Atlantic Discoveries – Cape Verde to Hamburg via Seville

Your gateway to Cape Verde

Your journey begins in Sal, Cape Verde, a captivating island where African and Portuguese influences blend with dramatic volcanic landscapes and seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean. With its golden beaches, colourful culture, and maritime heritage, Sal offers a fascinating introduction to this unique archipelago. Take time to soak up the island's relaxed atmosphere, explore the lively town of Santa Maria, or simply enjoy the warm sunshine before embarking on your voyage.

Your ship, MS Fram, is waiting for you in the harbour. Settle into your cabin and meet your Expedition Team as you prepare for your Atlantic adventure.

The port of Palmeira on Sal Island, the jewel of Cape Verde, is a lively fishing town with colourful streets and charming low-rise houses. In the heart of the action, Santa Maria, the island's premier resort, dazzles with endless golden beaches, a hub of bars, beachfront shops and seafood restaurants. In the northwest, Pedra de Lume unfolds the island's history through ancient salt flats, echoing the vibrant past of this captivating destination

Sailing to Las Palmas

We’ll spend the next two days at sea. This is your chance to enjoy the ship’s spaces. Perhaps with a view from the hot tub, or stroll the deck and then grab a drink at the Explorer Bar & Lounge and share stories with fellow travellers.

The Expedition Team will also give lectures on the sights and sounds of the days ahead.

Explore the capital’s historic old town

Today we’ll dock in the lush Canary Island of Gran Canaria. We’ll explore the historic city of Las Palmas, located at the crossroads of three continents: Europe, Africa, and America. Stroll through the laid-back streets of the old town, taking in cosmopolitan cafés, 16th century architecture, and the Gothic pillars of the beautiful Santa Ana Cathedral.

You can also join our excursions, such as trips to the island’s volcanoes and white sand beaches.

Perhaps the prettiest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is an almost circular isle with the peak of Pozo de Las Nieves, its highest point, at the centre. With a wealth of natural beauty and all the exciting attractions of city life in the capital, the island offers the best of both worlds. You will no doubt wish to see the sights of the capital’s old quarter, which dates back to the 15th century and encompassses the Vegueta and Triana districts, and wherever you go you can enjoy the glorious subtropical climate, perfect for growing exotic palms and fruits.

Sailing to Seville

We’ll spend the next two days at sea as we make our way to the Spanish city of Seville.

Join the Expedition Team’s fascinating lectures, head out on the Observation Deck to watch the ocean landscape drift by, or perhaps find a quiet corner to tuck up with a book.

Gateway to the Age of Discovery

Sailing up the Guadalquivir river to Seville is a unique experience, and our ship takes you virtually to the heart of this pretty Andalusian city.

An overnight stop gives you plenty of time to immerse yourself in its captivating Southern Spanish culture. Stroll the colourful streets, tuck into authentic tapas and soak up the magical atmosphere of this must-see city.

Cádiz lies on Spain’s breathtaking province of Andalusia and gained incredible wealth during the 18th century; riches from the Americas were unloaded here after the Guadalquivir River to Seville silted up. This scenic southern region is the home of the matador and world-class equestrian art. Seville, city of polyamorous suitor Don Juan, boasts plenty of its own glories. Its grand cathedral, Alcázar Palace and Tower of Gold were built from the coffers of Spanish kings, but its fiery flamenco defines its true spirit. It is best to ponder it all while sipping sherry at a bodega.

Enjoy your time on board

After two days discovering the vibrant city of Seville we’ll have the opportunity to unwind on board. Join the Expedition Team’s workshops and lectures, make the most of the ship’s facilities, and relax as we sail towards Galicia, at the far end of the Iberian Peninsula.

Discover the westernmost point of Europe

In Vigo, you’ll discover a very different side of Spain. Set on Galicia’s rugged Atlantic coast, in the northwest of the country, Vigo is a city shaped by the sea, with a distinct Celtic heritage and strong maritime tradition. Take a stroll through the historic old town, sample some of the finest seafood in Spain or simply take in the views across the beautiful Ría de Vigo – a fitting introduction to the greener, wilder landscapes you’ll soon discover on these Atlantic shores.

