Winter Warmth in the Canary Islands
January 2026

The vibrant 9th-century port town of La Coruña offers a delicate combination of old and new architecture, with shimmering glass modern buildings contrasting with the deeply historical medieval district. You can immerse yourself in local life by sampling traditional Galician dishes like ‘pulpo a la gallega’, octopus with paprika and olive oil or ‘empanada gallega’, a savoury pastry filled with meat or seafood. After ascending the hillsides of Monte de San Pedro park for remarkable vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, discover rocky Costa da Morte, a rugged stretch along the coast of Galicia which tempted ships to run aground, creating a storied and legendary past. Alternatively, you may wish to explore the spiritual heart of Spain at Santiago de Compostela with its beautiful mix of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic buildings.

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.

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.

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.

Matosinhos is a delightful town to explore, where a winter stroll along the promenade offers a laidback atmosphere and a lovely beach located just outside the town. Venture further afield to Porto, and you’ll be offered opportunities to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and colourful houses of Ribeira, or perhaps take a boat trip along the Douro River to witness scenic landscapes of terraced vineyards and traditional wine estates known as quintas. Meanwhile, the city is well known for its production of Port wine, which can be sampled at one of the many wine cellars, or for enjoying Porto’s signature dish, Francesinha, a mouth-watering hearty sandwich of meat covered with melted cheese and a hot, thick sauce in an authentic Portuguese restaurant.