Carnival in the Canary Islands

Day 1 Southampton Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to Southampton where our staff will greet you and assist with embarking Black Watch (3T+) in readiness for a late evening sailing. Day 2 At sea Day 3 La Coruña, Spain La Coruña boasts incredible medieval buildings, stylish modernist houses, and an impressive seafront promenade home to the 60m-high Torre de Hercules - said to be the only ancient Roman lighthouse in existence - which you can climb for lovely views. The city’s old quarter is an ideal spot for an appreciator of history to wander, with several ancient buildings and monuments within the remains of the old Roman walls. Museums of note include the Military Museum, the Museum of Archaeology and History, in the 16th century Castillo de San Antón, and the House of María Pita, the great heroine. Days 4-5 At sea Days 6-7 Santa Cruz, Tenerife (overnight) Carnaval de Tenerife is a flamboyant street party second only to the Rio Carnival and introduced by the Spanish and Portuguese explorers who rested here on their voyages to the New World. Religious and monarchic constitutions disapproved and quashed these expressions of joy and freedom from rules and social standards, with the anonymity provided by masks that allowed social classes to mingle freely, but the celebrations went underground and have grown into a grand carnival with a long programme of activities. We dock overnight to allow plenty of time to enjoy the spectacle of colourful costumes donned by dancers, musicians and street performers, showcasing their talents to the crowds in Santa Cruz. The party atmosphere spills into other events, including car shows, and delicious food and drink to try. And of course there is plenty more to see in Tenerife - you may like to take a trip to Mount Teide, the world’s third highest volcano, or the mysterious Pyramids of Guimar. Day 8 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Gran Canaria is the third largest of this island group and holds nearly half the archipelago’s population. Head to Vegueta, the oldest part of the island’s capital, and you can find bronze statues of the dogs which inspired the Romans in naming the islands. They stand in the shadow of Santa Ana Cathedral, a temple that showcases the many distinct styles of architecture that became fashionable through its 350-year construction. Your choice of excursion may introduce you to more of the island’s historical spots, such as Columbus House, or spectacular volcanic scenery. Day 9 Santa Cruz, La Palma La Palma’s compact capital city is a gem of colonial-style architecture and plenty of beaches. It was an important trading post between Spain and the Americas, and its success can be seen in the stunning palaces, sumptuous merchants’ houses and magnificent churches of the historic quarter. A tour of the island may take you through spectacular landscapes of laurel forest, deep gorges and the impressive five-mile wide crater of Caldera de Taburiente, one of several volcanoes on this particularly mountainous island. Day 10 Funchal, Madeira Sir Winston Churchill found Madeira to be a special retreat, a tranquil place for reflection and recuperation, with a natural beauty to inspire his paintings. His praise has since drawn British travellers to Madeira, to enjoy the climate that nourishes the glorious subtropical flowers and fruit that fill the beautiful landscapes. You can seek some of Churchill’s favourite spots, including the famous Reid’s hotel; admire the views as you travel by cable car from the centre of Funchal to the beautiful garden of Monte; savour the local Madeira wine with a visit to a wine lodge; or maybe take in the magnificent scenes from Cabo Girão, considered to be one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Day 11 At sea Day 12 Lisbon, Portugal In the City of Seven Hills, vintage wooden trams trundle along historic streets to ancient castles, palaces and churches. This beautiful capital has a delightful mix of neighbourhoods with huge shopping centres and grand monuments to its past, particularly its naval prowess with the Monument of Discoveries, the Tower of Belém and Jerónimos Monastery to admire. An excursion may also transport you into the beautiful countryside, where enchanting towns and the gentle River Tagus, also wait to be explored. Days 13-14 At sea Day 15 Southampton Early this morning we arrive back in Southampton, where we disembark after breakfast. You will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.