Cerulean Canary Islands

Lisbon

Lisbon has somewhat rediscovered itself in recent years,
reclaiming its rightful place as the 'golden city' of southern
Europe. Much of this is due to the officials of Lisbon having
elected to rejuvenate the city during the 1990s. This ongoing focus
on the future has meant making the most of the attractions, both
old and new.

One day can span centuries as visitors move between the
picturesque medieval section of the Alfama district and historic
São Jorge castle to being amazed by the spectacle of the futuristic
Oceanarium of Lisboa.

Infrastructure has also been improved, with additions like the
impressive Vasco da Gama Bridge across the River Tagus, which links
the city's airport to a network of national motorways and has
facilitated access to other parts of Portugal. There is also a new
showcase railway hub, the Gare de Oriente, which is the pride of a
new modern suburb on the east bank of the Tagus, creating an even
better link between Lisbon and the rest of Europe. But if tourists
really want to see the city in style, they must be sure not to miss
a ride on the famous Tram 28, which winds its way through the
oldest parts of the city and gives visitors a feel of the history
and rich culture Lisbon has to offer.

Sailing the Atlantic Ocean

Funchal, Madeira

Funchal is the capital and largest city on the island of
Madeira, off the coast of Portugal. Home to just over 100,000
people, the city was founded in 1424 and quickly became an
important port of call for European ships.

Named for the abundant fennel trees in the area, Funchal has
many beautiful parks and gardens, including the Madeira Botanical
Gardens, which offer a stunning view of the city as well as more
than 2,000 species of plant life. This is also a stopping point for
the Funchal Cable Car, which goes up the mountain to Monte. The
Madeira Botanical Gardens is one of the most popular attractions in
Funchal, but also worth a visit are the Jardins Do Palheiro and the
Monte Palace Hotel Gardens.

Funchal is home to lovely old buildings and cultural sites,
including the 15th-century Santa Clara Convent, the São Lourenço
Palace, the Colegio Church, and Sé Cathedral. However, even
aimlessly wandering through the 'Old' city centre is a pleasant way
to spend a day, with the port and promenade, and numerous shops,
cafés and restaurants lining the winding streets.

The city is known for its excellent cuisine and local Madeira
wine, and foodies will have no trouble finding treats like fresh
seafood and baked goods to satisfy their appetites. To burn off
those calories, there are plenty of active pursuits to enjoy in
Funchal including golf, swimming, paragliding, boat trips, and the
unforgettable Levada Walks.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a beautiful and scenic island which enjoys year-round sunshine and is dominated by Mount Teide. The mountain range runs through the centre of the island, with fertile valleys on the northern side. In the central part of the range is the gigantic natural crater of the Cañadas del Teide, about 14 miles in diameter. Santa Cruz, the island’s pretty capital, was originally a small fishing village but has now grown into a modern city, and also contains 16th-century civic buildings and ornate private mansions. Near the pier is the Santa Cruz Palmetum, a Botanical Garden covering an area of 29 acres, specialising in palms.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The third largest but most developed of the seven
islands in the Spanish-administered Canary archipelago, Gran
Canaria has been billed as a miniature continent because of the
variety of climates and landscapes that it offers, from the big
city bustle of the capital, Las Palmas, to the serenity of its lush
woodlands.

The Canary Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about
125 miles (200km) from the African coast and almost 800 miles
(1,280km) from the closest European port of Cadiz. Gran Canaria is
almost circular, with a diameter of about 32 miles (50km), and is
characterised by deep ravines that radiate out from the centre down
to the coast.

The north of the island is humid and lush, with green
valleys and volcanic craters, while the south is arid and
desert-like, with vast stretches of sandy beach. The interior of
Gran Canaria has steep highlands dotted with small villages,
sporting white houses with red roofs, banana plantations, and
orchards bursting with tropical fruits.

Tourists generally favour the southern coastline,
flocking to the well-known beaches of Playa del Inglés or
Maspalomas, where the sea washes soft sands and empty dunes stretch
for miles. The capital, Las Palmas, lies on the northeast tip of
the island, between two long beaches, Las Caletas, and
Alcaravaneras.

Arrecife, Lanzarote

The most northeasterly of the Canary Islands,
Lanzarote has embraced the tourism boom with a more laidback feel
than its popular sister islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Nature is still the biggest attraction on this small volcanic
island, which measures only 38 miles (60km) in length and 13 miles
(21km) across at its widest point.

