7 Nights The Canary Islands and Madeira- MSC Fantasia

Day 1- Santa Cruz De Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the port capital of Tenerife, the largest of Spain's seven Canary Islands. The city showcases incredible sights such as the Plaza de Espana, the church of St. Francis of Assisi, and the soaring white wave auditorium, the Auditorio de Tenerife. This quintessential Canary Island's town is a colourful Canary Islands & Madeira Cruise destination where you can soak up the sun, dine in style, or take a dip in glittering waters. MSC Cruises excursions offer plenty of exciting things to see including: · Puerto de la Cruz and Orotava

• El Teide Discovery· A Visit to Loro Parque The buzzing island of Tenerife is an excellent stop for its sunny climate, beautiful landscapes, and good-looking beaches.

On this MSC Cruises excursion, you'll enjoy a short coach ride to Orotava, a small Medieval town nestling in a scenic valley. Passing by its charming old centre, admire the 17th-century building Casa de los Balcones with its pinewood craftsmanship and Canarian patio, before entering the paradise of the botanical gardens with its wide array of tropical plants. Next, travel to Puerto de la Cruz and enjoy time wandering around the town's picturesque streets. Have a drink in a seafront café or shop the boutiques. Discover the incredible El Teide National Park, a lauded UNESCO World Heritage Site. This guided MSC Cruises excursion will see you admiring the lush scenery of La Esperanza before journeying to the mountain range of Las Cañadas. Wander through the beautiful surroundings before stopping at volcanic Mount Teide's otherworldly crater. Next, visit the Rock of Mirador for some amazing photographs next to this unusual geological formation. Bird lovers will delight in a trip to Tenerife's Loro Parque (Parrot Park). This wildlife conservation centre, located near Puerto de la Cruz in the northern part of the island, is a fabulous natural environment for thousands of colourful parrots. The park is also home to endangered animals, mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. This MSC Cruises excursion is an exciting family day out, providing unforgettable experiences.

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Day 2- Puerto Del Rosario

Once disembarked from your MSC cruise ship in Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura, you will realise that you already have all the you need to enjoy your vacation in Fuerteventura.

Immediately to the south, sits Playa Blanca (White Beach), the most famous and largest beach on the island, famous for its waves and excellent conditions for surfing, windsurfing and sunbathing. Puerto Escondido and El Pertito, two beaches of untarnished beauty, are situated slightly farther away.

An MSC cruise to the Canary Islands and Morocco is also a unique opportunity to visit Parque Escultorico (Sculpture Park) of Puerto del Rosario, a group of fifty or so statues immersed in the bustle of everyday city life; and the old port, with its concentration of traditional buildings.

A short distance from the port of Corralejo, on the other hand, there are beaches with sand dunes that are a treat to any cruise goer.

In the Caves of Ajuy, the sea has chiselled the coast creating features that seem to have come out of a dream. Getting to them, however, requires a little bit of an effort. Ajuy in itself is a green oasis in the middle of a desert, almost moon-like landscape.

Before you arrive, stop to admire the beaches of Cofete and Pared, and the cliffs of Cotillo, where the trade winds batter the coast. In Ajuy, follow the path excavated in the cliffs and travel back in time by observing six different, clearly distinguishable fossil formations.

Your destination is La Cueva, a cave 40 metres above the sea. A little further down, one can see the Puertito de la Peña, a safe refuge in the wind-battered coast of Barlovento. Don't forget to visit higher ground and go on an excursion to Betancuria, where the still active Church of Santa Maria de Betancuria, dating back to 1404, the year of the foundation of the city, stands. Climb to Mirador Morro Velosa (610 m) to enjoy an excellent view of the entire island.

