DETAILS
Unparalleled combination of the stunning natural beauty of the Canary Islands and the Moorish treasures of the rose-pink cities of Morocco. Cruise aboard the Five-Star, small ship Le Dumont D’Urville, featuring only 92 Suites and Staterooms.
- Pricing from
- $4,995
SAVE up to $3,600 per cabin! You must book by March 14!
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Ocean & Sea Voyages
- Departure Dates
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Apr 12, 2023 - Apr 20, 2023
Pre‑Program Option – Las Palmas
April 10 to 13, 2023
Explore historical Las Palmas, the capital city of Gran Canaria, where cobblestone streets and 15th-century colonial architecture tell stories of its iconic past. Walk in the path of Christopher Columbus in Las Palmas’ old town of Vegueta with a visit to Casa de Colón, the house where the Spanish explorer is believed to have stayed in 1492 while repairing La Pinta before crossing the Atlantic. Experience some of the Canary Islands’ rarely visited sites, featuring Teror’s Neoclassical basilica, Our Lady of the Pine—which honors the legend that the Virgin Mary appeared on a pine tree in the center of the village—and a stop at the Gardens of the Duchess in Arucas. Accommodations for two nights are in the five-star Hotel Santa Catalina.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $645
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $845
Post‑Program Option – Casablanca
April 20 to 22, 2023
Discover Moorish Casablanca and the treasures of Morocco with visits to its fortified capital of Rabat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the scenic, 16th-century port city of El Jadida. Explore Rabat’s colonial architecture and picturesque kasbah with stunning ocean views. See the Royal Palace, home of the king of Morocco, and the mystical Hassan Tower. Travel to captivating El Jadida—one of the earliest Portuguese colonies in West Africa—and its original fortified Mazagan city center. Accommodations for two nights are in the five-star Hotel Hyatt Regency, centrally located in the Old Medina of Casablanca.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $875
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $995
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John Meffert
John Meffert, consultant on Heritage Conservation Services, has a long tradition with the National Trust. He has served as the Director for our Southern Office from and was the director of the Preservation Society of Charleston, the oldest nonprofit organization in the United States, responsible for preserving the historic resources of Charleston, S.C. John has delighted many study tour groups with his lectures and insights on preservation, and receives rave reviews as study leader.
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1
Depart home city
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day 2
Arrive Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain/Embark Le Dumont-d’Urville
Arrive in Las Palmas, an attractive town founded by Spanish conquistadors that served as a port for ships sailing around the African continent in 1478. The largest town in the Canary Island chain and a cultural haven in the Atlantic, this lush island also produces grapes, avocados, and tobacco used for cigars said to rival those from Cuba. Embark the ship and enjoy dinner on board.
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day 3
Santa Cruz de la Palma
Known as La Isla Bonita, “the beautiful island,” for its lushly forested mountain slopes set against a backdrop of bright blue skies and the azure waters of the Atlantic, La Palma holds an abundance of cultural and natural treasures. Explore the old quarter of Santa Cruz and see its pilgrimage center and shrine of La Virgen de las Nieves (Madonna of the Snow), the island’s patron saint. See sweeping vistas of Santa Cruz from Mirador de La Concepción in Breña Alta and discover La Palma’s geologic past with a visit to Mirador de La Cumbrecita, which provides dramatic views of the Caldera de Taburiente. Enjoy time at leisure in Santa Cruz and later, attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception on board.
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day 4
Los Cristianos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Travel through Vilaflor, the highest village in Spain, and the forests of La Esperanza to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teide National Park, a wilderness of mineraltinted rock, ancient lava flows, and distinctive vegetation not found anywhere else. Gaze across the vast caldera of Las Cañadas (dormant since 1909) to the snowy summit of Mount Teide and enjoy a panoramic view of the Roques de Garcia. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the UNESCO‑designated San Cristóbal de la Laguna, a beautiful university town established in 1496 that boasts rich history and extravagant architectural styles. Stroll through the typical 17th-century Canarian courtyards, which you will not find anywhere else in the world.
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day 5
Cruising the North Atlantic Ocean
Enjoy a day at sea.
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day 6
Safi, Morocco, for Marrakech
Built at the interchange of the Sahara Desert and the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh blossomed into the hub of the great Berber Empire. Visit masterpieces of Moorish architecture, including the exquisite Bahia Palace at the crossroads of ancient culture and luxury; the glorious Menara Gardens, which cover an area of 250 acres and are planted with olive trees; and the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, one of the most impressive sights in ancient Marrakesh. Explore the heart of Marrakesh’s markets, or souks, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the dramatic Jemaa el Fna, “Square of the Dead.”
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day 7
Casablanca
Enjoy a panoramic drive along the fashionable Boulevard de la Corniche on an excursion to the cosmopolitan city of Casablanca, Morroco’s thriving cultural and commercial center. See elaborate Mauresque architecture, Mohammed V Square, United Nations Square, and visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque—built on a promontory over the ocean. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to experience the captivating sights and sounds evocative of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman’s Casablanca. Attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception on board this evening.
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day 8
Rabat for Fez
Experience the sights and sounds of Fez, the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities. This is a marvelous, carefully preserved imperial city which embodies the essence of the country: aromas, shapes, colors, and a rich history make the city a part of the soul of an entire nation. Ancient embattlements still partially enclose the ninth‑century, UNESCO-designated Medina of Fez, known as the “Athens of Africa” for its university—the oldest in the world. Visit the Medersa Bou Inania. Discover the history of Seffarine Place and see its 16th‑century marble fountain, decorated with fleur-de-lys.
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day 9
Disembark ship/Casablanca/ Return to the U.S.
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