Islands of the Atlantic Ridge: Brazil to the Azores

Arrive in Salvador, renowned for its exuberant atmosphere. Settle into our hotel in the historic Pelourinho district. Meet your fellow travelers at our welcome dinner and enjoy a musical performance. (D) 

This morning check out of the hotel and set off to explore the city. Salvador’s brilliantly hued center is a living museum of 17th- and 18th-century architecture. Explore the Pelourinho, a UNESCO site; or choose to hear local music, visit a sea turtle preservation site, or see a social project assisting street children. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, embark the National Geographic Endurance. (B,L,D)

Enjoy the National Geographic Endurance’s many amenities as we spend the day at sea. Soak in the ship’s infinity-style outdoor hot tubs, take in panoramic views from the rooftop observation deck, and enjoy talks from our onboard experts and learn about the amazing wildlife and geology that we will see on our journey. (B,L,D)

Fernando de Noronha archipelago is a UNESCO site recognized for its rich marine life and large concentration of breeding tropical seabirds. Pending official permission, enjoy two days exploring its beaches, birdlife, and abundant marine life, with a special visit to the TAMAR turtle research project. Opt to hike, swim, and snorkel in its rich surrounding waters or take a visit to the remains of the 1738 Dos Remédios fortress. Go on a boat excursion to Dolphins Bay to watch spinner dolphins—their acrobatics are renowned, and there is no better place to see them than Fernando de Noronha. (B,L,D)

The day begins at sea as we make our way into the northern hemisphere. Crossing the Equator, we sail toward our destination—St. Peter & Paul rocks. Sitting along the Atlantic ridge, this small outcropping of rocks just breaks the surface of the ocean. Officially claimed by Brazil, this archipelago is geologically fascinating and home to seabirds and a few researchers. Take a Zodiac cruise through the rocks to see the Earth’s mantle up close. (B,L,D)

Choose from an array of shipboard activities. Attend a photo workshop with our National Geographic photography expert, enjoy a performance of live music, or treat yourself to a massage or a wellness class. (B,L,D)

The spectacular mountainous volcanic islands of Cape Verde comprise one of the world’s smallest independent nations. See impressive landscapes on Santo Antão: terraced hillsides, eucalyptus forests, and deep valleys. Visit the island of Fogo and add volcano-gazing to your life list. We drive 5,000 feet up the volcano to sample the local wine at its source: inside the caldera! (B,L,D)

Visit the ship’s Bridge as we sail northward across the Tropic of Cancer. Soak up the views from one of the observation decks and attend engaging presentations on a range of subjects, from 15th- century Portuguese and Spanish navigators to talks from our marine biologists on the amazing navigation skills of the cetaceans who travel these waters. (B,L,D)

Drop anchor in the azure waters of the Canary Islands, which occupied a central place in the history of Atlantic exploration. The larger island of La Palma is known as La Isla Bonita, or “the pretty island,” for its lushly forested mountain slopes set against azure waters. Enjoy a scenic drive up to Mirador de la Concepción, perched on the edge of a crater. Take in fantastic views of the town and harbor below and visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Snows, with its fusion of baroque and Spanish-Moorish architecture. On the island of La Gomera, visit a house where Christopher Columbus stayed while his ships were provisioned with supplies, then stretch your legs on a hike in the verdant Garajonay Nacional Park. (B,L,D)

Start the day south of Madeira in the Desertas Archipelago. This small group of volcanic islands has been deemed a nature reserve, helping to protect both the sea and land. The area is a refuge to the Mediterranean monk seal and an array of seabirds. Sail on to enchanting Madeira, a subtropical island abloom in flora. First settled by the Portuguese in 1419, the island’s capital city of Funchal evokes a colonial time capsule, with architecture from the 15th through the 19th centuries. Explore its winding streets and culinary delights. (B,L,D)

Enjoy all that our ship has to offer on this final day at sea as we make our way to the Azores. Spend time on deck with the expedition team as they keep watch over the horizon, searching for the marine creatures and seabirds who feed in this fertile stretch of ocean. (B,L,D)

Spend the morning with local whale experts who have centuries of ties to their surroundings and an instinct for scouting its wild inhabitants. They will guide us on our morning whale-watching. In the afternoon, we go ashore at Santa Maria, historically significant as the first landfall of Christopher Columbus on his return from the Americas in 1493. For those interested in getting some exercise, there are hiking trails that will allow us to experience the scenery and atmosphere of the island. (B,L,D) 

The Azores are a whale-watching mecca, where more than 20 different types of cetaceans can be spotted. Search for these gentle giants in the channel north of Pico and Horta islands. Once ashore on the island of Faial, head to Capelinhos to see how dramatically the landscape changed when the volcano at the western end of the island erupted in 1957. Farms and villages were covered with ash, adding an extra two square kilometers of land to the island. Later, stroll along the marina, visit the excellent scrimshaw museum, and raise a glass at Peter Café Sport, a legendary pub where sea adventurers historically dropped off their mail.

São Miguel combines the breathtaking landscapes of Hawaii with the charm and culture of Old World Europe. Explore the Furnas Valley and its famed hot springs, hiking the trails or perhaps visiting a tea plantation or the lovely garden of Terra Nostra. Next, we will have a tasting of Azorean cuisine. Savor a traditional cozido lunch, naturally cooked from the volcanic activity—underground! (B,L,D)

Disembark in Ponta Delgada, the charming capital of the Azores Archipelago. Spend the morning touring the old town—stopping at the impressive Museum of Carlos Machado to discover the varied history of the islands. Enjoy lunch before transferring to the airport and homeward flights. (B,L)