The Sands of Time

Welcome to Las Palmas, the sun-drenched heart of Gran Canaria, where colonial charm meets golden shores and Atlantic breezes. Upon arrival at Gran Canaria Airport, proceed to the arrivals hall to meet the representative for a transfer to the group hotel. Once at the hotel, visit the hospitality desk in the lobby to receive essential information regarding pre-embarkation procedures and the stay in Las Palmas. Collect cabin tags for luggage at this time; please clearly label them with your name and ship cabin number.

This evening, attend a Welcome Event to celebrate the start of the journey.

Note: To ensure participation, please schedule flight arrival in Las Palmas no later than 2:00 pm.

Discover Gran Canaria, known as the ‘miniature continent’ for its diverse landscapes ranging from dune-framed beaches to pine-covered peaks set against dark volcanic earth. Las Palmas, the capital, offers a mix of historical architecture and modern attractions like bustling markets. Spend the morning exploring the city before departing on a scenic drive to reveal the vibrant eastern side of the island. Travel through traditional towns and coastal stretches to view banana plantations and aloe vera farms, gaining a glimpse into the pastoral economy. Inland, explore archaeological sites and rugged volcanic landscapes before visiting Agüimes, where colorful houses and bronze sculptures bring local folklore to life. After wandering these inviting streets and cafés, return to Las Palmas to board the Sylvia Earle. This evening, join fellow travelers for an onboard Welcome Dinner to toast the adventures ahead.

While the Canary Islands are famed for their resorts and sun-soaked beaches, they offer much more than typical package holidays. The eight volcanic islands that make up the archipelago, are under Spanish jurisdiction but historically linked to Africa, and have a complex history that includes the early slave trade. Today, the islands stand as a testament to resilience and cultural diversity, blending influences from Spanish settlers and indigenous Guanches.

Explore Lanzarote, the northernmost Canary Island, known as ‘Volcano Island,’ for its dramatic volcanic terrain. Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape includes expansive lava fields and uniquely shaped rocks set against a backdrop of black and red soil that vividly contrasts with traditional whitewashed houses.

‘Your Choice’ morning experiences offer a chance to discover this diverse landscape, from dramatic mountains and golden beaches to lush palm groves and dunes, highlighting the island’s exceptional natural beauty, followed by a chance to explore Arrecife independently. This afternoon, enjoy a complimentary shuttle service between the port and town, with the Sylvia Earle sailing late afternoon towards Africa.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.

Option 1 ‒ Morning experience: A Day at the Beach – Puerto del Carmen

Hop on your shuttle for a 15-minute transfer to the vibrant Puerto del Carmen. Once a small fishing village, Puerto del Carmen is now Lanzarote’s top beach resort. At the heart of it all is Playa Grande, a 2-mile stretch of dark sand lining the boulevard-style, Avenida de las Playas. The beach is perfect for a relaxing day in the Canary Islands. Soak up the sun, swim in the clear, tranquil sea or try snorkeling at Playa Chica beach, located between the main beach and the harbor. For your convenience, beach chairs, umbrellas and sports equipment are available for hire. While this is not a guided tour, a local host on the shuttle will be available to answer any questions about the area.

Option 2 – Morning experience: Haría, the Valley of 1,000 Palm Trees

Embark on a panoramic tour beginning at the Mirador de Haría, where sweeping views reveal Lanzarote’s dramatic northern landscapes of rugged cliffs, rolling hills, and the lush green contrast of the valley below. From here, descend into the quaint town of Haría, home to around 1,000 residents and known for its whitewashed houses, wooden balconies, and traditional Canarian charm.

Nestled in the Valley of 1,000 Palms, Haría feels like an oasis in the island’s otherwise arid terrain. Life here moves at a gentle pace. Locals gather in shaded plazas, tend small gardens, and keep age-old traditions alive. The town’s peaceful rhythm and natural beauty have long attracted artists and writers, including César Manrique, whose former home now serves as a museum. For residents, Haría offers a quiet refuge — surrounded by nature, steeped in culture, and far from the bustle of Lanzarote’s tourist hubs.

