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Charming port villiages

The Azores & Canary Islands

Example 16 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Adventurer
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Explore the magnificent architecture, exotic markets, charming villages, dramatic scenery, island endemics, and a long and storied history off the coast of Africa on this 16-day cruise. The dramatic volcanic islands on this Azores expedition feature historic architecture, lush gardens and vineyards, marine mammals, seabirds, beautiful beaches, and colorful markets. Search for endemic birds on a Canary Islands tour and stroll through charming towns laced with shop-lined cobblestone streets.
Intricate cactus of the AzoresHike to distant volcanoes in the AzoresExperience the colorful culture of the AzoresBirds of the AzoresCharming port villiages
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores / Embark Sea Adventurer

Arrive in Ponta Delgada and transfer to the Sea Adventurer. The afternoon is at leisure with a welcome reception, dinner, and overnight on board.

Day 2: Ponta Delgada

In the morning, arrive in Ponta Delgada and enjoy a full-day excursion which highlights a picture-perfect landscape of lush green fields. After a stroll through the Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Birders explore in the area near Caloura. Enjoy some free time to explore or dine ashore on your own before the ship sets sail.

Day 3: Santa Cruz, Graciosa Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Join naturalists on deck to search for 
sperm whales and dolphins as the ship cruises toward Graciosa. Visit the museum 
at Santa Cruz before driving inland. Make a stop at Furna do Enxofre, where a deep cavern is pierced by sunlight streaming through a narrow funnel, and continue along 
the north coast for stunning views of the indigo sea on one side and verdant green meadows on the other.

Day 4: Sao Roque do pico, Pico Island / Horta, Faial Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in Pico, named for the 
7,713-foot volcanic cone of Mt. Pico. Enjoy a morning drive through the highlands of spring flowers and endemic vegetation and visit the Whaling Industry Museum. Stop at a Madalena vineyard to sample local wines and cheeses. Dock in the natural harbor of Horta for the afternoon and go ashore in one of the most popular yachting harbors of the Atlantic.

Day 5: Angra do Heroismo, Terceira Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Angra, a World Heritage Site, was a 
necessary port of call from the 15th century until the steamship came along in the 
19th century. A walking tour includes the highlights of this spectacular and photogenic town. After lunch on board, or on your own ashore, join a cultural tour inland to Sao Sebastiao, Praia da Vitoria, with its central plaza and historic district, and a wine museum. Or, choose an active hike up Monte Brasil with its scenic overlooks and botanical wonders, then visit the famed cave near Algarda Carvao.

Day 6: Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Drive to the east, visiting villages, a church, and a museum. Panoramic views are superb at Sao Lourenco and Maia. In the afternoon enjoy either an active hike between two charming villages, or a scenic tour to the village of Anjos, where Columbus landed after his first passage to the Americas. View the beautiful 15th-century church where he and his crew prayed - one of the oldest places of worship in the Azores.

Day 7-8: At Sea / Funchal, Madeira Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After a full day at sea, be on deck the next morning to witness the stunning volcanic contours of Madeira appear on the horizon. A half-day tour takes you from the town of Funchal by cable car to the top of Monte, with its 18th-century church and splendid views. Back in Funchal, a local guide shows you the town's historic sites: the main square, 
Sao Lourenco Palace, and the 15th-century cathedral. Watch a lace-making demonstration at an embroidery factory, before visiting 
the open-air market, one of the most sumptuous in the Atlantic. Or choose an 
excursion through western Madeira, with its craggy green peaks and luscious valleys. Stop in small wine-making villages to learn about local viniculture and gaze out over 
the second-highest sea cliff in the world. 
In Porto Moniz enjoy a wine tasting 
accompanied by local delicacies.

Day 9-10: At Sea / Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Island, Canary Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend a relaxing day at sea before arriving at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Choose a 
full-day exploration of the southern side 
of Tenerife to visit the Botanical Gardens, the attractive town of La Orotava, and 
Teide National Park. Find twisted volcanic formations surrounding 
El Teide, Spain's highest peak. After lunch 
at El Parador, take a hike to view the 
Roques de Garcia, bizarrely eroded rocks set in ochre plains at the mountain's base. Birders enjoy an excursion to spot many of the 200 species that populate the varied habitat.

