Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky, berthed close to the city centre, where we enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.

Explore the historic centre of vibrant Seville and enjoy a morning walking tour to discover the city’s greatest monuments. Enter the Alcazar Palace with its ornate Moorish interiors and exotic terraced garden. Built by Pedro the Cruel in the 14th century with the help of Moorish craftsmen, it is still used as a residence by the King of Spain. We also visit the imposing La Giralda, Seville’s cathedral, reputed to be the largest Gothic style church in the world with its distinctive Moorish tower. Seville has many links with the early explorers and much of the New World administration centred on Seville. At the Alcazar, Queen Isabella signed the contract for the campaigns that Columbus carried out and a tomb of Columbus lies in the Cathedral. We return to the MS Island Sky for lunch and sail down to the lower reaches of the Guadalquivir River.

We continue our exploration of Andalucia and call to the port of Huelva, on the Costa de la Luz, from where Christopher Columbus set sail for what turned out to be the New World in 1492. Learn more about this historic voyage at the Muelle de las Carabelas Museum where we find replicas of the ships. Also visit the 14th century La Rabida Monastery which was declared a national monument in 1856 and is where Columbus stayed whilst preparing for his voyage. Alternatively, you may wish to explore a little visited part of Andalucia and discover the Rio Tinto Mining Heritage Park on a full day tour where you can see the legacy of the 19th century British engineers including a short ride on a restored vintage diesel train.

This morning the MS Island Sky arrives on the Algarve Coast at the fishing port of Portimao on the banks of the Arade River. From here we head west to explore the more rugged Algarve and discover its place in history. On a full day tour we visit the historic town of Lagos, its sturdy Medieval walls testifying to its importance as a 15th century ship building and trading post. We then head to the wild headland of Cabo Sao Vicente, its 200-foot cliffs face the Atlantic waves and it lies at the extreme south western corner of Europe. At nearby Sagres, Henry the Navigator built his school of navigation and it was from here that many sailors set out and ushered in the Age of Discovery. We visit the fort which, largely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, has commanding views over the ocean and served to protect the coast from Barbary pirates. After a local lunch we return to Portimao.

Relax on board and listen to informative talks from our Guest Speaker in the Lounge or walk around MS Island Sky’s promenade deck as we sail south to Madeira.

After a morning at sea, we land on the lesser-known island of Porto Santo, first discovered in 1418 by Portuguese sailors. Whilst lush green predominates Madeira, Porto Santo is arid and the southern coast is bordered by a nine kilometre long beach of golden sand. Our afternoon tour introduces us to the island and will include some beautiful vistas and a visit to the Christopher Columbus Museum with exhibits on the maritime expansion of the Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch empires.

We have a day and a half on Madeira where there will be a range of excursions on offer including a visit to the Botanical Gardens, one of the best examples of Madeiran landscaped gardens. Situated in the grounds of a former private house, the gardens are host to a profusion of worldwide plants and flowers which thrive in the island’s temperate climate. There is an herbarium, as well as terraces and greenhouses with many rare and indigenous plants. The gardens provide an excellent view over Funchal. We continue inland to Eira do Serrado to enjoy superb views of Madeira’s highest peaks and the Curral das Freiras village below, a hamlet so remote that the nuns from the Santa Clara Convent used it as an escape from the pirate raids of the 16th century. Here you will get the opportunity to try delicious local chestnut specialities. In the afternoon you may wish to join a six kilometre levada walk. Levadas are irrigation channels that were created by the Portuguese settlers in the 19th century, who painstakingly carved them out of the rock by hand. Designed to carry freshwater from the north to the drier southern regions of the island, they helped to create many of the lush landscapes that can be seen today. The walk will follow the course of ‘levadas’ seeing the verdant plants, mountain views and green farmland that covers Madeira. Alternatively, join a tour to visit Palheiro Garden where we can enjoy a cup of afternoon tea at the Quinta followed by a visit to a Madeira Wine Lodge for a tasting. The following day enjoy time at leisure or join a guided Funchal walk to discover more of island’s heritage and explore the vibrant Mercado dos Lavradoes where fruit and vegetable are piled high. We will sail after lunch and spend the afternoon at sea.

La Palma is known by locals as the ‘Beautiful Island’, and it is easy to see why. It is a simply stunning, peaceful and most importantly an un-spoilt destination that has deservedly been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve. This morning there will be a choice of excursions. You may wish to join the tour to Caldera de Taburiente, a massive eight kilometre wide depression which scientists agree was a majestically tall volcanic mountain that collapsed in on itself. Explore on foot and whilst all may seem stoic and still, the forces of erosion are hard at work and some geologists estimate that it will finally disappear in just 5000 years. Alternatively, take a drive to visit Los Tilos Forest, nestled between colossal mountains, it is one of the few surviving Laurisilva forests on the planet. Continue to the charming town of San Andres where we will visit the El Tendal Museum and learn more about the island and its history. Before returning to the ship enjoy a tasting at the Rum Factory. Finally for those who would prefer a more energetic excursion there will be a guided trek on offer through the El Pilar area; see remains of volcanic eruptions, the magnificent views of the Valley of Aridane and the crater wall that surrounds the Taburiente National Park.

Probably the least known of the Canary Islands, and once considered to be the end of the world, El Hierro is unique and utterly captivating. On our morning island tour it will be impossible not to be entranced by the island’s slow pace and simple style; by its craggy coast, where waves hurl themselves against lava sculpted rock faces; by the pretty farmland and flower meadows of the interior; by the eerily beautiful juniper groves; and by the desolate volcanic badlands that stretch out like moonscapes in the south. We will also have the opportunity to sample some of El Hierro’s local wine and visit the lizard house where the island’s unique giant lizards are bred; near extinction, they are protected by international law. Alternatively, opt for the La Llania hiking excursion which will take us through primaeval forests, along ancient cisterns and mythical witches dance floors to El Hierro’s top viewing point affording spectacular views of the western parts of the island. Return to the ship for lunch and the afternoon will be free to explore at leisure or relax on board.

La Gomera has strong connections with Christopher Colombus and the island is sometimes referred to as ‘Isla Colombina’. Colombus reprovisioned here in 1492 on his first of voyage of discovery and also again in 1493 and 1498. Islanders no doubt were part of the crew and other stories have been woven into island folklore. On a full day tour we will explore the island including Garajonay National Park, home to the world’s only surviving laurel forest and visit the villages of Hermiqua, Agulo and Las Rosas before making our way to a local restaurant for lunch. We will also experience a demonstration of Silbo Gomero, the island’s unique whistling language, and visit the magnificent rock formations of Agando. Alternatively, you may wish to join a morning guided trek through the Garajonay National Park commencing in the village of El Cedro which offers some interesting examples of Canarias architecture.

This morning we arrive on Tenerife and during our excursion will drive inland, along the base of the mountain range through beautiful pine forests to the Parque Nacional del Teide. The area was declared a National Park in 1954 and includes 14 species of plant found nowhere else in the world. Geologically the park is fascinating; of the many different types of volcanic formations examples of more than 80% can be found here. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

After breakfast transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Itineraries are subject to change.