Canary Islands Cruise on AIDAluna from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of the largest cities in Spain, and is the largest city in the Canary Islands The Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria receives ships from all over the world. As a beach town, Las Palmas is specially popular for ocean-side activities. Catch a wave, grab your snorkel, or just soak up some sun. The south of the island is hot, dry, relatively arid and home to brash new resorts such as Playa del Inglés. The north and centre of the island is cooler, wetter, and retains more of a Spanish colonial atmosphere. The dramatic lush interior features spectacular volcanic peaks. The capital of Las Palmas functions as a bustling cosmopolitan city and a popular seaside. Those arriving by cruise ship can appreciate the island´s spectacular setting between two bays as they sail into the biggest port in Spanish territory. Most of the island´s top sights are in the north, situated within 30 minutes or so of Las Palmas. However, Las Palmas itself has a variety of first-class attractions plus an excellent golden beach, Playa de las Canteras, which is a 15-minute walk from the cruise terminal (as is the city centre).

Santa Cruz de La Palma (Canary Islands)

The banana plantations are not the only thing you will find in plenitude during your holidays in the volcanic island of La Palma: from espectacular views of the coast, valleys filled with vegetation, beaches and forested areas, even facilities for the practice of acuatic sports, are numerous in the beautiful island.

Funchal (Madeira)

The city´s name comes from the abundance of fennel (funcho) found on the island. It was an important shipping center during the 15th-17th centuries. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. It is a modern, cosmopolitan, rejuvenated city, well known for its many top class restaurants, stunning new 4 & 5 star hotels and warm climate all year round. The city itself is nestled in a great natural amphitheatre, facing the blue Atlantic with a backdrop of dramatic mountains. It is located in the stunning south of Madeira, on it’s sunniest coast amidst banana plantations and wonderful gardens. Funchal has also for many years been one of the Atlantic Cruise-ship’s main ports of call, with the Liner harbour right in the middle of the town. Once ashore, the cafés, restaurants and history that mark this famed capital are just a stroll away. Tourists in Funchal can also enjoy activities such as diving in the crystal-clear waters, surfing the waves, taking day excursions along the coast and through the eucalyptus smelling mountain woods.

Lisbon

The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern constructions can be found all over Lisbon. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts. There are several substantial museums one can visit in the city. In addition, the mosaic Portuguese Pavement was born in Lisbon, in the mid-1800s. The art has since spread to the rest of the Portuguese Speaking world. The city remains one of the most expansive examples of the technique, nearly all walkways and even many streets being created and maintained in this style.

Vigo (Spain)

Vigo is a city and municipality situated in north-west Spain, in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia, and on the ria, or bay, of the same name, on the Atlantic Ocean.It is located in the south-west of Galicia, in the southern part of the Vigo Bay. Vigo is not only one of the major industrial and economic cities in Galicia, but it is also one of the more important Roman centers of Pontevedra. Although within the city one will not find much Romanesque architecture, it can be seen a few miles away from the city center. In many of the municipality's neighborhoods and parishes a large number of Roman ruins remain. Such is the importance of the Roman remains in Vigo that many Spanish authors have come to coin the term Romanesque Vigo. Vigo retains three of the most important examples of Romanesque churches in southern Galicia:

La Coruna (Spain)

A Coruña; known as Corunna in English is a city and municipality of Galicia. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community. The city is the provincial capital of the province of the same name A Coruña is a busy port located on a promontory in the entrance of an estuary in a large gulf on the Atlantic Ocean. The city is the site of the Roman Tower of Hercules, a lighthouse which has been in continuous operation since possibly the 2nd century AD. It has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by a large public park with a golf course and a former Muslim cemetery. The city is also well known for its characteristic

Isle of Portland

Swim under the great natural arch of Durdle Door, which juts out imposingly towards the sea and is approximately 140 million years old. Breathe in the salty sea air, of Weymouth beach, savour a delicious dish of fish and French fries, and snap photos of the coastline as you stroll along the boardwalk that runs along the curve of this beach. At Corfe Castle admire reenactments of battles taking place among medieval ruins and learn about the role this fort played in the English Civil War.

Dover

Today Dover is a major port town facing into the English Channel and the second busiest cruise port in the UK. What makes Dover so special is its impressive location with miles of beautiful, un-spoilt coastline and its internationally famous White Cliffs dominated by Dover Castle, known throughout the world. Dover is the town in Kent which is geographically closest to the continent and, as the world´s busiest ferry port, many justifiably describe as ´the gateway to England´. The cliffs are popular with tourists and offer the opportunity for wonderful walks and superb views out towards the English Channel. Or you may simply choose to simply gaze at them from the beach.

Hamburg

Hamburg is located on the River Elbe. This city is noted for several festivals and regular events. Some street festivals, such as the gay pride Christopher Street Day festival or the Alster fair, held at the Binnenalster are popular. In Hamburg you fill find big museums and galleries showing classical and contemporary art, i.e. Kunsthalle Hamburg with its contemporary art gallery, the Museum for Art and Industry and the House of photography.