Azores with Madeira, Canary Islands, Morocco, and Gibraltar

Sail aboard the Le Levant in the wake of European explorers to the islands that once constituted the western barrier of the known world. Our voyage to the Azores, Madeira, and the Canaries features historic architecture, lush gardens and vineyards, marine mammals and sea birds, beautiful beaches, colorful markets, and dramatic volcanoes. Enjoy both wine tasting and whale-watching with our expert leaders and naturalists. The trip returns to the mainland in culturally-stimulating Morocco and finishes with a visit to hospitable Gibraltar.

Itinerary

DAY 1 — USA
Depart on your independent flights to the Azores.

DAY 2 - Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores Islands
Arrive in the afternoon and transfer to our hotel. Relax with the remainder of the day at leisure. Welcome dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 3 — Ponta Delgada / Embark Le Levant
Jagged and verdant cliffs, eroded lava rocks, and crater lakes are all evidence of the forces of volcanic eruptions that shaped this rugged island. Join us on a full-day excursion to the highlights—the picture-perfect landscape of lush green fields lined with basalt and adorned with flowers; the smoking fumaroles in the town of Furnas; the crater lakes of Fogo and Furnas; and a tour of a tea plantation.

After viewing the Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens, enjoy a dip in the mineral-rich thermal waters before lunch at a local hotel. Embark Le Levant in late afternoon for an evening departure.

DAY 4 — Santa Cruz, Graciosa Island
We cruise slowly in the morning, watching for sperm whales and dolphins that frequent the channels. Graciosa is one of the lesser-visited islands of the archipelago, and one with great charm. After visiting the museum at our landing site of Santa Cruz, we drive inland, passing through several picturesque villages. We stop at Furna do Enxofre, where a deep cavern, 130 meters in diameter, is pierced by sunlight streaming through a narrow funnel in the early afternoon. On our return route, we visit the village of Praia and the chapel of Senhora Da Ajuda along the north coast for stunning views of the indigo sea on the one side and verdant green meadows on the other.

DAY 5 — São Roque do Pico, Pico Island / Horta, Faial Island
Pico, whose name is derived from the 7,713-foot volcanic cone of Mt. Pico, is the second largest of the Azores Islands and a designated World Heritage Site for its vineyard culture. The ship drops us off on the north coast at São Roque do Pico for a beautiful morning drive through highlands of spring flowers and endemic vegetation. It is believed that of the 300 native plant species, possibly 60 are endemic, and of the 11 species of native trees, eight are endemic to the Azores. We visit the Museum of the Whaling Industry, and stop at a Madalena vineyard where we sample the local wines and cheeses.

We reboard the ship in Madalena for lunch as we cross the narrow strait that separates Pico from Faial Island. Views of both rugged islands are superb. Docking in the natural harbor of Horta for the afternoon, we go ashore in one of the most popular yachting harbors of the Atlantic. Watch for the rock walls where “yachties” paint pictures of their boats in this colorful environment. The Museum of Horta at Capelo illustrates the magnitude of volcanic eruptions on the island in 1957. We also drive to Capelinhos to view an old lighthouse that was damaged during the eruptions. In the evening the ship remains docked until midnight, affording the opportunity for independent dining and nightlife ashore.

DAY 6 — Angra do Heroismo, Terceira Island
Our ship anchors off Angra, a World Heritage Site. A necessary port of call from the 15th century until the steamship came along in the 19th century, the impressive 400-year-old fortifications are unique examples of military architecture. We take a walking tour of this spectacular and photogenic town.

After lunch on the ship, or optionally in town, we have two choices for the afternoon: a cultural tour into the island’s interior, or an active hike for those with natural history interest. The cultural excursion takes us on a drive across the island to São Sebastiao; Praia da Vitoria, with its central plaza and historic district; and a wine museum. Or, take a one-hour hike up Monte Brasil with its scenic overlooks and botanical wonders. Then, pay a visit to the famed cave near Algarda Carvao.

DAY 7 — Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island
This southernmost island has an interesting geological history—it sank five million years ago, only to be uplifted a million years later, complete with sedimentary layers and fossils. We drive to the east, visiting villages, a church, and a museum. Panoramic views are superb at São Lourenco and Maia, and swimming in the brisk Atlantic waters at Praia Formosa is a possibility.

In the afternoon enjoy a choice of either an active hike between two charming villages, or a scenic tour to the village of Anjos—where Columbus landed after his first passage to the Americas. View the beautiful 15th-century church where he and his crew prayed, which is today one of the oldest places of worship in the Azores.

DAY 8 — Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as our lecture series continues.

DAY 9 — Funchal, Madeira Island
This morning we are greeted by the stunning volcanic contours of Madeira on the horizon at dawn. Like the Azores, Madeira has a Portuguese heritage and a lush, eroded volcanic landscape. Choose from a half-day or a full-day tour in this land of prized floral gardens. A morning tour takes us from the town of Funchal by cable car to the top of Monte, with its 18th-century church and splendid views. Then either descend by coach or by speedy toboggans, which slide through the island’s characteristic levadas (old water canals). Back in Funchal, our local guide takes us to the town’s historic sites: the main square, São Lourenco Palace, and the 15th-century cathedral. Watch the creation of lace, the island’s most famed handicraft, at an embroidery factory, before visiting the open-air market—one of the most sumptuous in the Atlantic. The rest of the day is at leisure for further exploration.

