Cruises - Azores Cruise Club

Castries, St Lucia
This truly tropical isle is one of the prettiest in the Caribbean. Think glossy
rainforests showered in sunbeams. Vivid yellow banana plantations. And striking,
syrup-coloured sands that simply demand your tanning time. The coral reefs
are out of this world, too. Be dazzled by the rainbow of colours hidden beneath
the waves, then let the St Lucian sun gently dry your skin. For a paradise escape,
this place comes up trumps every time.
• Drive through this gorgeous canvas that showcases some of Mother Nature’s
finest handiwork. Pass Soufriere’s ‘drive through’ volcano as you head for the
spires of Les Pitons. These twin cones of volcanic rock are St Lucia’s trademark.
• If you can’t choose between snorkelling and scuba diving, get the best of
both worlds on a snuba experience. You’ll wear a mask and fins and you’ll also
have access to an air supply so you can explore deeper for longer.
FunChal, Madeira
Sweeter than wine, Madeira’s a fine excuse to binge on beautiful scenery to
your heart’s content. Funchal is the island’s capital, a bewitching collection of
cobbled streets, quaint museums and buzzing café and restaurant life.
• Get to know Funchal. This spellbinding city is a portion of Portugal sprinkled
with a dash of Garden of Eden and Edwardian Britain. The whole place seems
to be smothered in vivid bougainvillea, jasmine and other exotic blooms.
• If you’re really into blooms, meander around Funchal’s tranquil Botanical Gardens,
admiring their dazzling displays of orchids, cacti and Madeira’s iconic dragon trees.
• Take a cable car up to the mountain village of Monte and hurtle back down the
cobbles towards Funchal in a wicker toboggan.
• Gaze in awe at the colossal Cabo Girao, one of the world’s largest coastal cliffs.
Then take in the simple charms of the quaint fishing village, Camara de Lobos,
one of Winston Churchill’s favourite retreats.
• Sign up for a jeep adventure to explore parts of the island that are
usually off limits.
Visit your local travel shop | 0871 230 2800 | thomson.co.uk/cruise
Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. The cost of calls was correct at the time of publication.
See page 3.
Beach, Barbados
Castries, St Lucia Funchal, Madeira
Wililabou, Kingstown Margarita Island, Venezuela
Kingstown, St Vincent
Somewhat unfairly, St Vincent is often overlooked in favour of its little brothers and
sisters – the neighbouring Grenadines. But those who do stop here are in for a treat.
Deserted beaches and untouched forest stretch for miles, interrupted only by the
occasional cobbled town or dormant volcano. Kingstown is the main hub.
• Head over to the island of Bequia, ideal for shopping and sunbathing.
• Take a trip around Fort Charlotte in Kingstown. This British Garrison was built in
1806 and it’s now home to a selection of local paintings and handicrafts. Later, head
north and take in the oldest botanical gardens in the western hemisphere. You’re
likely to spot the island’s multi-coloured national bird – the St Vincent Parrot.
• Follow in the footsteps of Johnny Depp and Kiera Knightly with a visit to
Wallilabou Bay where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed.
• Hop on a boat in search of dolphins, eleven species of them live off the coasts.
san seBastian, La Gomera See page 155 for details
Margarita island, Venezuela
Offering up pirate legends, woven hammocks and Venezuelan coffee, Margarita Island
drums to its own beat. It’s set just off the northeast coast of Venezuela, and combines
picture-perfect Caribbean looks with a go-slow pace. Cue talcum-powder sands,
coconut palms and soaring mountains sitting alongside clear, blue waters. Away from
the coast, five national parks call this place home, including Lagoon La Restinga –
a lagoon filled with mangrove swamps and flamingos.
• Hop on a boat and explore La Restinga National Park.
• Browse the duty-free shops and pick up a bargain.
• Tuck into fresh seafood at one of the beachside restaurants. A dozen oysters
will set you back just £1, while a bottle of wine costs around £2-3.
• Take a stroll down one of the palm-threaded avenues in Porlamar.
The island’s biggest city is full of glitzy hotels and casinos, plus you’ll find
hordes of luxurious designer boutiques and trendy wine bars.
125