NEW! Iberia & Africa's Atlantic Coast

Visit the popular Puerto de la Cruz and enjoy the exotic plants, flowers and trees of the botanical gardens. You will enjoy a panoramic island drive though the lush green landscape and tropical fruit plantations of the Orotava Valley region to reach Puerto de la Cruz. Both Spanish and island traditions are evident in the former fishing village, which is now one of Tenerife’s top resorts, lined with narrow cobblestone streets, traditional colonial-style cafés and bars, charming plazas and a quaint harbor. Enjoy free time to stroll around the seaside resort at your leisure. Continue on to the city's world-class botanical garden (Jardín de Aclimatación de la Orotava, or JAO)—home to a plethora of exotic tropical and subtropical plants, including the South American Coussapoa dealbata, or liana tree, with a mass of intertwining trunks. Finally, stop for photos overlooking the Orotava Valley before returning to your ship.

Take a scenic ride through the forest en route to the Pyramids of Güímar. The Esperanza Forest is a picturesque landscape of vast pine and eucalyptus trees—some of which stand more than 130 feet tall—that are often shrouded in mist. Stop to admire a view above the tree tops of Mt. Teide, a distant volcano. Arrive at Güímar and take a guided tour of the pyramids. Composed of lava stone and dating back to around the 19th century BC, the six remaining terraced structures are shrouded in mystery. Discover the theories behind their existence while viewing a short movie, and then relax and enjoy a refreshing glass of sangria or juice. Use your free time to tour the Casa Chacona Museum before returning to your ship.

Marvel at the views of Mt. Teide and discover the barren terrain of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landscape and vegetation seem taken from another planet. Drive through the Aguere Valley to the old colonial capital of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, then continue to the heart of Teide National Park. View towering Mt. Teide—the highest point in Spain, with a summit of more than 12,000 feet, and one of the largest volcanoes in the world—and admire the hundreds of cones, lava tongues and caves that dot the surrounding landscape. Later, enjoy some free time to explore the Parador de Cañadas del Teide hotel center, a mountain lodge hidden among the scenery that offers amazing views of the peak of Mt. Teide. Several stops will be made for photograph opportunities of the stunning volcanic landscape on your return to your ship.

Enjoy a scenic tour of urban and suburban Tenerife in a 4x4 vehicle. Journey across the rocky and mountainous terrain of Teide National Park on your way to view Mt. Teide. Admire the stunning vistas from the crater and the arid landscape of this national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue your panoramic drive to the historic quarter of Garachico. Stop and enjoy a meal before continuing to Masca, a small mountain village near Macizo de Teno. No more than a collection of rural houses linked by rough stone walkways, the village resides more than 2,100 feet above sea level and has been accessible by road for only the past 10 years. Visit the nearby Masca Gorge, a Miocene-epoch volcanic formation composed of basaltic lava, before returning to your ship.

Discover the splendid natural beauty of Tenerife on a scenic drive through the northeastern corner of the island. Embark by motor coach on a trip through the rugged peaks and deep ravines of Anaga Rural Park, home to the largest number of endemic species in Europe. Stop for views of the village of Taganana and its stunning coastline from the El Bailadero viewpoint before heading into the village. A hamlet of white houses nestled between verdant volcanic mountains and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, it was one of the first settlements founded by Spanish explorers. Stroll to the simple church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves—“Our Lady of the Snows”—and admire its colorful altar triptych. Nibble on local cheeses and sample local wines before heading to Pico del Ingles for unforgettable views of the north and south of the island en route to your ship.

Explore the rich wine-making region of Tenerife while visiting a museum and two wineries on this viticultural tour. Winemaking on the island dates back to the Spanish conquest of the late 15th century. It quickly became an important component of the economy in the regions of El Sauzal and Tacoronte and achieved worldwide fame, with Tenerife’s malvasía wine even garnering mention in Shakespeare’s Richard III. Visit the Casa del Vino La Baranda, a rustic hacienda and museum, where you can learn about the area’s history while sampling three different kinds of wine—a red, a white and a rosé. Head to a local winery for an extensive tour of its vineyards before continuing on to another one to enjoy a wine tasting and a selection of Spanish tapas. Afterward, visit the historic quarter of San Cristóbal de La Laguna en route to your ship.

Observe the ocean’s majestic gentle giants on a memorable whale-watching expedition. From the harbor in Playa de las Americas, embark by catamaran into the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The mild climate and calm waters around Tenerife make it an ideal year-round home for several species of whale. Relax in the sun or underneath a shady covering while sipping a complimentary beverage as your experienced crew scans the waters for whales. You may see bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales, or permanent resident pods of risso dolphins and sperm whales. Keep an eye out for migratory pods of minke, killer or blue whales. Afterward, take a plunge off the diving platform into the crystal clear waters of a nature reserve, where you will stop for a swim or snorkel before continuing back to port and returning to your ship.

Immerse yourself in the mix of modern and traditional in the capital of Santa Cruz. Stroll around the sprawling artificial fountain in Plaza de España, the city’s largest square. See the Teatro Guimerá, a neoclassical-inspired theater constructed in 1849. Then, enjoy the liveliness of La Noria, a street that is home to the satiric carnival bands called murgas. Each murga has its own colonial-style house, where members rehearse their songs in secret to prevent other murgas from hearing their lyrics. Mingle with locals at the Mercado Municipal Nuestra Señora de África and discover this city market’s local fruits and vegetables. Nearby, view several buildings that once belonged to the Spanish army and learn more about Francisco Franco and the Spanish Civil War, which began on the island in 1932. Visit the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, originally a Franciscan convent, before returning to your ship via El Pilar, Santa Cruz’s upscale shopping street.