Day 11: Arrecife, Lanzarote Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote is a volcanic island with some 300 cinder cones pock-marking its rugged landscape. Today you have three tour options to choose from. A scenic drive north takes you to the Mirador del Rio, with superb views over the Famara Mountains and islands off the seacoast. A highlight is the Jameos del Agua, a lava-tube cave transformed by famed local artist Cesar Manrique into a delightful series of pools, gardens, and a natural amphitheater. A second option goes south to Timanfaya National Park, which showcases the island's stunning volcanic landscape and 177 species of rare plants, many of them unique to the Canaries. 
The third option is a birding tour to search for the rock dove, Cory's shearwater, and Eleanora's falcon.

Day 12: Agadir, Morocco / Taroudant

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After an early lunch on board, drive inland from Agadir to Taroudant. Often called 'little Marrakech,' the village is surrounded by red ramparts. Walk the fortress ramparts and continue through the central plaza and the souks. The Berber Market offers a fascinating array of spices and vegetables, while the artisan souk displays silverwork, leather goods, and carpets.

Day 13: Casablanca

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Explore Casablanca, Morocco's largest city. Begin with an excursion to the colorful Central Market, followed by a guided interior exploration of the Hassan II Mosque, the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims. This seaside building is a stunning example of contemporary religious architecture. Its 688-foot minaret, the tallest in the world, is visible for miles.

Day 14: Cadiz, Spain / Seville

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel inland for a full-day tour of splendid Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Or, join a tapas and wine tour in Cadiz, including 
a visit to the historic city center.

Day 15: Faro, Portugal

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A walking tour of old town Faro includes a 
visit to the lively fish market, Moorish ramparts, and the cathedral. Or, choose a birding 
excursion to Ria Formosa National Park.

Day 16: Lisbon

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark in Lisbon and transfer to the airport for your independent homeward flight.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Adventurer

Ocean Adventurer Lounge
Library
Dining Room

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$9,980
Sea Adventurer's Category 1 and 2 Cabin.
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Cat 1
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 119-143 sq. ft
Sea Adventurer's Category 1 and 2 Cabin.
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Cat 2
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 117-153 sq. ft.
Ocean Adventurer Cabin 3 and 4
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Cat 3
Two twin beds, shower, two lower berths, double window, 115-142 sq. ft.
Sea Adventurer's Category 3 and 4 cabin.
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Cat 4
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 121-161 sq. ft.
Ocean Adventurer Category 5
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Cat 5
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, double window, 121-161 sq.ft.
Ocean Adventurer Category 6
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Cat 6
Two lower berths, two twin beds, bath or shower, two windows, 121-161 sq.ft.
Sea Adventurer's Category 7 Cabin.
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Cat 7
Two lower berths, two twin beds, en suite bathroom, two windows, 160-165 sq. ft.
Sea Adventurer's Category Suite.
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Suite
Suite, two lower twin beds, bath with shower, four windows, sitting area, 221 sq. ft.
Sea Adventurer's Owner's Suite.
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Owner's Suite
Owner’s Suite, two lower berth twin beds, shower/ bathtub, four windows, sitting area, 273 sq ft.
Sea Adventurer's Single Category 2.
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Single Cat 2
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 117-153 sq. ft.
Sea Adventurer's Single Category 3 Cabin
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Single Cat 3
Two twin beds, shower, two lower berths, double window, 115-142 sq. ft.
Sea Adventurer's Single Category 4.
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Single Cat 4
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 121-161 sq. ft.
Sea Adventurer's Single Category 5 Cabin
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Single Cat 5
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, double window, 121-161 sq.ft.

Notes

- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, a roommate will be assigned to you whenever possible.
- Additional singles may be available at 1.6 times the share rate.
Included
  • 13 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 12 Dinners

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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