Canary Islands & Madeira

Departing London Tilbury 16th October 2010
14 nights from only £799 per person

An autumn cruise south to the sun! Whether you like exploring the narrow old streets of historic towns with their quaint bars and local handicraft shops, discovering historic buildings and churches, green hills and exotic valleys, or simply relaxing on harbour fronts sampling the seafood, this cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira is sure to fit the bill. There are delights to be found around every corner on this fascinating voyage.

Your first call is Vigo, Spain's biggest fishing port, located in an attractive valley surrounded by wooded hills. Wander the town's labyrinth of cobbled alleys and discover its maritime history. Agadir in Morocco is also a thriving port with shops and cafes, together with a long sandy beach backed by seafood restaurants. Your discovery of the Canary Islands begins in Lanzarote, a volcanic island of extraordinary moon-like landscapes where the volcanic past has created red, black and white sand beaches. Dominated by Mount Teide, Tenerife is renowned for its beach resorts, and the island's capital of Santa Cruz offers a number of museums and churches to explore together with tempting shops and restaurants. Relax on the tiny island of La Gomera with its central plateau deeply scored by dramatic ravines and lush green valleys of palms and flowering creepers. Funchal on Madeira nestles in a natural amphitheatre surrounded by sheltering slopes. There's a lively waterfront and a charming old town of narrow cobbled streets packed with small shops offering traditional embroidery and wickerwork. From Leixoes you can visit Oporto, a city of stately neo-classical buildings, baroque churches and exquisite 18th century facades. Finally, a relaxing two days at sea to reflect on the highlights of your cruise before arriving back in Tilbury.

Itinerary:
London Tilbury, Vigo (Spain), Agadir (Morocco), Arrecife (Lanzarote), santa Cruz (Tenerife), San Sebastian (La Gomera), Funchal (Madeira), Leixoes (For Oporto), London Tilbury

About Marco Polo
The 22,080grt Bahamian flagged Marco Polo with her handsome traditional profile, beautiful teak decks and distinctive dark blue hull is a fully stabilised and air conditioned classic ocean liner, extensively re-built in 1993 for the discerning premium cruise market. She can accommodate up to 850 guests and has eight passenger decks, serviced by three main lobbies and four lifts.

Her wide range of public facilities include the impressive Waldorf Restaurant offering a traditional two sitting fixed time dining option and, as an alternative more informal experience, the stylish Marco’s Restaurant. There are five principal lounge areas. The Magellan Deck offers the theatre style Marco Polo Lounge; the elegant Captain’s Club, a perfect venue for pre-dinner cocktails with the resident pianist; the relaxing Palm Garden, a quiet spot with wonderful panoramic ocean views; and the stylish Columbus Lounge where the head barman will soon get to know your favourite drink. Completing the quintet is Scotts Bar, an ideal spot for night owls, located on Amundsen Deck.

Other amenities include the ship’s attractive well stocked Livingston Library, the Nansen Card Room, an Internet Café, a spacious shopping arcade and photo gallery, the beautifully appointed Jade Wellness Centre, which offers hairdressing & beauty treatments, fitness and exercise equipment, and sauna and massage facilities. There is an outdoor swimming pool, three whirlpools and a medical centre. In addition, and in keeping with her heritage, the Amundsen Deck offers a traditional walk around promenade.

There is a good selection of comfortable cabin accommodation with 70% of cabins having an ocean view. Cabins range from standard, superior, premium and deluxe and category options priced generally according to position size and the facilities available. Cabin amenities comprise private en-suite facilities including a shower washbasin, toilet, and a hairdryer. All cabins also have a television for satellite channels and in-house movies, telephone, two music channels and a personal safe and the more spacious higher graded de-luxe accommodation have the added benefit of sitting areas, large panoramic ocean views, a bath tub and a fridge.