Africa & the Indian Ocean: Lisbon to Dakar - Silver Cloud

Day 1 - Lisbon, Portugal

A glorious mosaic of beauty, freedom and authenticity, Portugal’s capital is a stirring artwork of a city. Known for the seven hills it spreads across, and its stirring fado music, Lisbon is a pastel-coloured blend of houses and beautiful tile artworks - and this creative city strikes a perfect harmony between natural and manmade beauty. Stroll along Alfama's steep, cobbled streets as you explore one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods - where each house and door could be its own photograph. Look for the decorative tiles, with the distinctive blues and whites of Azulejo ceramics, and visit the dedicated museum to learn more.

Afterwards, wind up to São Jorge Castle, where views out across Lisbon’s red rooftops unravel. Just one of many majestic viewpoints, you can also seek out Miradouro da Graça for perhaps Lisbon's finest panorama, with the copper-coloured suspension bridge stretching over sparkling water beyond the sea of buildings. The elegant Tower of Belém rises in the Tagus estuary and is a historic defender of these shores. The grand, carved cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery spread out close by, and there's another UNESCO recognised location close by at Sintra, where a colourful town is set amid thick gardens and towering mountains - capped by the royal Pena Palace. Later, relax and take a quick break to drink Ginjinha, a cherry liqueur made from chocolate cups instead of coffee. Lisboetas have a sweet tooth, and the famous Pastel de Nata's crumbling pastry and caramelised-custard topping is the essential accompaniment to any coffee stop.

Day 2 - At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Day 3 & 4 - Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel Island), Portugal

Providing a gorgeous green welcome to sailors venturing on the long journey across the Atlantic, Ponta Delgada’s shoreline is a reassuring sight, as it emerges into view. Sat on São Miguel Island, the largest of Portugal’s Azores islands - which wait on an outpost of western Europe, some 1,100 miles from the mainland. Ponta Delgada is the island’s largest city, and a place of spectacular volcanic vistas, steaming hot springs and impressive landscaped gardens. The city’s signature trio of arches welcomes you to Ponta Delgada, and its island of verdant volcanic contrasts. Wander between monochrome churches like the Gothic Church of St. Sebastian, and up to the Convent and Chapel of Our Lady of Hope – which houses the revered icon of Christ that is paraded through the streets annually, and believed to have miraculous powers by locals. Or, head for beaches offering sanctuary on charcoal-coloured sands, or the tropical António Borges Botanical Gardens, where tropical plants add extra shades to the Green Island's scenery.

Now extinct, the mighty Caldeira das Sete Cidades is a truly awe-inspiring sight - and the colossal collapsed volcanic caldera blooms with lush greenery and scattered wildflowers. The vast crater has been taken over by a glowing, picturesque lake, which reflects the blue sky above. A full three miles wide - and with a circumference of eight miles - it’s a vast panorama to take in. The Lagoa de Fogo – or Lake of Fire – is another of the island’s calderas – rise up to see the crumpled scenery encasing a beautiful lake. São Miguel Island’s geothermal activity has practical uses too, and you can harness the powers to unwind any tired muscles after a long day, by sinking into the hot springs of Poca Da Dona.

Included Shore Excursions: (All days in port have included excursions like these.)

• Furnas Valley, Hot Springs & Botanical Garden

• Whale Watching

• Ponta Delgada Food Tour

• Swimming with Dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean

• Sete Cidades Hike

Day 5 - Horta, Azores, Portugal

Far adrift, in the Atlantic's vast sweep, Horta serves as a welcoming island respite for some truly epic ocean voyages. One of the most westerly parts of Europe, these Portuguese islands lie a full 1,100 miles from the coast of the mainland. The bustling marina here serves as the perfect stopover and a welcome respite for tired sailors and yachts embarking on transatlantic crossings. The colourful harbour is decorated with a multicoloured patchwork of their stories and flags, and adding to this massive, ever-growing mural is said to offer sailors protection while out on the seas.

While Horta's clientele may come and go with the waves, there's nothing transient about the stunning volcanic cones and soaring wildflower-splashed hills that make up this beautiful Atlantic island pit-stop. Horta is the main city, and a charming welcome to dry land, as you step onto the pentagon-shaped island of Faial. On the frontier of continents, the violent meeting of the European and North American tectonic plates forged this beautiful archipelago - and the rich volcanic scenery here is ripe for exploration and adventure.

The busy harbor lies before the dramatic backdrop of the neighboring Pico Island's cloud-wisped peak - head up to Espalamaca Lookout for the best view of Horta's busy harbor and islands emerging nearby. Horta has a grand volcanic caldera of its own, and you can journey up through threads of cloud, to look down into the island's immense, bowl-shaped crater. The Lighthouse of Ponta dos Capelinhos is an island icon, having survived 1957's dramatic eruption. It now occupies a scenic location on a headland, surrounded by vast swathes of charred new land, which were churned out from the depths.

Day 6 - Ilha do Corvo, Azores, Portugal

The smallest of the nine Azores islands, Corvo emerged as a volcanic cone from the sea depths 730,000 years ago. It later collapsed to form a caldera with several cinder and spatter cones and small lakes, with peat bogs and islets. The sheer western cliffs rise 700 metres (2,300 ft) above sea level while to the south, ancient lava flows reach the sea. The warm Gulf Stream gives the island mild temperatures and high humidity with an almost permanent fog on the mountain top. These are great conditions for a lush vegetation. At times, Corvo both supported and was a victim to pirates. One recorded battle at the island’s settlement occurred in 1632 when attacking Barbary Coast pirates were met by shepherds throwing rocks from the cliffs. The Corvo people repelled the pirates and victory was put down to the local vicar carrying a small statue of the Virgin Mary into the battle. Today, the statue is in the local church.

Corvo and nearby Flores are renowned amongst ornithologists for spotting birds rarely seen in Europe. In autumn, migrating North American birds are sometimes blown off course to the islands. After a rest and a feed, they continue on their way. Corvo means crow and Azore means goshawk. Neither bird was ever here, so explorers needed better binoculars. But there are resident birds, including Azores Grey Wagtail, Azores Blackbird and Azores Chaffinch. Look for the Atlantic Canary, wild ancestor of the domestic yellow canary. At the Azores they sing the same but look better in the wild.