ATLANTIC ISLANDS & AFRICAN SHORES Cape Verde, Western Sahara, Spain (Canary Islands and Mainland Europe), Portugal (Madeira and Mainland Europe), Morocco and UK (Gibraltar) Praia to Lisbon April 23, 2015 | 14 Days | Voyage 7508 Explore in the wake of the world’s discoverers, as we travel from the Cape Verde Islands in front of West Africa to Portugal. Our “Atlantic Islands and African Shores” expedition offers guests an array of opportunities to steep themselves in history, experience disparate cultures, and travel against a variety of backdrops. Along the way, see celebrated sites and regions that are as different as they are spectacular. From the dry deserts of the Sahara to the wine- making land of Morocco, the contrasts you will experience are endless and make for an exhilarating journey that exposes the world in all her wonder. Expedition Highlights: Follow the trading routes of Henry the Navigator Meet the nomadic Sahraouis in Western Sahara Wander through ancient laurel tree forests Learn of this region’s European colonization Visit “The Rock of Gibraltar” –the landmark of a British Overseas Territory in Europe. Contemplate the solemn history of slave trade sites Day 1 — Praia, Cape Verde Embark Silver Explorer for your 14-day Silversea Expedition. Once onboard, meet some of your fellow explorers as you become acquainted with the ship’s luxurious amenities and attend a safety briefing. This evening you will be introduced to your Expedition Team. Once you have settled in and had your first dinner at the Restaurant Silver Explorer will set sail. Day 2 — Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde Upon arrival, you have the option to take a walking tour through Mindelo City, to take in the area’s lovely Colonial architecture, historical landmarks, monuments, and beautiful gardens. Observe the people and lifestyles of Mindelo whilst strolling along Rua de Praia and Main Street. Along the way we will see sites such as the Mindelo handicraft museum, the vegetable market, D. Luis Plaza, Independence Plaza, several monuments, and the replica of the Mindelo Lisboa Belem Tower. Our tour concludes with some refreshments, a live performance of local traditional music and a ‘Coladera’ dance exhibition. Alternatively, depart the pier for a scenic drive through Mindelo City, to take in some of the city’s highlights before continuing to Catfish Bay Beach for breath-taking ocean vistas. Your drive carries on towards the Parque Natural Monte Verde for panoramic views of Pico de Vento before returning to Catfish Bay Beach for refreshments, a live performance of local traditional music and a ‘Carnival’ exhibition. Days 3-4 — At Sea Binoculars and camera in hand, head out on deck to watch for seabirds and marine mammals. Attend informative lectures that will prepare you for the upcoming ports-of-call and encounters that lie ahead. Peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library, enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs at the Connoisseur’s Corner or indulge in any of the other special amenities offered aboard ship. Gather in The Theatre to hear fascinating tales of adventure and to learn more about the region’s endemic wildlife and remarkable nature. Our knowledgeable Lecture Staff members are experts in a variety of scientific fields. Other onboard diversions include spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences. Day 5 — Dakhla, Western Sahara Dakhla is located at the tip of a thin peninsula and we will head ashore this afternoon to explore and to capture a sense of this area with our cameras. Historically, this was once a Spanish colony named Villa Cisneros and an Old Spanish lighthouse still stands on the outskirts of town. It is possible to climb the 240 steps for magnificent views in all directions. Disembark the ship and depart on 4×4 vehicles across the modern part of Dakhla toward the main land. We will drive along the Laguna of Dakhla, a paradise for migratory birds, especially flamingos. As it is windy for over 300 days of the year kite-surfers and wind-surfers have joined the birds on the lagoon recently. We will venture into incredible scenery until we reach a Sahraoui camp set up overlooking the Laguna and a beautiful white sand dune. Discover for a few hours the Sahraoui culture, exclusively nomadic and centered on dromedaries, with a tea ceremony (3 small glasses minimum if you want to be polite), ride a camel, visit the replica of a Sahraoui family encampment and discover the breath-taking view from the top of the White Dune. 4x4s will be available to go birding from the campsite with the onboard ornithologist (depending on the tide and bird presence in the area). If you prefer to stay in port, a walk along the beach reveals the