Fred. Olsen – Scenic Islands of the Azores – 2022

Departure from Liverpool, United Kingdom

Board the ship mid-afternoon before you set sail later that evening.

Cobh, Ireland

The charming seaside town of Cobh, situated in Cork harbour, has served as a route in and out of Ireland for centuries. Formerly known as Queenstown before locals reverted back to the old Irish name in 1922, Cobh was the embarkation point for 2.5 million people who emigrated to America from the ‘Emerald Isle’ between 1848 and 1950, and was famously the Titanic’s final port of call on her ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912.

At Sea

Enjoy 2 days of cruising.

Praia de Vitoria, Terceira, Azores, Portugal

Pretty Praia da Vitoria, the former capital of the Azores, is a town steeped in history. Originally heavily fortified, Praia has a fascinating historic quarter, and a stunning natural harbour that’s overlooked by the impressive 16th century Fort of Santa Catarina.

Translated as the Beach of the Victory, Praia da Vitoria is a popular destination thanks to a bustling, modern harbour, vibrant town centre and gorgeous sandy beaches. The pick of which is the uncrowded Praia Grande, which is a safe, dark sand beach with barely any waves.

Praia’s centre has a pleasant pedestrian zone with many attractive shops and some notable historic buildings that deserve a glance. The most notable monuments include the imposing bell towers of 15th century Igreja Matriz de Santa Cruz and the stunning Town Hall in the main square.

Horta, Faial, Azores, Portugal

The tranquil little port of Horta on the Azores island of Faial, has played host to transatlantic yachtsmen since it was discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century.

Regarded as one of the most colourful marinas in the world, Horta is the location of several international regattas each year, and its harbour is known for its vast open-air exhibition of paintings installed on the jetty by visiting sailors.

This emerald-green, volcanic island is an unspoilt environment of craters, lakes, sheer cliffs and lush valleys, to which only picturesque whitewashed houses and stately little baroque churches have been added.

Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal

Ponta Delgada, the main town on the island of São Miguel, is the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal. The town’s cosmopolitan atmosphere belies its 500 year history, and the surrounding island boasts beautiful lakes, mountains, sandy beaches and the stunning crater lakes of the extinct Sete Cidades volcano.

Ponta Delgada’s fine collection of buildings, narrow cobbled streets and squares, are a firm reminder that this was once a key staging post between Europe and the Americas. Intermingled are cool parks, enchanting squares, a modern marina, restaurants and waterside cafés. Its lakeside, whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs look out to enchanting mountain plains.

The striking, three-arched city gates, Portas da Cidade – which once stood in the harbour and now reside in Gonçalo Velho Cabral Square, were dedicated to the Portuguese navigator who discovered the Azores. The Gothic Church of St. Sebastian and The Convent and Chapel of Our Lady of Hope, which is home to a revered image of Christ, are both worth uncovering. The Carlos Machado Museum offers diverse artefacts of Azorean culture, while Igreja Matriz Church, with its splendid clock tower, is one of many beautifully ornate towers to be found.

At Sea

Enjoy 3 days of cruising.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

From beautiful coastlines to a fascinating industrial heritage, Belfast is a modern, vibrant and stylish city. Famous for being the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, Northern Ireland’s capital offers visitors the chance to visit the Harland and Wolff shipyard and the fascinating Titanic Experience. Only in Belfast can the Titanic story be traced to its source, and the excitement of an era when the city was at the height of its powers relived.

Arrival at Liverpool, United Kingdom

After an early breakfast, disembark the ship for your journey home