Overview
Explore the breathtaking landscapes and colourful mix of the Cape Verde islands on this 18-night cruise onboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral. On this inspiring voyage which introduces wonderfully diverse range of cultures and customs, you will have a rare opportunity to explore the remote and delightful Cape Verde Islands with stops at Mindelo and Praia before continuing to the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. With a further port of call at the enchanting garden island of Madeira, this is an itinerary with a fascinating variety of ports of call which are sure to both charm and delight.
Itinerary
Day 1 Southampton - At Sea
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® transports you from your front door to Southampton, where our staff will greet you and assist with embarking Balmoral in readiness for a late afternoon sailing.
Day 2-4 At Sea
Three relaxing days at sea the perfect way to begin your holiday. Time to settle into your new surroundings and enjoy some of the excellent facilities onboard.
Day 5 Funchal, Madeira
We spend the day in delightful Madeira. Known as the Pearl of the Atlantic, this is a beautiful Canary Island containing a wealth of natural scenery, stunning flowers and gardens and attractive towns and villages.
Day 6 Santa Cruz, La Palma
Conquered by the King of Castile in the 15th century, Santa Cruz de la Palma became an important trading post between Spain and the Americas. This wealthy past has left a legacy in palaces, colonial buildings and sumptuous merchants’ houses in the Old Quarter. Late afternoon sailing
Day 7-8 At Sea
You will find plenty of organised activities, whether it be a lecture on a topical subject, a classical concert, golf or bridge instruction or a fitness class, but of course one of the joys of cruising is the choice and you may prefer to simply while away the hours on deck with a good book and the ocean scenery for company.
Day 9 Praia, Cape Verde
Early arrival into the capital of the Cape Verdes, Praia, a delight to explore with open-air cafes and bars in which to enjoy the warm sunshine. Whilst here perhaps take an optional excursion to discover the history of the island which was discovered by Diogo Gomes in 1460.
Day 10 Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands
The Cape Verdes were a Portuguese colony and there are many traces of this colonial heritage in Mindelo, the former Capitania is a replica of Lisbon’s Tower of Belem that has now been restored as a museum. There are some fi ne wide esplanades around the harbour and a stroll through the town is a great way to find interesting little cafes and tiny shops.
Days 11-12 At Sea
Two days at sea to spend as you please, you may like to pamper yourself in the onboard spa, or enjoy a drink on deck.
Day 13 Santa Cruz, Tenerife
Tenerife’s wonderful climate and resorts have been attracting tourism for decades. Santa Cruz is built around boulevards and wide avenues that link elegant squares and parks. The Maritime Park is a great place for a stroll, and keep an eye out for a Henry Moore at the Museum of Open Air Sculpture at Garcia Sanabria Park. Late afternoon sailing.
Day 14 At Sea
A day at sea to spend as you please, you may like to pamper yourself in the onboard spa or enjoy a drink on deck.
Days 15-16 Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a delightful mix of palaces, churches, art nouveau cafes, gardens, ancient castles, museums and splendid bridges. We arrive in the early afternoon and remain overnight allowing plenty of time to explore this historic city. The city is also a shopper’s paradise, with the biggest shopping mall on the Iberian Peninsula and bargains at the flea market at Campo de Santa Clara. We set sail in the late afternoon on day 16.
Days 17-18 At Sea
Two final days at sea to reflect on some of the wonderful sights you have seen and spend time with new friends as we cruise home.
Day 19 Southampton
Early morning arrival back in Southampton, where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.
IMPORTANT TOUR INFORMATION
Please Note:
