Farther from a continental landfall than any other group of islands on earth, the twelve Marquesas jut out of the open Pacific just south of the equator, shrouded in a constant cloud cover.
Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of the island of La Palma, one of the seven Canary Islands. Although often forgotten in favor of the similarly named Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is a compact and colorful colonial town well worth a visit. Swimming, paragliding, and hiking and some of the most popular daytime activities, while stargazing is a favorite pastime after the sun goes down.
This 2,000-year-old city, where the Teutonic Order founded one of its first commanderies in the 13th century, lies on the convergence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers.
Las Palmas (officially Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) is the capital of Gran Canaria island as well as co-capital (along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife) of the Canary Islands. It is a major cruise-ship port known for duty-free shopping and sandy beaches, including Playa de Las Canteras, considered by many to be one of the best urban beaches worldwide.