Canary Islands Sojourn - 5258A

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, lies in the western Iberian Peninsula aside the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River. As one of the oldest cities in the world, it is rich in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Modern and Post-Modern constructions. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares. The Lisbon Coast hosts some fine sandy beaches at Cascais and Estoril and fishing villages like Sesimbra. Read more about Lisbon, Portugal

Africa’s second largest city and Morocco’s largest city and chief port, Casablanca (Portuguese for ‘white house’), is located on the Atlantic Ocean in the west of the country. The city has passed through Arab, Portuguese, Dutch and French control, and the famous 1942 film Casablanca reflects its colonial status in the 1940s. Today it is the largest city of the Maghreb (Barbary Coast), land of the Berbers and Moors. It is a major port (one of the largest artificial ports in the world), financial centre, and now tourist destination. Read more about Casablanca, Morocco

Lanzarote, the easternmost of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, lies about 125 km off the African coast. Due to its mild, dry climate it is regarded as a perfect year-round destination. Lack of erosion means that the volcanic landscape appears much as it did just after past eruptions. Amongst the many stunning volcanic features of Lanzarote is the longest Volcanic Tunnel in the world, the Atlantida Tunnel, which is over 7 km in length. Read more about Lanzarote, Spain

Santa Cruz de Tenerife (commonly known as Santa Cruz) is the capital the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. The port is of great importance and is the communications hub between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with cruise ships arriving from many nations. Not surprisingly, the city has a real cosmopolitan mix due to immigrants from Latin America, Africa and Western Europe. Santa Cruz is the second largest city of the European Union outside of Europe, and is also the capital of the island of Tenerife. Read more about Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

El Hierro is the smallest and farthest of the Canary Islands, an Autonomous Community of Spain, 380km off the West coast of Africa. El Hierro is sharply mountainous and volcanic. The island has a varied landscape. There are fertile fields and meadows, pine woods, subtropical vegetation and hundreds of volcanic fissures found inland. Read more about El Hierro, Spain

Las Palmas, the ninth largest city of Spain, is situated on one of the smaller islands of the Canary Islands that are located just off the NW coast of mainland Africa. About twenty percent of all inhabitants of the entire group of islands live in this city. It is set in magnificent scenery of two bays and their beautiful beaches. Be sure to explore the important historical and cultural heritage found mainly in the district of Vegueta, where Christopher Columbus visited in 1492, and that has resulted in its being declared a World Heritage Site. Read more about Las Palmas, Spain

Santa Cruz de la Palma (commonly known as Santa Cruz) is the capital the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. The port is of great importance and is the communications hub between Europe, Africa and the Americas, with cruise ships arriving from many nations. Not surprisingly, the city has a real cosmopolitan mix due to immigrants from Latin America, Africa and Western Europe. Santa Cruz is the second largest city of the European Union outside of Europe, and is also the capital of the island of Tenerife. Read more about Santa Cruz de La Palma, Spain

San Sebastian is located on the E coast of La Gomera, the second smallest of the Canary Islands, and is the port and capital of the island. The port serves as a hub for tourists arriving in ferries from the nearby island of Tenerife. From San Sebastian the towering volcano Teide on the island of Tenerife is prominent on the skyline 50 km to the ENE. San Sebastian town with its white houses and population 9000 follows ridges from the port area, towards the rugged inland valleys of the volcanic island, rising to 1487 m. Read more about San Sebastian de La Gomera, Spain

Portimao is a city located in the District of Faro in the Region of Algarve in southern coastal area of Portugal. It is a popular holiday resort, undoubtedly due to the fact that it enjoys around 300 days of sunshine each year. Portimao is also known for its sporting events. In the summer, a beach soccer tournament called 'Little World Cup' is held, and the Lisbon to Dakar Rally passes through. Read more about Portimao, Portugal

Funchal is the capital of Portugal’s Autonomous Region of Madeira an archipelago 880 SW of Portugal and 600 km NW of Morocco, in the north Atlantic. Funchal’s harbour offers plazas lined with shops, colourful houses spilling down hillsides, due to its almost amphitheatre-like formation, and a profusion of flowers. For a fine view of the magnificent bay, take the unique downhill basket sledge ride. Visitors will find cuisine that celebrates the freshest ingredients, and a population that is joyous and gracious. Read more about Funchal, Portugal

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, lies in the western Iberian Peninsula aside the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River. As one of the oldest cities in the world, it is rich in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Modern and Post-Modern constructions. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares. The Lisbon Coast hosts some fine sandy beaches at Cascais and Estoril and fishing villages like Sesimbra. Read more about Lisbon, Portugal