Africa Cruise - from Las Palmas - 135562

The largest city on the Canary Isles is on Gran Canaria and has a population of 355,000 and a totally original and unique architecture. The cathedral, on which construction work began following the discovery of America, has a Gothic and Neo-classical style. It stands on the lovely square "Santa Ana", which is where the archiepiscopal palace and several other buildings in the distinctive 'Canary' style are also situated. The "Barrio de la Vegueta" area stands out due to its many manor houses, which show the influence of the Latin American colonial style. Sights include: the "Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno" which has an important collection of contemporary art.

'The capital of the Republic of Senegal has the largest port in West Africa. Its oil refineries and the international airport mean it is one of the most important trading centres in West Africa. Dakar has a population of 1.7 million and is known as the finishing point of the world famous intercontinental car rally from Paris to Dakar. Cultural and scientific highlights of the city are the university, which was founded in 1957, the research institute "Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire" (IFAN) and the museums.

At the wide mouth of the Gambia river lies a narrow marshland peninsula. This is where Gambia's capital city was founded by the English colonial powers in 1868. The city's houses are well-kept and the viewing platform on the tallest building provides a beautiful panorama view of the entire surrounding area. In the old town you can still find old trading stations, dating back to the colonial age. The most important attraction is the "Albert Market", an interesting market and centre for tradesmen. Other sights include: the National Museum with exhibits about the country's cultural history; the major port of Banjul, where massive freight ships drop anchor.

São Tiago with its capital, Praia, is the most African of the Cape Verde islands. A trip to Assomada where there is a twice weekly African-style market in an "Aluguer" (a communal taxi) is particularly exciting. The town centre is 'Plaça 12 de Septembro'. It is surrounded by buildings dating from the 19th century: to the South-East the church Nossa Senhora da Graça and the majestic palace of justice just next to it, to the South-West the Home Office and the Banco Comércio do Atlántico on Avenida Amilcar Cabral, which leads across the entire plateau. The new Museu Ethnográfico, which is to the North of the market, is also well worth a visit.

Mindelo is the second-largest city on Cabo Verde and lies nestled in a beautiful bay. It is dominated by the largest and most important port in the country, "Porto Grande". Mindelo has the flair of an international port town and continues to be the cultural and intellectual centre of the archipelago. Sights include: the old town, the fish market, the reproduction of the Lisbon "Torre de Belém", which is the city's landmark.

'The island capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a lively, friendly city with picturesque streets, parks and squares as well as a world-renowned botanic garden. The centre of Santa Cruz is a mixture of old areas and modern architecture. The famous beaches of Las Gaviotas and Las Teresitas are very close nearby the city. Monte de la Esperanza, which towers over the city is also worth a visit, since the view from the summit is truly breathtaking. 'Sights include: the Plaza de Espana with its war memorial, the Museums of Archaeology and Anthropology, Carta Palace, the baroque church of Iglesia de la Concepción, the Museum of painting and sculpture, Castillo de Paso Alto.

The Moroccan port and provincial capital of Tangiers at the western opening of the strait of Gibraltar is the gateway to Africa. The most famous attractions are to be found near the Kasbah in the middle of the bustling old town. Steep streets and alleyways wind around the white walls of the houses, and a labyrinth of large and small shops selling everything you could think of awaits visitors. The Great Socco (Great Souk) is a typical Moroccan square with lots and lots of tea houses and the most important market place at the outskirts of the Medina. To the North-West of the Grand Socco is the huge main gate of the city wall, Bab Fahs. Nearby, are the gardens of the old residence of Mendoubia, once the seat of the Sultan of the international commission, today the seat of the magistrates. The gardens have 800-year-old dragon tree plants as well as 40 old international canons.

The town is a harmonious mixture of the traditional and the modern and you will find both historic buildings dating from medieval times and ultra-modern architecture. Barcelona is the most important economic centre in Catalonia. This Mediterranean metropolis also has lots to offer in cultural terms, including, among other things, the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Catalonia. The cathedreal "La Seu", which dates from the 13th century, is situated in the gothic old town "Barri Gotic". But Barcelona's landmark is the "Sagrada Familia", the church designed by Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona is busy by day and lively by night. One of the other main attractions is "Las Ramblas", the splendid promenade in the city centre with countless pavement cafes, shops, restaurants, bars and discos. Other must-sees include "El Puerto", the harbour with a wonderful view of Barcelona, and the nearby boulevard "Paseo de Colón".

Marseille is considered to be the largest and oldest port on the French Mediterranean coast and a glamorous metropolis. The city was founded in a picturesque bay in the 6th century B.C. by the Greek colonists. Initially it thrived from trading and quickly developed into an important port. Marseille is a welcoming cosmopolitan tourist town with a wide variety of shopping, entertainment and recreational facilities. Sights include: St. Victor's basilica, the old harbour, the poor house "la Ville Charité", the cathedral of la Major, the town hall, the historical museum, the Roman Docks Museum, the Archaeological Museum, Longchamp Museum, Grobet-Labadié Museum, Cantini Museum.