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Home , Canary Islands

PARADISE GARDENS OF , THE , & CRUISE

Paradise Gardens of Morocco, the Canary Islands, Madeira & Portugal 17 day Cruise aboard Caledonian Sky.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive Marrakesh Be met at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Later this evening, enjoy Welcome Drinks followed by dinner. Stay: Three Nights, Marrakesh, 5-star hotel

Day 2 Majorelle Gardens, La Mamounia Take a guided tour of Marrakesh including the Koutoubia minaret, the Bahia palace, the Royal Pavilion and Majorelle Gardens. Enjoy lunch at La Mamounia, where liked to stay, and visit the beautiful gardens where he often set up his easel. Visit the artisan quarter, the colourful souks and Dar Si Said Museum before taking a stroll around Jamaa El Fna, the bustling, main city square.

Day 3 Paradise Gardens Today, visit the 800-year-old royal pleasure gardens known as the Agdal. We also take in a couple of gardens featured on

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Monty Don’s series Paradise Gardens. endemic plants.

Day 4 Marrakesh to Casablanca Day 8 , Freedom of Choice Visit the Bert Flint Museum which houses Moroccan art and Today we arrive at El Hierro, the smallest of the Canary Islands, artefacts. Travel to Casablanca this afternoon, well known from with a natural bounty way beyond its size. Plant hunter Tom Hart the 1942 film of the same name. Stay: Casablanca, 5-star hotel Dyke referred to this small island as 'the botanical Galápagos of ' because of the many rare endemic plant species that Day 5 Hassan II Mosque, fly to grow here and nowhere else. Explore the island’s lava-sculpted A guided city tour of Casablanca takes in many famous sights scenery with a guide including a visit to the Ecomuseum including the Hassan II Mosque, one of the biggest outside of for a two-in-one discovery of traditional lava-rock houses and a Mecca. This afternoon fly to Tenerife, the largest of the Canary sanctuary protecting the island’s giant lizard population. Islands. Stay: Tenerife, 5-star hotel Day 9 , Freedom of Choice Day 6 Tenerife Gardens, Embark Cruise Discover La Palma’s natural beauty this morning. In 2002 Tenerife has its own which sustains a unique UNESCO declared the whole island of La Palma a World diversity of plants. Here you can wander through groves where Biosphere Reserve. Explore the town of El Paso and visit a local , olives, palms and old dragon trees grow happily side silk museum or perhaps enjoy a more active option with a by side. This morning, enjoy a visit to Palmetum, a 12-hectare morning in through the towering pines of the El Pilar botanical garden housing Europe’s largest collection of palms. region. On option is also a guided walk through Los Tilos Once a rubbish dump, this space has now been transformed National park where you will get a chance to see the local into a spectacular garden with stunning ocean views. Also wildflowers. discover a wonderful orchid collection at Sitio Litre Garden and wildflowers on Mount Tiede. Later this afternoon, embark the Day 10 , Garden isle of Madeira MS Caledonian Sky. Stay: 11 Nights, Aboard the Small Ship, Today, set off from Madeira's capital, Funchal, on our garden the MS Caledonian Sky discovery by visiting 'Quinta da Boa Vista' or the Orchid Garden. Here a conservatory houses hundreds of rare and prized Day 7 , Freedom of Choice orchids. Later we travel to Palheiro Gardens or 'Quinta do Today, explore La Gomera, a tiny island neighbouring Tenerife. Palheiro'. These gardens are famous not only for the variety of Perhaps join a guided tour to – a plants that grow year-round, but for the beauty of their setting in protected filled with dense green laurel forests, rarely the hills to the east of Funchal. found in the world today. Or, for the more active, set off on a trek through Garajonay’s lush forests, as well as a visit to Day 11 Madeira Gardens Vallehermoso Botanical Garden to view intriguing and rare

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com This morning take the cable car to Monte, where you’ll enjoy transfer you back to your ship, or you can head back to port exploring the district’s elegant palace and garden paradise. The and spend time in Figueria da Foz. Monte Palace Madeira occupies an area of 70.000 square meters and houses an huge exotic plant’s collection, Day 16 Porto, Freedom of Choice Afterwards, we pay a visit to the exquisite Madeira Botanical From the port of Leixoes, perhaps set out for Porto to uncover Garden. Boasting spectacular views over the city of Funchal, the city’s layered history, along the banks of the Douro River this vibrant and colourful garden is home to more than 2,000 estuary. Then toast Porto’s -making traditions at a local different plant species. Back on board, set sail for Porto Santo wine cellar. Alternatively visit Quinta do Alao, a garden dating this afternoon. back to the 17th century, filled with beautiful plants and sculptures. Day 12 Porto Santo Disembark here for a relaxed day of exploring. Be treated to a Day 17 Disembark Ship, Depart Porto tasting of the island’s . Later, from Pico de Castelo, Disembark this morning after breakfast and be transferred to admire Porto Santo’s sweeping contours. the airport for your onward flight.