Option 3 ‒ Morning experience: Timanfaya National Park 

Your panoramic tour of Timanfaya National Park offers a truly otherworldly experience. The park’s stark lava fields and striking craters, shaped by 18th- and 19th-century eruptions, create a dramatic and surreal landscape. At the Timanfaya Visitor's Center, your guides perform geothermal demonstrations, showcasing the intense heat from beneath the Earth’s surface by igniting brushwood and triggering geysers. The park’s vibrant colors and unique formations offer a fascinating glimpse into Lanzarote’s volcanic history. With its almost extraterrestrial scenery, Timanfaya National Park vividly highlights Lanzarote’s exceptional natural beauty and geological significance. (Note: as Timanfaya National Park is an active volcanic region, visitors should be aware of its potential risks. Entry is at your discretion.)

Your voyage from Arrecife to the Moroccan coast offers a tranquil interlude, during which your host will introduce you to the fascinating cultures and histories of the destinations ahead through engaging presentations.

A day at sea affords you the opportunity to explore the ship’s amenities. Whether you choose to invigorate yourself in the gym, relax in the library, or enjoy panoramic views from the observation lounge, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

This morning marks a change of pace as you bid farewell to the Sylvia Earle and journey inland on a three-hour drive to the vibrant city of Marrakech. Located at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is an eclectic mix of centuries-old architectural styles. The fabled ochre city was founded over 1,000 years ago during the Almoravid dynasty and still beats an age-old rhythm. Famed for its outstanding artisanship, the city has boomed as one of Africa’s key hubs for contemporary art, architecture and design.

Arrive in time to enjoy lunch at a popular local restaurant, before visiting one of its architectural wonders. Built in the late 19th century for Grand Vizier Si Moussa, the Bahia Palace was designed to showcase the finest craftsmanship of the time. Its name, meaning “brilliance,” is reflected in the intricate zellij mosaics, carved cedar ceilings, and graceful arches that line its courtyards. Light filters through stained glass windows, casting patterns across tiled floors, while orange trees and fountains lend a sense of calm to the open spaces, making it an ideal introduction to Marrakech.

Check-in to your hotel and enjoy some free time in the afternoon, before you gather for some Moroccan fare and entertainment this evening.

Accommodation: Marrakech Hotel

After breakfast, join your local guides for your chosen ‘Your Choice’ experience exploring the city’s main attractions, followed by a lunch inspired by the vibrant flavors of Marrakech. Afterwards, transfer by road to Casablanca, where to reboard Sylvia Earle and set sail north to Tangier.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences

Option 1 - Morning experience: Introducing Marrakech

This morning, your local guide will lead you on a brief walking tour of Marrakech’s famous medina. Amongst its maze of alleyways, you can find artisan shops brimming with pottery and hand-crafted leather goods, quirky trinkets, and traditional Moroccan souvenirs. The medina is a feast for the senses: fragrant spices fill the air, vibrant stalls spill over with color, and the rhythm of daily life unfolds in every corner. Even a simple stroll becomes a memorable experience. Designed for those wanting a taste of Marrakech’s medina, this limited walking tour offers an insight into its eclectic character with time to browse its craft and artisan shops, before you unwind to enjoy a traditional mint tea and morning pastry.

Option 2 - Morning experience: Meet me in the Medina

This locally guided walking tour explores Marrakech’s medina further with visits to a selection of it sites, including the Almohad wonders of the Koutoubia Mosque, renowned for its geometric zellij (mosaics) and intricate cedarwood. Delve deeper into the medina, walking through its maze of laneways and covered markets bursting with energy. Stop by the Spice Square where herbs, spices, snakeskins and chameleons have been traded for centuries, followed by a discovery of the fabled Djemâa el Fna Square. This bustling space is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its vibrant atmosphere, traditional storytellers, musicians, hawker food stalls and bustling market activity.

