port

Just 130 miles from Africa, Santa Cruz de Tenerife was founded in 1494, becoming a key port on the trade route between Europe and the Americas. Framed by Baroque churches and historic buildings, charming plazas dot the city, including the central Plaza de España. In contrast, the modern Torres de Santa Cruz are the tallest twin towers in Spain, and the futuristic Auditorio de Tenerife sits majestically on the waterfront. Calle de la Noria bustles with Canarian style and offers shopping, entertainment and cuisine.

The busiest artificial waterway in the world, Kiel Canal was opened by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1895. It runs a length of 61 miles from the locks in Kiel Holtenau to the locks in Brunsbüttel. Some 43,000 commercial ships and 20,00 private yachts pass this way between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea yearly. The volume and diversity of the shipping is extraordinary, with masts flying flags from around the world. The canal passes under numerous bridges, including the Levensau High Bridge dating from 1893.