Island Explorer followed by A Canarian Christmas Cruise

Day 1 - Gran Canaria

Arrive: Mon 16 December 2024 / Depart: Mon 16 December 2024 at 23:00

This sub-tropical oasis is the ideal place to relax. With its tranquil beaches of volcanic sand, you'll find it remarkably easy to let the time just slip away. Year-round sunshine and the option to visit the main resort area of Playa del Ingles on the south coast or the quieter Veguetta make Las Palmas the ideal destination, whatever your frame of mind. In Veguetta, the Christopher Columbus Museum provides an interesting diversion, while above the city the Bandama Crater reveals the island's volcanic past. With tranquil beaches of volcanic sand, you can combine a leisurely stroll to view the Portuguese-influenced architecture with a few hour's sunbathing to take it all in.

Day 2 - Tenerife

Arrive: Tue 17 December 2024 at 07:30 / Depart: Tue 17 December 2024 at 23:00

Day 3 - Lanzarote

Arrive: Wed 18 December 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Wed 18 December 2024 at 19:00

With the added attraction of a lunar landscape nearby created by volcanic activity, the capital of Lanzarote is an alluring destination to explore, experience and enjoy. From the stunning scenery of the Timanfaya (Fire Mountain) National Park to delightful beaches and quaint whitewashed houses with luminescent green shutters, Arrecife offers something for every visitor. After marvelling at the magnificent array of purple, blue and orange colours in the park, you can sample a dish in the restaurant where the meat is barbecued over the heat of the volcanic crater that gave the park its name. Back in the town of Puerto Naos, the Castillo San Jose overlooking the harbour features a modern art collection and another restaurant looking out over sea, not to mention a shopping centre to browse through.

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - Funchal

Arrive: Fri 20 December 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 20 December 2024 at 18:00

Madeira is more than sweet wine. It's an excuse to enjoy fine beaches, explore beautiful gardens and discover why Funchal is called the Pearl of the Ocean. Whether you want to enjoy a relaxing stroll along the promenade, visit the traditional and colourful flower market in the centre of Funchal, or taste the lovely wine that takes the island's name, Madeira has it all and more. Rising from the sea to the mountainside, the capital, Funchal, is a gardener's paradise with Birds of Paradise flowers, banana plantations, farms and vineyards everywhere. If you go shopping, don't miss the Se, the famous 16th century cathedral. If you have time visit Camacha, east of Funchal, known as the centre of Madeira's willow craft, and the hillside town of Monte which you can reach via a breathtaking cable car ride.

Day 6 - La Palma

Arrive: Sat 21 December 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Sat 21 December 2024 at 18:00

Forget its size. For a small island, La Palma boasts lots to do and more than its share of sights to see, including the largest volcanic crater in the world. Peaceful and tranquil, dozens of traditional old wooden houses with balustraded balconies lining the streets, Santa Cruz de la Palma is a typical Canarian town. All of which makes it the perfect place to stroll and relax. Look out in particular for the asone republica of Columbus' ship, the Santa Maria, opposite the seafront, and the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows. And if there's time, take a trip to La Caldera. 9km wide and 28km around its edge, it will change your view of volcanoes because the vast crater is now filled with fragrant Canary pines.

Day 7 - La Gomera

Arrive: Sun 22 December 2024 at 09:00 / Depart: Sun 22 December 2024 at 17:00

La Gomera is the Canary Islands stripped bare. Its beaches are quiet, its villages are sleepy and its countryside is fleeced with forests and dramatic mountain ridges. The catalogue of valleys and ravines make the island an obvious choice for walkers. But trekking isn’t the only activity on offer here. Scuba divers can swim through bath-warm waters as they search for tuna, parrotfish and trumpet fish.

Day 8 - Gran Canaria

Arrive: Mon 23 December 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 23 December 2024

This sub-tropical oasis is the ideal place to relax. With its tranquil beaches of volcanic sand, you'll find it remarkably easy to let the time just slip away. Year-round sunshine and the option to visit the main resort area of Playa del Ingles on the south coast or the quieter Veguetta make Las Palmas the ideal destination, whatever your frame of mind. In Veguetta, the Christopher Columbus Museum provides an interesting diversion, while above the city the Bandama Crater reveals the island's volcanic past. With tranquil beaches of volcanic sand, you can combine a leisurely stroll to view the Portuguese-influenced architecture with a few hour's sunbathing to take it all in.