Option 3 - Morning experience: Yves Saint Laurent and the Majorelle Gardens

At the Berber Museum, the story of North Africa’s oldest civilization – the Berber, offers an insight into the roots of the Moorish Empire. The private collection of Yves Saint Laurent and his companion, Pierre Berge, this museum is the centerpiece of the Majorelle Gardens. Saint Laurent, on whom Morocco had a profound influence, bought a house nine days after arriving in Marrakech and held residences here until his passing. According to Saint Laurent, it was in Morocco that he discovered the colorful palettes that featured in his creative work. Enjoy a moment to view the memorial in the rose garden, marking the spot where the ashes of Saint Laurent were scattered, before visiting the nearby Yves Saint Laurent Museum dedicated to the work of the master couturier, featuring a rich display of haute couture garments, accessories and sketches.

After a morning sailing the Moroccan coast, you arrive around midday at a city located at the crossroads of Africa and Europe — Tangier. Unique among Moroccan cities, Tangier has a checkered past, offering one of Europe’s most tantalizing stories. Designated an ‘International Zone’ in the early 20th century, Tangier harbored no taxes, no banking restrictions, no drug, censorship or morality laws. Attracting a mix of expat residents, it played house to everyone from eccentric British nobility to American authors, Franco’s civil army to Nazi spies, while it awaited its inclusion in the post-war nation of Morocco. Stories of elicit affairs, underworld deals, and espionage abound in this city, which remains as colorful as its history suggests.

‘Your Choice’ experiences highlight Morocco’s vibrant artisan revival, with guided visits to the medina in Tangier, or a chance to enjoy the culinary heritage of Tangier.

For a more relaxed alternative, a complimentary shuttle will take you from the ship to the center of Tangier, where you can discover a gentler side of the city. Enjoy time at your leisure to sip mint tea in a local café, browse traditional craft shops, or take in the atmosphere at your own pace, before you sail north to Spain.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences

Option 1 - Afternoon experience: Tangier Kasbah District, Kasbah Museum and American Legation Museum

Begin your journey at Tangier’s fabled Kasbah. Largely unchanged since Roman times, the Kasbah was the traditional residence of the Sultan and his harem and is now one of the most fashionable residential areas of Tangier. During a guided stroll, you discover the Grand Socco. This café-filled plaza serves as the gateway to Tangier´s medina and was once the haunt of Paul Bowles, William Burroughs and their Beatnik friends who gathered here to discuss life and literature while mingling among alleged spies and expats during the notorious time of international rule. Your next stop is at the American Legation. The first American public property outside the United States, the American Legation is now a museum that traces the history of the relationship between the US and Morocco. As one of the first countries to recognize America's independence, Morocco permitted the new United States government to establish a legation in Tangier in 1821. It is the only historical monument to have remained in American possession since the birth of the American nation. Among several displays here is a letter from George Washington to the Sultan Moulay Abdellah.

Option 2 - Afternoon experience: A Taste of Tangier

This ‘foodie’ tour of Tangier allows you to dive into the city’s culinary heritage. Tangier’s cuisine reflects a fascinating blend of Moorish and Spanish influences, with each bite telling a story of its past. From the Moorish tradition of intricate spice blends to Spanish elements like rich, savory stews, and delicious colonial French deserts, the food here is a testament to the city’s eclectic past. Stroll through the historic M'sallah and the old town district, where narrow alleyways and traditional architecture set the stage. Taste local delights like caliente, stuffed dates, and bissara, each crafted with time-honored techniques. As you visit bustling markets and interact with market sellers, your guide will reveal how these diverse cultural influences have shaped Tangier’s unique identity, while you snack like a true local.

Although very much a modern-day city, the apartment blocks and ‘expat’ clubs of Málaga and the Costa del Sol hide an undercurrent of ancient traditions. Long before beach bars and resorts, this coastline was part of Al-Andalus, ruled by the Moors for nearly eight centuries. Their legacy runs deep, visible in the arches of the Alcazaba, the layout of the old town, and the way the city seemingly harbors something older beneath its surface, steady and enduring.

