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Every Island a Paradise: Lisbon to Tenerife
MS Bremen October 15-28, 2012
Voyage BRE1221
5% early booking discount if booked before March 19, 2012!
Welcome to the Garden of Eden - in the middle of the Atlantic, unforgettable impressions await you
on each of the islands of the Azores. Hydrangea and amaryllis that provide colourful accents.
Mighty volcanic mountains that seem to touch the sky. And charming little coastal towns far away
from the rest of the world where you will encounter a lifestyle that has not changed much over the
course of the years. |
| Date |
Destination |
| 15-Oct-2012 |
Embarkation in
Lisbon/Portugal, departure 19.00 hrs |
| 16 Oct -17 Oct-
2012 |
Relaxation at sea |
| 18-Oct-2012 |
Ponta Delgada/Sao Miguel/Azores, from 8.00 to 23.00
hrs |
| 19-Oct-2012 |
Angra do Heroismo/Terceira/Azores, from 7.30 to 24.00
hrs |
| 20-Oct-2012 |
Praia/Graciosa/Azores |
| 21-Oct-2012 |
Faja Grande/Flores/Azores Porto da
Casa/Corvo/Azores |
| 22-Oct-2012 |
Madalena/Pico/Azores, from 7.00 to 13.00 hrs. Horta/Faial/Azores,
arrival 14.00 hrs |
| 23-Oct-2012 |
Horta, departure 6.00 hrs. Cruising off Sao
Jorge/Azores |
| 24-Oct-2012 |
Cruising off Sao Miguel, the Formigas, Santa Maria and other
islands of the Azores |
| 25-Oct-2012 |
Vila do Porto/Santa Maria/Azores |
| 26-Oct-2012 |
Relaxation at sea |
| 27-Oct-2012 |
Funchal/Madeira, from 7.00 to 12.30 hrs |
| 28-Oct-2012 |
Santa Cruz de Tenerife/Tenerife, arrival 8.00 hrs.
Disembarkation. |
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Natural Paradises with a Cultural Heritage
Ilha Verde - with Sao
Miguel, you have reached the evergreen heart of the Azores. In the capital city Ponta Delgada,
you will sense the soothing heartbeat of this largest island of the archipelago. Our excursion
between tea and Terra Nostra* takes you to the bubbling fumaroles in the town of Furnas.
Marvel at the subtropical fauna of the almost paradisiacal park Terra Nostra and get to know the
only tea plantation in Europe. Or go whalewatching* to see some of the numerous whale and
dolphin populations that are at home here. Alternatively, you could set out for the crater lakes
of Sete Cidades* - following a drive in a 4 x 4, an unforgettable view across the two crater
lakes will be revealed to you. In the 16th and 17th century, Terceira thrived to become the
economic and religious centre of the Azores. The marvellous buildings from the Renaissance and the
baroque era in the little town of Angra do Heroismo, the historic centre of which is a World
Cultural Heritage Site, testify to this fact. On our excursion Angra do Heroismo and
Terceira*, you can enjoy wonderful views in the course of the drive to the more than 200 m high
Monte Basil and discover Sao Sebastiao, one of the oldest settlements on the island. Or experience
the scenic appeal of Terceira on our hike*.
Covert Insiders' Tips for Discoverers
Over the following days, the BREMEN sets
course for three smaller, less well-known islands of the Azores. Look forward to an Atlantic
expedition experience during which the weather determines the course of the day. A number of rides
and landings with the Zodiacs are planned. For instance off the coast of Graciosa, an island
only few ships head for and which is considered a genuine insiders' tip among discoverers. The
natural phenomena of Graciosa include the sulphur cave Furna do Enxofre, which you can admire on
our hike all around the caldera*. On Flores - the western end of Europe - you will be
thrilled by the pristine countryside. Experience the landscape at its most beautiful on the drive
to crater lakes and waterfalls*. The smallest island of the Azores is called Corvo.
Only approx. 400 people enjoy life on his remote isle where stress and hecticness are unheard of.
Gain an impression of the relaxed lifestyle on the trails of the locals* along ancient stone
walls. A drive to the caldera of Monte Gordo* augurs a very special experience.
Shaped by Fire - and Fertile
Mount Pico, Portugal's tallest mountain,
towers high in the air on the island of the same name. On our excursion crater island Pico*,
you will learn how volcanoes have shaped the bold face of this island of the Azores. By the way,
the jet black lava rock offers an ideal ground for exquisite plants such as the Verdelho grape.
This is something you will see for yourself on our hike through the vineyards*, which are
part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Faial is also known as the "blue island" due to
the vast number of hydrangeas that grow there. Look forward to excursions that augur plenty of
discoveries. For instance to the volcano Capelinhos*, which caused various earthquakes in
the year 1957 - and enlarged the island by several square kilometres. Or join a hike around the
caldera* - you will be rewarded with lovely views across the island and the ocean.
Alternatively, you can experience a very special encounter while swimming with dolphins*.
The BREMEN will be staying in Horta for the night. The perfect opportunity to raise a glass with
the skippers at the legendary Peter Café Sport to having crossed half the Atlantic.
To a Rendezvous with Rare Species
The next two days, we will follow the course
of the whales and take time to experience impressive expeditions. In this context, the captain will
adapt the itinerary to best suit the local conditions so as to allow for unforgettable animal and
nature observations. Marvel at the numerous dolphins or even the enormous fins of the powerful
sperm whales. Sao Jorge invites you to go bird watching. You will head for the island with
our Zodiacs and discover secret places far away from the usual tourist paths. The Formigas
stretch out between Santa Maria and its sister island Sao Miguel. Formigas is Portuguese for ants.
Off the coast of this group of uninhabited tiny islands, some of which only rise a few metres out
of the sea, there are good opportunities to observe a diverse marine wildlife from the deck of the
BREMEN. With Vila do Porto, the capital city of Santa Maria, you will discover one of the
oldest cities of the Azores. Madeira is another paradise in the middle of the Atlantic.
Discover the most beautiful facets of Madeira*. Alternatively, you could explore the
interior of the island on the Levada Castelejo hike* and sense the very special magic of
nature.
* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. The
shore activities listed here are in the planning stage and are subject to
changes.
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5% early booking discount if booked before March 19, 2012!¹
¹ If you book your cruise 210 days (approx. 7 months) or earlier prior to departure, you will
receive an early booking discount of 5% on the cruise-only price (catalogue price minus
surcharge for travel arrangements to cruise departure point and from cruise arrival point)
Attractive combination bonus € 1,100
Extended fun: combine this cruise with BRE1222.
²United States Dollar prices are based on the current Euro to Dollar exchange
rate as of January 9,2012 and are subject to change. These rates do not include
airfare.
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Each month our cruise experts select great itineraries that will be sailing within the next
6-8 months.
Check back next month to see what itineraries have been added to our 'top picks' list.
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