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Peregrine Travel Centre

Exploring the Beauty of Atlantic Islands

Exploring the Beauty of Atlantic Islands

From £3,051 GBP

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Description

The Atlantic islands offer an embarrassment of riches to travellers: from rich history and exquisite architecture, to hidden natural pearls and fascinating cultures. This journey brings you to the best of the Azores and two of the famed Canary islands in a round trip expedition that begins and ends in historic Lisbon.

Seven hills of history
Discover the steep streets and charming neighbourhoods of the Portugese capital, where MS Midnatsol waits for embarkation.

The Azores – the colours of nature
With nicknames like the green, purple and black islands, one gets an idea of how unique and distinctive each of our Azores destinations are.

São Miguel is studded with lakes and rolling hills, mountains and green plains. The island’s capital is the charming university town of Ponta Delgada.

Ilha do Pico is a stunning natural destination, ideal for bird watching and hiking.

Lovely and historic Angra was founded in the 15th century, an ideal stopping place for traders from the New World.

Also known as the “pearl of the Atlantic”, Madeira is a veritable floating garden in the ocean, hosting rare and lush plant and animal life. Funchal is a modern, cosmopolitan city that offers inviting cafes, interesting shops, cobblestone streets and a magnificent natural setting.

The volcanic sand of Porto Santo has been said to have curative powers, prompting visitors from all over to travel to this remote island. Enjoy a visit to the island´s golden beaches.

The contrasts of the Canaries
Our two stops in the Canary Islands, Tenerife and La Gomera, seem worlds apart, yet are separated by only a short stretch of sea. Tenerife hosts elegant modernist architecture, Teide National Park and some lovely beaches. La Gomera is less visited and features a spectacular cloud forest interior, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trip Name
Exploring the Beauty of Atlantic Islands
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 136m Passenger Capacity: 970 Built: 2003 MS Midnatsol has a strong environmental profile and a modern design. The interior’s bright, colourful décor is inspired by the warm sunny climate, a motif also reflected in the many pieces of Norwegian modern art on display. She is also a TV star, being featured in the award winning documentary "Hurtigruten 365", made by Norwegian TV. On deck 9 you find the sun deck and a Jacuzzi. Key qualities of the MS Midnatsol include the large, two-story panorama lounge above the bow, and the large glass expanses that allow natural light to enter, while providing extraordinary views. MS Midnatsol is an ice class 1X ship and equipped with advanced technology, making her very well suited for expedition voyages in Antarctica. Two-story panorama lounge  Bars  Café  Library  Restaurant  Separate a la carte restaurant  Playroom  Sauna  Shop Jacuzzis Fitness room Amfi theatre for educational lectures and conference facilities

