SENEGAL TO SPAIN aboard the clipper adventurer

MArch 31 - April 13, 2009

From Senegal’s energetic capital, Dakar, to the volcanic islands of the eastern Atlantic, from the shores of
magical Morocco to the picturesque coast of Spain… Our epic voyage tells tales of conquest and coloniza-
tion, reveals bewitching landscapes and geological wonderlands, and showcases an amazing variety of
cultural treasures.
Aboard the superb 118-passenger Clipper Adventurer, we follow in the wake of explorers and conquis-
tadors who wove the intricate tapestry of history across this fascinating region. After the early explora-
tions of the Phoenicians, expansion by the Roman empire, and invasions by the Visigoths, the Moors from
North Africa peaceably occupied the coast of Spain. From the 8th to 15th centuries they reigned as the most
enlightened rulers in feudal Europe, making brilliant contributions to architecture, astronomy, agriculture,
and commerce.
After the Castilians reclaimed their lands in 1492, they, along with the Portuguese, became consummate
explorers as the Age of Discovery began. Sea routes to Africa and India found their way onto the map.
Spanish conquerors took the Canary Islands, and the Portuguese settled Cape Verde. All sights were set on
the possibilities of the New World. And for four long centuries, the nefarious slave trade was run from the
shores of Senegal.
Throughout our journey, we witness the legacies of these times in extraordinary cities and timeless villages,
at celebrated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in the warm hospitality that comes from the rich cultural
blend of the people. Nature and bird lovers are rewarded with incredible diversity spread across a wealth of
ecosystems and by the vast numbers of seabirds making their northbound migration.
e
e © Thomas Baechtold © Natalia Baechtold
Our voyage begins in eclectic Dakar, renowned for its beautiful mosques
and French colonial architecture. Our visit to historic Gorée Island, once
the center of the slave trade, is a deeply moving experience. Sailing north-
ward, Portugal’s isolated Cape Verde Islands claim a drama all their own:
the stark and rocky terrain is contrasted by verdant interior farmlands
and colorful villages. In the Canary Islands, we witness two dramati-
cally different volcanic landscapes—Lanzarote’s sinuous black lava flows
and Tenerife’s snowcapped Teide Volcano, Spain’s highest peak and its
newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The mystique of Morocco’s fabled cities—Casablanca, Agadir, and Tarou-
dant—unfolds in labyrinthine alleyways, splendid Islamic palaces, and
graceful mosques. An optional two-day excursion takes us across the High
Atlas Mountains into Marrakech, with its entrancing medina (old town),
palm gardens, and ancient souks perfumed with intoxicating spices. A
visit to the soaring, stalwart Rock of Gibraltar concludes our voyage and
we disembark in Malaga.
© Allan White
Wednesday, April 1: Dakar / Embark Clipper Adventurer
Arrive in Dakar, Africa’s westernmost city, in the early morning and transfer to
the port to embark the Clipper Adventurer. The morning is at leisure. After lunch
onboard an after-noon tour of Dakar offers an up-close look at the highlights of this
energetic, eclectic, and cosmopolitan capital city including the stunning Great
Mosque, handsome French colonial buildings, and President’s Palace. We also visit
the picturesque Kermel Market, overflowing with fruits and flowers, before setting
off for the charming medina. In the fishing village of Soumbédioune we witness the
fine craftsmanship of pirogues and traditional handicrafts. Dinner and overnight on
board.
Thursday, April 2: Dakar
After breakfast birders head out on a full day search for the treasure trove of
West Africa’s avifauna, while others take a ferry to infamous Gorée Island, a
World Heritage Site. From the 15th – 19th centuries Gorée was a slave-trading
center, and we witness the contrasts between the dungeon-like slave quarters
and the elegant colonial mansions of the slave traders. We explore the moving
18th-century House of Slaves, the Women’s Museum, and the fortified Le Castel,
offering splendid views before returning to the ship for lunch and the afternoon
at leisure. The captain hosts our welcome dinner this evening.
Friday, April 3: At Sea
As we cruise westward today to the Cape Verde Islands our lecturers offer natural
history and cultural perspectives on these starkly beautiful islands settled by
