Volcanic Cultures Of Africa's Atlantic Islands

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike to the summit of Fogo Volcano, an active caldera on Fogo Island
• Try a glass of grogue, Cape Verde’s national drink made from sugar cane
• Witness the breathtaking, pristine scenery of Santo Antao Island
• Explore the rarely visited Canary Island of El Hierro
• Hike among one of the world’s largest laurel woods in Garajonay National Park on Gomera

ITINERARY

DAKAR, SENEGAL
DAY 1
With fabulous museums, a thriving art scene and elegant seaside dining, the capital city showcases a rich Senegalese culture and a forward-looking spirit. Discover the city’s traditional side in Medina, a bustling quarter of mosques, tea shops, and street markets. French influences remain in many aspects of city life, from architecture to food. Local mbalax music dominates a vibrant nightlife scene. Traditional crafts like wood carvings and glass paintings are easily found at the Soumbédioune market – the best place to shop for souvenirs.


AT SEA
DAY 2
You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable on-board experts.


SAO FILIPE, FOGO ISLAND, CAPE VERDE
DAY 3
The old colonial town of Sao Filipe is the capital of idyllic Fogo Island. Known as the island of fire, the highlight is Fogo Volcano, the highest mountain in Cape Verde. Visit the island’s smattering of charming rural villages and then hike up to the summit of the volcano taking in the view from the Chã das Caldeiras National Parkand. The best way to wrap things up is with a visit to a coffee plantation or a delicious local wine and cheese tasting.


PORTO NOVO, SAO ANTAO ISLAND, CAPE VERDE
DAY 4
The small town of Porto Novo, with traditional colourful houses, is a good base to explore further afield. The relatively untouched island of Santo Antao arguably offers Cape Verde’s best hiking, where green peaks meet fertile craters, gorges and precarious-looking cliff-hanging towns. Experience the true wonder of this island paradise with a tour of the sugar cane plantations, caves, grogue distilleries (Cape Verde’s national drink, a type of sugar cane rum) and typical villages in their rugged mountain setting.


PALMEIRA, SAL ISLAND, CAPE VERDE
DAY 5
A veritable beach lover’s paradise awaits visitors to Sal Island, perhaps Cape Verde’s most popular destination. The island’s main resort, Santa Maria, is lined with long expanses of golden sand beaches with most of the island’s bars, beachfront shops and seafood restaurants. Take in a little local history in the town of Pedra de Lume in the north west corner of the island, home to salt flats which once boomed here for centuries.


AT SEA
DAY 6
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.


PUERTO DE LA ESTACA, EL HIERRO ISLAND, CANARY ISLANDS
DAY 7
El Hierro, the smallest of the eight main Canary Islands, is a rarely visited volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic with unspoilt beaches, a perfect climate and clear night skies. Divers flock here to make the most of ideal conditions and stunning underwater landscapes. Walkers come to enjoy lush forests of pine and laurisilva trees, steep cliffs and natural pools, while gourmands come for the outstanding wines and gastronomy produced in this biosphere reserve.


SAN SEBASTIAN DE LA GOMERA, LA GOMERA ISLAND, CANARY ISLANDS
DAY 8
The Canary Islands’ second smallest island, La Gomera is a volcanic paradise crisscrossed with hiking trails. Hike your way through the Garajonay National Park and the vast rainforest of El Cedro to discover one of the world’s largest laurel woods, past ferns and moss-decked trees. In the west, near the picturesque village of the same name, the mighty Valle Gran Rey canyon leads past the whitewashed cliffside village of La Calera and ends at black-sand Atlantic beaches.


SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, TENERIFE ISLAND, CANARY ISLANDS
DAY 9
Discover the island that beguiled Agatha Christie when she arrived in 1927 and wander the old town of Santa Cruz, Tenerife’s capital. Head inland and visit the world’s third largest volcano, the other-worldly 3,700 m Mount Teide, surrounded by desert with a wild beauty. The volcanic slopes make excellent terroir for quality wines. Visit the spot where Nelson lost his arm in 1797 in the world’s first city laid out in a grid, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, with charming 16th-century pastel mansions and wooden balconies.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes