The Azores to Morocco

Arrive in Sao Miguel and take some time to relax, then set out to explore the Furnas Valley and its famed hot springs. Hike the beautiful trails which surround the area, or visit the garden of Terra Nostra. Enjoy a traditional Azorean lunch - cozido, which is naturally cooked from the underground volcanic activity. Board the ship and settle into your cabin before attending a welcome dinner to meet your captain and his crew.

Set out on a search for whales in the morning! On the island of Faial, admire the changing scenery and learn about how drastically the landscape was altered when its volcano erupted in 1957. Stroll along the marina, visit the excellent scrimshaw museum, and raise a glass at the legendary Peter's Café Sport, where sea adventurers historically dropped off their mail. Scuba diving may also be arranged.

In the morning, go ashore at Santa Maria, historically significant as the first landfall of Christopher Columbus on his return from the Americas. Hike the trails with your guides, then join local whale experts, like the Maasai trackers of East Africa, who have centuries of ties to their surroundings and an instinct for scouting its wild inhabitants. (B,L,D)

En route to Madeira, relax on board and keep a constant lookout for seabirds and marine creatures. Head to the bridge to scan the horizon with a pair of binoculars, or catch up on some reading in the glass-enclosed library.

Enjoy the beautiful island of Madeira. Walk in the endemic laurisilva (laurel forest), a UNESCO site, wander along the tranquil levadas (former irrigation channels), and visit the botanical gardens and the new Whale Museum. Sample Madeira’s flavorful seafood, enjoy a tasting of the famed Madeira wines, and hear a performance of authentic Fado singing. You may want to take a ride on the famous wicker toboggans down the steep streets of Monte, or take a long leg-stretching hike along the beautiful Ponta São Lourenço.

Relax on board as you sail for Morocco.

Arrive in Morocco and travel from Safi to the stunning town of Essaouira, which offers white buildings accented by deep blue shutters and Portuguese-style doors. The medina (old town) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an exceptional example of a late-18th-century fortified town. Enjoy the views of the coast and fortifications from the scalas, (defense platforms), which were left by Spanish and Portuguese pirates.

Casablanca personifies modern Morocco, living in harmony with the rich heritage it has acquired over the centuries. Travel along the attractive waterfront boulevard, known as Ain Diab Corniche, lined with beaches, seaside resorts, and terraced restaurants. Visit the extraordinary Hassan II Mosque, boasting the world’s tallest minaret at 689 feet, topped by lasers that beam out towards Mecca once the sun has set. Additionally, stroll through the city's Habous district and the mechouar, the ceremonial meeting place outside the Royal Palace, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

Enjoy one last breakfast on board before transferring back to the airport for your independent onward journeys.