Canary Island cruise - Eternal Springtime

Passengers are welcome to board at 6:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner and an evening of activities on board. Our ship will remain in port overnight.

Mount Teide dominates the largest island in the Canaries. With its summit at 12,198 ft. (3,718 m), the volcano is the highest point in Spain. Tenerife is the main point of entry to the archipelago and a palette of tones and scenery.

This morning, join us for an optional excursion to Teide National Park. The national park system throughout the Canary Islands protects the important ecosystems found within. Teide National Park is an excellent example of the vegetation in Tenerife at the high mountain level. It sits at an altitude between 5,413 ft. and 12,198 ft (1,650 and 3,718 m) and gives a great opportunity to visit a dormant volcano and its surroundings. The park was created in 1954 to preserve and study the volcanic structures and forms represented in the almost 74 square miles it covers (189 km2). You’ll experience an astonishing view from the top of the crater, and you will be able to stroll around a bit to experience it all from different angles. We’ll stop several times on the way down, as well, to admire the landscape and scenery.

This afternoon, we'll set off on an optional visit to Puerto de la Cruz. Discover this seaside resort and its picturesque old town as you meander along the waterfront and down charming streets lined with gardens, beautiful homes, and quaint churches. We’ll stop at the Mirador de Humbolt, a lookout point with sweeping views of the Orotava Valley and its banana plantations. We will then visit the Orchid Garden Sitio Litre, home to the most extensive collection of orchids on the island.

When LA BELLE DES OCEANS casts off for its cruise through the Canary Islands, our crew will welcome you on the Sun Deck for a cocktail as the sun sets across the horizon. Join us for dinner and an evening of entertainment. Our ship will cruise to La Palma overnight.

La Palma, rich with vegetation and incredible landscapes, is known as the "Beautiful Island." You'll discover this tiny corner of paradise through its stunning views, well-preserved beaches, and charming towns.

Take advantage of our morning at sea to attend a lecture.

In the afternoon, feel free to join us for an optional excursion to the heart of the island. We'll hit the road to the Caldera de Taburiente for some spectacular views. First, we'll visit the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves, a lovely whitewashed sanctuary housing the venerated Virgin of the Snows. Our tour will then take us along mountain roads and through extraordinary scenery to the Caldera de Taburiente. We'll stop at a traditional 17th-century farm—surrounded by gorgeous gardens and breathtaking views—for a refreshing snack. On the way back, a brief stop at the Mirador de la Concepcion overlook will give you an impressive view of the coast and northern part of the island.

Our ship will cruise to La Gomera overnight.

La Gomera is known for its natural and human-made sites. The inhabitants, subject to the complex terrain and difficult conditions on the island, have made remarkable adaptations. They take advantage of the natural resources available while remaining highly respectful of their environment.

We'll spend the morning cruising. Take advantage of a quiet moment on LA BELLE DES OCEANS to catch some rays poolside or enjoy a treatment in our wellness salon. More active passengers can keep in shape in the fitness center, and history buffs can attend the lecture in the lounge.

Join us for an optional excursion to the island of La Gomera this afternoon. We'll visit Garajonay National Park, which is blanketed with thick, bay-tree forests. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a striking contrast to the rest of the archipelago. The park sits under an almost constant haze of fog from the trade winds and the surrounding waters, which gives it an eerie atmosphere. We'll pass through the quaint villages of Hermigua, Las Rosas, and Agulo—whose sweet charm led to the nickname "The Bonbon of La Gomera." We'll stop for a typical island tea time and listen to a demonstration of Silbo Gomero, the whistled language used by the islanders. We'll enter Garajonay National Park to see the Roque Agando rock formation, the symbol of the island, jutting far above the greenery of the forests.

Our ship will cruise to Gran Canaria. We'll enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment.

Day 3Day 5

The shell-shaped island of Gran Canaria is a study in contrasts: Fertile soil to the north versus vast desert lands to the south, while the steep cliffs on the northwest coasts juxtapose the long sandy beaches on the southern side. Both the city of Las Palmas and the sun-drenched beaches in the south beat to the sound of the waves that hit the shores. 

