Canary Islands Advice

[cleobella]

We are going to the Canary Islands-Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Funchal.  We usually like to plan ports according to themes, and hope to do one of these as a nature/scenic stop, one as a historical sightseeing stop, and one as a cultural stop (just walking the town, stopping to try local food and wines, shopping... I tell my husband that shopping is cultural!)  Which of these ports would be good for each focus.  We are also going to Lisbon (? historical sightseeing and city wandering) and Vigo (which I know nothing about, is it quaint or more of a city, any sights nearby?

Thanks for the assistance 

[GastroGnome]

Tenerife has the largest national park which is quite spectacular.  That might do for nature?  Or wale watching - from any of the islands.  (Just be sure you choose a reputable company..)

 

Vigo is lovely - easy walk to beautiful back streets.  Try and make it to the fisherman's quarter and have lunch there.  (If you head from the ship, through the commercial center then walk in as straight a line as possible up the hill one terrace.) The lane is lined with roadside places to eat with the menus varying with the catch.  There are antique shops and local crafts.  Churches if that appeals.   Lovely place.

[Sauer-kraut]

Tenerife for El Teide and that really old big tree.... There's a painting of it in Chicago's Field Museum painted back in the 19th century.

[LondonTowner]

I think you mean the Dragon Tree in Icod de los Vinos?

[Sauer-kraut]

3 hours ago, LondonTowner said:

I think you mean the Dragon Tree in Icod de los Vinos?

Yes, El Drache

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

I know this is a 2019 post, but just wanted to point out that Funchal is not part of the Canary Islands, Spain.  It is a lovely city on Madeira Island, Portugal. 

[Lois R]

I just got home from a cruise that sailed out of of Lisbon and it was fabulous😃........got home VERY last Thursday night (like into Friday).......feels so weird being home again.  I miss the ship😟

 

This was my first time visiting this part of Europe. I really love it. So much so I am now researching river cruises for next summer on the Douro😀