Exploring Cabo Verde, the Canary Islands and the Azores

Arrive in the remote and mountainous volcanic islands of Cabo Verde and the capital city of Praia on Santiago Island, and transfer to the city. Spend the day at your own pace exploring the sights, sounds and tastes of this island capital. Check in with the hospitality desk this afternoon before embarking National Geographic Orion.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 6:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: Praia, Cabo Verde Islands

Start your Expedition Cruise in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, located in the south of Santiago Island. You can explore its old centre overlooking the ocean and its historical buildings with transom windows. In the old quarter, you can also learn about the diversity of the archipelago’s cultural origins in the Ethnographic Museum. To finish your day, head to the harbour to visit the Diogo Gomes statue, paying homage to the man who discovered the archipelago in 1460.

This morning arrive in Sao Filipe on the island of Fogo, where you will have the opportunity to add volcano-gazing to your life list. The striking landscape of Fogo has been shaped and transformed by lava flows, most recently in 2015. Visit Portela, one of the villages that was swallowed up by lava in that eruption. The locals have since reclaimed the land and have rebuilt restaurants and shops and restored their homes.

The volcanic island of Fogo is probably the highest landmark of the archipelago. Ideal for hiking, Pico de Fogo has an immense caldera surrounding the active crater and traces of recent and old lava flows all around. Again, along the coast there’s plenty of options too: from the charming Mosteiros to the stylish colonial houses of the historic town of São Filipe, there’s a choice for everyone.

Visit the ship’s bridge as you sail northward across the Tropic of Cancer. Soak up the views from one of the observation decks and attend engaging presentations on a range of subjects, from 15th-century Portuguese and Spanish navigators to talks from marine biologists on the amazing navigation skills of the cetaceans who travel these waters.

Drop anchor in the azure waters of the Canary Islands, which occupies a central place in the history of Atlantic exploration. The larger island of La Palma is known as La Isla Bonita, or “the pretty island,” for its lushly forested mountain slopes set against azure waters. Enjoy a scenic drive up to Mirador de la Concepción, perched on the edge of a crater. Take in fantastic views of the town and harbor below and visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Snows, with its fusion of baroque and Spanish-Moorish architecture. On the island of La Gomera, visit a house where Christopher Columbus stayed while his ships were provisioned with supplies, then consider a hike in the verdant Garajonay Nacional Park.

After a day at sea, start the day south of Madeira in the Desertas Archipelago. This small group of volcanic islands has been deemed a nature reserve, helping to protect both the sea and land. The area is a refuge to the Mediterranean monk seal and an array of seabirds. Sail on to enchanting Madeira, a subtropical island abloom in flora. First settled by the Portuguese in 1419, the island’s capital city of Funchal evokes a colonial time capsule, with architecture from the 15th through the 19th centuries. Explore its winding streets and culinary delights.

After a day at sea, start the day south of Madeira in the Desertas Archipelago. This small group of volcanic islands has been deemed a nature reserve, helping to protect both the sea and land. The area is a refuge to the Mediterranean monk seal and an array of seabirds. Sail on to enchanting Madeira, a subtropical island abloom in flora. First settled by the Portuguese in 1419, the island’s capital city of Funchal evokes a colonial time capsule, with architecture from the 15th through the 19th centuries. Explore its winding streets and culinary delights.

Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it - 'Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why.

Historically significant as the first landfall of Christopher Columbus on his return from the Americas in 1493, make your first landing in the Azores at Santa Maria. For those interested in getting some exercise, there are hiking trails that will allow you to experience the scenery and atmosphere of the island.

As you sail into Faial, be out on deck to enjoy the beautiful island views and keep your eyes on the horizon in hopes of spotting the whales known to move through these waters. Once ashore on the island of Faial, head to Capelinhos to see how dramatically the landscape changed when the volcano at the western end of the island erupted in 1957. Farms and villages were covered in ash, adding an extra two square kilometers of land to the island. Later, stroll along the marina, visit the excellent scrimshaw museum, and raise a glass at Peter Café Sport, a legendary pub where sea adventurers historically dropped their mail.

Following breakfast on board the ship, head to Capelinhos, where you can see how dramatically the landscape changed when its volcano erupted in 1957. Farms and villages were covered with ash, which added nearly an extra mile of land to the island. Later, stroll in the marina, visit the excellent scrimshaw museum and enjoy a coffee at a local café.

Arrive in Ponta Delgada and enjoy the best the charming capital of the Azores has to offer. Set out on a panoramic tour of the island visiting a local tea plantation and witness your lunch, the unique “Cozida das Furnas”, being unearthed from its geothermal oven in the ground. Then join a team of biologists and crew onboard a local catamaran searching for a number of species of cetaceans that either transit through or call these waters home.

Offering solace on the long journey across the Atlantic, Ponta Delgada is the Azores Islands' largest city, and a welcome relief for any weary sailor. Located on an archipelago of Portuguese islands, some 1,100 miles from the mainland, you can explore humbling volcanic scenery, as well as Sao Miguel's verdant landscape - which glows with colour when the hydrangeas that the Azores are known for bloom into life during the summer months. The striking black and white facade of the Church of Sao Jose welcomes you to the city itself, while you can head to the markets to pick up the pineapples, tea leaves and coffee beans that add a little flavour to the island. As the largest city of the Azores, Ponta Delgada is well stocked with places to eat delicious local seafood, or pick up a little shopping, as you enjoy setting your feet on dry land, following a long journey at sea. Volcanic firepower has carved these stunning islands, and a journey up to Caldeira das Sete Cidades is a must do, where you can hike beside the water-filled crater, and admire views of steep green walls, and the uninterrupted Atlantic Ocean stretching beyond them. Lagoa de Fogo offers yet more humbling views, with the crater lake dropping off sharply to rippled ocean far below.

Disembark in Ponta Delgada, the charming capital of the Azores, and transfer to the airport for flights home.

Departure Time: Depart after 10:30 a.m. local time.
Departure City: Ponta Delgada, Azores

Offering solace on the long journey across the Atlantic, Ponta Delgada is the Azores Islands' largest city, and a welcome relief for any weary sailor. Located on an archipelago of Portuguese islands, some 1,100 miles from the mainland, you can explore humbling volcanic scenery, as well as Sao Miguel's verdant landscape - which glows with colour when the hydrangeas that the Azores are known for bloom into life during the summer months. The striking black and white facade of the Church of Sao Jose welcomes you to the city itself, while you can head to the markets to pick up the pineapples, tea leaves and coffee beans that add a little flavour to the island. As the largest city of the Azores, Ponta Delgada is well stocked with places to eat delicious local seafood, or pick up a little shopping, as you enjoy setting your feet on dry land, following a long journey at sea. Volcanic firepower has carved these stunning islands, and a journey up to Caldeira das Sete Cidades is a must do, where you can hike beside the water-filled crater, and admire views of steep green walls, and the uninterrupted Atlantic Ocean stretching beyond them. Lagoa de Fogo offers yet more humbling views, with the crater lake dropping off sharply to rippled ocean far below.