Day 13 Day at Please Note: Take it easy and enjoy a lecture by your Botanical guide with Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change. time to relax on board as you cruise towards Portugal.

Day 14 Lisbon, Fronteira Palace Gardens Start today by viewing Lisbon from the heights of Serra de Sintra. Visit King Ferdinand II’s ingenious park and palace before exploring Sintra, where you’ll find elaborate facades and gardens at every turn. After lunch visit Fronteira Palace and its gardens built in 1668-1670 and known for formal box parterre and surrounded by walls decorated with panels of tiles.

Day 15 Figueira da Foz, Gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas The port of Figueira da Foz delivers you to the doorstep of Portugal’s medieval centre, Coimbra. After an orientation tour we will visit Gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas, a setting for Portugal's most well-known love story between Inês de and Peter I of Portugal. After exploring the gardens, a shuttle will

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: CALEDONIAN SKY

YOUR SHIP: Caledonian Sky

VESSEL TYPE: Luxury Expedition

LENGTH: 90 metres

PASSENGER CAPACITY: 114 (in 57 suites)

BUILT/REFURBISHED: 1991 / refurbished 2012

The MS Caledonian Sky accommodates a maximum of 114 passengers in 57 spacious outside suites. Many have walk-in wardrobes and some feature tub baths. There will be seven categories of suites and sixteen suites will have private many years that we are able to engender such an atmosphere. balconies. For those familiar with the MS Island Sky she will feel Your Suite Onboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and like a second home, although there are some differences. The well designed suites. The passenger accommodation is dining room, lounge, Lido Deck and bar are all similar. However, arranged over four decks and all suites have outside views. All the 'Club' on the MS Caledonian Sky has been transported to feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. the very top deck. Here, there is a library and bar which leads Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom out on to a lovely forward deck. The 'Club' has wonderful views featuring a country style wash basin, hot towel rack and vanity with ceiling to floor windows. unit with sink and walk-in shower and/or bath tub. If you like the MS Island Sky, we are sure you will also approve Facilities in the suites also include walk-in or spacious of her sister. And, of course it is important that we offer the very wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool or desk, best of facilities. However, equally as important are the staff on mini-fridge, flat screen television, telephone, programmable board whether they are the vessel's crew or our own expedition electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries, air-conditioning staff. Noble Caledonia's reputation has been built on providing and heating. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and the very best in all areas. Their crew of 74 not only offer an slippers are also provided for your comfort. excellent service they are also noted for their kindness and Your space The spacious and finely decorated public rooms attention to detail. A well run ship with a warm atmosphere is include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be what we are known for, and it is because most of our crew have provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a been with us for pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. In addition there is that allows passengers onto the bridge at most times with the the Club Lounge on the Panoramic Deck which features a bar. exception of arrival and departure from port and during times of The onboard travel library is the perfect place to relax with a complicated navigation. Here you can check the ship's progress book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the by charts and learn more from the officers about your journey. places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and There is also a dedicated channel on your television in your two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and suite showing the routing of the vessel along with technical magazines are also placed in the library depending on local information and estimated times of arrival and departure from availability. Outside there is a rear Lido deck where meals are port. On board you will also find a clinic and doctor and a lift served in warm weather under shade. On the top deck there is a that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to outside further observation and sun deck with bar service and decks only. comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a Gratuities Unlike many other cruise vessels, onboard the MS book. There is also a small gymnasium onboard and Caledonian Sky you do not need to worry about tipping staff as hairdressers with appointments made on request. we have included them in your holiday price. In addition we tip Your dining With only one sitting and a maximum of just over all their guides and drivers along the way, thereby taking away 100 passengers, the quality of cuisine will be of a consistent the hassle of always having to remember to have some small superior quality. Where possible and when it meets his high change with you. standards, our accomplished chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is a la carte. When weather permits, breakfast, a buffet-style lunch and dinner are also served on deck. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. With sufficient notice, most diets can be catered for on board. For your comfort, safety and security The vessel is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilisers to minimise the ship's motion. The Captain and officers operate an open-bridge policy

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com