Day 9 - Tenerife

Arrive: Tue 24 December 2024 at 07:30 / Depart: Tue 24 December 2024 at 23:00

Day 10 - Lanzarote

Arrive: Wed 25 December 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Wed 25 December 2024 at 19:00

With the added attraction of a lunar landscape nearby created by volcanic activity, the capital of Lanzarote is an alluring destination to explore, experience and enjoy. From the stunning scenery of the Timanfaya (Fire Mountain) National Park to delightful beaches and quaint whitewashed houses with luminescent green shutters, Arrecife offers something for every visitor. After marvelling at the magnificent array of purple, blue and orange colours in the park, you can sample a dish in the restaurant where the meat is barbecued over the heat of the volcanic crater that gave the park its name. Back in the town of Puerto Naos, the Castillo San Jose overlooking the harbour features a modern art collection and another restaurant looking out over sea, not to mention a shopping centre to browse through.

Day 11 - La Palma

Arrive: Thu 26 December 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Thu 26 December 2024 at 19:00

Forget its size. For a small island, La Palma boasts lots to do and more than its share of sights to see, including the largest volcanic crater in the world. Peaceful and tranquil, dozens of traditional old wooden houses with balustraded balconies lining the streets, Santa Cruz de la Palma is a typical Canarian town. All of which makes it the perfect place to stroll and relax. Look out in particular for the asone republica of Columbus' ship, the Santa Maria, opposite the seafront, and the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of the Snows. And if there's time, take a trip to La Caldera. 9km wide and 28km around its edge, it will change your view of volcanoes because the vast crater is now filled with fragrant Canary pines.

Day 12 - At Sea

Day 13 - Funchal

Arrive: Sat 28 December 2024 at 08:00

Madeira is more than sweet wine. It's an excuse to enjoy fine beaches, explore beautiful gardens and discover why Funchal is called the Pearl of the Ocean. Whether you want to enjoy a relaxing stroll along the promenade, visit the traditional and colourful flower market in the centre of Funchal, or taste the lovely wine that takes the island's name, Madeira has it all and more. Rising from the sea to the mountainside, the capital, Funchal, is a gardener's paradise with Birds of Paradise flowers, banana plantations, farms and vineyards everywhere. If you go shopping, don't miss the Se, the famous 16th century cathedral. If you have time visit Camacha, east of Funchal, known as the centre of Madeira's willow craft, and the hillside town of Monte which you can reach via a breathtaking cable car ride.

Day 14 - Funchal

Depart: Sun 29 December 2024

Madeira is more than sweet wine. It's an excuse to enjoy fine beaches, explore beautiful gardens and discover why Funchal is called the Pearl of the Ocean. Whether you want to enjoy a relaxing stroll along the promenade, visit the traditional and colourful flower market in the centre of Funchal, or taste the lovely wine that takes the island's name, Madeira has it all and more. Rising from the sea to the mountainside, the capital, Funchal, is a gardener's paradise with Birds of Paradise flowers, banana plantations, farms and vineyards everywhere. If you go shopping, don't miss the Se, the famous 16th century cathedral. If you have time visit Camacha, east of Funchal, known as the centre of Madeira's willow craft, and the hillside town of Monte which you can reach via a breathtaking cable car ride.

Day 15 - Gran Canaria

Arrive: Mon 30 December 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 30 December 2024

This sub-tropical oasis is the ideal place to relax. With its tranquil beaches of volcanic sand, you'll find it remarkably easy to let the time just slip away. Year-round sunshine and the option to visit the main resort area of Playa del Ingles on the south coast or the quieter Veguetta make Las Palmas the ideal destination, whatever your frame of mind. In Veguetta, the Christopher Columbus Museum provides an interesting diversion, while above the city the Bandama Crater reveals the island's volcanic past. With tranquil beaches of volcanic sand, you can combine a leisurely stroll to view the Portuguese-influenced architecture with a few hour's sunbathing to take it all in.