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The Azores & Madeira

The Azores & Madeira

From AUD $5,100

Description

Discover the charms of the Portuguese archipelagos on this brand-new 8-day itinerary brought to you by PONANT. This cruise combining nature and culture in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean will take place aboard Le Champlain.

The first part of your trip will be in the Azores, with a boarding in Ponta Delgada. Situated on the island of São Miguel, the capital of the Azores boasts a beautiful natural environment including hot springs, lakes and volcanic craters. It will give you a wonderful glimpse of the wild beauty that characterises these Atlantic islands.

Your ship will then set a course southward to carry you to Madeira, a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. On this steep island covered in luxuriant vegetation, the variety of landscapes, including sheer cliffs, levadas, banana plantations, and laurisilva listed with UNESCO, never ceases to amaze visitors. Here you will discover Funchal, the capital of the Madeira Islands. Its magnificent botanical garden overlooking the city, its churches and its ancient fortress are sure to win you over.

Before disembarking in Lisbon, you will call at Porto Santo, a tiny island edged with a superb fine-sand beach, home to a few windmills and some traditional houses.

Trip Name
The Azores & Madeira
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Length: 127 metres Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series, Le Champlain will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Champlain will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Champlain has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 PONTA DELGADA, AZORES
The coastal city of Ponta Delgada stands on the southern coastline of São Miguel Island, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. On your way to the town centre from the port, youメll pass through the Doors to the Sea, a contemporary architectural complex bordering the Atlantic. The historic district features a beautiful square framed by the three Baroque arches of the City Gates. A few steps from the shore youメll find the Gothic church of São Sebastião and the Renaissance fortress, Fortaleza de São Brásainsi.
Day 2 - Day 2 VILA DO PORTO
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Day 3 - Day 3 AT SEA
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observer marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 4 - Days 4 - 5 FUNCHAL, MADEIRA
This attractive capital of Madeira is located on the southern coast of the island. The walkways of the old town are lined with azulejos, or multi-coloured mosaics. If you follow these patterns, they’ll lead you to the appetising Mercado dos Lavradores market stands, the Frederico de Freitas museum, and the golden panelling of the Cathedral de la Sé. Along the waterfront, the palm tree-shaded promenade leads you to the teleféricos de Monte, Madeira's cable cars. Its panoramic cabins transport you over the city to top of Monte, where you can see the picturesque botanical garden.
Day 5 - Day 6 PORTO SANTO ISLAND, MADEIRA
Porto Santo Island is a Portuguese island situated fifty kilometres northeast of Madeira Island in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most beautiful, peace and quiet islands in Europe, and its long sandy beaches and ochre-yellow coloured soil earned it the name of “Golden Island”. Due to these various shades of brown and yellow, Porto Santo has a beauty of its own and is very different to Madeira. The island was discovered by the Portuguese in 1418 who appreciated its sheltered anchorage. Christopher Columbus the famous explorer lived on Porto Santo for a while.
Day 6 - Day 7 AT SEA
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Day 7 - Day 8 LISBON
Portugal’s capital city located on the banks of the Tagus, only a few kilometres from the Atlantic coast, is a city of exceptionally rich cultural diversity. At the mouth of the river harbour, impose two UNESCO World Heritage monuments, Jeronimos monastery and Belem tower. Sample the local delicacies such as the pasteis de nata—delicious creamy bakery flans. On the Alfama hillside, as you explore the Moorish streets, you may well hear sounds of fado drifting from the bars. Along Chiado’s elegant streets, big fashion labels will entice in you for a bit of luxury shopping.
Day 8 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $5,100Deluxe Stateroom
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $12,950Grand Deluxe Suite
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $13,360Owner's Suite
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $5,450Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $5,620Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $5,810Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $8,040Deluxe Suite
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $11,810Prestige Suite Deck 5
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $12,170Prestige Suite Deck 6
19-04-202026-04-2020AUD $12,560Privilege Suite

Inclusions

    • A cruise wholly devoted to discovering the two Portuguese archipelagos in the Atlantic: the Azores and Madeira.
    • The promise of a trip off the beaten track, combining nature and culture.
    • Beautiful and diverse landscapes: volcanoes, calderas, mountain peaks, green hills, cliffs, lakes, shrubs, flowers, forests, beaches…
    • Visit Ponta Delgada, capital of the Azores: old town, churches, and the famous Portas da Cidade (city gates).
    • After disembarking, you will have the possibility of visiting Lisbon, the Portuguese capital and its rich cultural offering.

Map