Macaronesia & Beyond - Canary Islands, Madeira & Morocco

Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky for embarkation as we sail this evening.

Arrive this morning on beautiful and unspoilt La Gomera. On a full day tour we will explore the island including Garajonay National Park, home to the world’s only surviving laurel forest and visit the villages of Hermiqua, Agulo and Las Rosas followed by lunch in a local restaurant. Before returning to the ship experience a demonstration of Silbo Gomero, the island’s unique whistling language, and visit the magnificent rock formations of Agando. Alternatively, you may wish to join a morning guided trek through the Garajonay National Park commencing in the village of El Cedro which offers some interesting examples of the architecture of the Canary Islands. Set sail during dinner as we make our way to El Hierro where we will moor overnight.

Probably the least known of the Canary Islands, and once considered to be the end of the world, El Hierro is unique and utterly captivating. This morning will be free to explore the town at your own pace. Later on an afternoon island tour it will be impossible not to be entranced by the island’s slow pace and simple style; by its craggy coast, where waves hurl themselves against lava sculpted rock faces; by the pretty farmland and flower meadows of the interior; by the eerily beautiful juniper groves; and by the desolate volcanic badlands that stretch out like moonscapes in the south. We will also have the opportunity to sample some of El Hierro’s excellent wine and visit the lizard house where the island’s unique giant lizards are bred; near extinction, they are protected by international law. Alternatively, opt for the La Llania hiking excursion which will take us through primeval forests, along ancient cisterns and mythical witches dance floors to El Hierro’s top viewing point affording spectacular views of the western parts of the island.

La Palma is known by locals as the ‘Beautiful Island’, and it is easy to see why. It is a simply stunning, peaceful and most importantly an un-spoilt destination that has deservedly been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve. This morning drive inland to the beautiful village of El Paso and visit the Silk Museum. This is the only place in Europe where the 500-year-old tradition and processes have been preserved. From here we will continue onto the Caldera de Taburiente, a massive depression eight kilometres wide which scientists agree was a majestically tall volcanic mountain that collapsed in on itself. Explore on foot and whilst all may seem stoic and still, the forces of erosion are hard at work and some geologists estimate that it will finally disappear in just 5,000 years. Alternatively, for those who would prefer a more energetic excursion there will be a guided trek on offer through the El Pilar area; see remains of volcanic eruptions, the magnificent views of the Valley of Aridane and the crater wall that surrounds the Taburiente National Park. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Madeira.

Spend the next day and a half on Madeira where there will be a choice of excursions, including a beautiful panoramic exploration of the western part of the island taking in Ribera Brava and Porto Moniz. There will also be the opportunity to visit the Madeira Botanical Gardens which cover an area of over 35,000 square metres and has more than 2000 exotic plants from all continents, some of which are endangered species. This fantastic garden has several ornamental trees and shrubs, an orchid area, lawns, and lovely viewpoints. The more active may wish to join a Levada walk. Levada are irrigation channels that were created by the Portuguese settlers in the 19th century, who painstakingly carved them out of the rock by hand. Designed to carry freshwater from the north to the drier southern regions of the island, they helped to create many of the lush landscapes that can be seen today. The walk will follow the course of ‘levadas’ for over three miles, seeing the verdant plants, mountain views and green farmland that cover Madeira.

Spend the day at sea as we sail towards Morocco. Our lecture programme continues in the lounge or maybe find a spot on deck to relax.

This morning we will depart the port of Safi and head along the coast to Essaouira. Founded in the 18th century, Essaouira was built to be a rival city to Agadir. Formerly known as Mogador, meaning small fortress, it was designed as a fortified town surrounded by Vauban-style ramparts and played a major role as an international trading seaport, linking Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa with Europe and the rest of the world. On our full day tour we will see the amazing mixture of Portuguese and Berber architecture, the 16th century sea bastions built to protect the city, the 18th century Medina, and in the Mellah we will find the souks dedicated to gold, spices and fish. Enjoy a seafood lunch near the beach before returning to the MS Hebridean Sky.

Arrive in southern Morocco in the vast bay of Agadir. A morning tour will include time at the Kasbah, built to defend the Atlantic shoreline and offering wonderful views over the coast, and the Talborjt Mosque. After some time in the souk we will drive through the fertile Souss valley to the gold, pink and orange tinted imperial city of Taroudant, a past capital of the Saadian dynasty. Explore the medina with its souks, see the red ramparts and end with a visit to the Assarag and Tamaklotte squares. After a local lunch we return to the ship.

Returning to the Canary Islands we arrive in the early afternoon in Arrecife, a pleasant town with a modern seafront and colourful gardens. A volcanic island designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote’s dramatic landscapes were shaped by an explosive past, but today the dazzling white salt flats of Janubio, the rugged terrain of Fire Mountain and an array of unspoilt fishing villages scattered around the coast combine to make it a hugely successful tourist destination. This afternoon you may wish to experience the world of Cesar Manrique, celebrated painter, landscape conservationist and one of Lanzarote’s best-known citizens, who left an indelible imprint on the island. Cross the northeastern part of the island to Jardin del Cactus, an unusual botanical garden where many species of cacti have been carefully arranged in a natural setting by Manrique himself. Then visit Manrique’s former home, designed by Manrique and which combines his interest in traditional local architecture with his concerns about environmental protection. Alternatively, visit Fire Mountain which was born from a spectacular volcanic eruption over 280 years ago. Drive through the haunting scenery of dark, barren lava cinders topped by brooding ochre and violet volcano cones resembling a lunar landscape. Vineyards dot the landscape with the vines, protected by semi-circular stonewalls, making them look more like art than agriculture. A visit will be made to a ‘bodega’ so you can sample one of the local wines before returning to the ship.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight.

Itineraries are subject to change.