A glorious mosaic of beauty, freedom and authenticity, Portugal’s capital is a stirring artwork of a city. Known for the seven hills it spreads across, and its stirring fado music, Lisbon is a pastel-coloured blend of houses and beautiful tile artworks - and this creative city strikes a perfect harmony between natural and manmade beauty. Stroll along Alfama's steep, cobbled streets as you explore one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods - where each house and door could be its own photograph. Look for the decorative tiles, with the distinctive blues and whites of Azulejo ceramics, and visit the dedicated museum to learn more. Afterwards, wind up to São Jorge Castle, where views out across Lisbon’s red rooftops unravel. Just one of many majestic viewpoints, you can also seek out Miradouro da Graça for perhaps Lisbon's finest panorama, with the copper-coloured suspension bridge stretching over sparkling water beyond the sea of buildings. The elegant Tower of Belém rises in the Tagus estuary and is a historic defender of these shores. The grand, carved cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery spread out close by, and there's another UNESCO recognised location close by at Sintra, where a colourful town is set amid thick gardens and towering mountains - capped by the royal Pena Palace. Later, relax and take a quick break to drink Ginjinha, a cherry liqueur made from chocolate cups instead of coffee. Lisboetas have a sweet tooth, and the famous Pastel de Nata's crumbling pastry and caramelised-custard topping is the essential accompaniment to any coffee stop.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Providing a gorgeous green welcome to sailors venturing on the long journey across the Atlantic, Ponta Delgada’s shoreline is a reassuring sight, as it emerges into view. Sat on São Miguel Island, the largest of Portugal’s Azores islands - which wait on an outpost of western Europe, some 1,100 miles from the mainland. Ponta Delgada is the island’s largest city, and a place of spectacular volcanic vistas, steaming hot springs and impressive landscaped gardens. The city’s signature trio of arches welcomes you to Ponta Delgada, and its island of verdant volcanic contrasts. Wander between monochrome churches like the Gothic Church of St. Sebastian, and up to the Convent and Chapel of Our Lady of Hope – which houses the revered icon of Christ that is paraded through the streets annually, and believed to have miraculous powers by locals. Or, head for beaches offering sanctuary on charcoal-coloured sands, or the tropical António Borges Botanical Gardens, where tropical plants add extra shades to the Green Island's scenery. Now extinct, the mighty Caldeira das Sete Cidades is a truly awe-inspiring sight - and the colossal collapsed volcanic caldera blooms with lush greenery and scattered wildflowers. The vast crater has been taken over by a glowing, picturesque lake, which reflects the blue sky above. A full three miles wide - and with a circumference of eight miles - it’s a vast panorama to take in. The Lagoa de Fogo – or Lake of Fire – is another of the island’s calderas – rise up to see the crumpled scenery encasing a beautiful lake. São Miguel Island’s geothermal activity has practical uses too, and you can harness the powers to unwind any tired muscles after a long day, by sinking into the hot springs of Poca Da Dona.

A ‘giant long sea monster’ is how the island of São Jorge has been described when viewed from an approaching ship. Like all Azores islands, São Jorge is volcanic in origin, but it is not the typical volcanic cone shape. It is an elongated narrow string of volcanic peaks joined by a high plateau. Half the island is above 300 metres (1000 feet) elevation. A big eruption on the island in 1808 produced fresh lava. Dotted at sea level around the island are fajãs, small flatlands formed by lava flows or landslides. No-one lived on the islands until the Portuguese arrived in the 1430s. The Portuguese were joined later by Flemish, Italians, British, and Breton settlers. On São Jorge, the Flemish exported lichen and the plant woad to Europe for dye. Later, food, including oranges was cultivated for export. Yams were so important as a food crop for residents that they are on Calheta’s Coat-of-Arms. Excellent trekking takes you amongst the dramatic volcanic cones, lush valleys ravines and the high plateau of São Jorge. Forests have native plants such as Azorean Candleberry Tree (Morella), Tree Heath, Pau-branco” (White Wood) and Azores Juniper. Alongside walking trails are colourful introduced plants, especially hydrangeas and yellow ginger-lilies. Seabirds, especially Cory's Shearwater, nest on higher slopes, although these are more easily seen from the ship. Look out for the amazing Azores Noctule, a bat which is the Azores’ only native mammal and one of only a few of the world’s bats that flies by day.

Boas-vindas in Velas, a pretty little town nestled on São Jorge Island, in the extraordinary Azores. The town’s name comes from a legend according to which candles carried by shipwreck ships washed ashore regularly during the town’s foundation period – around 1500, velas meaning candles in Portuguese. Entering the village by the Portão do Mar – one of the island’s major Azorean architectural jewels, discover Velas’ natural wonders. The coast of the island is particularly difficult to access, the cliffs reaching several hundred feet in height in places. The collapse of these cliffs gave rise to low flatlands near the sea, called «fajãs» in the Azores. These are particularly fertile and their microclimates allow for very varied and exotic cultures, such as coffee’s. The Arco Natural de Velas, highlight of the town, is a volcanic arch nestled between two natural pools. These are plentiful on São Jorge and the Piscinas Naturais da Preguiça are the closest you can find near Velas, just a short walk from the village. These breathtaking natural pools are the perfect spot for swimming or just admiring the sublime waters, nestled amidst natural lava foundations. To gain height and admire the most beautiful vista on Velas and its fajãs, the Miradouro do Morro Das Velas awaits you with its dramatic view, after a 20 minute-walk from the village.

