Cruise Line |
Ponant |
Ship |
Le Lyrial |
Destination |
EU West & Atlantic Islands |
Nights |
13 |
Departure Date |
14 May 2021 |
Description |
13 Night Cruise sailing from Praia to Palermo aboard Le Lyrial.
Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Andalusia, Balearics, Sardinia, Sicily: PONANT offers you an all-new itinerary at the crossroads of cultures and traditions. You will set sail aboard Le Lyrial for a new 14-day cruise leaving from Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on the most populated and also the most African of the archipelago’s islands.
Further to the north, you will reach São Vicente and visit Mindelo, the cultural capital of Cape Verde, the birthplace of the famous singer of morna, Cesaria Évora.
Your ship will then drop anchor at Las Palmas, on the island of Gran Canaria. Do not miss the chance to wander through the streets of the historic district of Vegueta, rich in architectural treasures including the Santa Ana cathedral. Then admire the volcanic landscapes that are so typical of Lanzarote before heading to Andalusia.
You will discover Cadiz, one of the country’s oldest cities, built on a rock and surrounded by the sea and Málaga. These calls will allow you to visit the cathedral and the Alcázar palace in Seville, and the splendid Alhambra in Granada, UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Your ship will then reach the coastlines of Algeria for two brand new ports of call in Oran and Algiers. You will discover the vitality of these cities and the architectural heritage of their historic centres. The Casbah of Algiers is a typically Islamic medina, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your journey will end in Palermo, the capital of Sicily, where you will be able to visit emblematic landmarks such as the 12th-century cathedral and Teatro Massimo, one of the largest theatres in Europe.
Highlights of this cruise:
Praia
The capital of Cape Verde, Praia, is located on the southern tip of Santiago island. You can dally in the districts planted with Tamarind and Albizia trees. Above the harbour, the statue of Diogo Gomes pays homage to the man who discovered Cape Verde in 1460. A few streets away, in the old centre, the Ethnographic Museum presents the diversity of the archipelago’s cultural origins. Its historical building with transom windows is one of the city’s more unusual curiosities.
Gran Canaria
A stopover of sunny climes, Las Palmas is located on the north-east coast of Gran Canaria. A few streets away from Puerto de la Luz port, you’ll discover the vast Las Canteras beach, bordered with the town’s characteristic palms. You’ll find these palms are all over Las Palmas, in the streets and squares, especially on the plaza de Santa Ana in the heart of the historical district. It feels like you’ve travelled back in time here, as you stand looking at the tall houses beside the Santa Ana cathedral. Very close by, you can visit the Casa de Colón, a museum dedicated to the famous explorer. The museum is housed in the palace belonging to the island’s former governor. Chances are, you’ll be drawn to the covered Vegueta market to partake in some daily life along with the locals and taste some unfamiliar dishes.
Malaga
A historical and festive town, Malaga is located in Andalusia, on the Costa del Sol. Between the marina and the beaches, the seaside promenade of La Farola offers an ideal setting for strolling and relaxing. Set slightly further back, the Malagueta bullring is one of the emblematic sites of the city. From the hill overlooking the old town, one can see Gibralfaro castle and the Alcazaba, two fortified ensembles rising out from the cypresses and maritime pines. To visit Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, you will go first to the courtly plaza de la Merced. A few streets back from here, you can explore the museum dedicated to the artist, in the Buenavista palace.
Palermo
Palermo is the guardian of the Sicilian soul. Many have been attracted to this city, the largest capital of the Italian islands. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans... Palermo is a rich culmination of so many cultural influences as seen in the Moorish designs on the cathedral, and the Byzantine mosaics of the Palatine chapel, which is itself housed within the precincts of the Norman palace. You will fall under the spell of the palaces, baroque splendours that grace the town with their obsolete beauty. It is thrilling to stumble upon one of those fabulous markets, high in colour, and headily picturesque. |
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Itinerary |
Cruise Itinerary
Day | Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
1 |
14/05 |
Praia da Vittoria, Azores, Portugal |
|
06:00 PM |
2 |
15/05 |
Mindelo (Porto Grande) Sao Vicente, Cape Verde Islands |
|
|
3 |
16/05 |
At sea |
|
|
4 |
17/05 |
At sea |
|
|
5 |
18/05 |
Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), Canary Islands |
|
|
6 |
19/05 |
Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain |
|
|
7 |
20/05 |
At sea |
|
|
8 |
21/05 |
Cadiz, Spain |
|
|
9 |
22/05 |
Malaga, Spain |
|
|
10 |
23/05 |
Oran, Algeria |
|
|
11 |
24/05 |
Oran, Algeria |
|
|
12 |
25/05 |
Algiers, Algeria |
|
|
13 |
26/05 |
At sea |
|
|
14 |
27/05 |
Palermo, Sicily. IT |
09:30 AM |
|
|
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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