Cities of Culture in the Sunny South

The Spanish island of Mallorca (Majorca), located in the western Mediterranean, is home to the resort city of Palma. Overlooking the Bay of Palma is the enormous Santa Mara Church, a 13th-century Gothic landmark. A Moorish-inspired Arab stronghold turned royal home is the nearby Almudaina. Bellver Castle, a hilltop medieval fortification with a recognizable round shape, is located west of the city.

On Spain's southeast coast, around the point where the Turia River empties into the Mediterranean Sea, is the port city of Valencia. It is renowned for having a futuristic City of Arts and Sciences featuring a planetarium, an oceanarium, and an interactive museum. Additionally, Valencia boasts a number of beaches, some of which are located in Albufera Park, a nearby wetlands reserve with a lake and hiking trails.

On Colombia's Caribbean coast, Cartagena is a port city. The walled Old Town, which was established by the sea in the 16th century and features squares, cobblestone streets, and vibrant colonial structures. The city is well-known for its beaches and has a tropical climate. Isla de Bar, which has white sand beaches and palm trees, and the Islas del Rosario, which are renowned for their coral reefs, are both accessible by boat.

Enjoy the onboard amenities and facilities at the Sea Cloud II

Málaga is one of the oldest cities in Europe and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with a history that dates back roughly 2,800 years. Most experts believe that it was created by the Phoenicians around 770 BC under the name Malaka. From the 6th century BC, the city was administered by Ancient Carthage, and from 218 BC, it was ruled by the Roman Republic, then empire, under the name Malaca. It was under Islamic administration as Mlaqah for 800 years following the fall of the empire and the end of Visigothic power, but in 1487, the Crown of Castile took over in the midst of the Granada War. The historic center is made up of artifacts and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic, and Christian centuries.

On Spain's southern coast is the British Overseas Territory and headland of Gibraltar. The Rock of Gibraltar, a 426-meter-high limestone ridge, dominates the area. The outpost was first inhabited by Moors in the Middle Ages and afterwards ruled by Spain before being given to the British in 1713. A Moorish castle from the fourteenth century and the WWII-expanded Great Siege Tunnels from the eighteenth century are among the layers of defences.

Southwest Spain's Andalucia region includes the historic harbor city of Cadiz. The port, which served as the hub for trade and exploration in the sixteenth century, was home to the Spanish Navy. There are more than 100 watchtowers there, including the well-known Torre Tavira, which was formerly used to spot ships. The shoreline is home to the baroque and neoclassical-styled, dome-shaped Cádiz Cathedral, built in the eighteenth century.

Disembark after breakfast.