Welcome aboard this awe-inspiring cruise through Andalusia! You’ll visit all the fabulous sites in this typical Spanish region and take part in some of its most well-known traditions. Join the party in Seville and break out your dancing shoes as we visit the "Real de la Feria,” the Palacio de las Dueñas, and the old town. The capital of the region, Seville is known for its breathtaking architecture and festive atmosphere on each street. You’ll be swept off your feet more than once as we visit Cádiz, Cordoba, Jerez, Grenada, fortified cities, majestic monuments, and lively bodegas.
Highlights
Sail across the magnificent Guadalquivir River
Attend an entirely different local tradition: an equestrian show
Explore Jerez, the capital of wine, horses, and flamenco music
Visit Granada, a city ringed by the mountain barrier of the Sierra Nevada
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
You’ll board our ship at 5 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, You’ll introduce your crew at a welcome cocktail and present your exciting cruise program. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.
strong>Spend the day on an excursion to Córdoba. You’ll leave Seville by coach for Córdoba. Córdoba began its prosperous era in the 18th century when it was conquered by the Moors. During this time, over 300 mosques and countless palaces were built. The magnificent Mezquita, a symbol of worldly and sophisticated Islamic culture, reigns over the town and pulls thousands of tourists into its arched interior every day. The streets of the Jewish Quarter branch out from the great mosque and emerge onto peaceful plazas. The ruins of Medinat al-Zahra, to the west of town, stir the imagination with its mystery and grandeur. You’ll have lunch in a local restaurant. You’re free to do as you please in the afternoon. After your tour, you’ll return on board in Seville.
strong>Join for a guided tour on foot of Seville this morning. Tour first stop will be the Plaza de Espana, a majestic crescent-shaped complex arranged around a central square. You’ll then continue on to the attractive district of Santa Cruz, passing in front of the typical flowered patios found in the city. Formally the Jewish quarter, it remains part of the historical center of the city and contains many renowned monuments. You'll then head towards the Alcazar, the royal palace built for the Christian king Peter of Castile. The extensive and fascinating buildings and grounds are regarded as one of the most outstanding examples of Mudéjar architecture found on the Iberian Peninsula.
After your tour, you will return on board the ship. You'll spend this afternoon sailing towards Cádiz, reaching it in the evening. Join your hostess for a tour of Cádiz at night.
strong>Join this morning for a visit to Jerez and a “ganadería” (property where bulls are raised). This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about this iconic symbol in Spanish culture. You’ll begin with a panoramic tour by coach of the main city sites including the cathedral, the bell tower, and the Alcazar of Jerez de la Frontera. Next stop is the ″ganaderia,″ where bull raising is an art waiting to be discovered. You'll return on board. In the afternoon, join for a guided tour on foot of Cádiz. Built on a rock and surrounded on all sides by the sea, this fortified city is connected to the mainland only by a narrow strip of sand. Your tour will begin in the old town, which gives us a good idea of the city's history through its traditional neighborhoods, superb Baroque churches, and elegant manorial homes painted in delicate pastel colors and adorned with wrought iron balconies. As you return to the ship, you will pass through the Plaza de España and the Plaza de las Flores.
You'll return on board. Tonight’s dinner will have a Spanish flair. You'll sail towards El Puerto de Santa Maria through the night.
strong>Enjoy a tasting of some local specialties in El Puerto de Santa Maria this morning. You’ll leave on foot with our host/hostess for the Osborne Bodega. One of the oldest wineries in the region, Osborne began producing its Sherry Solera in 1772. You’ll enjoy a tasting of three different wines* along with some regional products.
After you return on board, you’ll begin to cruise to Isla Minima. Tonight, you’ll set off for a visit to a traditional hacienda. You’ll discover the hacienda’s beautiful architecture with its impressive Andalusian patio and watch a horse show in its private arena. You'll return on board after the show and begin to cruise to Seville.
strong>Spend the day on an excursion to Granada. You will leave by coach for a full-day tour of Granada. Your first stop will be a true wonder of Moorish art: the Alhambra, whose stunning palaces and captivating gardens are framed by the surrounding mountains. You’ll continue on to the Palacio de Generalife, the former summer palace of the Nasrid rulers. You’ll have lunch in a local restaurant. Spend some free time in the city by yourself this afternoon, strolling through the Albaicin District surrounded by the imposing Sierra Nevada landscapes. You'll return to our ship by coach. Tonight's entertainment will be a flamenco show.
Enjoy free time in Seville this morning.
This afternoon, tour of the Palacio de las Dueñas and the Seville Fair. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, Las Dueñas was named after former monastery of Santa María de las Dueñas. It has several buildings, courtyards, and gardens. You will tour the stables, and the lemon tree courtyard, the main courtyard, and the Gypsy Hall, which was once the center of social life in the palace. Many of the other rooms you will see illustrate the fundamental activities found in Andalusian culture, including bullfighting and flamenco dancing. Then, prepare yourself for a blast at the Seville Fair. This is the unique occasion to discover and participate in traditional Andalusian festivities. Many wonders and excitements await you at the "Real de la Feria," where the fair takes place, including tapas, music, and dancing. Join for a glass of Rebujito* and some local specialties.
You'll return on board for your gala dinner and evening.
Day 8: Seville | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
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Main Deck-Cat A
21 cabins with portholes (20 twins, 1 cabin with a double bed) equipped with shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
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Main Deck- Cat B
6 double cabins
equipped with shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
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Main Deck- Cat C
5 double cabins
equipped with shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
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Middle Deck-Cat A
27 cabins (24 twins, 2 cabins with a double bed, 1 1HU cabin equipped for disabled with double bed). All cabins are equipped with a shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
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Middle Deck-Cat B
6 double cabins
1 PRM cabin
equipped for disabled with double bed). All cabins are equipped with a shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
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Middle Deck-Cat C
4 double cabins
equipped for disabled with double bed). All cabins are equipped with a shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat A
40 cabins (38 twins, 2 cabins with a double bed) equipped with a shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat B
18 double cabins
equipped with a shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
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Upper Deck-Cat C
4 double cabins
equipped with a shower and toilet, hair-dryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
Notes
20% discount on children between 2-10 years
30% discount for 3rd person in triple cabin
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.