Lanzarote's beaches are varied and dramatic,
including long stretches of golden sand, some good surf spots, and
some rugged, hidden coves. Camels are often used to transport goods
and sometimes tourists on this desert-like island, across the dry
volcanic ash that covers most of the landscape. UNESCO declared the
whole island a Biosphere Reserve in 1993, and visitors exploring
the dozens of enchanting and unique spots on the island will soon
see why.

Lanzarote's capital, Arrecife, is a small town on
the eastern coast, its harbour packed with fishing boats. Although
the town itself has little to offer in the way of sights or
nightlife, it does have a magnificent beach, El Reducto, which has
been granted Blue Flag status by the European Union. A promenade
runs along the beachfront around the San Gines lagoon with its fine
golden sand and placid waters.

Agadir

The modern city of Agadir is a popular midway point for cruises
heading to the Canary Islands. Completely rebuilt since a
devastating earthquake in 1960, the busy port draws thousands of
tourists with its pretty, sandy beaches and 300 annual days of
sunshine.

Located just south of Marrakech, Agadir is a good starting point
for cultural excursions to more traditional towns such as
Taroudannt. It is also a good base for enjoying the wild landscape
with desert safaris and camel treks. Popular outdoor activities
include bird-watching and hiking in Souss-Massa River National
Park, soaking up the sun on the beach in Taghazout, and jet-skiing
in Agadir Bay. Agadir is also fast becoming Morocco's most popular
coastal resort and is a modern, thriving town with much to see and
do. The primary attractions of Agadir are its lovely beaches, which
are perfect for sunbathing and swimming, as there tends to be
little wind. There are other sights though, including the remains
of a fortress and a small zoo.

There is also a municipal market that has a number of shops
selling popular souvenirs, though travellers won't find quite the
same culture of spirited haggling of other parts of Morocco. There
are also many popular spa and wellness centres offering treatments
and locally made spa products, with those made from the argan tree
particularly popular.

Casablanca

Just looking at the city, there's no need to guess where the
port-city of Casablanca, meaning 'white house' in Spanish, got its
name. Made famous by the classic film, starring Humphrey Bogart,
this cosmopolitan, white-walled city is Morocco's largest and most
modern. Casablanca is not oriented towards tourists as much as
Morocco's other large cities, but under the hustle and bustle lies
a unique and charismatic history waiting to be discovered.

Founded by Berber fisherman over two thousand years ago,
Casablanca was used by both the Phoenicians and the Romans as a
port. The Portuguese then took over but after destroying the city
and rebuilding it, they abandoned it in the aftermath of an
earthquake. The city went on to be rebuilt as Daru l-Badya (Arabic
for Casablanca) by a Moroccan sultan, and was then given the name
Casablanca by the Spanish traders who used the port, and it retains
this function today as one of Africa's largest and most important
ports.

As a centre for trade and, consequently, the mixing of cultures,
Casablanca is unlike any other Moroccan city. Many women ditch the
conservative clothing and dress themselves in the latest designer
outfits. The infrastructure is modern and the city sophisticated.
Casablanca is where Morocco's youth move to make something of their
lives and is the centre for international trade and big business.
For a glimpse of its history, downtown is the perfect place to
admire the blend of French colonial architecture and traditional
Moroccan design.

Sailing the Atlantic Ocean

Lisbon

Lisbon has somewhat rediscovered itself in recent years,
reclaiming its rightful place as the 'golden city' of southern
Europe. Much of this is due to the officials of Lisbon having
elected to rejuvenate the city during the 1990s. This ongoing focus
on the future has meant making the most of the attractions, both
old and new.

One day can span centuries as visitors move between the
picturesque medieval section of the Alfama district and historic
São Jorge castle to being amazed by the spectacle of the futuristic
Oceanarium of Lisboa.

Infrastructure has also been improved, with additions like the
impressive Vasco da Gama Bridge across the River Tagus, which links
the city's airport to a network of national motorways and has
facilitated access to other parts of Portugal. There is also a new
showcase railway hub, the Gare de Oriente, which is the pride of a
new modern suburb on the east bank of the Tagus, creating an even
better link between Lisbon and the rest of Europe. But if tourists
really want to see the city in style, they must be sure not to miss
a ride on the famous Tram 28, which winds its way through the
oldest parts of the city and gives visitors a feel of the history
and rich culture Lisbon has to offer.