Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

IJMUIDEN, NETHERLANDS

Although we appreciate that many passengers will choose to explore the city alone, this tour is for those of us who enjoy seeing the sights from the comfort of a coach, and who value the services of a fully qualified, English speaking guide to enlighten us.

IJMUIDEN, NETHERLANDS

We travel by coach to the windmill village Zaanse Schans – a name deriving from the defending wall (schans) which was erected at the end of the 16th century for the war against the Spaniards. Although the wall has since disappeared, the name was revived in 1950, when it became the location for a collection of houses and small businesses from the 17th and 18th centuries.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Although we appreciate that many passengers will choose to explore the city alone, this tour is for those of us who enjoy seeing the sights from the comfort of a coach, and who value the services of a fully qualified English-speaking guide to enlighten us.

IJMUIDEN, NETHERLANDS

Leaving the quayside we drive directly to Madurodam - Holland in Miniature - erected by Mr and Mrs Maduro in commemoration of their son. We will have free time here to wander among the exhibits. We shall see true copies of the country’s most impressive buildings on a scale of 1:25. Madurodam features more than 700 miniature buildings, windmills, bridges, trees, trains and so on – a fascinating visit!

IJMUIDEN, NETHERLANDS

Although we appreciate that many passengers will choose to explore the city alone, this tour is for those of us who enjoy seeing the sights from the comfort of a coach, and who value the services of a fully qualified, English speaking guide to enlighten us. We shall also visit the famous Rijksmuseum.

LEIXOES, PORTUGAL

The Oporto that we shall see today dates mainly from the 18th century, when trade was booming and merchants financed fine houses for themselves. We will have the chance to see some of the city’s finest buildings on this tour.

LEIXOES, PORTUGAL

Today Braga is known for its historic buildings, monuments, gardens and fountains.

LEIXOES, PORTUGAL

For those who have visited Oporto before or just prefer to do their own thing, this tour is perfect.

LEIXOES, PORTUGAL

The attraction of Oporto, Portugal’s second largest city, lies in its workday atmosphere.

LEIXOES, PORTUGAL

Take a tour around Quint Da Aveleda, a farm located in the region known as Vinho Verde (green wine).

This leisurely tour provides us with a glimpse into historic Lagos, the magnificent Ponta da Piedade coastline and the resort hideaway of Carvoeiro.

Departing Portimão, we head to Cape St Vincent, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. It was here that Nelson defeated the French in 1797. With its coastline of rugged cliffs constantly beaten by the relentless breakers of the Atlantic, this is an awesome area. A lighthouse is situated on top of the cliffs, and provides the guiding beam that safely directs the hundreds of ships that pass the Cape every year from the inevitable destruction that would otherwise occur. We may be lucky enough to see local fishermen, wedged in dramatic perches on the cliff face, with the thundering sea many feet below.

LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA

Departing the quayside, we drive through the commercial area of Las Palmas, until we reach Teror, a town of wide streets and colonial mansions with traditional wooden balconies.

LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA

The Maspalomas beach stretches 2,710 metres along the southernmost point of Gran Canaria. The oasis-like combination of palm trees, lagoon and wind-sculptured sand dunes beside the ocean creates the perfect place to swim and relax.

LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA

The Canary Islands are Europe’s winter place in the sun, and this tour offers us the opportunity to experience first hand some of the most popular resort areas on the south side of the island. As our coach departs Las Palmas, we can relax and enjoy the passing scenery on the way to our first stop, Maspalomas.

LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA

This tour allows us to discover the fauna of Gran Canaria. Approximately 43 percent of the territory here is protected and the flora of the Canary Islands is unique in the world, since many of these species, now extinct in their places of origin, survive here as living relics of earlier geological periods.

LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA

The remarkable Palmitos Nature Park, set in a desert-like canyon a few miles from Maspalomas, should not be missed by anyone visiting Gran Canaria. Its wonderfully laid out forests, paths and ponds are home to an amazing collection of brilliantly-coloured tropical birds and plants.

TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS

Departing the quayside, we drive by La Laguna, the second most important town of Tenerife, located in the centre of the Agurre Valley and just a few kilometres from the capital. As we continue westwards, we pass Tacoronte, one of the best growing areas on the island.

TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS

Departing the harbour of Santa Cruz, we pass by the university town of La Laguna and cross one of the finest wine-growing areas on the island to reach Tacoronte and then El Sauzal on the western coast.

TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS

From Santa Cruz, we will take a short drive in the direction of La Laguna in order to join the road to the Esperenza Forest. As we travel through the pine tree vegetation of the forest, we will catch tantalising glimpses of Mount Teide.

TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS

Departing the quayside, we take a short drive in the direction of La Laguna in order to join the road to the Esperenza Forest, with its cool eucalyptus vegetation and tantalising glimpses of Mount Teide. Two photo stops will be made before we arrive at El Portillo, where we can enjoy a short coffee break.

LANZAROTE, CANARY ISLANDS

The northern part of Lanzarote has some exceptional examples of how the volcanic eruptions affect the landscape and life on the island.

LANZAROTE, CANARY ISLANDS

Departing the quayside, we head south-west, passing the picturesque villages of Uga and Yaiza, before taking a camel ride along the outskirts of the National Park of Timanfaya, more commonly known as the Fire Mountains. The camels will take us for an approximate 30-minute ride (optional) along the coloured hills of the volcanic mountains.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Perhaps one of the most surprising monuments, and particularly beautiful when seen from the river, is the memorial to Prince Henry – the mastermind navigator behind Portugal’s voyages of exploration and subsequent wealth.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

We drive along the famous Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty) to Rossio Square, to see the Santa Justa Elevator, designed by Eiffel, and Praça do Comercio (Black Horse Square), which is considered to be one of the most impressive squares in Lisbon.

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LISBON, PORTUGAL

The origins of this quaint little town, rising majestically above the lovely Gaeiras vineyards, are obscured in history, but may date back as far as 308 BC.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Once in the centre of the lively resort of Cascais we can admire the attractive bay or sit in one of the fashionable outdoor cafés and watch the world go by.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Take a tour with a difference, around the inlands of Serra Sintra.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

Next we travel to the outside of the city, to the site of the EXPO 98 World Exhibition to visit the main attraction here, the spectacular Oceanarium. Designed by American architect Peter Chermayeff, it is the largest Oceanarium in Europe and features sea life found in the world’s greatest oceans.