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Day 3-   Funchal

As you arrive in Funchal on an MSC cruise, your ship will cast anchor in a bay protected by mountains rising straight up behind the port. The name, Funchal, derives from that of the fennel plant, the funcho still used today in the traditional sweets known as rebuçados de funcho, that one can find anywhere on the island of Madeira.An excursion will take you around the town centre, to visit historic churches, from the A Sé Cathedral, with its inlaid ceiling, to the majestic Church of the Incarnation, to the church of Carmo without a vault.Another MSC excursion will take you up to the village of Monte, from where one can admire a spectacular view of the Funchal bay. You can visit its 18th century church and the tomb of the last Austrian emperor, Charles I, and stroll around the magnificent botanic gardens. But if you like heights, there's nothing more impressive than the Cabo Girão and its 589 metre tall cliffs, amongst the highest in the world, at the foot of which lie the cultivated lands known as Fajãs do Cabo Girão.If you're looking for an equipped beach during your MSC cruise, another excursion will take you to Machico. Founded in the 15th century, it hosts the oldest religious building on the island, the Capela dos Milagres, and the fortresses of São João Baptista and Nossa Senhora do Amparo built in the beginning of the 16th century.The more lively tourist attraction is instead in Calheta, on the south-west coast. Splendid yachts cruising across the Atlantic are moored in the port and if you want to go for a swim there are two beautiful beaches of golden sand; in spite of the modern structures Calheta dates back to the mid-15th century. This is where they make the "Aguardente", the best white rhum, and fundamental ingredient of Madeira's typical drink, the "Poncha".

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Day 4- Day at sea

A day at sea gives you the opportunity to recharge before docking at your next port. Enjoy the many amenities your ship has to offer by pampering yourself with a relaxing spa day, catching an entertaining show with talented performers, or savouring an evening of fine dining at one of our many restaurants. Stick to your fitness goals by heading to the gym or hitting the mat for a mindful yoga session. Peruse a variety of shops to discover fashionable outfits, accessories, and jewellery. With endless attractions and activities, your sea day experience will be one for the books. 

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Day 5- Arrecife De Lanzarote

Reaching Arrecife de Lanzarote in the Canary Islands on an MSC Cruise will be an engaging and unique experience that will take you to a natural paradise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, consisting of the seven spectacular islands that make up the Canary Islands.A MSC Mediterranean Cruise will be a unique opportunity to discover the beauty of the fourth largest island, declared a "biosphere reserve" by UNESCO for its mild climate and its natural wonders. It is where the Camelus dromedarius, the only native European breed of dromedary, chose its home.You will discover an unforgettable island where the core soul of the harbours has remained unchanged, still dynamic and vibrant as in the past. With an MSC Excursion you will visit the capital Arrecife, a crossroads of fishers and traders, protected by a constellation of small islands and volcanic cliffs. It offers an infinite variety of sounds, voices and colours that inspired the visionary architect César Manrique, who has created many valuable works of art on the island.

One of the MSC Excursions will take you through a breathtaking lunar landscape in the southwest of the island, where some of the most memorable scenes from the cult movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" by Stanley Kubrick were filmed in 1968. Also in Timanfaya National Park stands the most impressive active volcanic cone in size, which 250 years ago led to the destruction of the entire island and now overlooks the landscape, making it one of the most seductive attractions.With another MSC Excursion you will also explore the Jameos del Agua, one of the most famous places in Lanzarote. This area consists of open-air underground caves dug by a tunnel of lava from the volcano of Corona, whose eruption about 3000 years ago reached the sea. The solidifying lava generated these tunnels, whose roofs partly collapsed, letting in the sunlight. Here César Manrique, a local artist, established a botanical garden, an auditorium, and other structures that mixed the artificial with the natural.

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Day 6- Las Palmas

Gran Canaria holds a myriad of things to see for those visiting the Canary Islands on an MSC cruise. Small towns that appear and disappear, such as Tejeda in the mountainous area of Gran Canaria, which is periodically swallowed by a sea of clouds.When the clouds lift, they expose the proud peak of Roque Nublo, the alien landscape along its slopes and, further on, an infinite expanse of conifer woods. While staying at Gran Canaria during your MSC cruise, you will also discover rare miniature costal desserts, with dunes unrolling in front of the sea in Maspalomas, a beach and surfing holiday destination.

To experience the millennium-old history of the island, consider going on an excursion to the northern side of Gran Canaria, to the Cueva Pintada Museum, the "Sistine Chapel" of the Prehistoric Period. Decorated with geometrical designs, it is thought to be a calendar. At this archaeological site, you will also be able to observe native dwellings containing everyday utensils.

