Begin your voyage in Lisbon, a city that’s no stranger to voyages of discovery, and set a course for Iberian archipelagos off the coast of Africa. These islands were well known to Columbus and other seafarers who followed his route between the Old and New World, filling their galleons with water and provisions before or after an Atlantic crossing. Discover the Portuguese personality of Funchal with its cable cars, mosaics and madeira. Then on to a clutch of delightful Canary Islands with a diversity that is astounding. Martian landscapes on Lanzarote. Lush green La Palma. Cloud forest, cliffs and canyons on La Gomera. Tenerife with its spectacular beaches and soaring Mount Teidi. No wonder all of these islands have been named UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Add in colonial gems, a unique culture, and a playful cuisine that includes dishes like wrinkly potatoes and "old clothes ," and you have the makings for a beguiling Canary Islands journey.