Cruise and Maritime Voyages

A charming mix of both modern city and old town, La Coruña is capital of the Spanish province bearing the same name in the rugged and beautiful region of Galicia. The symbol of La Coruña, nicknamed the ‘Crystal City’ for the glass-fronted buildings along its attractive seafront promenade, is the 2nd century lighthouse Torre del Hercules. Beautiful old streets and squares are found in Ciudad Vieja. The heart of this old town is the colonnaded Maria Pita Square surrounded by delightful shops, cafes and restaurants.

Since 1546 Ponta Delgada has been capital of São Miguel, which is the largest of the nine islands in the Azores archipelago. In the last twenty-five years the cosmopolitan little town has seen rapid expansion bringing the archipelago its first university, shopping mall and dual carriageway. Yet, it still has a small town charm with squares paved with black and white tiles, beautiful churches, and public buildings with white-painted facades and dark volcanic stone trim. Volcanic activity has produced spectacular scenery on the islands and this extraordinary natural beauty is a highlight of optional excursions.

Set in a magnificent natural amphitheatre overlooking a wide bay, Funchal is the delightful capital of the beautiful and dramatic island of Madeira. The harbour is right in the centre of town and as you approach the sight of whitewashed buildings with red tiled roofs tumbling down the verdant mountain is spectacular. A modern cable car soars above the bustling city to Monte, which is the start of Madeira’s famous wicker toboggan ride. Wicker baskets, embroidery and the famous Madeira wine are popular souvenirs from the striking island often described as the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’.

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.