Africa: Morocco, Canary Islands & Namibia

Welcome to cosmopolitan Casa, a name synonymous with North African mystique. Explore its busy bazaar in search of leather, ceramic and wooden souvenirs then wind down the scenic Corniche promenade which arcs along the coast. It leads to the stunning Hassan II Mosque, rising in smooth marble from a rocky outcrop crowned by a majestic 210-metre minaret.

Part bustling port town and part relaxing beach getaway, Agadir is a must-go. After an earthquake hit in 1960, the city had to almost completely rebuild itself. Now, it's a beach holiday destination for the whole country. Take a walk on the promenade, pick up a slice from one of the city's many delicious pizzerias, relax on the beach, and get a taste of the Moroccan street scene-all in one port.

Lanzarote is a treat for all the senses. From artistic wonders to natural beauties, the Lanzarote brims with culture, adventure and glorious sunshine. Enjoy a number of the most beautiful destinations…Fancy tucking into some mezze at a waterfront café? Or sunbathing on Lanzarote’s best beaches? The sky’s the limit on a Lanzarote cruise holiday.

Beloved for its beaches, Tenerife also offers a feast for the eyes - in its numerous art galleries and museums or an incredibly panoramic cable car ascent of Mount Teide. Your ears will appreciate the sounds of the timple, a distinctive element of Canarian folk music. Perhaps even catch a recital at the striking wave-shaped Auditorio, home to the acclaimed Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.

One of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan African cities, the Senegalese capital bears many visual reminders of its past as a French colonial outpost. Despite the Parisian-style boulevards and buildings, however, there is a distinctly African feel to the city. The common language is French, although many citizens may also speak as many as five or six ethnic languages, since the whole coast of West Africa has been steeped in a heritage of mutual trade for centuries. Among the many sights and sounds greeting visitors, none is more evocative and sobering than a visit to Goree Island and its House of Slaves. This fortress, just offshore of the city waterfront, displays many reminders of the brutal trade in human beings, including an unimposing doorway, set just above the waterline in the seaside wall, identified simply as the “Door of No Return.”

Situated on an island where the Atlantic Ocean and Gambia River converge, Banjul is the country's capital city that's bustling with commerce centered around the region's natural resources.

The skyscrapers that shape the skyline of Abidjan tell only part of the story of this boom-and-bust West African capital. Africa’s modern showplace has also suffered internal strife that decimated its aspirational economy.

Africa's second smallest nation, São Tomé and Príncipe is home to stunning natural beauty. Príncipe is an almost entirely untouched island close to the equator with a population of less than 10,000. Hikers will love trekking through untouched jungle on the way to pristine beaches.

Luanda looks to be booming. Development and construction is fueled by extractive industries such as petroleum and diamonds. However over half the city’s residents live in poverty. It has for several years dominated the chart of the most expensive cities in the world for expatriates, outstripping such notorious places as Hong Kong and London.

The 'Diamond of Africa' is a country of stark beauty and contrasting landscapes. It is home to the world’s oldest desert, the world’s highest sand dunes, and a diversity of people that have created an intriguing blend of cultures and traditions. Found between the sand dunes of the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean, the large natural lagoon of Walvis Bays is home to prolific birdlife.

Not only is Cape Town one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but it is also surrounded by magnificent beaches, rugged mountains and bucolic vineyards. On a fine day savour an awe inspiring cable car ride up Table Mountain. Perhaps make the poignant tour of Robben Island or take a cultural trip to Stellenbosch and its surrounding wine lands.