Dating from Roman times, the Galician city of Vigo has a fine natural harbour and is renowned as the biggest fishing port in the world. It is also full of history - it was in this fjord-like quay that the English and Dutch defeated the French and Spanish fleets in 1702. Today, the attractive marinas stand in contrast to the industrialised areas of the city, while further exploration will reveal the characteristic 17th-century architecture and attractive countryside beyond. The charming Old Town is a delight, with its labyrinth of winding narrow streets and shaded squares. Nearby is the Cathedral city of Tui, and further to the north is the pilgrimage centre of Santiago de Compostela, which can be reached by car in approximately 1¼ hours.

See Galicia's heritage in Ferrol

As we enter the Ría de Ferrol early in the morning, head to the observation deck and take in the imposing forts of La Palma and San Felipe, standing guard on either side of the headland.

Ferrol is one of Spain's best-preserved 18th-century port cities. Criss-cross the grid of streets in Barrio de la Magdalena and visit the city's maritime museums. Ferrol is also the starting point of El Camino Inglés, one of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, and you may be able to join an excursion to Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage destinations.

El Ferrol has been inextricably linked to the sea for more than two millennia, being a major shipbuilding centre for most of its history. From its beginnings as a tiny fishing port in the 1st century BC, it endured conquests by Vandals, Suebis, Arabs and Christians. With the arrival of the Bourbons in the 18th century, Ferrol became a leading maritime centre, largely due to its large natural harbour on the Ferrol Inlet, an arm of the Atlantic. Now a large commercial port, Ferrol is also the gateway to the northern Spanish province of Galicia, a region noted for its green mountains, deep gorges and fast-flowing rivers. It is also well placed for visiting the medieval holy city of Santiago de Compostela. Interestingly, Ferrol's city centre is modelled on Lisbon in Portugal, a country with which it has strong historical and linguistic ties. The layout comprises of a rectangle lined with six parallel streets, with two squares on each side. These squares have the city's best shops, restaurants and bars.

Enjoy your time on board

Today we’ll leave behind the wild shores of northern Spain to sail on to the enchanting Isles of Scilly, located off the southwestern tip of Britain. The day ahead gives you the chance to settle into the rhythm of life at sea, enjoying the fresh ocean air and seabird sightings from the deck.

The Expedition Team will lead discussions and lectures as journey across the Bay of Biscay and Celtic Sea. Use the time to enjoy the comforts of the ship as we journey closer to the rugged Atlantic fringes of the British Isles.

A paradisical archipelago

Just 30 miles off the tip of Cornwall, England, are the enchanting Isles of Scilly. This photogenic archipelago is home to small islands where pristine beaches are lapped by dazzling blue waters. We’ll anchor the ship and head ashore by local boats, giving you the chance to explore more fully.

If conditions allow, we'll split our time here. Perhaps we'll visit Tresco's white sand beaches and the sub-tropical blooms of its 19th century Abbey Gardens, head to tranquil St Agnes on the wild Atlantic edge, or wander the charming streets of Hugh Town on St Mary's.

St Mary’s is the Isle of Scilly’s largest island with a population of 1800 residents and an area of 6.58 square Kilometres; this is the gateway to the rest of the magnificent islands. Hugh town -a beautiful Old town with its own beach, nature reserve and church is the main attractions of St Mary’s, with tiny streets brimming with shops to pick up the perfect souvenir. St Mary’s is a hidden gem, with long stretches of white sandy beaches and a breath-taking untouched landscape. The coastline holds many archaeological sites along with miles of splendid walks along the coastal and country paths.

The captivating crossroads of Britain and France

Located between France and mainland Britian, the Channel Islands are an intriguing archipelago with a rich history and a landscape of unspoilt beaches, coastal castles and lush countryside.

If conditions allow, we’ll anchor off Guernsey, the ‘Island of Flowers’, and take our Zodiacs towards St Peter Port Harbour, passing the 13th-century Castle Cornet on the headland.

We also plan to visit Alderney, where you’ll join your Expedition Team for a guided walk, seeking out vibrant wildflowers to a soundtrack of birdsong.