Even in the centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, you will find reasons to pause as soon as you disembark from your cruise ship. For example, the lively, kilometre-long beach of Las Canteras, protected by a rocky protrusion called the Barra, which defends the coast from the waves; or its paseo (promenade) flanked by small shops, restaurants and bars and with a large open-air aquarium at its back.

However, the more recent history of this territory can be breathed simply by strolling through and immersing yourself in the city centre. In the streets of the old Vegueta, all five centuries of its history can be felt. All kinds of navigators, from Columbus on, have walked these cobbled streets. As an alternative, travel southwards to stroll in the Caldera de Bandama, a short distance from the vineyards of Tafira, where you can visit a winery.

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Day 7- Santa Cruz De La Palma

Arriving to the Port of Santa Cruz de la Palma in the Canary Islands on an MSC cruise ship is an incredible feeling. The city was founded inside the Calderata, an ancient volcanic crater that rises to a height of 1800 metres, protecting the sailing vessels of the past, and the cruise ships of today, from the wind.The history of Santa Cruz de la Palma, once an important stop on the trading route to the East Indies, has enriched it with fortifications, such as Castillo de Santa Catalina and Castillo de Santa Cruz del Barrio, constructed in the second half of the 16th century to defend Santa Cruz de la Palma from attacks by pirates. However, the historical heritage of the city centre, which is encountered at practically every corner, dates back to the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical periods. It will be worth your while to loose yourselves among the streets, if for nothing else, than to simply admire their unique balconies, such as the one in Avenida Maritima. Plaza España, where the most representative building dating to the Renaissance make for a beautiful show, is the centre

of the city. Here, you can see the El Salvador Church. Began in 1497, it has a gate reminiscent of a Roman triumphal arc that was built in honour of Christ's victory over death. Its severe bell tower is also interesting. Allow yourself an excursion to the Sanctuary of Madonna of the Snow, worshipped since the first arrival of the Spanish to the islands. The sanctuary is constructed in a flourishing natural setting; and today, it is the most important of a series of monuments of great historical, cultural and artistic value, which also include the Casa de los Romeros, (House of the Pilgrims, 17th century) and the Casa Parroquial (18th century). If you are a lover of nature, take an excursion to the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a wide basin left after the collapse of an ancient volcano. The park also contains springs and streams with orange and emerald green-tinted waters.

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Day 8- Santa Cruz De Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the port capital of Tenerife, the largest of Spain's seven Canary Islands. The city showcases incredible sights such as the Plaza de Espana, the church of St. Francis of Assisi, and the soaring white wave auditorium, the Auditorio de Tenerife. This quintessential Canary Island's town is a colourful Canary Islands & Madeira Cruise destination where you can soak up the sun, dine in style, or take a dip in glittering waters. MSC Cruises excursions offer plenty of exciting things to see including: · Puerto de la Cruz and Orotava

• El Teide Discovery· A Visit to Loro Parque The buzzing island of Tenerife is an excellent stop for its sunny climate, beautiful landscapes, and good-looking beaches.

On this MSC Cruises excursion, you'll enjoy a short coach ride to Orotava, a small Medieval town nestling in a scenic valley. Passing by its charming old centre, admire the 17th-century building Casa de los Balcones with its pinewood craftsmanship and Canarian patio, before entering the paradise of the botanical gardens with its wide array of tropical plants. Next, travel to Puerto de la Cruz and enjoy time wandering around the town's picturesque streets. Have a drink in a seafront café or shop the boutiques. Discover the incredible El Teide National Park, a lauded UNESCO World Heritage Site. This guided MSC Cruises excursion will see you admiring the lush scenery of La Esperanza before journeying to the mountain range of Las Cañadas. Wander through the beautiful surroundings before stopping at volcanic Mount Teide's otherworldly crater. Next, visit the Rock of Mirador for some amazing photographs next to this unusual geological formation. Bird lovers will delight in a trip to Tenerife's Loro Parque (Parrot Park). This wildlife conservation centre, located near Puerto de la Cruz in the northern part of the island, is a fabulous natural environment for thousands of colourful parrots. The park is also home to endangered animals, mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. This MSC Cruises excursion is an exciting family day out, providing unforgettable experiences.