Santa Cruz is one of the Canary Islands’ biggest hitters. It shares its capital city title with Las Palmas, on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria, and more than lives up to the role. In the space of just a few streets, the bustling port area melts into an inviting old town. A century-spanning mix of church towers and hotels peeks above the rooftops, and the whole town’s backed by the silhouette of a mountain range. You’ll find one of the Canary Islands’ most futuristic buildings by the harbour – the Auditorio de Tenerife, which looks like an edgier version of the Sydney Opera House. At the more historic end of the scale is the Basilica of Candelaria, which is dedicated to the patron saint of the Canary Islands. Further afield, you’ll find beaches hugging the south coast and the mighty Mount Teide rising up in the island’s centre.

• You’ll have to travel to Hawaii to see a volcano that’s taller than Mount Teide. Tenerife’s snow-capped giant is the third highest in the world, when you measure from the ocean floor. Head to the national park that surrounds it, and you can explore the wildlife-lined walking trails.
• Take a drive through the Orotava Valley, stopping at the Humboldt viewpoint. There’s a bronze statue of the naturalist it’s named after – look over his shoulder, and you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the island’s vineyards and banana plantations.

Arrives at 8AM

Mother Nature had a field day with La Palma. All rolling mountains, plunging valleys and sweet-smelling pine forests, the little island certainly isn’t short on breathtaking scenery. Things are just as good looking along the coast, where dramatic black-sand beaches give way to hidden coves. Another great thing about the island is its relaxed, laid-back vibe. It offers up a more authentic picture of the Canaries than its bigger neighbours – one of quaint whitewashed houses, grand colonial buildings and sleepy squares. It’s no wonder the locals call it La Isla Bonita – the beautiful island.

• Discover La Palma’s volcanic past with a trip to La Caldera de Taburiente National Park. This enormous National Park is actually a volcanic crater. With a circumference of 28km, it’s the biggest in the world. And the spectacular scenery doesn’t stop there. The park is also crammed full of towering pine trees. Plus, it’s home to over 25 different species of birds.
• Hurtle over La Palma’s rugged terrain on a quad bike – it’s a great way to explore the island and discover what lies off the well-trodden path. You’ll tackle dirt tracks and whiz past banana plantations, taking in views of the coast on the way.
• Hike through the protected tropical rainforest of Los Tilos. It’s completely unspoiled, crammed with caves, springs, lime trees and giant ferns. Keep an eye out, too, for wildlife that’s unique to this corner of the world, such as the Maculada de Canarias butterfly.

Departs at 4PM

Arrives at 8AM

Sweeter than wine, Madeira’s a fine excuse to binge on beautiful scenery to your heart’s content. Funchal is the island’s capital, a bewitching collection of cobbled streets, quaint museums and buzzing café and restaurant life.

• Get to know Funchal. This spellbinding city is a portion of Portugal sprinkled with a dash of Garden of Eden and Edwardian Britain. The whole place seems to be smothered in vivid bougainvillea, jasmine and other exotic blooms. Don’t miss the covered market, a dizzying montage of exotic fruit stalls and flower-sellers wearing traditional costume. And take a look at the city’s impressive Sé cathedral with its ornate ceiling and artworks.
• If you’re really into blooms, meander around Funchal’s tranquil Botanical Gardens, admiring their dazzling displays of orchids, cacti and Madeira’s iconic dragon trees.
• Take a cable car up to the mountain village of Monte and hurtle back down the cobbles towards Funchal in a wicker toboggan.
• Gaze in awe at the colossal Cabo Girao, one of the world’s largest coastal cliffs. Then take in the simple charms of the quaint fishing village, Camara de Lobos, one of Winston Churchill’s favourite retreats.
• Sign up for a jeep tour to explore parts of the island that are usually off limits.

Departs at 8PM

Arrives at 7AM

Glittering sands that disappear into the distance. Souks brimming with sparkling trinkets. Medinas that ring with snake-charmers’ melodies. Morocco is a spice-scented corner of the world that thrills the senses. Sun-drenched Agadir is the country’s premier beach resort, with a 9km stretch of toe-tickling sands. It has all the appearance of a European resort but with an unmissable North African twist.

• When you’re not horizontal on the beach, make a beeline for the Grand Souk. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of this traditional market crammed with shiny silver and hand-woven rugs.
• Delve inside the ancient walls of Taroudant, an 11th-century citadel set among gnarled olive groves and sweet-smelling orange trees. Haggle to your heart’s content in the atmospheric Berber market.

Departs at 5PM

Arrives at 8AM

Its lunar landscape is legendary, its sun-soaked beaches loved worldwide, and its all-round postcard prettiness powerful enough to draw people back year after year. In fact, there’s not much to dislike about Lanzarote. Soaked in sunshine and dotted with whitewashed villages, it’s got a charm all of its own.

• Behold the world famous Timanfaya National Park, the jewel in Lanzarote’s crown. It’s renowned for its Montanas del Fuego or Mountains of Fire, a huge area of solidified lava dominated by enormous, dormant volcanoes. Breathtaking stuff.
• If you haven’t heard of Cesar Manrique before your trip to Lanzarote, you’ll certainly remember him afterwards. A Lanzarote-born artist and designer, his weird and wonderful artistic creations are dotted all over the island. Discover more at the Cesar Manrique Foundation, the artist’s former home. Built around five cave-like lava bubbles, it’s impressive to say the least and the interior looks like something straight out of Austin Powers.

Departs at 6PM

Arrives at 8AM

Golden dunes drenched in year-round sunshine. Rugged mountains hiding pretty whitewashed villages. Bays and coves linked together like a magnificent sandy necklace. Nature’s been kind to Gran Canaria so little surprise it lures sun-worshippers back year after year.

• Take a trip to the Bandama crater. Standing over 3,000ft high, it’s one of the few inhabited volcanic craters in the world.
• Discover the island’s cosmopolitan capital, Las Palmas, where chic boutiques and tempting tapas bars are tucked in among some breathtaking architecture. In the old town, or Veguetta district, you’ll come across the Christopher Columbus Museum, which is well worth a visit, too.
• Feast your eyes on the incredible wind-sculpted sand dunes of Maspalomas. Then pick a patch of sand and soak up the sun.

Departs at 11PM

Santa Cruz is one of the Canary Islands’ biggest hitters. It shares its capital city title with Las Palmas, on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria, and more than lives up to the role. In the space of just a few streets, the bustling port area melts into an inviting old town. A century-spanning mix of church towers and hotels peeks above the rooftops, and the whole town’s backed by the silhouette of a mountain range. You’ll find one of the Canary Islands’ most futuristic buildings by the harbour – the Auditorio de Tenerife, which looks like an edgier version of the Sydney Opera House. At the more historic end of the scale is the Basilica of Candelaria, which is dedicated to the patron saint of the Canary Islands. Further afield, you’ll find beaches hugging the south coast and the mighty Mount Teide rising up in the island’s centre.

• You’ll have to travel to Hawaii to see a volcano that’s taller than Mount Teide. Tenerife’s snow-capped giant is the third highest in the world, when you measure from the ocean floor. Head to the national park that surrounds it, and you can explore the wildlife-lined walking trails.
• Take a drive through the Orotava Valley, stopping at the Humboldt viewpoint. There’s a bronze statue of the naturalist it’s named after – look over his shoulder, and you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the island’s vineyards and banana plantations.