Sail off for a sunny Canaries Christmas
THERE’LL be no need to slavel over a hoth t stovet or face a mountain of washing up this Christmas — not when you sail away from festive fuss and bother on a fabulous seasonal cruise to warmer climes.
Instead, you can look forward to being thoroughly spoiled, while basking in some very unseasonal sunshine, too!
Sailing south to the Canaries, enjoy carols on the deck, a splendid Christmas dinner served up by the ship’s expert chefs and friendly staff, and even a fun New Year’s Eve midnight countdown. Or just stow Christmas in the hold and enjoy a wonderful winter-sun holiday, if you’d rather — it’s up to you!
So why not swap your battered brolly for a beach towel and escape from the British winter into a world of clear blue seas, relaxing warmth and stunning beauty?
What’s more, a Christmas cruise aboard friendly Magellan will let you savour three historic cities en route.
First up are the beautiful gabled houses, canals and superb museums of festive Amsterdam — plus the option to see the spectacular grounds of Keukenhof.
Warmth and beauty
THIS is followed by Vigo in Spain, where you can take an excursion to Santiago de Compostela, Spain’s most celebrated place of pilgrimage. Vigo itself is renowned for its seafood and labyrinthine old town. A call at Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, could see you travel to ancient Sintra, a picturesque village with a Moorish palace in lush surroundings, which Lord Byron hailed as a ‘Glorious Eden’.
Christmas Day at sea will be a real celebration, as the ship’s officers, staff and crew embrace the festivities with cheery enthusiasm and guests enjoy a festive feast.
Boxing Day sees the first of two calls in Cape Verde, where you will find cobblestone streets, candy coloured colonial buildings, markets and Riviera-style harbours. Tenerife, up next, is the largest of the Canary Islands. Dominated by spectacular Mount Teide, its beautiful valleys are covered with pinewoods and banana plantations.
Excursions from Santa Cruz de Tenerife include a visit to some incredible gardens. Or head off to discover the stunning natural beauty of the island with stops at the city of La Laguna and then to Las Teresitas with its man-made beaches made from Spanish Saharan sand.
On New Year’s Eve, Las Palmas, in Gran Canaria, brings a fresh chance to explore varied Canary Island landscapes.
Visit a famous crater and the largest botanical garden in Spain, relax amid a stretch of Saharastyle sand dunes and some very pretty fishing harbours — or journey through fertile plantations to the world’s most northerly coffee plantation.
Arrecife, in Lanzarote, visited on New Year’s Day, enjoys a balmy subtropical climate. Travel from here to the Fire Mountains — remarkable dormant volcanoes — to discover what goes on under the earth’s crust. You could even take a camel ride next to a volcano.
Other options include a wine-tasting visit and a tour of the former home of the artist Cesar Manrique.
Funchal, in verdant Madeira, brings the option of a cable car ascent and the chance to take the famous toboggan ride down a two-mile descent, guided by drivers in straw hats who use their rubber-soled boots as brakes. And on this ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’, you could also take tea at the fabulous Reid’s Hotel, overlooking the bay — an opportunity to relax in elegant and historic surroundings.
The last port of call is Leixoes, Portugal, just north of the River Douro and a gateway to Oporto, home of the famous port wine, where there’s a chance to cruise past fine buildings, visit wine cellars or take a tour on a vintage tram.
On January 7, you’ll bid a fond farewell to Magellan, having had a fabulous festive season.
Returning home with a stack of great memories, you’re sure to reflect on how much better it’s been than staying at home peeling sprouts and basting roasties!