'Your Choice’ experiences today range from an introduction to Málaga’s magical sites, or a visit to the Moorish enclave of Ronda. A complimentary shuttle service will operate between the ship and the city center throughout the day allowing you to explore Malaga at leisure or return to the town after lunch on board.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences

Option 1 – Morning experience: Magical Málaga

Discover the layered history and charm of Málaga on this scenic driving tour, complete with photo stops and minimal walking. Founded nearly 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians, the city reflects a rich tapestry of Roman roads, Moorish fortresses and Christian cathedrals. Drive along elegant, tree-lined boulevards and admire the grand neo-Baroque Town Hall, one of many architectural highlights. Pause to take in views of the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a 10th-century Moorish fortress that played a pivotal role in the 1487 Reconquista and remains a powerful symbol of the city. Continue past the majestic Cathedral de Málaga, affectionately nicknamed La Manquita, “the one-armed lady ”— for its famously unfinished second bell tower. Choose to hop off the coach in town and explore independently or return to the ship for lunch with a free afternoon to enjoy Málaga.

Option 2 – Half Day experience: The Moorish Enclave of Ronda

Venture an hour inland to Andalusia’s favorite ‘whitewashed town’ – Ronda. This famed city excites visitors with a fascinating story of early guerilla warfare and its part in the eventual demise of the Moorish Empire. Straddling the El Tajo gorge, Ronda was once an Islamic stronghold. Here, visit La Mina de Agua, the former gateway to the city and located at the bottom of the gorge. As Ronda was an Islamic city, all those who entered were obliged to wash and pray beforehand. In 1485, Ronda was besieged by Christian armies, which cut off the city’s water supply, and within 10 days, Ronda fell. In less than a decade, the Spanish decreed that all Muslims must leave the peninsula or convert to Christianity.

In the wake of centuries of maritime vessels, sail into the Port of Gibraltar early morning. More than just an array of Royal Mail red pillar post boxes, fish and chip shops and corner pubs, Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and naval stronghold, strategically located at the base of the Iberian Peninsula. Caught up in the legacy of the War of the Spanish Succession, it became embroiled in European politics when the King of Spain died without an heir. Thirteen years later, Sir George Rooke, an English naval commander, captured it for England’s King George I, and Gibraltar has remained a British territory ever since. Three hundred years of swashbuckling pirates, fierce naval battles, yellow fever outbreaks and world wars tell a tale of this tiny slice of Britain, simply known by those who live here as ‘The Rock’.

Your quintessential British ‘Your Choice’ experiences showcase the Rock’s rich history, iconic mascots and breathtaking views across the Straits of Gibraltar. At the end of your tour, return to the ship for lunch, with views of ‘The Rock’ from the deck. Join your complimentary afternoon shuttle to explore Gibraltar further. Shop at Marks & Spencer, relax with a pint at a corner pub or send a postcard home from one of Gibraltar’s iconic red pillar boxes, with each activity offering a delightful touch of British charm.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.

Option 1 – Morning experience: Highlights of ‘The Rock’

This quintessential British tour of Gibraltar showcases the Rock’s rich history, iconic mascots and breathtaking views across the Straits of Gibraltar. Enjoy a scenic drive along Winston Churchill Avenue, a tribute to the 1967 referendum when Gibraltar’s residents overwhelmingly voted to remain British rather than join Spain. This historic event remains a cornerstone of Gibraltar’s identity. Stop for a photo opportunity at the island's most popular lookout, where on a clear day you can glimpse the coast of the African continent across the famous Strait where Atlantic and Mediterranean waters meet. Continue to the top of The Rock where you meet Gibraltar’s famous macaques, also known as Barbary apes, the tail-less monkeys that proudly serve as The Rock’s mascots.

Option 2 – Morning experience: The Great Siege of Gibraltar

This tour delves into one of The Rock’s darkest periods appropriately known as the Great Siege of Gibraltar.

