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Macaronesia Islands
Absorb the landscape, culture and atmosphere of the remote and fascinating North Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and Cape Verde.
Your journey through Macaronesia begins in the town of Praia with its blend of Mediterranean and African influences, where you board your ship to explore the volcanic Cape Verde archipelago. On Fogo, where the volcano rises to nearly 3000 metres above sea level, the defiant residents of Chã das Caldeiras inside the crater regularly evacuate the island. As you approach Brava, the smallest inhabited island in the Cape Verde group, sheer lava cliffs drop down to the sea and white houses dot the mountainside, while inland there is a fertile oasis of hibiscus, bougainvillea and jasmine. Saõ Antao is an island of contrasts, from the pine and cedars in the north to the desert and arid terrain of the south. You will hike the incredible peaks and ravines from Porto Novo to Ribeira Grande. On Saõ Vincente, there will be time to explore Mindelos cobbled streets and 19th century architecture before sailing to the Canary Islands. The island of Tenerife is your first stop in the Canary Islands; here you will see the now extinct volcano and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Teide, an impressive 3718 metres above sea level. On the cone shaped island of La Gomera you will visit Garajonay National Park with one of the last remaining tracts of Atlantic laurel forest and home to many unique bird species. It will become clear why La Palma is also known as Isla Bonita or Pretty Island with its colourful villages, idyllic bays, leafy laurel woodlands and fresh water springs. The islands national park, Caldera de Taburiente, will be of interest to keen geologists, volcanologists and nature lovers. Your first stop on the Madeira archipelago will be The Salvagen Islands; permissions are in place for you to visit the islands' nature reserve to see several species of petrel and shearwater as well as the Red-billed Tropicbird. Permissions are also required for the mini archipelago of the Desertas Islands, home to the critically endangered Zinos Petrel as well as a population of endangered Monk Seals. Funchal is the ideal starting point to explore the island of Madeira with its jagged mountains, waterfalls and ancient forests. You will have a short sail to the next archipelago the Azores - where a walking tour of the UNESCO site at Angra do Heroismo will provide you with some fascinating cultural stops. At Ponta dos Capelinhos on Faial you will see the results of the 1957 eruption that buried fields and homes, transforming the islands landscape. On Pico, home to the Azores highest volcanic mountain, you will visit Lajidos Acros, a wine and whaling museum. Your voyage ends in Ponta Delgada, Saõ Miguel.
Itinerary
Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. Days 5 & 6. Day 7. Day 8. Day 9. Day 10. Day 11. Days 12 & 13. Day 14. Day 15. Day 16. Day 17. Day 18. Embark in Praia, Cape Verde Fogo Saõ Antao Saõ Vincente At sea Tenerife La Gomera La Palma Salvagen Islands Desertas Islands Madeira At sea Angra do Heroismo, Azores Faial Pico Saõ Miguel and disembark
Vessel
Polar Star (see Vessel pages for more details).
Things you need to know
Embark Disembark Voyage nights Departure dates Price Praia, Cape Verde Saõ Miguel, Azores, Portugal 17 nights 2 to 19 Apr 2009 From £2,895 in a triple share cabin From £3,550 in a twin share cabin Single supplement On request. If you are travelling alone ask about our request share programme which enables solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller.
Whats included
Voyage including guided shore & zodiac excursions, all meals onboard & transfers.
Guide price for flights & accommodation package
Around £550 including return flights from the UK & 2-nights in the Azores.
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