Namibia, Angola & Ivory Coast from Cape Town

Cape Town is both the legislative capital of South Africa and one of its most vibrant cities. Make your way to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding city and harbour. Visit Robben Island to see the former site of the notorious former prison that held Nelson Mandela. Explore the manicured lawns and beautiful forest in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Then stop by the V&A Waterfront for some shopping and entertainment.

Unspoiled Walvis Bay, a natural lagoon and the only deep-sea harbour on the Namibian coast, offers something for everyone, with spectacular bird-watching being a keynote, as thousands of migrating species make their way here annually to join the local flamingoes and pelicans. “Dune 7,” at the outskirts of town, towers over the scenic bay, and offers excellent photo ops. The city is also a good starting point for a number of exciting day trips into the timeless beauty of the desert region, including off-road explorations, or fly-over dolphin and whale sighting.

Located at the eastern tip of the island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz is a natural cruise destination as over half of its perimeter is shoreline. The beaches are lovely at that, from the yellow sands of Las Teresitas to the black sands of the quieter, clothing-optional Las Gaviotas. There’s also plenty to do and see inland, especially if you’re here during the spectacular Carnival.

The third largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria offers a continent of contrasts. There’s the elegant capital, Làs Palmas, where Columbus once called en route to the New World; lovely beaches and the Sahara-like sand dunes of Maspalomas; and, inland, a volcanic landscape of valleys, gorges and mountains rising to 6,000 feet.

The capital of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Arrecife (which means “reef” in Spanish) is renowned for its abundance of reefs and islets along its coast. If your cruise takes you to Arrecife, be sure to explore this island’s many natural wonders, from the fabulous El Reducto beach to the craters, lava tunnels, canals and tubes of Los Volcanes Nature Park. Explore more of Arrecife on a European cruise!

Motril is a magnificent Spanish gem on the Mediterranean coast. The relaxing sands of Playa de Torrenueva are a great place to spend a sunny day. For some inland exploring, head to the Cueva Del Capitan for a fantastic nature hike. There’s also plenty of history waiting to be experienced in the city. Stop by the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza to see a 17th-century church surrounded by incredible panoramic views. Then head to the Pre-industrial Sugar Cane Museum to learn all about the region’s staple crop.

This Costa Blanca jewel lies between mountains and sea fronted with miles of beaches. Spanish Baroque at its finest, Cathedral de San Nicolas is well worth the stop. Discover the La Alcudia Archaeological Sites, a working dig occupied since the Stone Age.

The capital of Catalonia, and one of its provinces, Barcelona, is a place of palpable history, where you can lose yourself strolling down the medieval streets of the Barri Gotic. It’s a city designed to delight the senses: visit other-worldly Modernista churches like Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia, or treat yourself at a street side cafe to Patatas Bravas or a Passion Fruit Mojito. Explore more of Barcelona on a European cruise!