Christmas Cruise West Africa
aboard - M/S Kristina Regina

LAS PALMAS                                                                         Gran Canaria, Spain

Las Palmas and mountain villages, December 17^th,      Price 30 € / adult, a half day excursion (approx. 4 hours)

The Gran Canarian main town Las Palmas is the capitol of the archipelago. This historical and lively holiday destination is also an important international harbour. On our tour we see the interesting old town and we visit the Christoph Columbus house, where he waited 1492 4 weeks for provisions on his expedition to America. Along Tafira we drive to the mountains and to the green Agostura Valley. Santa Brigida opens up a breathtaking view to Las Palmas. La Caldera de Bandama is the living evidence of volcanic activity on the island and the place where visitors can feel a great respect for elemental forces. A visit at the botanical garden completes this excursion. The excursion starts at the airport and ends at the ship.

SAN SEBASTIAN DE LA GOMERA                                  Gomera, Spain                              

The island of La Gomera, December18^th, 
Price 47 € / adult, a full day excursion. 
The excursion include lunch.

1492 Christopher Columbus had a break here on his way westbound to the unknown. The island is characterises by its central massif of a heigh of 1487 meters, dropping steeply to the sea. Particularly interesting are the population's very old and original popular customs. The inhabitants of the different valleys use to communicate with each other in a whistling language, comparable to the yodelling in Central European Alps. During the lunch break we can see how this whistling language still works today. Laurel forest covers some 70% of the Garajonay National Park, a property of Humanity of the UNESCO in the middle of the island. The presence of springs and numerous streams assures  lush vegetation resembling that in tertiary, which due to climatic changes has largely disappeared from Southern Europe.

MINDELO                                                                            Sao Vicente, Cape Verde

Mindelo Sightseeing, December 21^st,                                 Price 35 € / adult, a half day excursion.

The island of Soa Vicente was discovered on Saint Vincent's day (22nd January) in 1462. It was only 1838 when a coal deposit was established in Porto Grande that the population started to grow. Mindelo then became the calling point of many ships around the world. Today it is the largest port in Cape Verde. During the sightseeing tour you can see the Amilcar Cabral Square, the main market, the fish market and the tower of Belem, which is a copy of the tower in Lisbon. On a clear day a beautiful view of the city and harbour can be admired. A drive out from the city will take you to a local fishing village for a short walk around.

Cape Verdean Dinner, December 21^st,                             Price 58 € /adult, a evening excursion, dinner included.

During the evening in a local restaurant visitors are introduced to the music, dance and food, which are typical of Cape Verde. Local dancers perform to the music of a live band.

SANTO ANTAO
Sao Vicente, Cape Verde

Santo Antao-green paradise in the Atlantic, Dec. 22^nd, Price 59 € / adult, a full day excursion, lunch included.

A local ferry will take you from Mindelo to Porto Novo, where the tour of Santo Antao begins by a minibus. Santo Antao is an island of contrasts. A range of mountains divides the island into two different parts: one totally desert and dry and the other humid and lush. The road from Porto Novo to the old colonial town of Ribeira Grande is spectacular. On both sides of the road there are dramatic views of rugged peaks and canyons and deep valleys with tiny settlements below. After lunch in the picturesque village of Ponta do Sol you will visit the valley of Paul, the greenest valley in Cape Verde. Return to Mindelo by the local ferry.

PRAIA                                                                                 Santiago, Cape Verde

Cidade Velha- Discoverer and Slave Markets. Dec. 23^rd, Price 35 € / adult, a half day excursion

Cidade Velha (Old City) was the first European centre built by the Portuguese people just after the discovery. Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus as well as several other famous navigators anchored in Cidade Velha. Due to its strategic location half the way between Europe, Africa and America, Cidade Velha acted as a trading post with Africa, which by the 16th century was dominated by slavery traffic. From those times there are still some monuments that can be visited. One of them is the fortress of Sao Filipe that offers a spectacular view to Cidade Velha.

Tarrafal, December 23^rd,                                                   Price 49 € / adult, a full day excursion, lunch included.

The island of Santiago is the biggest and most densely populated of the whole archipelago. From Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, the tour takes you about 70 km northwest to Tarrafal. The landscape varies from mountain ranges to the green valleys with banana plantations. On the way you will stop at a handycraft centre and the local market in Assomada. Visit the former prison where hundreds of freedom fighters were kept during the Portuguese occupation. In Tarrafal enjoy the relaxing bay of white sand, coconut palms and warm water. After lunch drive back to Praia and see some more picturesque scenery of fishing villages and plantations on the way.

DAKAR                                                                                Senegal

Dakar and Goree Island, December 25^th, 
Price 45 €/ adult, a half day excursion

The orientation tour introduces the main sights of the busy capital of Senegal. City sights include the Independence Square, the old colonial style train station, the Medina, the Great Mosque and shopping at the Soumbedioune market. A visit at the peaceful Goree island, the first European settlement in Senegal, reveals the dark side of its history, which is reminded by the site of old slave prisons.

The Pink Lake, December 26^th, Price 58 € / adult, a full day excursion, lunch included

Lake Retba, better known as the Pink Lake, is located about 30 km north from Dakar. The lake is famous for the pink colour caused by the micro-organisms and strong concentration of mineral in the water. Under the sun rays it sparkles like a wide pink mirror surrounded by sand dunes. Day and night hundreds of locals gather salt from the lake. A tour bus will take you from the ship to the Pink Lake, where you will board a truck for the drive on the wild beach. The day includes lunch at a local restaurant near the lake, a visit to a native village and a photo stop at the cattle market.

BANJUL                                                                              Gambia

Makasutu. December 27^th,                                                   Price 57 € / adult, a full day excursion, lunch included.

Banjul City Tour. December 28^th,                                       Price 37 € / adult, a half day excursion

The orientation tour takes you in and out of the Greater Banjul area. After visiting Arch 22, the tallest building in The Gambia, you will have a chance of touching a friendly crocodile Charlie at the Crocodile Poole, which has been in existence and owned by the same family over 500 year. In a local tie and batik factory guests may look around and do some shopping. The Albert market will bring sights and colours of Africa to you as never before.

We reserve the right for changes!