Gran Canaria to Venice Cruise on MSC Opera 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).

Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura)

Puerto del Rosario is a town located in the northern part of the island of Fuerteventura and also its capital since 1835, in the province of Las Palmas (Canary Islands). Puerto del Rosario has a harbor front promenade, which has had recent enhancements. You will also find beautiful beaches, especially to the south of the capital. You will also be able to visit the museum which was once the home of the exiled poet Miguel de Unamuno, where you will find plenty of exhibitions, plays and concerts. Around the town you will find statues that form part of an open air exhibition and are produced during competitions that take place in the capital.

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.

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.

Arrecife (Lanzarote)

Arrecife open the doors of Lanzarote, an island full of underwater views and spots, transparent waters, and palm trees. the natural park of Timanfaya is the most representative of the island, and you will see how the volcanic lava swept all the land. A good example of this is Los Jameos del Agua, spectacular volcanic cave in which interior lies a natural lake of transparent waters inhibiten by blind albino crabs, from unknown origin. You can also visit the beaches of Famara or Papagayo.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife port of fishing, commercial, passenger and sports in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located in the Atlantic Ocean. Next to this port is the famous building of the Auditorio de Tenerife. It has a significant relevance in two categories: Cruise Passengers and in Fresh Fish caught. Due to the importance of interinsular maritime transport, it also holds a dominant position in Passenger Transport. Some of the world's largest ocean liners have stopped in the Port. The proximity of two international airports backs up its position as base for cruises.

Casablanca (Morocco)

Casablanca is the largest city of Morocco, situated in western Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the largest and most important cities in Africa. Casablanca is also Moroccos chief port and industrial centre. Casablanca is like any other European city and the most liberal and progressive of Moroccos cities. Most of the streets have signs, and passersby are extremely helpful in French or Arabic and, more rarely, Spanish or English. Young men flirt brazenly with scantily clad women, designer labels are the norm in the chic, beach front neighbourhood of Ain Diab and many young Moroccans speak to each other exclusively in French. The Medina historic district can be hard to navigate, but its so small that no matter how blindly you wander into it, youre never more than ten minutes from an exit. Places to visit: the Medina historic district, the Corniche, Octagon Square, the Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman, the Mosque Hassan II, the largest in North Africa, and the third largest in the world.

Valencia (Spain)

Valencia is the capital of the province with the same name, situated on the eastern coast of the Spanish territory, which is accessible by air, land (rail and highway) and sea. The Maritime Station is one of the most modern facilities in Spain. The modern style pier where the Cruises depart from or the “Golondrinas” boats that can take you for a nice ride along the dock. Nearby, you will find the Royal Atarazanas, a historic monument in the Maritime Museum.

Civitavecchia (Rome)

 Civitavecchia is the city of Rome´s port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The harbour is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse. The name Civitavecchia means Ancient Town. There, the Eternal City lies before us in large format architectural and artistic sculptures such as the Colosseum, the most important monument of ancient Rome and used for public entertainment. Do not miss the Trevi Fountain and make a wish while you throw a coin over your shoulder and then continue to the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments of antiquity, Piazza Navona, and the Vatican City. Take a walk through the Plaza of Spain and rest on the steps of Trinita dei Monti before heading to Via Condotti, a wide avenue lined with shops. Civitavecchia is always popular with cruise passengers because, as noted earlier, it is the gateway to Rome. All cruise lines tend to offer shore excursions here to the Eternal City and we highly recommend that you book one. 

Corfu

Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands,[2] and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The municipality includes the island Corfu and the smaller islands Ereikoussa, Mathraki and Othonoi. The principal city of the island and seat of the municipality is also named Corfu. The island´s history is laden with battles and conquests. The legacy of these struggles is visible in the form of castles punctuating strategic locations across the island. Two of these castles enclose its capital, which is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in such a way. The city´s old city was designated for the UNESCO World Heritage List.Corfu is a very popular tourist destination.

Bari (Italy)

Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland It is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas. Bari is made up of four different urban sections. To the north is the closely built old town on the peninsula between two modern harbours, with the splendid Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral of San Sabino and the Swabian Castle built for Frederick II, which is now also a major nightlife district. To the south is the Murat quarter, the modern heart of the city, which is laid out on a rectangular grid-plan with a promenade on the sea and the major shopping district

Zadar (Croatia)

Is a city in the Dalmatian Region, in the modern Croatia, capital of the county of Zadar, in the centre of the country and infront of the islands od Uglian and Pasman, from which it is separated by the Zadar Strait. The different layers of the walls of the city, are the renaissance, baroque and gothic monuments, that prove the turbulent past of the city.

Venice

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy sited on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. On both sides of the Grand Canal you will find historical palaces and bridges. The city along with its lagoon is listed as a World Heritage Site. Places of interest: St. Mark's Square and visit the Ducal's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. Bordering the islands via Della Giudecca canal you will find the Lido Island, famous for hosting the Venice Film Festival. Of course do not forget to take a gondola ride through the tiny channels.