Springtime Canary Islands & Portugal - 2 April 2024
Highlights:
- Capture views of Cabo Girão, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs
- Explore volcanic Canarian landscapes and Madeiran gardens
- Enjoy visits to the Portuguese cities of Oporto and Lisbon
Return Coach Transfers from Edinburgh Available with Supplement!
Join Balmoral for this springtime sailing to the Canary Islands, with their balmy climate and links to the Olsen family. The volcanic landscapes make for rewarding exploration, from the mountainous vistas of La Palma and Tenerife’s Mount Teide to Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park. Alternatively, soaking up the warmth on a vast choice of beaches or learning how to make traditional Mojo sauce with a local family offer more relaxing experiences. Meanwhile, a full day in Funchal will allow time to wander Madeira’s botanical gardens – perhaps with an orchid enthusiast who can share their knowledge of the island’s flora – and capture views from the Cabo Girão sea cliff.
Price Includes:
DINING & LOUNGES
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Daily buffet dining options
- Late night Supper Club
- Afternoon tea
- Self-service tea & coffee
- In-cabin dining & snacks
ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
- Evening shows
- Live music & dancing
- Dance classes
- Lectures & talks
- Cookery demonstrations
- Traditional deck games
- Daily games & quizzes
RELAXATION & FITNESS
- Swimming Pools
- Jacuzzis
- Fitness Centre
- Fitness Classes
Itinerary
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2 April 2024 Departing Newcastle
3 Days Sailing - Some of the best moments of cruising are the days spent at sea where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful programme of events and activities we have planned for you.
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6 April 2024 Leixões, Portugal
A short journey from Leixões takes you into the heart of Oporto, with its fortress-like Cathedral – offering stunning views across the city, and the Baroque Church of Clérigos. Head to the historic Ribeira District, where the narrow, cobbled lanes wind their way down to the Douro River, or visit one of the many wine cellars for a taste of the rich and smooth fortified wine named after the city, Port.
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8 April 2024 Funchal, Portugal
Famous for its outstanding natural beauty, the Atlantic island of Madeira is known as the ‘floating garden’, with its array of subtropical flowers and plants – grown from the bulbs and seeds of the British merchants who came to the island after making their fortune from selling Madeiran wine. Produced since the 17th century, Madeira Wine’s historical and maritime links make for fascinating reading, of course accompanied by a glass or two of the ‘liquid history’, as described by Winston Churchill.
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9 April 2024 Santa Cruz De La Palma, Spain
The landscapes of La Palma were formed around 2 million years ago, resulting in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park being formed by erosion from the volcano’s original crater, and now classed as a Biosphere Reserve. At sea level, the island’s capital, Santa Cruz, is a small city with colonial style architecture and edged with volcanic black sandy beaches. The historic quarter of the city is steeped in history with buildings erected during the reign of Phillip II, and is widely regarded as one of Spain’s Historic-Artistic sites.
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10 April 2024 Santa Cruz De Tenerife
Largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is built around Mount Teide, the highest volcano in Spain. Santa Cruz is home to the eye-catching 16th century Iglesia de la Concepción and the baroque Palacio de Carta. The island has a resident population of pilot whales and several migratory species, thus making Tenerife one of the best places to whale watch in Europe.
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11 April 2024 Arrecife, Spain
Arrecife, meaning ‘reef’ in Spanish, owes its name to the expansive rock reef that covers the beaches on the island. The lunar-like landscape is strewn with shades of red, orange and yellow, following the eruption of over 100 volcanoes in the 1700’s, and only Timanfaya remains active today – just 13 metres below the surface the temperature can reach 600ºC. The original inhabitants of Arrecife, the Guanche, can be discovered at the Ethnographic Museum, housed within the 16th century Castillo San Gabriel.
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13 April 2024 Lisbon, Portugal
Overlooking the River Tagus, Portugal’s capital city offers an abundance of maritime highlights, including the iconic Ponte de Abril suspension bridge, and the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower, which served as an embarkation and disembarkation point for Vasco de Gama and other Portuguese explorers. The delicious pastéis de nata are also not to be missed when visiting Lisbon, particularly when sampled at the original bakery, which opened in 1837.
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17 April 2024 Return to Newcastle