Atlantic Discoveries – Cape Verde to Hamburg via Seville

Your gateway to Cape Verde

Your journey begins in Sal, Cape Verde, a captivating island where African and Portuguese influences blend with dramatic volcanic landscapes and seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean. With its golden beaches, colourful culture, and maritime heritage, Sal offers a fascinating introduction to this unique archipelago. Take time to soak up the island's relaxed atmosphere, explore the lively town of Santa Maria, or simply enjoy the warm sunshine before embarking on your voyage.

Your ship, MS Fram, is waiting for you in the harbour. Settle into your cabin and meet your Expedition Team as you prepare for your Atlantic adventure.

Sailing to Las Palmas

We’ll spend the next two days at sea. This is your chance to enjoy the ship’s spaces. Perhaps with a view from the hot tub, or stroll the deck and then grab a drink at the Explorer Bar & Lounge and share stories with fellow travellers.

The Expedition Team will also give lectures on the sights and sounds of the days ahead.

Explore the capital’s historic old town

Today we’ll dock in the lush Canary Island of Gran Canaria. We’ll explore the historic city of Las Palmas, located at the crossroads of three continents: Europe, Africa, and America. Stroll through the laid-back streets of the old town, taking in cosmopolitan cafés, 16th century architecture, and the Gothic pillars of the beautiful Santa Ana Cathedral.

You can also join our excursions, such as trips to the island’s volcanoes and white sand beaches.

Sailing to Seville

We’ll spend the next two days at sea as we make our way to the Spanish city of Seville.

Join the Expedition Team’s fascinating lectures, head out on the Observation Deck to watch the ocean landscape drift by, or perhaps find a quiet corner to tuck up with a book.

Gateway to the Age of Discovery

Sailing up the Guadalquivir river to Seville is a unique experience, and our ship takes you virtually to the heart of this pretty Andalusian city.

An overnight stop gives you plenty of time to immerse yourself in its captivating Southern Spanish culture. Stroll the colourful streets, tuck into authentic tapas and soak up the magical atmosphere of this must-see city.

Enjoy your time on board

After two days discovering the vibrant city of Seville we’ll have the opportunity to unwind on board. Join the Expedition Team’s workshops and lectures, make the most of the ship’s facilities, and relax as we sail towards Galicia, at the far end of the Iberian Peninsula.

Discover the westernmost point of Europe

In Vigo, you’ll discover a very different side of Spain. Set on Galicia’s rugged Atlantic coast, in the northwest of the country, Vigo is a city shaped by the sea, with a distinct Celtic heritage and strong maritime tradition. Take a stroll through the historic old town, sample some of the finest seafood in Spain or simply take in the views across the beautiful Ría de Vigo – a fitting introduction to the greener, wilder landscapes you’ll soon discover on these Atlantic shores.

Soak in Galicia's heritage in Ferrol

As we enter the Ría de Ferrol early in the morning, head to the observation deck and take in the imposing forts of La Palma and San Felipe, standing guard on either side of the headland.

Ferrol is one of Spain's best-preserved 18th-century port cities. Criss-cross the grid of streets in Barrio de la Magdalena and visit the city's maritime museums. Ferrol is also the starting point of El Camino Inglés, one of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, and you may be able to join an excursion to Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage destinations.

Enjoy your time on board

Today we’ll leave behind the wild shores of northern Spain to sail on to the enchanting Isles of Scilly, located off the southwestern tip of Britain. The day ahead gives you the chance to settle into the rhythm of life at sea, enjoying the fresh ocean air and seabird sightings from the deck.

The Expedition Team will lead discussions and lectures as journey across the Bay of Biscay and Celtic Sea. Use the time to enjoy the comforts of the ship as we journey closer to the rugged Atlantic fringes of the British Isles.

A paradisical archipelago

Just 30 miles off the tip of Cornwall, England, are the enchanting Isles of Scilly. This photogenic archipelago is home to small islands where pristine beaches are lapped by dazzling blue waters. We’ll anchor the ship and head ashore by local boats, giving you the chance to explore more fully.

If conditions allow, we'll split our time here. Perhaps we'll visit Tresco's white sand beaches and the sub-tropical blooms of its 19th century Abbey Gardens, head to tranquil St Agnes on the wild Atlantic edge, or wander the charming streets of Hugh Town on St Mary's.

The captivating crossroads of Britain and France

Located between France and mainland Britian, the Channel Islands are an intriguing archipelago with a rich history and a landscape of unspoilt beaches, coastal castles and lush countryside.

If conditions allow, we’ll anchor off Guernsey, the ‘Island of Flowers’, and take our Zodiacs towards St Peter Port Harbour, passing the 13th-century Castle Cornet on the headland.

We also plan to visit Alderney, where you’ll join your Expedition Team for a guided walk, seeking out vibrant wildflowers to a soundtrack of birdsong.

Visit one of the UK’s most important seaports

Anticipation builds as we approach mainland Britain, keeping watch for the iconic White Cliffs of Dover that will soon appear on the horizon.

When we arrive, take a walk along the famous white cliffs at St Margaret's Bay for incredible views of the coastline and the sparkling English Channel below.

Dover is also a gateway to the UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral, a medieval masterpiece visited by pilgrims past and present.

The Frisian port city of Harlingen

After a morning at sea we’ll sail into Harlingen, which sits on the edge of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site and is Friesland’s only seaport city. It’s also the gateway to the Wadden Islands of Vlieland and Terschelling, with a charming historic centre of canals, warehouses, and maritime heritage.

Explore on foot, by bike, or, if conditions allow, by Zodiac through the waterways. Traditional sailing ships and historic warehouses line the old harbours of Noorderhaven and Zuiderhaven. Don't miss the Harlingen Aardewerk museum, with its displays of distinctive Frisian pottery.

Discover clifftop trails, beaches, and wildlife

Just off the German mainland, tiny Heligoland was once a base for pirates and the strategic prize of warring nations. Now this peaceful, traffic-free island is better known for its stunning nature and, at certain times of year, its birdlife.

If conditions allow, local boats will take us ashore to explore both of Heligoland's distinctive islands. On one, walk scenic trails along the red cliffs looking out for nesting northern gannets and common guillemots. On the other, stroll fine white sands lined by dunes in search of seals lounging on the shore.

End in Germany’s second city

Your journey comes to an end as we arrive in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany and one of the greenest urban areas in Europe.

There’s much to see and do in Hamburg. If you have time, you'll find many attractions in the old town district of Altstadt, including the St Nikolai Memorial and the historic street of Deichstraße.

Hamburg is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Chilehaus, and the world's largest historic warehouse complex in Speicherstadt. Art lovers should head to Kunsthalle, Germany’s leading art museum.