During a dramatic 18th-century battle, Spanish and French forces sought to retake Gibraltar from the British. This intense battle aimed to reclaim the strategic fortress, vital for controlling the crucial naval passage into the Mediterranean. Your locally guided tour offers an insight into the harsh realities faced by the garrison and civilians, such as severe food shortages, when people survived on seaweed and wild onions. You uncover the stringent discipline enforced, including whipping, with one drummer receiving 30,000 lashes in 14 years. Diseases like smallpox and influenza were rife, and scurvy spread widely due to the lack of available fresh produce. Despite only receiving one relief convoy per year, the 5,000 troops heroically defended Gibraltar against 60,000 troops and 49 ships. During the tour, explore the ingenious Great Siege Tunnels carved from solid limestone, which played a vital role in the fortress’s defense. Today, the tunnels stand as a museum dedicated to preserving this story. The tour showcases the resilience that cemented Gibraltar’s reputation as ‘Strong as the Rock of Gibraltar.’

This morning, cruise the Guadalquivir River, expertly guided by your Spanish pilot, arriving in Seville, Spain’s most iconic southern city. Enjoy lunch on board with the skyline of Seville as your backdrop, before joining a ‘Your Choice’ experience. The Guadalquivir has been a central part of Seville’s history and a launchpad for significant voyages. From its banks, explorers like Ferdinand Magellan embarked on their landmark journeys, including Magellan’s famous 1519 expedition to circumnavigate the globe. The river was also crucial for trade, linking Seville with distant lands and shaping global commerce.

In the 8th century, the Moors, a diverse brotherhood of Arabs, Berbers, and North Africans, arrived on the Iberian Peninsula and, like a child leaving home, remained away from their homelands for nearly 700 years. They brought with them a spirit of tolerance, coexisting peacefully with Christian and Jewish communities while ruling over the land through small kingdoms characterized by castle-topped villages and fortified cities. Their remarkable contributions in mathematics, astronomy, and Moorish architecture left a lasting mark on Europe.

Choose between two locally guided tours of Seville for an unforgettable experience, before you sail the river mid-evening, following its path to the coast, where it meets the sea at Cadiz. (Note: as Seville is a piloted port, your arrival time will not be confirmed until closer to your date of arrival, therefore the times of the excursions may need to be adjusted)

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.

Option 1 - Afternoon experience: Introducing Seville

Take in the sights that shape Seville’s unique character on this introductory coach tour. Pass by Spain’s most impressive medieval traffic control tower, the 13th-century Gold Tower, which once managed river traffic and protected the city’s busy port. Drive through the lively neighborhood of Triana, famous for flamenco, colorful houses, historic churches, and traditional pottery workshops, and see parts of the city built for the Universal Expositions of 1929 and 1992, including the striking Alamillo Bridge by Santiago Calatrava and the beautiful Plaza de España, where a short stroll reveals its grand pavilions and lush surroundings. Choose to remain in Seville’s historic heart, where you can visit its Alcázar, Cathedral and other ‘walkable’ sites at your own pace or return to the ship.

Option 2 - Afternoon experience: Walking the Heart of Seville

Your local guide tells a tale of Seville on this extensive walking tour, with stories of history’s famed conquerors, stories of the ‘New World,’ and a clash of cultures as compelling as the buildings you visit. This walking tour of Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage sites begins with the Alcázar. Built in the 14th century in Mudejar style, the Alcázar is the oldest royal residence in Europe still in use. Islam and Christianity vied for power here, with Christianity asserting dominance by constructing Europe’s third-largest cathedral directly over a 12th-century mosque. The largest Gothic structure in the world, the cathedral houses many notable figures. In 1899, 400 years after his death, the renowned explorer Christopher Columbus was finally laid to rest in Seville Cathedral, where your guide introduces you to this magnificent structure with time to pull up a pew. You can also explore areas of Seville developed for the Universal Expositions of 1929 and 1992, including the magnificent Plaza de España, a semi-circular square framed by ornate pavilions built for the earlier Expo, before returning to the ship.

