Regent : 21 nights from Cape Town with Seven Seas Mariner
Apr 28, 2028

Walvis Bay

Luanda

 Capital of Angola, in southern Africa. Luanda is divided into two main areas which include first the lower city, around its bay (including the ancient colonial city, the fortress and the port) and secondly the upper city, the modern district.

Forty years of civil war left Angola cut off from the rest of the world until 2002. Now increasingly courted by Western countries for its oil exports, it is becoming more and more a regional power willing to compete directly on many diplomatic issues.
The main and memorable places of this city are:
The fortress of São Miguel, ideally located, was built in 1576 by the Portuguese to defend Luanda from its assailants from Europe. The walls of the fortress house statues and old war equipment and a small chapel, where you have an incredible and complete view of the city.
Luanda has three museums, the Museo de Historia Natural, the Museo das Forcas Central, here is located in the oldest palace in the city, and the Museu de Antropologia, here shows African masks, native instruments, and hunting artifacts. Architecture enthusiasts should not miss the colonial churches of Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré and Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios, from the 17th century.
The Marginal, more formally known as Avenida 4 de Fevreiro, is the avenue along the bay of Luanda. Starting from the port to the entrance of the Ilha peninsula, meeting the city center with the new and old buildings and many towers under construction, various of the most beautiful restaurants in the city and the local yacht club. The Marginal is also flanked by old colonial buildings, used for public offices. (National Bank, Post Office, Industry Museums, Ministry of Communication, etc.).
Luanda has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is 24°C: the average winter from January reached 27°C, with a maximum of 30°C and a minimum of 24°C; summer average in July drops to 21°C, with a maximum of 24°C and a minimum of 18°C.
The inhabitants of Luanda are mainly of African ethnic groups, but also present a small community of Portuguese origin. Many Brazilians have arrived recently, following the economic recovery that followed the end of the civil war. It has an official language, which is also the most widely spoken, Portuguese.

 

 

Sao Tome

Abidjan

 

 

Abidjan is the former political capital and main economic center of the country of Ivory Coast. As of 2011, it is the largest city in the nation and the third French-speaking city in the world, after Paris and Kinshasa. Considered the cultural center of West Africa, Abidjan is characterized by a high level of industrialization and urbanization. In the Plateau district, often nicknamed the "Little Manhattan", it is identified as one of the largest western cities in Africa. This metropolis has many tourist sites to see. Visitors can enjoy the various monuments, such as the Treichville Mosque, the Cocody Mosque, or the Cathedral of St. Paul. Culture and history lovers can discover the many museums, including the Goethe Institute, the Civic Museum, the American Cultural Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the French Cultural Center, the Museum of Civilization, the National Museum, the Palace of Culture and the craft center. It also has the Banco National Park. Sassandra, 210 km west of Abidjan, connected daily by bus, is known for its beautiful beaches, but what makes it particularly noteworthy is its fishing village. The wonder of wonders is Poly-Plage, a fantastic natural phenomenon. The climate is equatorial in the south with temperatures around 30 °C, with a rainy season that lasts from May to November, the rest of the time with occasional rainfall, in a very humid environment. In the north, the rainy season is less marked and stops in September, followed by a dry season, with clear skies and cool nights, from November to March. Ideal period to discover this tropical place.

Banjul

Banjul, the capital of the Gambia, is a port city, peaceful African, exotic on the island of Santa Maria at the mouth of the Gambia River. Rich in history, Banjul has many colonial buildings and museums. The area around has wonderful and wide beaches on the edge of the tropical blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Boat trips on the Gambia River from Banjul are exciting. You will discover the fauna of the Gambia and its tradition.

The former center of the slave trade, founded by the British in 1816, is rich in many interesting monuments such as the State House in Banjul and the Banjul Court. At the entrance to Banjul is the Arch 22, an imposing monument 35 meters high, with a fantastic view of the city.
The African Heritage Museum has an excellent collection of African paintings and statues. There are also several beautiful mosques and two cathedrals. There are good shopping opportunities in the famous Albert market where you can experience the original African way of life, full of colors and scents with frequent African concerts.
The famous locations in Gambia are Fajara, Kololi, Kotu, and Bakau, all located near Banjul. These locations have a good selection of hotels and restaurants, and wide sandy beaches surrounded by palm trees offering good opportunities for water sports.
For those interested in flora and fauna, Abuko is one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Gambia. Another popular tourist attraction is Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau. The beautiful Gambia River, over 1000 km long, and its banks are full of mangroves.
Banjul offers a pleasant tropical climate, a long dry season from November to May, and a rainy season from June to November.

