New Year Escape to the Canaries

Famous for its outstanding natural beauty, the Atlantic island of Madeira is known as the ‘floating garden’, with its array of subtropical flowers and plants – grown from the bulbs and seeds of the British merchants who came to the island after making their fortune from selling Madeiran wine. Produced since the 17th century, Madeira Wine’s historical and maritime links make for fascinating reading, of course accompanied by a glass or two of the ‘liquid history’, as described by Winston Churchill.

The landscapes of La Palma were formed around 2 million years ago, resulting in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park being formed by erosion from the volcano’s original crater, and now classed as a Biosphere Reserve. At sea level, the island’s capital, Santa Cruz, is a small city with colonial style architecture and edged with volcanic black sandy beaches. The historic quarter of the city is steeped in history with buildings erected during the reign of Phillip II, and is widely regarded as one of Spain’s Historic-Artistic sites.

Fred. Olsen has a deep connection to La Gomera, and the family has a history with the island dating back to 1904, when fruit was transported to ports in Northern Europe by small steam ships. Known as ‘Isla Colombina’ due to Christopher Columbus calling at the island on his journey to America, some of the buildings and monuments in San Sebastian are linked to him, including the Casa de la Aguada and Casa de Colon.

Largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is built around Mount Teide, the highest volcano in Spain. Santa Cruz is home to the eye-catching 16th century Iglesia de la Concepción and the baroque Palacio de Carta. The island has a resident population of pilot whales and several migratory species, thus making Tenerife one of the best places to whale watch in Europe.

Las Palmas is perhaps the most popular destination in the Canary Islands, loved by those who enjoy year-round sunshine. The island was originally occupied by the Canarii people, from the 5th century BC, whose cultures and lifestyles can be discovered at several sites around Gran Canaria, including the ancient burial ground of El Maipés Necropolis. The twin towers of Santa Ana Cathedral stand tall in the centre of Las Palmas, a unique combination of Renaissance, Gothic and Neoclassical styles.

Arrecife, meaning ‘reef’ in Spanish, owes its name to the expansive rock reef that covers the beaches on the island. The lunar-like landscape is strewn with shades of red, orange and yellow, following the eruption of over 100 volcanoes in the 1700’s, and only Timanfaya remains active today – just 13 metres below the surface the temperature can reach 600ºC. The original inhabitants of Arrecife, the Guanche, can be discovered at the Ethnographic Museum, housed within the 16th century Castillo San Gabriel.

Where the Tagus – the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula – meets the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is spread along the shores of both river banks, connected by the iconic Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge. Belém Tower is a World Heritage Site tower that was originally built here to defend the city, before it was transformed into a lighthouse and customs house. Close by is the renowned Discovery Monument, representing the prow of a caravel – led by Prince Henry the Navigator and other prodigious Portuguese pioneers.

One of Lisbon’s most iconic monuments, the Cristo Rei – Statue of Christ – stands tall over the Tejo Estuary, and was inspired by the equally iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro. It overlooks the 25 de Abril Bridge, Europe’s longest suspension bridge, which connects Lisbon with the Almada municipality. Based on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, it was named to remember the Portuguese Carnation Revolution on 25th April 1974.

Overlooking the River Tagus, Portugal’s capital city offers an abundance of maritime highlights, including the iconic Ponte de Abril suspension bridge, and the UNESCO-listed Belém Tower, which served as an embarkation and disembarkation point for Vasco de Gama and other Portuguese explorers. The delicious pastéis de nata are also not to be missed when visiting Lisbon, particularly when sampled at the original bakery, which opened in 1837.