Cruise and Maritime Voyages

Lying on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the River Tagus, Lisbon is the westernmost capital in Europe. It was from here that the great caravels set sail on their voyages of exploration and numerous monuments are a reminder Lisbon’s glorious maritime heyday. In 1775 a devastating earthquake all but levelled the city to the ground, and although relatively modern, the Portuguese capital has a quirky charm and much character. The steep, cobbled streets of the ancient Moorish Alfama district lead to wonderful viewpoints looking over the city. Further along the coast the elegant resorts of Cascais and Estoril stud Portugal’s own Riviera.

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is dominated by Mount Teide in the central mountain range and several spectacular valleys covered with lush landscape, banana plantations and pinewoods. Santa Cruz, the island's capital, offers a number of museums, and churches to explore together with tempting shops and restaurants. The exotic gardens of Garcia Sanabria Park are worth a visit as is Loro Parque, with its tropical gardens, collection of parrots, and an aquarium with sharks, sealions and penguins.

This Atlantic outcrop is another treat to visit by sea. Capital Georgetown(population,approx 560) is even more small-scale than Jamestown and was first occupied in 1815. Its airfield was built by US forces during WorldWar II and the main importance of the island has been as a communications centre andmilitary base.

This fascinating former 17th century British colony is accessible only by sea and is one of themost rugged and individual outposts on theworld cruise scene. It is easy to explore the quaint capital, Jamestown, on foot, while optional tours can showyou its extremes of countryside, fromwind-eroded desert tomountainous cliffs.