14-Day ~ Canary Islands Knitting Cruise (Oct 2026)

14-Day Canary Islands Knitting Cruise with André de Castro
Oct 3-17, 2026

This cruise sails roundtrip from Rotterdam on a unique itinerary, allowing visitors to enjoy sun-kissed shores, castles, music, exquisite tile work, and delicious cuisine.

The ports on this itinerary are varied and rich, steeped in history and tradition. This cruise emphasizes more off-the-beaten-path ports where the incredible landscapes will delight you. Shop for yarn at charming shops, learn about local history, and admire architectural treasures, including baroque, medieval, and Roman styles, while savoring local seafood and specialty dishes.

While onboard, enjoy knitting classes with Portuguese knitting expert André de Castro. André will teach various techniques, including Knitting in the Portuguese Style, Colorwork Knitting, Lace by Music, Knitting with Variegated Yarn, Slip Tuck & Slip Woven Stitches and Bavarian Twisted Stitches. We invite you to pack up your needles and join us for some fun.

14-Day Canary Islands Knitting Cruise Highlights

• Arrive early to explore the canals of Amsterdam, visit such famous museums as the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh and Rembrandt, and shop for yarn at de Afstap, Amsterdam's oldest yarn shop, and Stephen & Penelope, home of Westknits.


• On the Island of Madeira, see volcanic mountains, lush tropical flowers, beautiful embroidery, old-fashioned shops, stunning black & white mosaic tiles, and terra-cotta-roofed buildings while sipping a refreshing Poncha and walking along the waterfront promenade in Funchal.


• Take in the botanical beauty of Madeira on a tour of the Funchal Farmers' Market, exquisite botanical gardens, and famous wine cellars.


• Take a step back in time on the wild island of La Palma, where visitors liken the island to Jurassic Park, a prehistoric junglelike forest with wispy waterfalls and babbling streams. The entire island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.


• In Santa Cruz, see colorful colonial buildings and traditional wooden balconies while seeing waves crash along the waterfront. This stunning waterfront will give you the most photo-worthy views of the city.


• In Tenerife, see the Teide volcano towering over the island, the tallest mountain in Spain, and the site of one of the world's most popular national parks. Take a cable car to the top for unrivaled views of the island.


• Also in Tenerife, travelers interested in learning about its unique wildlife and the population of indigenous people who lived here before the arrival of European settlers can visit the Museum of Nature and Man in Santa Cruz. Architecture buffs will be dazzled by colonial-era mansions, and those keen on food and wine can venture into the countryside to sample local dishes or learn about winemaking.


• While on the smallest of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote, visitors can take in its 300 volcanic cones and breathtaking landscapes. This island is like no other place with its charming villages and volcanic history. Visitors can even ride a camel up the slopes of a volcanic cone.


• Admire the quintessential blue and white tiles called azulejos and stunning baroque architecture in Lisbon, Portugal, a city that retains its old-world charms.


• Shop for the highest quality woven wool garments and yarn in Portugal, a country with a long history of sheep herding in its mountainous regions.


• In Lisbon, shop at Retrosaria Rosa Pomar, the best yarn shop in Lisbon, known for advocating and supporting locally sourced wool yarns.


• Have lunch at Lisbon's Time Out Market, ranked as one of the world's greatest food halls; this market is considered a mandatory stop for all foodies visiting this fascinating city.


• From the port of Dover, visit the rolling green countryside of medieval Canterbury or head into London, where you can shop, see a few sites, or visit the V & A Museum, where you can trace the history of fashion.