A PEARL OF A CRUISE
Tempted by the idea of cruising on a smaller ship, Kayleigh Frederick set sail for an autumn break taking in the Canary Islands and Spain and Portugal’s historic Atlantic ports
THE IDEA of a cruise has always appealed to me, with the potential to visit numerous destinations and not having to constantly pack and unpack. I love the thought of gliding from port to port as I slumber, or as I relax on deck, looking out over a distant horizon. However, it was only when I discovered Saga Cruises that I found something that ticked all the boxes for me, with smaller ships and a great range of tempting itineraries.
So it was that we found ourselves in Southampton, boarding Saga Pearl II for a much-anticipated 18-night ‘Jewels of the Canary Islands’ trip. It was a relief to avoid the hassle of flying, and was wonderful to feel immediately ‘at home’ on this elegant, yacht-like ship, with its chic nautical décor and intimate, boutique hotel ambience. Our four-day cruise to our first port of call, Funchal, proved to be an idyllic and restorative break in itself, meeting interesting people, eating delicious food, doing Pilates classes, catching a movie in the cinema and soaking up the atmosphere on the ship.
MARINE WILDLIFE
SAILING south, the temperature had reached a balmy 21 degrees by the time we reached the lush, volcanic island of Madeira, 500 or so miles west of Casablanca. We both love marine wildlife, so had booked a RIB Adventure, hoping to see dolphins in their natural habitat – and we weren’t disappointed. We had a fascinating introduction from a marine biologist acting as our guide and, soon after setting off, the boat was surrounded by a pod of dolphins leaping in and out of the water in graceful arcs, which was an incredibly enchanting, emotive
encounter that will stay with us for ever.
Our visit to Madeira had set the bar high and we rejoined Saga Pearl II with a sense of excitement about heading towards the Canary Islands. Another day at sea saw us reclining on deck, immersed in our books and enjoying the sunshine as we made our way to Tenerife. From Santa Cruz, the picturesque capital, we drove through lush forests to a join a fantastic hiking tour of Mount Teide, around 7,500 feet above sea level, and surrounded by stunning landscape. Thinking we might need to rest our legs, we’d booked a camel safari in the sand dunes on Gran Canaria, which was one of life’s more surreal experiences, but not one to be missed!
DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE
WE WERE torn when it came to booking excursions in Lanzarote, as we were both keen to join a hike through the dramatic landscape we’d heard so much about, but we were also intrigued by the island’s cultural heritage, the legacy of local artist Cesar Manrique. Our excursion was enriching and informative: we learned how his vision has meant the island has been protected from overdevelopment, and loved discovering the various cultural centres that are part of his eponymous foundation.
With our time exploring the Canary Islands at an end, we made a vow to return and spent another leisurely day at sea before arriving in Cadiz for the chance to explore the gems of Seville.
Our trip then took us on to Portugal, dropping anchor first in Portimão, where we joined an exhilarating four-wheel-drive off-road tour of the countryside along the coast, then to Lisbon, where we’d elected to do our own thing and discover the city at our leisure. With free Wi-Fi on the ship, we’d done some online research and enjoyed meandering around the streets.
The geography of the Iberian peninsula offered the opportunity to revisit Spain after our Portuguese sojourn, this time calling at La Coruña on the northwest, Galician coast and at Avilés, in Asturias. We seized the chance to head to Santiago de Compostela, a breathtaking, bucket-list trip that exceeded all expectations, then opted for a more leisurely day in Gijón, where we sampled a variety of Asturian ciders and cheeses at a tasting session.
We’d long resisted cruising because the idea of vast, floating resorts wasn’t for us, but our time aboard Saga Pearl II reassured us that there is a holiday at sea for everyone. As we spent our last day sailing home to Southampton, we dined with newfound friends, enjoying a wonderful massage in the on-board spa and indulging in a final cocktail on deck, albeit wrapped in a blanket on a chilly December evening, as the sun set on our magical trip. Next year, we might forgo the winter sun and head for Europe’s Christmas markets, and we’re keen to head to the Med, too, now we’ve found a seafaring style that suits us, in Saga Cruises.
Our time aboard Saga Pearl II reassured us that there is a holiday at sea for everyone