Sal - Madeira Cape Verde, Canary Islands and Madeira: Atlantic archipelagos in a play of contrasts

Cape Verde invites you on a discovery tour full of contrasts. Each of the islands has its own individual character and charm, as well as its own history.

A sea full of contrasts awaits you on Cape Verde. This is best represented on Santiago, the largest island in the archipelago: green valleys, impressive mountains and desert-like regions are special highlights, as well as colonial architecture and African zest for life. Santiago is the cultural and historical hub of the group of islands, and its modern capital Praia offers a mix of traditional culture and colonial heritage. Music is everywhere here – especially the Batuque and Funana rhythms, which are deeply rooted in the culture of the island. Celebrations and dances reveal the locals’ zest for life and warmth. The city of Cidade Velha was the first European colonial settlement in the tropics and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This combination of natural diversity, cultural significance and districts with urban flair ensures a real wealth of contrasts.

Fogo in the south of the archipelago is a mighty volcano surrounding the Pico do Fogo, the highest mountain on Cape Verde. In the fire island’s volcanic landscape, explore bizarre lava formations that come to resemble figures as your imagination takes flight. Along the coast, you will discover black lava beaches scattered with colourful fishing boats. On a walk through Sao Filipe, immerse yourself in the exciting island life. Vale de Cavaleiros is at the heart of the island. As early as the 19th century, the port played a central role in exports, especially for the aromatic Fogo coffee, which thrives on the fertile volcanic soil.

On Sao Vicente, immerse yourself in life on Cape Verde in its cultural capital, Mindelo. The African influence is unmistakeable here: smell the exotic scents, hear the music in the air and listen to the women loudly selling their wares at the market. The windswept beaches on the island, which are popular with kitesurfers and sun worshippers, contrast with the arid, moon-like scenery.

A genuine hiker’s paradise is revealed on Santo Antao, an island dominated by mountains, wind and water. Here you will find a world of dramatic mountains, deep valleys and lush vegetation – and your route will be lined by protected dragon trees. You will see why the island is one of the most diverse in Cape Verde in places such as fertile Paul Valley, an El Dorado for nature lovers. Your gateway to this natural gem is Porto Novo, the island’s largest town and the starting point for many hikes into the mountains and valleys. From here, you can reach highlights such as the green Cova crater or the rugged Ribeira Grande Valley.

The largest of the Canary Islands is famous for its numerous sandy beaches in a wide variety of colours ranging from gold to black as well as the holiday resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas. But off the beaten track, you will discover a slower pace of life on Tenerife: nature lovers will be drawn to Teide National Park, dominated by the dormant volcano, which is also Spain’s highest peak. The surrounding pine forests of the Corona Forestal Nature Reserve and the Anaga Mountains with their laurel forests are also worth seeing. In many places, you can feel the breath of history – cities such as the UNESCO World Heritage Sitte of San Cristobal de La Laguna, La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz invite you to explore. You can take leisurely strolls and visit museums in the well-preserved historic town centres. Picturesque village offer you the opportunity to mingle with the locals. “Tranquilo, tranquilo” – let yourself be inspired by the relaxed way of life and take time to discover an unknown side of Tenerife.

Away from mass tourism, El Hierro is a fascinating Canarian natural paradise. Spectacular volcanic landscapes, a year-round mild and sunny climate and an eventful history make the smallest and most unspoilt of the seven main islands a special destination for explorers. As a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, sustainable development is a top priority here. Thanks to the innovative Gorona del Viento energy project, El Hierro can temporarily cover almost 100 % of its electricity needs from renewable sources – a global model of excellence. Visit the legendary Garoe sacred tree, which once served as a vital source of water for the Indigenous people. Enjoy breathtaking views from the Mirador de la Pena, designed by artist César Manrique, high above El Golfo valley. And follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus, who stayed here in 1493 before his second voyage to America. Experience the power of a young volcanic island – El Hierro: a real insider tip for nature-loving explorers.

The colour of La Gomera is green – in all its beautiful shades. The second-smallest island in the Canaries is a world full of unspoilt nature and wild beauty. The densely forested Garonjay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is truly impressive. In this mysterious cloud forest of ancient laurel trees, time seems to stand still, while waterfalls and moss-covered paths invite you on some magical hikes. The coastline features steep cliffs, black beaches and hidden bays. The colonial centre of the small town of San Sebastian is ideal for an independent stroll to visit the Casa de Colon: the site of a previous house where Colombus once stayed, it is now a museum devoted to the nautical history of La Gomera. Another special feature of the island is its unique language: in the past, the people of La Gomera used the El Silbo language, a system consisting of whistling sounds, to communicate over large distances.

La Palma is often called “La Isla Bonita” and it’s a real beauty of the Canary Islands. The island has the trade winds, which bring clouds and therefore rain and fog, to thank for its lush, green vegetation. The tiny island, formed entirely by a volcano, rises up over 6,000 m (19,685 ft) from the sea bed, around 4,000 m (13,123 ft) of which is below the water. At its centre lies the impressive Caldera de Taburiente, a national park full of gorges, waterfalls and hiking trails that lead through the lush green vegetation. On the coast, wild beaches with black lava sand are interspersed with idyllic fishing villages, where you can really get a sense of the slow pace of island life. La Palma is a paradise for hikers, as well as for stargazers: the clear skies and strict anti-light pollution regulations have made the island an internationally recognised centre of astronomy. After sunset, make the deck of your expedition ship your own observatory.

Discover Porto Santo, Madeira’s sister island. This little gem has some of the best beaches in Europe with miles of fine, golden sand to relax on. But Porto Santo is more than just a beach paradise: in the island’s interior, a hike* in the rolling hills, including Pico do Facho and Pico do Castelo, will reward you with breathtaking views over the sea and the surrounding volcanic landscape. History lovers can follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus, who lived on the island for a while – the house he stayed in is now a museum you can visit. The peace of Porto Santo, coupled with a hint of adventure, means every experience becomes a discovery of its own: on a hike through the rugged but fascinating natural scenery or along the coast, where with luck you may be able to observe whales and dolphins.

The island group of Madeira also includes Ilha Deserta Grande, an uninhabited nature reserve with rare Mediterranean monk seals. If the local authorities give the green light, the Zodiacs will take you ashore for a tour with a local ranger. The windswept landscape has its own story to tell: “Deserta“ is the Portuguese word for “deserted“. Here you can see a rugged natural landscape of craggy volcanic slopes in a colourful display of ochre, brown and deep-sea blue. Seabirds nest in the cliffs, while the waters are rich in marine life – with barracuda, rays and sometimes dolphins. On this island, you are just a guest in a world belonging to nature.

It’s hard to believe that there are so many surprising sides to Madeira. During your spectacular arrival in the port of Funchal, you will have a view over the high mountains that surround the capital of the archipelago. The historic streets exude the southern way of life and the gastronomy is impressive with fresh fish and the famous Madeira wine. Madeira is a paradise for hikers: winding roads and paths in the island’s interior will take you off the beaten track to see some idyllic views. The craggy peaks and deep valleys invite you to explore the wilderness. On hikes* with your experts, you will time and again come across levadas – ancient stone irrigation channels that wind their way through the scenery for some 3,000 km (1,864 mi.). Are you ready to discover the secrets and beauties of this green oasis in the Atlantic? Enjoy the flair long after sunset, because your ship will stay overnight here.