We set out on an optional excursion to Las Palmas and the Bandama Caldera. We'll begin in old-time Vegueta and the Casa de Colon, a colonial-style mansion with exhibits about the history of the Canary Islands and their link with the New World. We'll continue on to the Bandama Caldera, a volcanic crater that reaches 1,867 feet above sea level (569 m).

In the afternoon, join us for an optional excursion to Teror and the Garden of La Marquesa de Arucas. Teror is a place of pilgrimage for all the island's inhabitants as it houses the statue of the patron saint of the island in its basilica, the Virgen del Pino. Afterwards, we'll head to Arucas, one of the most beautiful cities in Gran Canaria. We'll see the outside of the imposing, black cathedral and visit the lovely Garden of La Marquesa de Arucas, home to 400 species of tropical and subtropical plants.

Our ship will cast off for Fuerteventura. In celebration of our last cruise through the Canary Islands, join our crew on the Sun Deck for a cocktail together. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Day 4Day 6

Fuerteventura was the first of the Canary Islands to rise from the Atlantic waters millions of years ago. Since thousands of years passed between volcanic eruptions, nature freely carved the land into a lunar-like panorama.

Join us for an optional excursion called "The Secrets of Fuerteventura." We'll begin towards the northern part of the island at the Finca Torres, where we'll discover how local goat cheese is made. The internationally renowned goat cheeses produced in Fuerteventura have been awarded the highest "Golden Cheese Award" for five consecutive years. At the end of our tour, we'll enjoy a tasting of this famous delicacy. We'll then continue on to the small village of Tiscamanita to visit a cosmetics producer who uses aloe vera, one of the most prominent crops on the island. You'll learn everything you'll need to know about this surprising plant. Lastly, we'll experience Betancuria, the island's first colony and former capital. French explorer Jean de Béthencourt founded Betancuria at the beginning of the 15th century. He chose the area within the valley to be protected from pirate attacks. Despite his strategy, pirates razed the village in 1593.

We'll spend the afternoon cruising to Lanzarote. Lecture.

Lanzarote seems from another world. The island is covered with dark, volcanic rock caressed by striking turquoise waters and dotted with oases of greenery. The calm and silence on the island invite you to unplug from the connected world and recharge your batteries with sunlight.

This morning, join us for an optional excursion to Timanfaya National Park. Lanzarote is truly a unique place. Seventy-five percent of the island’s surface is covered with craters and lava flows dating back to massive volcanic eruptions 270 years ago. We’ll travel to the Fire Mountains in Timanfaya National Park to experience this singular beauty. We’ll also take part in geothermic demonstrations at the Islote de Hilario. The next stop will be the Salinas de Janubio, salt flats created in a natural lagoon. Since it rarely rains on the islands, farmers have developed ingenious methods for growing vegetables in lava fields using the tiny volcanic granules as mulch. The stone and rock vineyards in Geria contain thousands of semicircles patiently built by winegrowers over the years. Each semicircle protects one grapevine planted in the middle. The grapes grow exceptionally well within these ashen ditches, and the lava pebbles allow the dew to filter down to the roots. The results are a crisp, golden wine known as Malvasia. Of course, we’ll enjoy a tasting of wine and cheese at one of the oldest bodegas on the island. The arid, volcanic lands on the island help produce the unique tastes, colors, and nuances found in both the wines and the delicious goat cheeses.

This afternoon, join us for an optional excursion to learn about César Manrique, one of the most important artists in the Canary Islands. He was a painter, architect, builder, and sculptor. He was also an ecologist and activist for sustainable development in the local construction industry. Jameos del Agua is the art, culture, and tourism center where his talents can be experienced firsthand. Afterwards, we’ll head to the Mirador del Rio to take in the outstanding views of the moon-like landscape. You’ll be able to catch a glimpse of another volcanic island, La Graciosa, from the overlook as well. The combination of the sky, the water, and the steep cliff is an unbelievable experience. Lastly, we'll visit the César Manrique House Museum, an incarnation of his talents. The lower floor is built around five natural volcanic bubbles, and his former studio has been converted into an exhibition for his paintings.

For our last evening together, join us in the lounge for an evening of traditional entertainment to wind down your vacation to the unforgettable Canary Islands. Beautifully costumed dancers and musicians will present a variety of dances and music found among the islands.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.