The proud city of Cádiz sits at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. As the gateway to the Mediterranean, Cádiz is touted as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe, with its dominant families claiming ancestry dating back to Roman times, when the city was called Ceret, and the wine, Vinum Ceretensis. Moorish rule over the port, which was renamed Jazīrat Qādis, lasted for 500 years, with the capture of Cádiz by Alfonso X of Castile. Its renewed prosperity dated from the discovery of America in 1492, when it became the headquarters of the Spanish treasure fleets, and the port to nearby Jerez, which produced liquid gold.

Choose your preferred ‘Your Choice’ morning experience to discover the unique character of Andalusian life. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Cádiz at your own pace, with Sylvia Earle moored directly in town. Browse its boutique shops, sample tapas in the many lively bars, or visit local craft stores showcasing traditional Andalusian wares.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.

Option 1 – Morning experience: Jerez – More than a Simple Sherry

Head west to the coastal town of Jerez to discover a rich mix of Islamic and Christian monuments surrounding the Alcázar, as you journey through the region’s history and learn how each ruling empire left a lasting impression on the city’s culture. It is the fortified wine, known worldwide as sherry, which has dictated the fate of Jerez. Introduced by the Phoenicians in 1,100 BCE, this popular wine has brought both wealth and strife. Jerez’s bodegas and local rural wineries remain the world’s largest producers of sherry, which although considered by some as a wine that has seen better days, is as popular in Spain today as it was in centuries past. After a short walk of the historic center of Jerez, spend time with a wine expert who will teach you how to distinguish wine quality, with the opportunity to sample some fine drops for yourself.

Option 2 – Morning experience: The Andalusian Enclave of Vejer de la Frontera

No visit to Andalusia is complete without time spent in one of its whitewashed hilltop towns. Spend your morning in Vejer de la Frontera, a historic stronghold that once marked the borderlands between Muslim territories and encroaching Catholic lands. Renowned as one of the most authentic of the Pueblos Blancos, Vejer’s whitewashed buildings are designed to reflect the sun and ward off the intense summer heat. As you stroll through its narrow, winding streets, be inspired by the ancient Moorish Castle, the majestic Church of the Divine Savior, and the vibrant Plaza España, all while uncovering tales of Moorish conquerors, Castilian kings, and feudal uprisings. With views to the coast, Vejer offers a glimpse into the rich history that defines the hilltop towns of Andalusia and their connection to the surrounding lowlands, linking inland Spain to the coastline.

Option 3 – Midday experience: Historic Cadiz on the Tapas Trail

Join on a tapas tour through the historic heart of Cádiz, where every bite tells a story shaped by sea, trade, and tradition. Weave through the whitewashed lanes of the Casco Antiguo, past sun-dappled plazas, baroque churches, and grand 18th-century merchant houses—reminders of Cádiz’s Golden Age, when riches from the Americas poured into its bustling port. Today, the city trades in flavors rather than silver, especially those of the sea. As you hop from tavern to tavern with your local guide, enjoy delicacies that have fed Cádiz for millennia.

Set on the estuary of the Rio Arade, Portimão was a flourishing fishing village until only 30 years ago. Greeks, Phoenicians and Carthaginians all plied their trade but in the 11th century the Moors arrived, and Burj Munt as it became known, never looked back. A gateway to the fortified town of Silves and neighbor to a coast of classic, caved beaches, Portimão fishes for a different catch these days, with its marina home to a flotilla of gently bobbing yachts, and riverfront promenade host to casual cafes and bars.

‘Your Choice’ experiences today offer three distinct ways to explore the region. Choose a visit to the nearby hilltop town of Silves, accompanied by a Portuguese pottery demonstration or winery visit and tasting. Alternatively, take in sweeping coastal views on a panoramic drive, accompanied by a stroll along a section of the Caminho dos Promontórios, for a magical morning on the Algarve.

Return to the ship for lunch, after which you may wish to explore the shops, bars, and cafés of Portimão at your own pace, before you sail for Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, late-afternoon.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences.