Cobblestone streets, blooming floral displays, and tiny churches welcome you to this wonderfully pretty harbour. The town of St Peter Port is as pretty as they come, with glowing flower displays painting practically every street corner and window-ledge with colour. As the capital, and main port of Guernsey, St Peter Port puts all of the island’s gorgeous beaches, wonderful history and inspiring stories at your fingertips. Feel the gut punch of the midday gun firing at Castle Cornet, which stands guard over one of the world's prettiest ports. This 800-year-old, Medieval castle offers staggering views of the harbour from its imposing, craggy island location, and you can look out across to the looming shorelines of the other Channel Islands from its weathered battlements. With four well-tended gardens, and five museums offering a rich overview of Guernsey's history, you’ll want to leave a few hours aside to explore the many treasures that lie within the castle’s walls.

Visit one of the UK’s most important seaports

Anticipation builds as we approach mainland Britain, keeping watch for the iconic White Cliffs of Dover that will soon appear on the horizon.

When we arrive, take a walk along the famous white cliffs at St Margaret's Bay for incredible views of the coastline and the sparkling English Channel below.

Dover is also a gateway to the UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral, a medieval masterpiece visited by pilgrims past and present.

Most famously known for its dramatic white-chalk towering cliffs, Dover is the nearest city to France across the English Channel. Its strategic location as a doorway into England has earned it the moniker “Key to England.” As the port was under constant threat because of its location, the massive Dover Castle overlooking the channel grew over the centuries to become the nation’s largest edifice and remains so today. Dover also served as a bastion and command center during World War II.

The Frisian port city of Harlingen

After a morning at sea we’ll sail into Harlingen, which sits on the edge of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site and is Friesland’s only seaport city. It’s also the gateway to the Wadden Islands of Vlieland and Terschelling, with a charming historic centre of canals, warehouses, and maritime heritage.

Explore on foot, by bike, or, if conditions allow, by Zodiac through the waterways. Traditional sailing ships and historic warehouses line the old harbours of Noorderhaven and Zuiderhaven. Don't miss the Harlingen Aardewerkmuseum, with its displays of distinctive Frisian pottery.

Harlingen in the Netherlands is a port city on the Dutch Wadden Sea. The city has the only seaport in the province of Friesland. The old town is grouped around the old harbor, which consists of a bay cut deep into the land. The canals, typical for Holland, extend from there into the city. The numerous old houses exude the quaint atmosphere of an old trading and fishing town. Many of the houses that form the front line at the harbor show the typical brick facades with stepped gables. The baroque town hall from 1730 still has a tower from its 16th century predecessor, and the Grote Kerk (Great Church) was built from 1772 to 1775. However, it is not so much these individual buildings that make up the special atmosphere of Harlingen, but rather the overall ensemble of the harbor bay with the historic houses and the sailing yachts moored in front of it. The museum in the Hannemahuis shows a worth seeing exhibition about the fishing history of Harlingen.

Discover clifftop trails, beaches, and wildlife

Just off the German mainland, tiny Heligoland was once a base for pirates and the strategic prize for a string of warring nations. Now this peaceful, traffic-free island is better known for its stunning nature, and at certain times of the year, its birdlife.

If conditions allow, local boats will take us ashore to explore both of Heligoland's distinctive islands. On one, walk scenic trails along the red cliffs looking out for nesting northern gannets and common guillemots. On the other, stroll fine white sands lined by dunes in search of seals lounging on the shore.

End your cruise in Germany’s second city

Your expedition cruise comes to an end as we arrive in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany and one of the greenest urban areas in Europe.

There’s much to see and do in Hamburg. If you have time, you'll find many attractions in the old town district of Altstadt, including the St Nikolai Memorial and the historic street of Deichstraße.

Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city with a history dating back to Charlemagne. A major port, this vibrant city is home to art and culture, extensive shopping facilities, Baroque buildings and waterfront vistas. With its well-known fish market, art galleries and Museums together with several beautiful parks including a botanical garden, this is a city with something for everyone. British visitors who remember the Swinging Sixties may like to visit the streets around Grosse Freiheit, where an unknown pop group called The Beatles gave their first public performances in various local clubs before achieving worldwide fame.