Cruise and Maritime Voyages

With more bicycles than permanent residents, the Dutch capital is both charming and quirky. Aesthetically little has changed in the centre since its 17th century Golden Age. Beautiful gabled houses and merchants’ mansions line serene, tree-lined canals, which are laid out in five concentric circles and crossed by numerous bridges. The Royal Palace, originally built as a Town Hall in the 17th century, stands on a large square in the centre of the city. Considered one of Europe’s major art capitals, Amsterdam is home to a number of superb galleries and museums including the famous Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum.

Lying on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the River Tagus, Lisbon is the westernmost capital in Europe. It was from here that the great caravels set sail on their voyages of exploration and numerous monuments are a reminder Lisbon’s glorious maritime heyday. In 1775 a devastating earthquake all but levelled the city to the ground, and although relatively modern, the Portuguese capital has a quirky charm and much character. The steep, cobbled streets of the ancient Moorish Alfama district lead to wonderful viewpoints looking over the city. Further along the coast the elegant resorts of Cascais and Estoril stud Portugal’s own Riviera.

Set in a magnificent natural amphitheatre overlooking a wide bay, Funchal is the delightful capital of the beautiful and dramatic island of Madeira. The harbour is right in the centre of town and as you approach the sight of whitewashed buildings with red tiled roofs tumbling down the verdant mountain is spectacular. A modern cable car soars above the bustling city to Monte, which is the start of Madeira’s famous wicker toboggan ride. Wicker baskets, embroidery and the famous Madeira wine are popular souvenirs from the striking island often described as the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’.

This tiny remote village is inhabited by descendants of the Portuguese settlers who inter-married with the native Indians. Barter with the villagers for local handicrafts.

Since 1546 Ponta Delgada has been capital of São Miguel, which is the largest of the nine islands in the Azores archipelago. In the last twenty-five years the cosmopolitan little town has seen rapid expansion bringing the archipelago its first university, shopping mall and dual carriageway. Yet, it still has a small town charm with squares paved with black and white tiles, beautiful churches, and public buildings with white-painted facades and dark volcanic stone trim. Volcanic activity has produced spectacular scenery on the islands and this extraordinary natural beauty is a highlight of optional excursions.