Atlantic Islands - 12 nights, December 2013

The United Kingdom's premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear. The port serves as your gateway to Southern England’s magnificent historic sites, national landmarks, charming villages as well as the great metropolis of London. Southampton is the ideal starting or ending point for a memorable voyage.

Christened the ‘Crystal City’ and home to the shrine of St. James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela, La Coruna is a gem on Spain’s north western coast. Tantalise your taste buds as you sample Galicia’s mouth-watering seafood with octopus, oysters and scallops on the menu. If your taste is for history, feast on the vista from the world’s only working Roman lighthouse.

It’s easy to understand why Lanzarote is so popular. It has so much to offer. Being a volcanic island, the scenery is lush and fertile making Fire Mountain and the curious vineyards at Le Geria ‘must do’ visits. Timanfaya National Park is a vivid volcanic showcase. Here water poured into boreholes hisses back out as steam and you can feast on specialities cooked by the earth’s heat.

Beloved for its beaches, Tenerife also offers a feast for the eyes – in its numerous art galleries and museums or an incredibly panoramic cable car ascent of Mount Teide. Your ears will appreciate the sounds of the timple, a distinctive element of Canarian folk music. Perhaps even catch a recital at the striking wave-shaped Auditorio, home to the acclaimed Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.

You’ll consider Madeira’s reputation as the ‘Garden Island’ well founded, swathed in lush greenery which bears all manner of tropical fruits. For a thrilling overview, ascend by cable car to Monte, from whose delightful palace and gardens you can survey the orange rooftops below. The best way down again is by wicker toboggan, expertly steered by two gondoliers dressed in whites.

Portugal’s capital spreads its ancient sites on seven steep hillsides that overlook the Tagus River. Feast your eyes on St. George’s Castle which overlooks the city atop the highest hill, or the countless balconies ablaze with geraniums and wrought iron lamps that light up the medieval Alfama quarter. Wonder up to the Bairro Alto where you may hear the sorrowful fado singers ring out from cafés.

The United Kingdom's premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear. The port serves as your gateway to Southern England’s magnificent historic sites, national landmarks, charming villages as well as the great metropolis of London. Southampton is the ideal starting or ending point for a memorable voyage.