Bridge Cruise to the Canary Islands

Enjoy some leisurely time at sea with relaxed Bridge sessions and seminars or take the opportunity to use the ship’s many facilities.

With its feel of mainland-Spain, spiced up with an eclectic mix of Asian and African cultures, Las Palmas is one of the Canary Island's most popular destinations, attracting sun-seekers who come to relax on its golden-sand beaches and soak up the gorgeous, year-round climate of Gran Canaria.

Founded over 500 years ago, Las Palmas is the largest city in the Canary Islands, and has three gorgeous beaches, including Playa de las Canteras, regarded as one of the world's best beaches, to enjoy.

Vegueta, the oldest quarter, is both atmospheric and fashionable, with extensive historical architecture plus a fine selection of boutiques and smart bars. At its centre stand the twin towers of Santa Ana Cathedral; started in 1500 but still unfinished, the cathedral has a unique mix of Renaissance, Gothic and Neoclassical styles in its construction. In Plaza Santa Ana, bronze statues of dogs – the Romans named the islands after legendary canines – stand guard over the 17th-century Palacio Regental, the Town Hall and the Bishop's Palace.

The sweet arc of Playa de las Canteras at the town’s other end offers the tantalising possibility of taking a dip between sightseeing and shopping. The bewildering maze of streets behind the beach hides many fine restaurants serving an array of wonderful Canarian cuisine.

The bustling port of Arrecife on Lanzarote’s east coast is home to the biggest fishing fleet in the Canaries. Back in the 16th and 17th centuries the city was regularly attacked by pirates. To defend against these raiders, the court of Spain ordered two castles to be built. The first built in 1590, Castillo San Gabriel, now houses the island’s Ethnographic Museum, which tells the fascinating story of the islands' original inhabitants: the Guanche. 

Castillo San Jose followed later, providing employment and alleviating poverty on the island following volcanic eruptions in the 1730s - it became known as the Fortress of Hunger. Today, it is home to the Museum of International and Contemporary Art, with a small but impressive collection of modern paintings and sculpture. The excellent restaurant in its basement offers diners panoramic views over the harbour. Today, Arrecife is a quirky hotchpotch of sun-bleached buildings and has a pleasant Mediterranean-style promenade.

With a picturesque port area, and plenty of shops, restaurants and open-air cafés, Puerto del Rosario is a fun place to visit. There’s no defined centre to the town – apart from around the port – but walking round the streets is a great way of finding interesting shops, or discovering family-owned bars serving tapas, local wines and Canarian cuisine, such as fish with spicy sauce.

Home to over 150 beautiful beaches, Fuerteventura is also a popular holiday destination. The Canaries second largest island has a glorious climate, boasting almost year-round sunshine and warmth. A volcanic island, Fuerteventura has stunning natural landscapes that beg to be explored, as well as crystal clear waters that are a mecca for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts.

Sophisticated Santa Cruz - Tenerife's capital - is built around boulevards and wide avenues that link elegant squares and parks.

Well-preserved buildings feature in the old town, including the colonial Church of the Immaculate Conception and the 18th century Palacio de Carta, which has impressive Baroque and neoclassical features. Recently redesigned by the architects Herzog & de Meuron, the city’s largest square, Plaza de España, is a pleasant spot to lose a few hours. Lively beaches such as Playa de Las Americas are within easy reach of Santa Cruz too. 

Away from the capital, many of Tenerife's highlights await on tours, including the exotic Botanical Gardens or the mystical lava stone Pyramids of Guimar. Exploring the volcanic El Teide National Park to marvel at majestic Mount Teide, or even climb Spain's highest peak, is an unmissable experience. 

San Sebastian is the beautiful capital of La Gomera, one of the smaller, lesser-known islands in the Canaries. A lively, vibrant city, San Sebastian offers much to enjoy including pristine beaches, perfectly-preserved historic buildings and natural parks of jaw-dropping beauty.

Also known as 'Isla Colombina' because of its historic links to Christopher Columbus – the great explorer called at La Gomera on his way to America. Many of San Sebastian’s buildings and monuments are linked to him, including the Casa de la Agunada and the Casa de Colon where, according to legend, Columbus stayed during his time on the island.

The 15th century Torre del Conde military tower and Ermita de San Sebastian Church, which dates back to the 16th century, are easily accessible highlights. The Church of the Assumption has a mural depicting an 18th-century battle, while La Gomera Archaeological Museum traces the local culture through artefacts and scale models.

The city’s beaches are typically Canarian and benefit from a fantastic warm climate almost all-year round, soft sands and crystal clear waters. Playa de La Cueva – often referred to as La Gomera’s best beach, is a great place to relax.

Northwest of the city lies the Parque Natural de Majona, a beautiful natural park smothered with rolling valleys, stunning flora and dry Fayal-Heath, creates an incredible landscape that's a joy to explore.

La Palma’s small, yet pretty capital city - is one of the Canary Island’s true gems. Boasting colonial-style architecture, a swathe of charming beaches, restaurants and bars, Santa Cruz is typically Canarian and has something for everyone.

Conquered by the King of Castile in the 15th century, Santa Cruz de La Palma was a key trading post between Spain and the Americas, and the city’s fascinating history can be explored in the historic quarter – one of Spain’s Historic-Artistic sites. The Naval Museum is a replica of Christopher Columbus's 15th-century Santa Maria sailing ship.

Stunning palaces and sumptuous merchants’ houses butt up against the grand town hall, built during the reign of Phillip II. Religious buildings include the Renaissance-style Church of El Salvador, with a tower of volcanic stone, and the Church of Santo Domingo, which houses a superb collection of Flemish paintings.

The compact city centre is incredibly picturesque, and the newly redeveloped beach and promenade have boosted the city's resort credentials. Calle Real, the city’s main street, is famous for being both a Property of Cultural Interest and a Historic-Artistic Site. Santa Cruz’s finest restaurants, shops and prettiest squares are found here, and sampling the delicious local cuisine and local culture is highly recommended.

Enjoy some leisurely time at sea with relaxed Bridge sessions and seminars or take the opportunity to use the ship’s many facilities.