Visiting four beautiful islands in the Canaries and Madeira, as well as two culture-rich Portuguese cities, makes for a very special start to spring. You’ll get to bask in soothing seasonal warmth, revel in spectacular scenery, and discover an abundance of diverse sights and highlights – the perfect way to recover after a long, cold winter. Your island-hopping begins amongst the fragrant, colourful scenes of Madeira. Delight in the beauty of the ‘garden island’, perhaps trailing the scenic levada walking route or exploring botanical gardens under the guidance of a local flower expert; or maybe visit Cabo Girão sea cliff for stunning Atlantic Ocean views. The Canaries will then await you, with La Palma the first of three of the archipelago’s islands on your itinerary. The entire island of La Palma is a UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve ripe for exploration, with scenery ranging from untouched forests and tumbling waterfalls, to soaring volcanos and rugged craters. In Tenerife, a day docked at Santa Cruz allows ample time to take in interesting museums, elegant parks and pretty squares, and stop-by welcoming restaurants for a taste of authentic local cuisine. Elsewhere on the island, the secrets of the mysterious Pyramids of Güímar are yours to unravel, while majestic Mount Teide provides views of Spain’s highest peak. For a more relaxing experience, you may opt to simply stop-by your pick of Tenerife’s beaches. This Canarian discovery concludes with a visit to Arrecife, from where the unmissable attractions of Lanzarote await discovery, such as the lunar-like landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, the magnificent Fire Mountains and the beautiful saltwater lagoon of Jameos Del Agua Cave. Bookending your island-adventures are two diversions to the Portuguese mainland; as you sail south, enjoy a stop at Leixoes for tours to nearby Oporto, famed for its port wine and fine architecture, and take the chance to explore Lisbon, with its fascinating museums, maritime history and monuments, before returning home.