Norwegian Fjords Norwegian Fjords Iona

Captain Dunlop's top destination picks for Iona

Captain Wesley Dunlop has been at Iona’s helm since her maiden season. He picks four destinations he looks forward to time and time again

4 min 07 Dec 2020

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is always a joy to explore, whether strolling the narrow cobbled streets of Alfama or paying homage to our sailing forefathers at the Monument to the Discoveries just outside the city in Belém. Lisbon’s café scene is brilliant, so refuel with a hot drink and a pastel de nata before hopping on an iconic yellow tram for a tour of the city with its wonderful blue-tiled façades.

 

Join Iona on a cruise to Lisbon here.

At the Time Out Market Lisbon, you'll find the city's finest restaurants all under one roof. One of our top picks is Monte Mar, your chance to try the freshest fish and shellfish from the sea of Guincho. Try a classic Cascais dish: filetes de pescada com arroz de berbigão (hake fillets with cockles rice).

TimeOut recommends

Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

The beaches are beautiful. But venture beyond Lanzarote’s shoreline and you’ll be rewarded with an out-of-this-world experience. The landscapes here are often compared to those of an alien world: with volcanic terrain and vineyards that grow grapes in moon-like craters, you’ll feel like you’ve sailed to another planet. For more stellar beauty, check out the work of artist César Manrique dotted all over the island.

 

View cruises to Lanzarote on Iona here.

Lanzarote
Lanzarote
Lanzarote
Lanzarote

Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg is an epicentre of cool. It mixes old and new, unpolished and glamorous to intoxicating effect – you never know what you’ll find around any given corner. Explore the Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus district, one of the world’s largest warehouse complexes. It’s linked together by narrow streets, bridges and canals and is home to harbourside pubs and charming restaurants. Culture vultures should head to the stunning Elbphilharmonie concert hall, whether for a show or simply to marvel at its eye-popping architecture.

 

Visit Hamburg on Iona here.

Want to treat yourself? Literaturhauscafé is located in a beautiful old building that dates back to 1839, but it wasn’t always this way. It previously served as a dance school, a home for girls and was left to deteriorate for years. Thankfully, in 1985 an anonymous philanthropist funded its restoration, and now glittering chandeliers hang from intricately stuccoed ceilings above rows of gleaming white tablecloths. Their menu consists of fresh, seasonal, regional dishes.

TimeOut recommends
Hamburg
Hamburg
Hamburg
Hamburg

Olden, Norway

Sailing into Olden is a treat. After a journey down the pristine Nordfjord, this charming village offers a warm welcome. From here you can explore Norwegian nature at its finest: beautiful fjordic coastlines, towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes and roaring waterfalls. Don’t miss Jostedalsbreen, the biggest glacier on mainland Europe. There’s easy access to both the Briksdal and Kjenndalen glaciers, plunging dramatically into the valleys below.

 

View cruises to Olden on Iona here.

Olden
Olden
Olden
Olden