main industry to be fishing. The simple, rustic boats clustered together make for excellent images, as do the whitewashed buildings, chaotic streets and fabrics woven in colorful patterns. Day 6 — Las Palmas, Spain Las Palmas, the largest town of the Canary Islands, boasts more than 380.000 inhabitants. It was here that Columbus had to wait for repairs to the Pinta before he headed across the Atlantic. The house he used is now functioning as a museum and has 25.000 books for specialized studies relating to Columbus, his voyages, pre-Columbian America and the connection between the Canary Islands and America. You can also visit the Cathedral of Santa Ana, which took more than 300 years to be completed. At the Santa Catalina Hotel take a stroll through the Doramas Garden and the Canary Village before you drive to the Bandama Crater for a sweeping view of the extinct volcano, the valley below and the city of Las Palmas in the distance. Alternatively venture along the northern coast to visit some of the smaller towns: Arucas with its cobbled streets and impressive neo-gothic church, Firgas with its watermill and fountains – giving it the nickname of “Village of Water”, passing Moya, where you will have a breathtaking view of the valley below and two volcanoes. The drive into the Valley of Agaete is not for the faint-hearted or if you suffer from vertigo. Here you will visit the vineyard “Finca La Taja” where you will taste local wines and some ham, local cheese and cakes before you return to Las Palmas via the coastal road. Day 7 — San Sebastian, La Gomera, Spain For a general overview of La Gomera, its dramatic landscape and its people, we will drive to ‘Laguna Grande’. After a short visit to the National Park we will then continue through one of the oldest laurel forests worldwide –declared UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1986. At the breath-taking look-out (and restaurant) ‘Mirador Palmarejo’ we will enjoy the view of Valle Gran Rey and will be spoilt with local tapas. At El Cercado we intend to visit some of the famous local pottery artisans working without a pottery wheel –a tradition passed from one generation to another. If you are more inclined to hiking, the National Park of Garajonay is undoubtedly La Gomera’s most outstanding attraction. It is one of the world’s most ancient forests and densely packed with laurel trees. Leaving San Sebastian, we make our ascent into the spectacular forest, which stands at 4,000 feet above sea level and affords breath-taking panoramic views that stretch to the neighboring islands of Tenerife in the east and La Palma in the west. In all, La Gomera has some 50% of all laurel found in the Canary Islands and 16 varieties of laurel thrive in Garajonay, as well as some 400 species of flora, including Canary willow and Canary holly. Everything is covered in moss and lichen because of the moist conditions and vast canopy that lets little light through. Around 2 million years ago, laurel forest covered most of the Mediterranean, but most has been wiped out because of climate change. We will have plenty of amazing photographic opportunities before we make our descent to the coast and the Valley of the Great King. The valley is ringed by mountains and terraced farms cling to the slopes all around. We will learn that it was once home to the island’s last Guanche chieftain during the conquest of La Gomera at the beginning of the 15th century. Day 8 — Funchal, Madeira, Portugal This afternoon we will have the opportunity to discover the interior of the island by way of walking along one of the footpaths alongside the unique and complex irrigation system of levadas. These channels were dug by hand into the mountainside in the 19thcentury to carry water from high up in the mountains down to the fields and villages below. The first part of our walk is mostly a gentle stroll on level ground to Camacha (2,296ft/700m), where a refreshment stop will be made before we continue to Rochão. Alternatively, spend the afternoon enjoying a true “taste” of Madeira. We will drive west along a winding coastal road, passing by the picturesque fishing village of Câmara de Lobos. At a stop we will try a local drink called “Poncha”made from Rum and honey. The road then heads up the mountains into important winegrowing areas where we visit the private property Quinta São João, a charming 17th century homestead. Birds of Paradise, bananas and grapes are cultivated on the property. The grapes are used to make the famous Madeira wine, and we will tour the wine cellar where we can sample some of the finest Madeira Wines. Our drive continues through pinewoods and eucalyptus forest to Cabo Girão – the second highest sea cliff in the world, and the highest in Europe.