Option 1 - Morning experience: Silves and Portuguese wine tasting

Once the capital of the Algarve’s Moorish kingdom, Silves hosts you this morning with an introductory locally guided tour, and time to explore at your own pace. Silves is famous for its 11th century red sandstone Castelo de Silves, whose square turrets and impenetrable ramparts loom over the town from an immense orange grove. This impressive castle once formed part of the wall that encircled the city and was an important defense as the residence of the Moorish kings of the Al-Garb.

From Silves, you take a short drive to the Quinta dos Vales estate for a Portuguese wine tasting experience. Surrounded by peaceful countryside, sample a variety of regional wines, which may include a crisp rosé, a viognier with light tropical notes, or a smooth red blend of cabernet sauvignon and trincadeira — all accompanied by local delicacies, offering a delicious glimpse into the flavors of the Algarve.

Option 2 - Morning experience: Silves Castle and Portuguese Pottery

This morning, you’re welcomed by the historic town of Silves, once the capital of the Algarve. Your visit includes a locally guided tour of its castle ramparts and a pottery demonstration that connects you to the region’s artisanal traditions. Showcasing a unique blend of heritage, culture and imagination, emphasized by determination and passion, Portuguese ceramics are famous worldwide. You enjoy time with a local ceramicist, who welcomes you to their studio. They share the art of modeling clay pieces into works of art and demonstrate how to make various pieces by using the potter’s wheel and hand-working clay. In Silves, tour the 11th-century red sandstone Castelo de Silves, whose square turrets and impenetrable ramparts loom over the town from an immense orange grove. This impressive castle once formed part of the wall that encircled the city and was an important defense as the residence of the Moorish kings of the Al-Garb. Steeped in history, the castle has a 60-meter-deep well and a set of vaulted cisterns that still supplies the town with water. You return to the ship for lunch, with time this afternoon to explore Portimão independently.

Option 3 – Morning experience: Ferragudo and the Path of the Headlands 

A short drive takes you to Ferragudo, a traditional fishing village that captures the essence of southern Portugal.

Here, you wander along the waterfront, where colorful boats bob in the harbor and fishermen mend their nets in the sun. As you explore the cobbled streets, pass bougainvillea-covered houses and get a feel for the village’s easy-going rhythm. The coastline of this region is a characterized by jagged cliffs and hidden coves, shaped over millennia by wind, water, and shifting earth. Along this rugged edge lies the Caminho dos Promontórios, or Path of the Headlands — a scenic clifftop trail that traces a series of promontories alternating with recessed beaches and secluded inlets. On this guided walk, explore around 1.5 kilometers (one mile) of the trail, delving into the region’s geology, gaining an insight into what makes this stretch of shoreline so uniquely captivating.

Lisbon, set along the broad waters of the River Tagus, became the launch point for Portugal’s Golden Age of Exploration. From this historic harbor, famed navigators like Vasco da Gama and Magellan sailed to chart new worlds, opening vital trade routes and bringing immense wealth to their homeland. That prosperity left its mark on the city through grand baroque buildings, ornate churches, and tiled pavements. But Lisbon’s story is also one of resilience. In 1755 a powerful earthquake, followed by tsunamis and fire, destroyed most of the city. What rose from the ruins is the Lisbon you see today, with graceful boulevards, elegant facades, and a vibrant waterfront that still echoes its maritime past.

You bid the Sylvia Earle farewell. Your locally guided tour visits Belém, where the city's seafaring legacy is on full display. View the Monastery of Jerónimos, the striking Monument to the Discoveries, which honors Prince Henry the Navigator and his explorers, and the iconic Torre de Belém, a fortress that once guarded the entrance to the city for returning ships. Enjoy some free time in Lisbon’s charming city center, perfect for wandering cobbled streets, traveling on one of its quirky trams, sampling local flavors, or simply soaking in the riverside views, before you transfer to your hotel for a final night in Portugal.

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.