the Portuguese conquistadors in the 15th century. Independence was as recent as
1975. It was also here that Charles Darwin began his studies in natural history.
Those on deck may spot migratory birds winging their way towards northern
breeding grounds.
Saturday, April 4: Praia, São Tiago, Cape Verde Islands / Tarrafal
São Tiago, the largest of the Cape Verde Islands, is crowned by Antonia Peak which
rises 4,500 feet above fertile farmlands. Several excursion options include a full-
day overland exploration of the island or a full-day birding excursion to search for
the Cape Verde petrel, cream-colored courser, and European golden plover. Others
will explore the relaxed capital city of Praia with its colonial remnants, the for-
tress of São Filipe, local market, and museum; during lunch onboard, the ship
repositions to Tarrafal. From here, those onboard may choose between two
afternoon options. A southbound tour through green valleys and mountains brings
us to tiny villages, the Upper Botanical Gardens and horticultural institute, and the
village of Assomada. Or, take a guided walk through seaside Tarrafal, with its
central market and ancient prison-turned-museum. All groups return to the ship
for dinner.
Sunday, April 5: Mindelo, São Vicente
Birders head out this morning from Mindelo, while the rest of the group visits
Fortim, the site of an old fort, with spectacular views. In the lovely town we see
the Governor’s Palace, court house, local market, and Amilcar Cabral Square,
flanked by brightly painted colonial Portuguese houses. We also enjoy the stun-
ning views from the top of Mt. Verde before returning to the ship for lunch.
Monday & Tuesday, April 6 & 7: Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
As we sail toward the Canary Islands, watch for pilot whales and bottlenose dol-
phins. Our lecturers prepare us for the Canary Islands, once a steppingstone in
the era of exploration.
Wednesday, April 8: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
An early morning arrival in the capital of Tenerife gives us the opportunity to
choose a visit to either the northern or southern end of the island. Northern island
highlights include small charming villages, dramatic miradors (viewpoints), and
the university town of La Laguna. This World Heritage Site, designated for being
the first, non-fortified Spanish colonial town, is a showcase of superb examples
of 16th – 18th-century architecture, a layout that became the model for many
American colonial towns.
Our southern tour includes the spectacular Botanical Gardens and a walk
through the town of La Orotava. At Teide National Park, designated a
World Heritage Site in 2007, we view the twisted volcanic formations of
basalt and obsidian surrounding Spain’s highest peak. After lunch at
El Parador, enjoy a gentle or a more active hike to view the Roques de
Garcia—bizarrely eroded rocks set in ochre plains and rivers of lava at
the mountain’s base. Birders head off to look for many of the 200 species
that populate the varied habitat.
Thursday, April 9: Arrecife, Lanzarote
Lanzarote, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a volcanic island with some
300 cinder cones pock-marking its rugged landscape. This morning we
have a choice of two tours. Our north-bound option features a drive to the
charming “white village” and ancient capital, Teguise. A highlight is the
Jameos del Agua, a spectacular lava-tube cave transformed by famed local
artist César Manrique into a delightful series of pools, gardens, and a
natural amphitheater.
Or, you may choose to explore Timanfaya National Park and its stunning
volcanic landscape, a legacy of the 1824 eruption. By coach, on dromedary,
and on foot watch for some of the 177 species of rare plants, many of them
unique to the Canaries. On the nearby coast, we view natural geologic
formations where water rushes dramatically into a sea-eroded volcanic
cave at Los Hervideros. Birders keep a keen eye out for Cory’s shearwa-
ter, Eleanora’s falcon, and other species. In the afternoon we set sail for
Morocco.
Friday, April 10: Agadir, Morocco / Taroudant
After breakfast we set off on a drive from Agadir to the inland town of
Taroudant, often called “little Marrakech,” to walk the fortress ramparts
and through the central plaza. The colorful Berber Market offers a fasci-
nating array of spices and quality handicrafts, while the artisan souk dis-
plays silverwork, leather goods, and carpets. We enjoy lunch here before
returning to Agadir in the afternoon.
© Thomas Baechtold
 SPAIN

