A fabulous whirlwind trip around the Canary Islands aboard the boutique cruise ship Azamara Onward

Caroline Hendrie cruises the Canary Islands on Azamara cruise line’s latest ship, Azamara Onward (above)

You want to go around the Canary Islands, passing through several islands, but you only have one week of vacation, so how to integrate them all? Look no further than Azamara’s latest boutique ship, Azamara Onward, and its fabulous whirlwind round trip to the Canary Islands.

This mid-sized ship carries less than 700 passengers, leaving plenty of room for bars and lounges, from the airy glass-walled saloon overlooking the bow to the cozy book-lined salon. Or simply relax around the pool with drinks (included in the rate) from the Sunset Bar.

THE GREAT LIFE AT LA PALMA

Azamara Onward (pictured) carries less than 700 passengers,

Azamara Onward (pictured) carries less than 700 passengers, ‘leaving plenty of room for bars and lounges’, Caroline reveals

A stateroom aboard Azamara Onward.  While onboard, Caroline recommends relaxing around the pool with drinks from the Sunset Bar, which are included in the fare.

A stateroom aboard Azamara Onward. While onboard, Caroline recommends relaxing around the pool with drinks from the Sunset Bar, which are included in the fare.

La Palma's capital Santa Cruz (pictured) is 'a great little town to explore, with the beach, shops, cafes and tapas bars a short walk from the ship'

La Palma’s capital Santa Cruz (pictured) is ‘a great little town to explore, with the beach, shops, cafes and tapas bars a short walk from the ship’

Above are colorful buildings in Santa Cruz

Above are colorful buildings in Santa Cruz

This round trip begins with Azamara Onward leaving Gran Canaria and heading to a fifth bonus island – Madeira, which is part of Portugal. After spending the night in the port of its capital, Funchal, where you can take a selfie with the huge statue of local superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, you will set sail for La Palma.

The steepest island in the world, towering at 7,960ft, made headlines last year with the spectacular eruption of Cumbre Vieja, the volcano that makes up the southern half of the island.

But you will land on the other side of the island, at 9am, in the charming capital, Santa Cruz. It’s a great little town to explore, with the beach, shops, cafes and tapas bars a short walk from the ship. Look for the row of historic houses on the waterfront with wooden balconies overflowing with brightly colored flowers.

Don’t miss: The Island Museum in a quiet former Franciscan convent, with seating in shaded cloisters and sunny courtyards, and an interesting collection of natural and maritime history, contemporary art and religious artifacts.

Downtime on board: The ship does not depart until 10:00 p.m., so take your time over an excellent breakfast at Discoveries Restaurant. Standout dishes include the perfectly plated shakshuka, Japanese zucchini noodle breakfast bowl, and scrambled egg ratatouille.

GO GREEN ON LA GOMERA

Variety Show: Guests will spend the day in La Gomera.  The island's spectacular scenery is its biggest draw, says Caroline.  Above, the Roque de Agando volcanic plug of the island

Variety Show: Guests will spend the day in La Gomera. The island’s spectacular scenery is its biggest draw, says Caroline. Above, the Roque de Agando volcanic plug of the island

You will arrive in the greenest of the Canary Islands, with little tourist development, at 8am.

Carved by deep ravines and fringed by cliffs, where most beaches are only accessible by boat, the island’s dramatic landscape is its biggest draw.

An age-old whistled language, Silbo, which was used to communicate across the ravines, is still heard where there is no mobile phone connection.

Keep an eye out for native birds such as Atlantic canaries, laurel pigeons and Bolle pigeons while hiking in Garajonay National Park, pictured

Keep an eye out for native birds such as Atlantic canaries, laurel pigeons and Bolle pigeons while hiking in Garajonay National Park, pictured

Don’t miss: Choose from 370 miles of trails in Garajonay National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site. On a guided walk through the ancient laurel forest, you expect to see hobbits among the twisting roots of moss-covered trees. Keep an eye out for native birds such as Atlantic canaries, laurel pigeons and Bolle pigeons.

Downtime on board: Check into Sanctum Spa for a full Swedish massage or one of six other relaxing and invigorating massages on the menu.

CLOUD SURFING ON TENERIFE

When the ship arrives in Tenerife, passengers can set off on a scenic hike through the Anaga Rural Park, pictured

When the ship arrives in Tenerife, passengers can set off on a scenic hike through the Anaga Rural Park, pictured

After an overnight voyage, your ship will dock in Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife. It is an ideal starting point to see the green northwest of this island, the largest of the Canaries. Anaga Rural Park offers three easy circular trails from the Cruz del Carmen viewpoint through the beautiful cloud forest, filled with heather and gnarled laurels dripping with moss.

Back in Santa Cruz, tram #1 will take you to the laid-back old capital, San Cristobal de La Laguna, which retains its colorful colonial buildings from the 16th century. Stroll through the pedestrianized Old Town and stop at a sidewalk cafe to dip fresh churros from the deep fryer in hot chocolate.

You already know the outlines of Mount Teide, an active volcano so huge that it is visible from La Gomera. A visit to Teide National Park is like stepping into a different world, with torrents of petrified black lava, oddly shaped monoliths, giant boulders and stretches of gravel-like yellow dunes.

Be sure to take the cable car up to the platform near the top of Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain

Be sure to take the cable car up to the platform near the top of Mount Teide, the highest peak in Spain

It sounds grim, but there are nearly 200 species of plants growing here, including 32 unique to Tenerife.

Don’t miss: The breathtaking cable car ascends to the platform near the summit of Mount Teide (the highest peak in Spain). You’ll reach 11,663 feet in eight minutes for a view of puffy white clouds all the way to the sea.

Downtime on board: Secure your place at the Explorer’s Dinner, featuring six courses of Spanish dishes prepared with ingredients brought from the New World by the conquistadors.

CAMELS IN GRAN CANARIA

Once moored in Gran Canaria, you can cross the sand dunes of Maspalomas on camelback (pictured)

Once moored in Gran Canaria, you can cross the sand dunes of Maspalomas on camelback (pictured)

Departing from Tenerife at 10 p.m., the last leg of this excursion will take you back to Gran Canaria, docking at 8 a.m. the following morning.

There is so much more to this island than the hotels, malls, pubs and clubs of Playa del Ingles.

You can hike to the bottom of the crater of the extinct Bandama volcano, sample unique wines grown in volcanic soil, cross the rolling sand dunes of Maspalomas on camelback, and explore the capital, Las Palmas, where home in which Christopher Columbus stayed before he sailed to the Americas is still standing.

Caroline recommends hiking to the bottom of the crater of the extinct Bandama volcano (pictured) in Gran Canaria

Caroline recommends hiking to the bottom of the crater of the extinct Bandama volcano (pictured) in Gran Canaria

Don’t miss: Potter through the maze of narrow, cobbled streets and tiny squares of Vegueta, Las Palmas’ oldest neighborhood.

In the 19th-century market hall, you can stock up on coffee beans, Canarian wines and cheeses, olive oil and dried fruit to take home.

Downtime on board: Start your last evening with Spanish music and tapas like a rich roasted artichoke with sun-dried tomatoes, a melty tortilla and beef carpaccio.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Caroline Hendrie was Azamara’s guest (azamara.co.uk), which offers an intensive seven-night trip to the Canary Islands aboard the new ship Azamara Onward departing March 11, 2023. Fares start at £937 pp, including drinks and gratuity, but not flights. For more information, visit hellocanaryislands.com and webtenerife.co.uk.

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