Far adrift, in the Atlantic's vast sweep, Horta serves as a welcoming island respite for some truly epic ocean voyages. One of the most westerly parts of Europe, these Portuguese islands lie a full 1,100 miles from the coast of the mainland. The bustling marina here serves as the perfect stopover and a welcome respite for tired sailors and yachts embarking on transatlantic crossings. The colourful harbour is decorated with a multicoloured patchwork of their stories and flags, and adding to this massive, ever-growing mural is said to offer sailors protection while out on the seas. While Horta's clientele may come and go with the waves, there's nothing transient about the stunning volcanic cones and soaring wildflower-splashed hills that make up this beautiful Atlantic island pit-stop. Horta is the main city, and a charming welcome to dry land, as you step onto the pentagon-shaped island of Faial. On the frontier of continents, the violent meeting of the European and North American tectonic plates forged this beautiful archipelago - and the rich volcanic scenery here is ripe for exploration and adventure. The busy harbour lies before the dramatic backdrop of the neighbouring Pico Island's cloud-wisped peak - head up to Espalamaca Lookout for the best view of Horta's busy harbour and islands emerging nearby. Horta has a grand volcanic caldera of its own, and you can journey up through threads of cloud, to look down into the island's immense, bowl-shaped crater. The Lighthouse of Ponta dos Capelinhos is an island icon, having survived 1957's dramatic eruption. It now occupies a scenic location on a headland, surrounded by vast swathes of charred new land, which were churned out from the depths.
 

The smallest of the nine Azores islands, Corvo emerged as a volcanic cone from the sea depths 730,000 years ago. It later collapsed to form a caldera with several cinder and spatter cones and small lakes, with peat bogs and islets. The sheer western cliffs rise 700 metres (2,300 ft) above sea level while to the south, ancient lava flows reach the sea. The warm Gulf Stream gives the island mild temperatures and high humidity with an almost permanent fog on the mountain top. These are great conditions for a lush vegetation. At times, Corvo both supported and was a victim to pirates. One recorded battle at the island’s settlement occurred in 1632 when attacking Barbary Coast pirates were met by shepherds throwing rocks from the cliffs. The Corvo people repelled the pirates and victory was put down to the local vicar carrying a small statue of the Virgin Mary into the battle. Today, the statue is in the local church. Corvo and nearby Flores are renowned amongst ornithologists for spotting birds rarely seen in Europe. In autumn, migrating North American birds are sometimes blown off course to the islands. After a rest and a feed, they continue on their way. Corvo means crow and Azore means goshawk. Neither bird was ever here, so explorers needed better binoculars. But there are resident birds, including Azores Grey Wagtail, Azores Blackbird and Azores Chaffinch. Look for the Atlantic Canary, wild ancestor of the domestic yellow canary. At the Azores they sing the same but look better in the wild.

Sailing vessels needed a place to re-supply and repair on voyages between Europe and ports in Africa, the West Indies and the East Indies. Angra do Heroísmo (Angra) on Terceira Island in the Azores was the ideal port of call. But only if you were the correct nationality at the time. Angra has had shaky times both politically and literally. The Azores sit on the Azores Triple Junction, the spot where the North American, Eurasian and African tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. This makes them vulnerable to tremors and volcanic eruptions. A severe earthquake hit the islands of Terceira and São Jorge in 1980 leaving scores dead and thousands homeless. In Angra, many historic buildings were damaged. The town was so faithfully restored that the town centre became a World Heritage Site in 1983. The town square and 400-year-old military fortifications are key historic features. Battles have been fought on Terceira twice. In the 1580s, the islanders fought against the Spanish occupation of the Azores, before eventually losing control to Spain. The Sao Joao Baptista do Monte Brasil Fortress was built by the Spanish, who defended it until the Portugal restoration in 1642. The fortifications are now protected in Monte Brasil Natural Park. During the Liberal Wars (civil war) of the 1820s, Angra served as the capital of Portugal for a government in exile. Angra’s citizens won a battle in 1829 which lead to Angra earning the honorary title of do Heroísmo "the Heroic”. Not a bad title to brag about.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

When travelling in remote regions tide, wind, ice and weather conditions determine the details of our itinerary. While we will do our best to maintain all suggested activities, some of these may be subject to change. Come with an open mind and a great sense of adventure, together we can turn any voyage into a wonderful Expedition. 

Enjoy your breakfast before disembarkation.