Canary Islands Cruise: Tenerife, Lanzarote & CroisiEurope Experience
Cruising the Canary Islands: A Journey Through Tenerife, Lanzarote and Beyond
Scattered off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands form a volcanic archipelago where fire and ocean have conspired to create landscapes of arresting beauty. And perhaps the best way to discover their true diversity and dramatic contrasts is by sea, cruising from island to island aboard La Belle Des Oceans.
Our journey starts on the largest of the islands, Tenerife. Dominating the skyline is the magnificent Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak which comes into view as we begin our descent. It sits at the heart of the incredible national park – a vast volcanic landscape of lava fields, craters and unique rock formations.
We soon discover there’s a lot that’s unique about Tenerfie, from the surreal lunar landscape to the fact that it has five distinct ecosystems which means astounding plantlife. From cactii to forests, palm and olive trees, orchids, banana plantations and the iconic dragon trees, the most famous of which is around a thousand years old, it’s a veritable treasure trove for botanists. And makes for beautifully diverse scenery, too.
We spend time in the charming towns of Garachico, Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz (where we board). Meandering through the shaded squares and coastal promenades that hum with a cosmopolitan energy is the perfect reminder that Tenerife is just as much about contemporary Spanish life as it is about natural beauty.
From the bustle of Tenerife life, we take things down a gear as we cruise towards the little island of La Gomera to discover a totally different world. Within the heights of Garajonay National Park, misty, ancient laurel forests thrive beneath a near-constant veil of cloud. Passing through the quiet villages of Hermigua, Las Roas and Aglo, it feels like a land untouched by time, punctuated by the hauntingly beautiful whistles of Silbo Gomero, a unique language that carries across the ravines.
Gran Canaria follows and the mood shifts again. It’s an isle of contrasts with a fertile north and desert lands to the south and sun-drenched beaches. Las Palmas offers a lively urban interlude, while inland, the incredible Bandama Caldera, a volcanic crater that reaches nearly 600 metres above sea level, reveals the island’s volcanic past. Further east, we stop at Fuerteventura – the first of the islands to rise from the ocean millions of years ago. It feels elemental and untamed with its long beaches and open horizons
There’s a lot to delight in this incredible archipelago, but the highlight of our trip is undoubtedly Lanzarote. It’s like landing on another planet – blackened lava fields, ochre craters and flashes of turquoise sea create a stunning palette. In Timanfaya National Park, with geothermal heat still active beneath the surface, the earth breathes heat with bursts of steam and fire. In La Geria, the vineyards are carved into ash, each vine cradled within a semicircle of stone – an ingenious way to produce what turns out to be excellent wine in challenging terrain.
The island also bears the unmistakable imprint of Cesar Manrique, whose vision shaped Lanzarote’s identity. Painter, sculptor, architect and environmentalist, he championed a harmonious relationship between nature and development before it became fashionable, ensuring the island’s raw beauty remains its defining feature. Visiting his house (now a museum), cleverly built into the volcanic landscape, is nothing short of astonishing.
Onboard, life unfolds at a relaxed pace, with excursions interspersed with returns to the ship for refreshment and relaxation. Schedules run like clockwork, helping to make the most of every onshore moment. The attentive staff are always on hand to attend to our every need.
Culinary experiences onboard are nothing short of extraordinary. Each meal is a celebration of flavours, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared with finesse. The gala dinners are particularly memorable, French cuisine with flair, all accompanied (appropriately) by an expertly curated selection of Spanish wines. Evenings are filled with entertainment, from live music, to games and demonstrations, movies and documentaries.
La Belle des Oceans provides a wonderfully comfortable and welcoming home-from-home. The perfect base from which to explore this remarkable archipelago and the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the islands’ rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty.
The Canary Islands prove to be remarkably intriguing, richly diverse and full of delightful surprises. There’s much more to them than we expected and cruising among them has been the ideal way to experience all their striking contrasts with the utmost ease.
Find out more about CroisEurope cruises at https://www.croisieurope.travel/en
We stayed at the Royal Hideaway Corales Beach in Tenerife prior to our cruise. Find out more at https://www.barcelo.com/en-ww/royal-hideaway-corales-beach/
Words by Sandy Cadiz-Smith
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