depart 1800.

This unspoilt archipelago of over 140 islands is fringed by sandy beaches, lapped by crystal clear waters. These low-lying islands have a unique beauty, and are a haven for wildlife. Tresco is known for its outstanding collection of subtropical flora, which you can see at the Tresco Abbey Garden. Alternatively, discover St Mary’s, the largest of the Isles of Scilly.

Included excursion

An included excursion visits the sub-tropical gardens of Tresco Abbey, which were established by Augustus Smith in the 19th century in the ruins of a Benedictine Abbey.

Optional excursion

Explore St Mary’s on a walking tour.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

From Leixoes, visit the ancient city of Oporto. It is set beside the Douro River which has served as the lifeblood of the city for centuries. 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.

Included excursion

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

Optional excursions

Head to Oporto and explore the city by Tuk Tuk or see the sights from the water aboard a Rabelo boat.

Spend the day at sea.

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 on a choice of included excursion.

Optional excursions

Explore the island by Tukxi or jeep, enjoy an RIB trip to see dolphins and whales, or perhaps join a walk along the island’s historic levadas.

Spend the day at sea.

Spend the day at sea.

If the sky is clear, the solar eclipse should be visible from Spirit of Adventure.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Watching over the entrance to the Mediterranean, stands the unmistakable limestone Rock of Gibraltar. At its base lies Gibraltar which is connected to the end of the Iberian Peninsula by a sandy isthmus and offers an intriguing blend of British and Spanish culture. Discover Gibraltar’s Palladian architecture and typically British sights, such as red pillar boxes and familiar highstreet chains. Alternatively, visit the military museum, which is housed underground in a former military barracks and exhibits artefacts dating back to the 18th century.

Included excursion

Head to the Rock of Gibraltar and visit the Upper Rock area on an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Go in search of dolphins and other marine life in Gibraltar’s bay or visit a local gin distillery and discover the art of distilling.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

With a prime position on the popular Algarve, Portimão is renowned for its golden beaches, charming old quarter and lively marina, bookended by the historic forts of Santa Catarina and São João. You can learn more about the city’s history of shipbuilding and sardine fishing at the Portimão Museum, which is housed in a restored 19th-century cannery on the bank of the Arade River.

Included excursion

Enjoy an included walking tour and visit to the Portimao Museum.

Optional excursions

Visit Silves, the ancient capital of the Algarve.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

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. 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

Wander on foot through Lisbon’s downtown area to see the city’s historic architecture, visit Arrabida Natural Park and the Azeitao Winery, or explore Lisbon’s highlights by Tuk Tuk.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

In the historic maritime city of La Coruña, sights worthy of your attention include the medieval lanes and plazas of the old town, Riazor Beach and the UNESCO-listed Tower of Hercules. The latter is the oldest operational Roman lighthouse and can found 13 kilometres away at the end of a coastal promenade.

Included excursion

See some of the city’s main attractions on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Experience the ecclesiastical capital of Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the last stop on the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route that concludes at the 12th-century cathedral where St James is allegedly enshrined.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.