 

Mindelo

Mindelo is a lively port city located on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. Cultural vibrancy, historical importance and natural beauty blend perfectly making Mindelo a unique and fascinating destination for tourists. The city is known as the cultural capital of Cape Verde.

It has a rich musical tradition, in particular morna and coladeira are the traditional musical genres of Cape Verde. The city is associated with the famous singer Cesária Évora. Cesária Évora was a Cape Verdean singer and probably the most famous morna singer in the world. Her nickname was “barefoot diva” because of her habit of performing barefoot. Mindelo hosts one of the most lively carnivals in the region, often compared to those in Brazil.

The event is a great attraction for tourists and locals, with parades, music, dances and elaborate costumes. Mindelo has a thriving art scene, with numerous galleries and markets where local artists and artisans exhibit their works. The Mindelo Art Center is a notable venue for unique exhibitions and shows. The city's nightlife is lively, with numerous bars, restaurants and clubs that offer live music and entertainment, especially in the historic center around Praça Estrela and Rua Lisboa.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife, is located in the north-east of the island. Its pleasent climate and commercial areas make the city the perfect place for walking and enjoying long hours of relaxation. There are lots of things to visit in the city such as its avenues, parks and Henry Moore's most famous sculptures, hidden treasures and historic buildings such as the Church of the Conception or the Carta Palace.

Do not miss the opportunity to taste local cuisine. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a beautiful port located in Tenerife, the largest of the western islands of the Canary Islands archipelago. In the area around the port, there are wide avenues, squares, exotic green areas and some examples of modern architecture. At the heart of the city, near the sea, there is Plaza de España, built in the mid-20th century and once the site of the San Cristobal Castle (16th century).

The oldest part of the city is rich in religious monuments. The construction of the Church of San Francisco, one of the best examples of the Baroque style, began in the 17th century. The Church of Pilar, dated back to the 18th century, stands on the remains of an ancient temple. The city has also some green areas filled with exotic tree species. The Garcia Sanabria Park houses an important outdoor Sculpture Museum.

Another not to be missed place is the Maritime Park, a recreational area designed by architect César Manrique and located in the old Canary Islands commercial basin. Also known as the Black Castle, this circular defensive bastion was built in the first half of the 17th century with volcanic stones. From a naturalistic point of view, Tenerife is an island of contrasting landscapes. The wide beaches of fine sand in the south of the island give way to lush vegetation in the north.

Every year, the outfits of the island's capital prepare to host Carnival, declared International Tourist Interest and one of the most spectacular in Spain. Its privileged location makes it possible to enjoy beautiful beaches such as Las Teresitas, get to know the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit Teide National Park, the symbol of the island.

Funchal

The famous Portuguese poet, Júlio Dinis described Funchal as: ‘The sea on one side, the mountains on the other and between these two majestic splendours, the city smiles like a sleeping child, safe and warm, between its parents’. Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is the soul of Portugal. Settlers over 500 years ago were attracted to this sheltered place, which is structured like a natural ‘amphitheatre’. Gentle slopes, abundant greenery and flowers, rise above the pretty harbour for almost 1,200 metres. The port is located 15-minute walk from the city center, in Funchal's magnificent bay with its sparkling blue waters. Due to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, Madeira has been a stopover point for ocean-going ships for many years.

Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is the soul of Portugal. Colonists over 500 years ago were drawn to this sheltered place, which is structured like a natural 'amphitheater'. Gentle slopes, abundant greenery and flowers, rise above the pretty port for almost 1200 meters. The magnificent bay of Funchal, with its sparkling blue waters, is home to the port, a 15-minute walk from the city center. Thanks to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, Madeira has been a stopping point for ocean-going ships for many years.

Lisbon

Perched on steep slopes overlooking the Tagus River, Lisbon offers all the pleasures you'd expect from Portugal's main attraction.

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon (in Portuguese Lisboa) has experienced a great rebirth in recent years, with a lively and flourishing contemporary culture. Perched on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is one of the rare European cities that face the ocean and use water as an element that defines the city. Lisbon enchants travelers with its white limestone buildings, intimate alleys and an ancient charm that makes it a popular destination all year round.