Cruise Description

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

Set sail aboard Le Bellot on an exceptional 14-day itinerary that will take you from the Moorish worlds of Andalusia and Morocco to the Atlantic archipelagos of Madeira and the Canary Islands—worlds of great historical and cultural import and also of great natural beauty.

Begin in Lisbon, where a panoramic tour of the city's main sights includes Belém Tower, the point from which many Portuguese explorers, including Vasco da Gama, set sail—now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also visit the Gulbenkian Museum, housing one of Europe's finest private collections of art and objects from various cultures and historical periods.

Lagos, near the southwestern tip of Portugal, is your gateway to the natural beauty, history, and culture of the Algarve. Tour the Old Town, visit the stunning rock formations and caves of Ponta da Piedade, and enjoy a tasting of Algarve wines. Or travel the short distance to Sagres on Cape St. Vincent, from where Prince Henry the Navigator, directed the expeditions that led to the discovery of Madeira and the Azores and helped establish Portuguese outposts in West Africa.

Your introduction to the rich cultural landscape of Andalusia begins with a call in Cádiz, one of the country’s oldest cities and the home of the Spanish Navy during the discovery of the Americas. From Cádiz you will have an opportunity to visit the superb palace of the Alcázar in Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After arriving in Morocco in Tangier, visit the American Legation, the oldest U.S. diplomatic mission in the world, or travel across the Rif Mountains to the showcase of Moroccan handicrafts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tetouan.

In Casablanca, enjoy a full day either to discover the modern architecture of this bustling metropolis, including the stunning Hassan II Mosque, or to travel to Morocco's capital, Rabat, to delve into the Moorish past represented in the emblematic Hassan Tower and the Oudayas Kasbah.

A day at sea brings you to the subtropical Portuguese island of Madeira. Visit the village of Monte, formerly a resort and spa for European high society, and explore the Botanical Gardens with panoramic views of the bay. Or travel to the thriving fishing village of Câmara de Lobos to discover views that inspired Winston Churchill's painting during his stay on the island.

After another day at sea, you reach the Canary Islands, where the remainder of the voyage is spent exploring this fascinating archipelago just off the coast of West Africa. On La Palma, choose from among a number of excursions, all of which focus on the rugged volcanic terrain of this small island—Caldera de Taburiente National Park, home to one of the largest craters in the world; Roque de los Muchachos, the highest elevation on the island and site of the world's largest single-aperture optical telescope; and Tagojaite, a volcano formed in September 2021.

On Tenerife, the largest of the Canaries, you may continue exploration of the extraordinary natural beauty of the archipelago on a panoramic tour of the island's lush forest and the Las Cañadas mountain range, or you may travel to San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, capital of the Canary Islands until 1723, which has preserved much of its original architecture.

On the island of Lanzarote, you once again may immerse yourself in the unique geology and topography of the Canary Islands with a visit to the geothermal fields of Timanfaya National Park, a barren landscape lacking both wildlife and vegetation. Or you may spend the day discovering the varied legacy of the islands' most famous artist and ecologist, César Manrique, at the artist's former home, now the César Manrique Foundation, which contains some of Manrique’s own work as well as his private collection of contemporary artists such as Picasso, Tapies, and Miro.

The final day of your voyage is spent on the island of La Gomera. From the pier, travel to the tiny village of Las Hayas, nestled in the mountains of the interior in the heart of Garajonay National Park. Known for its biodiverse forest of lush vegetation, the park, which is almost perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Pause in the village of Arure for a tasting of local products at a typical Gomera restaurant before returning to the ship.

Your voyage ends in Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria.