Mystique of the Azores

The historic capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, contains centuries of colonial architecture that display the spread of the British Empire. The Barbados Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of many old buildings filled with the fascinating history of how the island grew into what it is today. Lying along the southwest coast of Carlisle Bay, it also offers beautiful and serene beach scenes with soft, white sand. And it’s an enticing destination with ancient shipwrecks to dive and explore near the coast, like the S.S. Stavronikita, one of the most popular dive sites in the entire Caribbean. A trip to Barbados is not complete without a sampling of the local rum at St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the oldest distilleries in the Caribbean.

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

The rugged coasts, volcanoes, and crater lakes of the Azores islands create stunning landscapes that beckon you to explore, and Ponta Delgada is the archipelago’s capital city. The Azores are well-known for the cultivation of pineapples, which you can learn more about at Plantacao de Ananas dos Acores, as well as enjoy cocktails and ice cream made with fresh pineapple juice. For a more challenging adventure, find your way to Ponta da Ferraria and go for a swim in what’s considered by many a hot tub in the ocean by climbing down the rocks or wooden ladder. Explore Portugal’s historic architecture at sites like Igreja do Santo Cristo, Portas da Cidade, and Igreja Matriz de São Sebastiao.

Amid the Azores, Europe’s best-kept secret, lies the island of Pico with the municipality of Lajes do Pico. Here you’ll discover a history of whaling and learn how the cetaceans came to be beloved by the locals and respected as part of their environment. Climb up to the lookout on Vigia da Queimada, a prime spot for stunning views, and keep your eyes on the horizon as you search for signs of a whale fluke breaching the sea’s surface. Around the shores of Pico Island, you may even see dolphins. Make a trek to the Achada Plateau and find the largest lake on the island, Caiado Lagoon. With a backdrop of verdant hills along a quiet shore, it’s a piece of paradise on Earth.

Along the eastern shore of the Azores’ Terceira Island sits Praia da Vitória. Amid its picturesque main square, you find the charming parish church with Manueline architecture, a Gothic doorway, and a golden Baroque side chapel. From the Serra do Cume Viewpoint you’ll see verdant stretches of valleys and fields that offer an expansive perspective of the vila. Concrete platforms built into lava rocks along the oceanside create an astonishing scene at the nearby Praia dos Biscoitos, where the waves crash against the volcanic shoreline. Make your way toward the center of the island for a hiking adventure around Furnas de Enxofre, where volcanic activity occurs as hot springs and sulfurous fumaroles

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Portugal’s capital Lisbon comes alive with a rich history seen in every nook and cranny of the city. From the resting place of famous explorer Vasco de Gama at Jeronimos Monastery to the impressive turrets of São Jorge Castle dating back to the second century B.C.E., Lisbon offers a deep dive into the past to satiate the most curious travelers. While Western Europe’s oldest city boasts an array of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, that does not mean it has remained stuck in the past. On the contrary, the colorful culture and vibrant life that runs throughout the city’s restaurants, shops, and rooftop bars make it buzz with infectious energy. Taking a tuk-tuk through its hard-to-reach passages allows you to experience Lisbon as the locals do.

Arrive at Lisbon and disembark after breakfast.