Natural Wonders & Wildlife of the Azores & Madeira - 19 April 2024
Highlights:
- Marvel at the wonders of beautiful Portuguese islands
- Explore volcanic sites in the Azores
- Go in search of whales with ORCA on Bolette
This cruise offers the chance to see the natural wonders of Portugal from both the sea and ashore. In the hard-to-reach Azores, you can discover the Sete Cidades crater lakes and the Furnas Valley hot springs, or go in search of resident dolphins and sperm whales. Scenic cruising follows, with Bolette sailing by Santa Maria – a remote island with links to Columbus, and the mighty Cape Girão sea cliff. With an overnight stay on Madeira, there’s ample time to wander the unique levada walking trails and perhaps explore the botanical gardens with a local orchid expert. On the mainland, your calls include Lisbon, with its rich maritime history, and Leixões, gateway to Oporto. Join our team from Go Stargazing out on Bolette's decks, as they assist you with spotting far-flung constellations and planets in the dark skies above.
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
TREATS & PASTIMES
- 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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19 April 2024 Departing Liverpool
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23 April 2024 Praia Da Vitoria, Portugal
The Azores are located on three tectonic plates – the Eurasian, African and North American. Volcanic activity in the area led to the creation of these islands, and Terceira sits on a geological structure called the Terceira Rift. Praia da Vitoria has a magnificent natural harbour which served as a port of call for fleets sailing to Africa and the Indies. The beaches here are mainly dark, with volcanic sand and very little waves, making them popular with locals and visitors alike.
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24 April 2024 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
The main town and capital of the island of São Miguel, and of the Azores Archipelago, Ponta Delgada has a rich history stretching back over 500 years, showing its importance as a key trading post between Europe and the Americas. The island is home to beautiful lakes, mountains, sandy beaches and the stunning crater lakes of the extinct Sete Cidades Volcano. The cobbled streets and colourful houses are undeniably Portuguese, and are a perfect blend of historic and modern buildings, intermingled with a number of parks, enchanting squares, a modern marina, restaurants and waterside cafés. The striking, three-arched city gates, Portas da Cidade, which once stood in the harbour and now reside in Gonçalo Velho Cabral Square, were dedicated to the Portuguese navigator who discovered the Azores; and the Carlos Machado Museum offers diverse artefacts of Azorean culture, while Igreja Matriz Church, with its splendid clock tower, is one of many beautifully ornate towers to be found.
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26 April 2024 Funchal, Portugal
Arrival - early morning Departure - late afternoon
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. -
29 April 2024 Lisbon, Portugal
Arrival - early morning Departure - early evening
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. -
30 April 2024 Leixoes, 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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3 May 2024 Return to Liverpool