Atlantic Islands: Cape Verde & Canary Islands 9 Day Expedition Cruise

With fabulous museums, a thriving art scene and elegant seaside dining, the capital city showcases a rich Senegalese culture and a forward-looking spirit. Discover the city’s traditional side in Medina, a bustling quarter of mosques, tea shops, and street markets. French influences remain in many aspects of city life, from architecture to food. Local mbalax music dominates a vibrant nightlife scene. Traditional crafts like wood carvings and glass paintings are easily found at the Soumbédioune market – the best place to shop for souvenirs.

You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable on-board experts.

The old colonial town of Sao Filipe is the capital of idyllic Fogo Island. Known as the island of fire, the highlight is Fogo Volcano, the highest mountain in Cape Verde. Visit the island’s smattering of charming rural villages and then hike up to the summit of the volcano taking in the view from the Chã das Caldeiras National Parkand. The best way to wrap things up is with a visit to a coffee plantation or a delicious local wine and cheese tasting.

The small town of Porto Novo, with traditional colourful houses, is a good base to explore further afield. The relatively untouched island of Santo Antao arguably offers Cape Verde’s best hiking, where green peaks meet fertile craters, gorges and precarious-looking cliff-hanging towns. Experience the true wonder of this island paradise with a tour of the sugar cane plantations, caves, grogue distilleries (Cape Verde’s national drink, a type of sugar cane rum) and typical villages in their rugged mountain setting.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Wander the historic streets of this breathtakingly beautiful Santa Cruz de la Palma, located on La Palma; this is one of the prettiest settlements in the Canary Islands. Steeped in history, this island capital is home to palaces, colonial-style houses, traditional architecture and the Shrine of Virgen de las Nieves – the oldest religious statue in the Canary Islands. Santa Cruz de la Palma is equally picturesque during the day as at night when the city comes

The Canary Islands’ second smallest island, La Gomera is a volcanic paradise crisscrossed with hiking trails. Hike your way through the Garajonay National Park and the vast rainforest of El Cedro to discover one of the world’s largest laurel woods, past ferns and moss-decked trees. In the west, near the picturesque village of the same name, the mighty Valle Gran Rey canyon leads past the whitewashed cliffside village of La Calera and ends at black-sand Atlantic beaches.

Discover the island that beguiled Agatha Christie when she arrived in 1927 and wander the old town of Santa Cruz, Tenerife’s capital. Head inland and visit the world’s third largest volcano, the other-worldly 3,700 m Mount Teide, surrounded by desert with a wild beauty. The volcanic slopes make excellent terroir for quality wines. Visit the spot where Nelson lost his arm in 1797 in the world’s first city laid out in a grid, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, with charming 16th-century pastel mansions and wooden balconies.