Glories of Spain & Portugal

Travel to Spain and Portugal on a splendid 8-day cruise program. Your Spain and Portugal vacation package cruise takes you to bask in the splendors of one of Costa del Sol’s most famed coastal towns, Malaga, and opt for a splendid excursion to Granada where you will take in the Moorish-inspired architecture of The Alhambra. Spend time in Ronda, the birthplace of modern bullfighting on an optional tour. Take time to enjoy the views from the Rock of Gibraltar and visit St. Michael’s Cave. Delve into the Andalusian treasures of Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cadiz. Then step back in time on an optional tour to Silves and Monchique before heading to Lisbon on this Spain and Portugal travel package cruise.

Day 1 - MALAGA

Embarkation at 3:00pm. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet your crew and fellow passengers. Dinner on board. Overnight in port. (D)

Day 2 - MALAGA

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. We will visit one of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture, the Alhambra*, a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th century. We will also visit the Cathedral and enjoy time at leisure before returning to the ship. In the afternoon, we leave Granada and return to Malaga. Overnight in port. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - MALAGA I PORTO BANUS I GIBRALTAR

Early morning sailing and morning arrival to Porto Banus. Our morning optional excursion will be to Ronda, 50kms inland. Ronda is a city which retains much of its historic charm, particularly its old town and the nearby 18th century Puente Nuevo. It is also famous as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, 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. Afternoon swim from the ship and time at leisure. Evening sailing to Gibraltar and late evening arrival. Overnight in port. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - GIBRALTAR I SEVILLE

Optional half day excursion to the “Rock of Gibraltar”. We depart by bus from the port, and 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. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - SEVILLE

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. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - SEVILLE I JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA I CADIZ

Full day optional excursion 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. Guests rejoin the ship in Cadiz in the evening. Passengers not taking the excursion will depart at 8:30am for Cádiz. Overnight at sea to Portimao, Portugal. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - PORTIMAO

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. Leave Silves and travel to the picturesque city of Monchique nested between two hills. The city retains its 16th century charm. Time to walk through its cobbled streets with small doorways housing various artisan trades. Return to Portimao for the farewell dinner. Overnight in port. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - PORTIMAO I LISBON

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