Balmoral, Canaries Christmas & New Year ex Southampton Return
- Departs Southampton, England
- 22nd Dec 2020
- 15 nights
- Balmoral
-
Prices from
NZ$4,528*
15 Night Cruise sailing from Southampton roundtrip aboard Balmoral.
Experience an altogether more magical, memorable and laidback festive season on this spectacular cruise to sun-kissed Canaries and fragrant Madeira. Visiting five gorgeous islands, you’ll get to uncover a seemingly endless list of attractions, from breathtaking beaches and biosphere reserves to mighty volcanos and sea cliffs, all complemented by simply unforgettable Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Spending Christmas at sea on board a Fred. Olsen ship is always a wonderful experience, and your journey south will be no exception. You can forget about the usual stress and strains of Christmas, relax and enjoy delicious food, festivity and fantastic entertainment as Balmoral’s friendly, attentive staff take care of everything. On Boxing Day, your island discovery begins with an overnight call at Madeira. Exploring fragrant gardens within easy reach of Funchal and the scenic levada walking trails is a great way to spend your first day ashore. By evening, the heart of Funchal is the place to be to enjoy a taste of authentic Madeiran food, drink and entertainment. Continuing on to the Canaries, where you’ll visit four of this Atlantic archipelago’s most beautiful and diverse islands, your end to 2020 can be as relaxing and restful, or energetic and adventurous as you wish.
The landscapes of La Palma, nicknamed ‘the pretty island’, beg for you exploration: on tour from Santa Cruz you could head deep into the verdant forests of Los Tilos Biosphere Reserve, a haven for various fauna and flora species; or seek-out views of the imposing San Antonio volcano. Then there’s La Gomera, where highlights include Fred. Olsen’s very own Hotel Jardin Tecina, before it’s on to Gran Canaria to revel in this glorious island’s renowned year-round warmth. Perhaps you’ll opt to head to Maspalomas, where stretches of golden, palm-lined sands are primed for hours of relaxation; or venture into the beautiful Agaete Valley. The piece de resistance of your Canarian adventure is a very special visit to Tenerife. You’ll have a full day to perhaps unravel the mysteries of the Pyramids of Güímar; see might Mount Teide in all its glory; or simply indulge in a day of sunbathing at Playa de Las Americas. By evening, you’ll be ready to celebrate the arrival of 2021 in style, with food, drink, entertainment and views of Tenerife's spectacular New Year’s fireworks display to enjoy on board your ship. Finally, before heading home, you divert to the Portuguese mainland for a rewarding day in Lisbon.
Highlights of this cruise:
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Funchal, the capital of Portugal's Madeiran archipelago, has a timeless old-world charm. Enhanced by a subtropical climate that fills this 'floating garden' with the year-round colours and perfumes of flowers and fruit, Funchal was a favourite of Sir Winston Churchill. His praise of the city has ensured British visitors always receive a warm welcome from locals.
Backed by rolling hills, the town is famous for its harbour, the 17th century São Tiago Fortress (now the Contemporary Art Museum) and world renowned Madeiran wine cellars. Funchal’s parks and gardens are a delight, and a hike through the Laurel Forest nearby is highly recommended. The ancient Funchal Cathedral mixes Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and is noted for its impressive carved wooden ceiling.
Santa Cruz La Palma, Spain
La Palma’s small, yet pretty capital city - is one of the Canary Island’s true gems. Boasting colonial-style architecture, a swathe of charming beaches, restaurants and bars, Santa Cruz is typically Canarian and has something for everyone.
Conquered by the King of Castile in the 15th century, Santa Cruz de La Palma was a key trading post between Spain and the Americas, and the city’s fascinating history can be explored in the historic quarter – one of Spain’s Historic-Artistic sites. The Naval Museum is a replica of Christopher Columbus's 15th-century Santa Maria sailing ship.
Stunning palaces and sumptuous merchants’ houses butt up against the grand town hall, built during the reign of Phillip II. Religious buildings include the Renaissance-style Church of El Salvador, with a tower of volcanic stone, and the Church of Santo Domingo, which houses a superb collection of Flemish paintings.
The compact city centre is incredibly picturesque, and the newly redeveloped beach and promenade have boosted the city's resort credentials. Calle Real, the city’s main street, is famous for being both a Property of Cultural Interest and a Historic-Artistic Site. Santa Cruz’s finest restaurants, shops and prettiest squares are found here, and sampling the delicious local cuisine and local culture is highly recommended.
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
With its feel of mainland-Spain, spiced up with an eclectic mix of Asian and African cultures, Las Palmas is one of the Canary Island's most popular destinations, attracting sun-seekers who come to relax on its golden-sand beaches and soak up the gorgeous, year-round climate of Gran Canaria.
Founded over 500 years ago, Las Palmas is the largest city in the Canary Islands, and has three gorgeous beaches, including Playa de las Canteras, regarded as one of the world's best beaches, to enjoy.
Vegueta, the oldest quarter, is both atmospheric and fashionable, with extensive historical architecture plus a fine selection of boutiques and smart bars. At its centre stand the twin towers of Santa Ana Cathedral; started in 1500 but still unfinished, the cathedral has a unique mix of Renaissance, Gothic and Neoclassical styles in its construction. In Plaza Santa Ana, bronze statues of dogs – the Romans named the islands after legendary canines – stand guard over the 17th-century Palacio Regental, the Town Hall and the Bishop's Palace.
The sweet arc of Playa de las Canteras at the town’s other end offers the tantalising possibility of taking a dip between sightseeing and shopping. The bewildering maze of streets behind the beach hides many fine restaurants serving an array of wonderful Canarian cuisine.
| Cruise Itinerary |
| Date |
Activity |
Arrive |
Depart |
| 22/12/20 |
Southampton, England |
|
LatePM |
| 23/12/20 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 24/12/20 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 25/12/20 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 26/12/20 |
Funchal (Madeira), Portugal |
EarlyPM |
|
| 27/12/20 |
Funchal (Madeira), Portugal |
|
LatePM |
| 28/12/20 |
Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands |
LateAM |
Late Night |
| 29/12/20 |
San Sebastian, La Gomera, Canary Islands |
EarlyAM |
LatePM |
| 30/12/20 |
Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), Canary Islands |
EarlyAM |
Late Night |
| 31/12/20 |
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands |
EarlyAM |
Late Night |
| 01/01/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 02/01/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 03/01/21 |
Lisbon, Portugal |
EarlyAM |
EarlyPM |
| 04/01/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 05/01/21 |
At sea |
- |
- |
| 06/01/21 |
Southampton, England |
EarlyAM |
|
Itinerary may vary by sailing date and itineraries may be changed at the cruise line's discretion. Please check itinerary details at time of booking and before booking other travel services such as airline tickets.