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Legendary Lisbon
Lisbon is a legendary city with centuries of history, built on seven hills along the shores of the River Tejo. Take some time to visit world famous sites like Tower of Belém before embarkation on MS Midnatsol.
Day 2 - Days 2 - 3 - Towards volcanic beauty
We sail west towards the volcanic archipelago of the Azores. These nine islands are the western frontier of Europe, and each has its own unique character. Our expert lecturers will prepare you for the upcoming visit. Take a little time to chat with your fellow travellers or just enjoy the deep relaxation of being at sea.
Day 3 - Day 4 - The green island
Known as the “green island”, São Miguel is the largest of the 9 islands, studded with lakes and rolling hills, mountains and green plains. The island’s capital is the charming university town of Ponta Delgada. Join an excursion to the Sete Cidades Massif to see a volcanic crater and lake-filled caldera, and tour the otherworldly landscape of cones, pumice deposits, and lava domes. The scenic Lagoa das Sete Cidades is a highlight of this protected landscape, considered one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal.
Day 4 - Day 5 - UNESCO-listed landscape
Known as the “black island” for the rich volcanic soil that feeds the marvellous vineyards and fruit orchards, Ilha do Pico is a stunning natural destination, ideal for bird watching and hiking. Enjoy Vila da Madalena, the hub of the island, with an impressive 17th century church. Choose an excursion to the UNESCO-listed vineyards to experience the creativity of the adaptations the local people have made to thrive in this rugged and beautiful landscape.
Day 5 - Day 6 - The purple island
Visit the lovely and historic capital of the archipelago. Angra was founded in the 15th century, prospering from its location as an ideal stopping place for traders from the New World. Take in the historic 16th century fortress of São João Baptista. Beyond the edge of town, with the Serra de Santa Barbara massif looming in the west, the island hosts a wild and hilly scenic landscape.
Day 6 - Day 7 - Madeira bound
Enjoy another idyllic day at sea, taking in the fresh salt air, relaxing with a drink or a book, and scanning for wildlife in the living ocean.
Day 7 - Day 8 - The magic of golden sand
This place has been called “one long beach, with a bit of land attached”. The volcanic sand of Porto Santo has been said to have curative powers, prompting visitors from all over to this remote island. Enjoy a visit to these golden beaches. The rugged interior of Porto Santo is perfect for exciting excursions, walks, and has a lot to offer history buffs. After all, a little-known explorer named Christopher Columbus made his home on the island´s capital: Vila Baleira.
Day 8 - Day 9 - The garden of the Atlantic
Also known as the “pearl of the Atlantic”, Madeira is a veritable floating garden in the Atlantic, hosting rare and lush plant and animal life. The Laurissilva Forest, tracing back to the Tertiary period, is composed of evergreen species that were dominant in Europe 20 million years ago, but today is only found here and a few other isolated spots. Funchal is a modern, cosmopolitan city that offers inviting cafes, interesting shops, cobblestone streets and a magnificent natural setting.
Day 9 - Day 10 - Relax and reflect
The day is yours. Relax on deck or indoors, learn more from our lecture series, and compare memories with your fellow explorers as we sail towards the Canaries.
Day 10 - Day 11 - El Teide and History
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is bustling and boasts stylish modern architecture, while the interior of the island is dominated by Teide National Park and the El Teide volcanic peak – the highest point on Spanish soil. Join an optional excursion to this spectacular volcano, or to San Cristóbal de la Laguna, with lovely 15th century architecture and an active artistic community.
Day 11 - Day 12 - Off the beaten track beauty
San Sebastián de la Gomera is an oasis in the Atlantic that is visited far less frequently than the other islands. The steep ravines and narrow valleys of the landscape caused the islanders to develop a unique way to communicate over distances: a loud whistling, called el silbo. The island´s main attraction is the incredible scenic beauty of its interior. Garajonay National Park is a magical place, a dense laurel forest that captures the fog drifting in from the surrounding sea. UNESCO declared the area a World Heritage Site and a visit to this area is highly recommended.
Day 12 - Days 13 - 14 - A relaxed journey north
Heading north, we sail for Portugal´s mainland. Our lecturers will have many interesting presentations to put your trip in perspective. A final chance to relax and reflect with new friends about the adventures of the past weeks.
Day 13 - Day 15 - Cruising up the Tejo
Early risers will be rewarded with a lovely view of Lisbon as we cruise up the Tejo river, ending our journey in the capital of Portugal.
Day 14 - Please Note:
This is an expedition where the elements rule, and the weather and wind conditions will determine our final schedule. Safety is paramount and the captain will decide the sailing itinerary during the voyage. Therefore, this itinerary is just an indication of what you can experience, and why every expedition with us is unique.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
06-04-201820-04-2018£3,051Polar Inside. From
06-04-201820-04-2018£3,143Polar Outside. From
06-04-201820-04-2018£3,585Arctic Superior. From
06-04-201820-04-2018£4,502Minisuite. From
06-04-201820-04-2018£5,644Expedition Suite. From

Inclusions

    • Explore the verdant, volcanic islands of the Azores
    • Discover the hidden charm of Funchal, Porto Santo and La Gomera
    • Experience the sophistication of Lisbon and the artistic heritage of Tenerife
    • Learn about the rich history of exploration at every turn from our Expedition team

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