Spain & Portugal

Embarkation at 3 pm. Welcome cocktail and
dinner on board. Overnight in port.

Optional full day excursion to Granada, one of the most fascinating cities in Europe and the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492.  In the afternoon we leave Granada to return to Malaga. Dinner on board and overnight in port.

Early morning sailing and morning arrival in Porto Banus. Our morning optional excursion to Ronda, 50 km inland a city which retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town and the nearby 18th century Puente Nuevo. Ronda is also famous as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, today witnessed once a year at the occasion of the spectacular Feria Goyesca. Plaza de Toros, is now a museum, and visitors can stroll out into the arena. Our excursion also includes visits to an elegant cloistered 16th century convent and old Ronda, La Ciudad, with its cobbled streets hemmed by handsome town mansions, some still occupied by Ronda's titled families such as the Casa de Don Bosco. We will walk to the leafy Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, which boasts a convent, two churches, including the toy town bell tower of the Iglesia Santa Maria de Mayor. Afternoon swim from the ship and time at leisure. Evening sailing to Gibraltar and late evening arrival. Overnight in port.

Optional half day excursion in the “Rock”. We depart by bus from the port to reach the top of the Rock, perched on the summit of Gibraltar for a breathtaking view. We continue to St. Michael’s Cave to admire the stalactites & stalagmites, and then we visit the WWII Tunnels. The tour will end in Main Street where you will have some free time for shopping. Midday sailing to Seville with a swim stop on the way. Overnight at sea.

This morning we sail up the Guadalquivir river. Midday arrival and afternoon optional excursion to Seville, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, where Moorish and Spanish art and culture have left their mark. Our optional excursion will bring you to the Cathedral, the Alcazar Palace and its Andalusian gardens, the Maria Luisa Park and the quaint and elegant district of Santa Cruz. Overnight in Seville port.

Full day optional excursion in Seville and to Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its wines, horse breeding and flamenco. Your tour will enable you to see the Alcazar, the Jerez Cathedral before we continue to Cádiz, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Spain. (The ship departs with passengers not participating in the excursion at 8:30 to reach Cadiz). Guests rejoin the ship in Cadiz in the evening. Overnight at sea to Portimao – Portugal.

Midday arrival in Portimao. Our optional afternoon excursion will take us to Silves, largely destroyed by a 17th century earthquake. Marvel at the centuries-old Moorish castle complex with an underground water reservoir, a 13th Century Cathedral built by Alfonso X of Castile on the site of a former Mosque and a fine strong 15th century bridge over the Rio Arade. During your visit to Silves, you'll also have time to browse the historic exhibits at the Museu Arqueológico. We leave Silves visit and travel into the Serra de Monchique to reach the picturesque city of Monchique nested between two hills. The city retains its 16th century charm and you will walk through its cobbled streets with small doorways housing various artisan trades. Return to Portimao for the farewell dinner. Overnight in port.

Disembarkation. Escorted bus transfer from Portimao to Lisbon at 8:00. Arrival to Lisbon hotel (name to be advised) at approximately 12:30.