Marbella Granada
Malaga
Ronda

Gibraltar

CANARY ISLANDS Casablanca

MOROCCO
Marrakech

Arrecife, Lanzarote
Taroudant
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Agadir

CAPE VERDE
ISLANDS

MALI
Saturday, April 11: Casablanca São Vincente

This afternoon we dock in lovely Casablanca whose modern quarters, defined by broad palm-tree-lined bou-
Mindelo
Timbuktu
São Tiago
Tarrafal Dakar Mopti
levards, are juxtaposed with the city’s elegant and historic civic buildings. Many of these were designed in Praia
SENEGAL
Djenné

the 1930s in the local Mauresque architectural style—a decorative blend of traditional Moroccan, French Bamako

colonial, and Art Deco motifs. We begin our exploration with an excursion to the colorful Central Mar-
ket, followed by a guided interior tour of the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest religious structure in the
world (after Mecca). Its 700-foot-high minaret
is visible for miles.
Continuing on, we pass through the elegant Corniche district which spreads along the Atlantic coast; the
Anfa Quarters, where Roosevelt met with Churchill during World War II; the impressive Law Courts; and
the Habbous Quarters, built by the French in the early 20th century. We return to the ship for dinner and
sail towards Gibraltar.
Sunday, April 12: Gibraltar, United Kingdom
The 1,400-foot Rock of Gibraltar soars from the sea as we sail through the strategic Strait of Gibraltar, which
connects the Atlantic and Mediterranean. We explore this tiny British outpost, including the labyrinthine St.
Michael’s cave, and visit Europa Point for superb views across the strait to the northern coast of Morocco.
Naturalists search for the griffon vulture, Barbary partridge, and the indigenous, colorful wildflower
known as the Gibraltar candytuft. Uphill, we meet the Barbary apes, a colony of introduced macaques
that are the photogenic icons of The Rock.
Monday, April 13: Malaga, Spain / Disembark Clipper Adventurer / Home
Early this morning disembark the Clipper Adventurer and transfer to the airport for your independent flight
back home.
 The Clipper Adventurer

The 118-passenger Adventurer, among the very few vessels in the world specifically constructed
for expedition voyages to the far reaches of this remote land. Her ice strengthened hull permits her
to glide easily and safely through ice-strewn waters that are not accessible to conventional cruise
vessels. She has advanced communications and navigation equipment, and newly installed, state-
of-the-art Sperry Gyrofin stabilizers.

In 1998 the Adventurer had a $13 million conversion done in Scandinavia. She is a handsome
expedition vessel, done in the style of great ocean liners when ships were ships. With lots of
varnished wood, brass, and wooden decks, the ship has all new outside cabins, with lower beds
and private facilities. There is a Main Lounge, bar, Clipper Club, library/card room, gymnasium,
sauna, gift shop, and beauty salon. Inte and Continental cuisine. The ship has a fleet of 10 Zodiacs
and a special loading platform. An ice class rating of A-1 allows the Clipper Adventurer to go to
places larger cruise ships can only dream of, and she does it in comfort and style unsurpassed by
other vessels her size.

1
Junior Double, two lower Deluxe Double, Yacht
Technical Specifications:
berths, shower, porthole 4 deck, midship, two lower
berths, porthole window.
window.
Registry: Bahamas Beam 16.5m (54 ft)
Suite, two lower beds,
7 bath with shower, window,
Double, two lower berths, Superior Double, two
sitting area.
Gross Tonnage 4,364 Draft 4.72m (15.5 ft)
2 shower, porthole window. 5 lower berths, shower,
Built 1975 - Russia Cruising Speed 12 knots
picture window.
Refurbished 1998 - Scandinavia Capacity 118 passengers
Owner’s Suite, two lower
8 berths, shower, porthole
Main Double, two lower Junior Suite, two lower window.
Ice Class A-1 Electricity 220 V.
3 berths, shower, porthole
window.
6 berths, bath or shower,
Length 101 m (330 ft) Stabilizers Sperry Gyrofin
sitting area.