The full-day excursion takes us on a driving trip through western Madeira, with its craggy green peaks and luscious valleys. We stop in small wine-making villages to learn about local viniculture, visit a banana plantation, and gaze out over the second-highest sea cliff in the world. In Porto Moniz on the north coast, we enjoy lunch and samples of local wine as well as a refreshing swim in a rock pool.

DAY 10 — San Sebastian, La Gomera, Canary Islands
Our lecturers introduce the Canary Islands in the morning as we approach La Gomera. The islands are part of Spain, and their strategic location made them a steppingstone in the era of exploration, when mariners stopped to replenish supplies on their route to India or the New World. San Sebastian Bay was Columbus’ last stop before he departed for the Americas in 1492. The island is mountainous with little arable land; to grow their crops, generations of villagers have reshaped the landscape into a series of terraces, punctuated by palm groves—a sight reminiscent of Bali. To communicate from one hillside to another, the early inhabitants utilized a whistling language called silbo. We take a driving tour to Garajonay National Park to view the protected thick forests of laurel, with an opportunity for hiking.

DAY 11 — Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Island
From the capital of Santa Cruz we may choose a half-day excursion visiting the northern side of Tenerife, with its charming small villages, dramatic miradors (viewpoints), and the university town of La Laguna. This World Heritage Site, designated for being the first, non-fortified Spanish colonial town, has superb examples of 16th-18th-century architecture and a layout that became a model for many American colonial towns.

Or, join our full-day exploration of the southern part of the island. We visit the Botanical Gardens near Puerto de la Cruz, stroll the attractive town of La Orotava, and enter Teide National Park. Here we see twisted volcanic formations of basalt and obsidian surrounding El Teide, Spain’s highest peak. After lunch at El Parador, we take either a gentle or a more active hike, viewing the Roques de Garcia— bizarrely eroded rocks set in ochre plains and lava rivers at the mountain’s base. Birders enjoy an excursion to spot many of the 200 species that populate the varied habitat.

DAY 12 — Arrecife, Lanzarote Island
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote is a volcanic island with some 300 cinder cones pock-marking its rugged landscape. We have our choice of excursions to either a stunning volcanic lava-tube cave to the north or the exotic landscape to the south.

To the north, we drive to the charming “white village” and ancient capital, Teguise. At the Mirador del Rio, views are superb over the Famara Mountains and islands off the seacoast. A highlight of our visit is the Jameos del Agua, a spectacular lava-tube cave transformed by famed local artist César Manrique into a delightful series of pools, gardens, and a natural amphitheater.

To the south, Timanfaya National Park is as stunning as Tenerife’s volcanic landscape. The 1824 eruption left an unusual lunar landscape of craters, multicolored petrified lava streams, geysers, and smoking fumaroles. We explore by coach, on dromedary, and on foot, watching for 177 species of rare plants, many of them unique to the Canaries. On the nearby coast, we view natural geologic formations where water bursts into a sea-eroded volcanic cave at Los Hervideros. Birders keep a keen eye out for the rock dove, Cory’s shearwater, Eleanora’s falcon, and other species.

DAY 13 — Agadir, Morocco
Today we arrive in Morocco and drive from Agadir to the inland town of Taroudant. Often called “little Marrakech,” the village is surrounded by red-ramparts, and its gardens feature palms and pomegranate trees. We walk the fortress ramparts and through the central plaza and the souks. The Berber Market offers a fascinating array of everyday spices and vegetables, while the artisan souk displays silverwork, leather goods, and carpets. Relax with mint tea and Moroccan pastries at the Jnane Soussia Hotel. In the afternoon we sail along the coast toward Casablanca, as our lecturers introduce the rich historical heritage of Morocco.

DAY 14 — Casablanca
Our ship docks in Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city and economic capital. The city has both modern quarters with broad boulevards lined by palm trees, and its elegant and historic civic buildings. Many of these buildings were designed in the 1930s in the local Mauresque architectural style—a decorative blend of traditional Moroccan, French colonial, and Art Deco styles. We begin our afternoon adventure with an excursion to the colorful Central Market, followed by a guided interior exploration of the Hassan II Mosque, the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims. This seaside building, the second largest religious structure in the world (after Mecca), is a stunning example of contemporary religious architecture. Its 210-meter minaret, the tallest in the world, is visible for miles.

Continuing our tour, we pass through the Corniche district; the Anfa Quarters, where during WWII Roosevelt met with Churchill; the Law Courts, and which include the variety of architectural features and decorative motifs found in Hispano-Moorish art; and the Habbous Quarters. We relax with late afternoon refreshments and independent time to explore on our own.

DAY 15 — Gibraltar, U.K. / Disembark Le Levant / Marbella, Spain
The 1,400-foot Rock of Gibraltar soars from the sea as we sail through the strategic Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Disembark after breakfast for a morning’s exploration of this tiny outpost of Britain, surrounded on three sides by Spain. We visit Europa Point for superb views of the strait and the northern coast of Morocco. Enjoy a walk through the labyrinthine St. Michael’s cave, with its colorful and eerie stalactites and stalagmites. Uphill, we meet the Barbary apes, a colony of introduced macaques that are the photogenic icons of The Rock. After lunch in Gibraltar, we continue to Marbella, stopping in the small yachting port of Puerto Banus on the way. The afternoon is at leisure and we join together this evening for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 16 — Marbella / Malaga / USA
After breakfast this morning we transfer to the airport in Malaga for independent homeward flights.

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