A Symphony at Sea Along the Coasts of Southern Spain and Portugal

Embark in Tarragona, your starting point, located on Spain’s Costa Dorada in the southern Catalonia region. Once called Tarraco in Roman times, this city is full of history with well-preserved archaeological and architectural sites that earned it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000. Visit the Roman amphitheater by the sea, as it is in great condition and offers a glimpse into ancient life. Then, walk through the streets of the medieval old town and finish at the 14th-century cathedral to complete your visit.

Explore Valencia, the City of Arts and Sciences, where modern innovation meets traditional charm. This Spanish city combines futuristic architecture with a nostalgic old town, connected by wide Mediterranean-style avenues. Key highlights include the City of Arts and Sciences and the Agora congress center, both iconic 21st-century structures set against striking blue pools.

Included Excursions:

Valencia, Old and New - 8h00
Start in the heart of Valencia’s Old Town at La Plaza de la Reina, the city’s historic center. Visit the 13th-century Cathedral (outside only), built after the Reconquista on the site of a former Roman temple and later Arab mosque. This Gothic landmark houses what is said to be the Holy Grail and features works by Goya and Maella. Its bell tower, El Miguelete, is one of Valencia’s most iconic monuments.

Continue to La Lonja de la Seda, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. Built between 1482 and 1533, this former silk exchange reflects Valencia’s power and wealth during the 15th and 16th centuries. The grand Sala de Contratación highlights the city’s mercantile history.

Enjoy a paella lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, visit the City of Arts and Sciences, Europe’s largest cultural and educational complex. Designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, this futuristic space covers nearly 500 acres with gardens, water features, and striking buildings. Tour the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, a performing arts venue featuring advanced engineering and design, with separate spaces for opera, dance, recitals, and theater.

This moderate excursion covers about 2.2 miles on foot, including stairs and uneven surfaces. Sturdy, comfortable shoes and sun protection are recommended. Appropriate clothing is required for religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Treasures of Valencia - 4h30
Begin with a short walk through Valencia’s Old Town to La Lonja de la Seda, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. Built between 1482 and 1533, this group of buildings once served as a major silk exchange. The grand Sala de Contratación reflects the city’s wealth and influence during the 15th and 16th centuries. Continue to the Valencia Silk Museum, formerly the headquarters of the Velvet Weaver’s Guild, to learn more about the city’s textile history.

Next, explore Valencia’s most famous festival, Las Fallas, which celebrates the arrival of spring and showcases local creativity and tradition. Visit the Las Fallas Museum to see large, satirical sculptures called fallas, along with exhibits highlighting the festival’s origins and customs.

Enjoy free time to explore independently or return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. This moderate excursion covers about 1.5 miles on uneven ground and cobblestones. Sturdy, comfortable shoes and sun protection are recommended.

Surrounded by hills, the natural site of the Bay of Carthagena presided over the fate of this former fortress, which has been home to the greatest European civilizations. Today, these Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Moorish, and Christian influences form a rich architectural heritage. Its Roman theater is one of the most significant and best conserved in Spain. You can also be able to cross the landscapes of vines and citrus groves stretching endlessly towards Murcia to visit this dynamic regional capital.

A historical and festive town, Malaga is located in Andalusia, on the Costa del Sol. Between the marina and the beaches, the seaside promenade of La Farola offers an ideal setting for strolling and relaxing. Set slightly further back, the Malagueta bullring is one of the emblematic sites of the city. From the hill overlooking the old town, one can see Gibralfaro castle and the Alcazaba, two fortified ensembles rising out from the cypresses and maritime pines. To visit Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, you can first go to the courtly plaza de la Merced. A few streets back from here, you can explore the museum dedicated to the artist in the Buenavista Palace.

Included Excursions:

Granada: The Moorish Legacy of Andalusia - 11h00
Visit Granada to explore the Alhambra, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture built by the Nasrid dynasty. Travel through olive groves and villages to Granada, once a cultural center where Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived side by side. Walk through the city center to view the Cathedral’s exterior and visit the Royal Chapel, where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried.

After lunch at a local restaurant, tour the Alhambra’s Nazaries Palaces with their carved stucco, intricate ceilings, and the famous Patio de los Leones. End at the Generalife Palace and Gardens, the Sultan’s summer retreat. This excursion covers about 4 miles with some uneven paths. Wear sturdy shoes and sun protection.

Medieval Cordoba - 9h00
Take a scenic drive north from Málaga to Córdoba, once the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate and one of Europe’s largest cities by the 10th century. Known for its scholarship, Córdoba helped preserve the legacy of Greece and Rome.

Begin with a tour of La Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque converted into a cathedral in the 13th century. This UNESCO World Heritage site blends Islamic and Christian architecture. Continue to the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, where Ferdinand and Isabella once met with Christopher Columbus. Walk through Córdoba’s Jewish quarter, with its narrow streets, flower-filled balconies, and a 14th-century synagogue.

Enjoy a tapas lunch at a local restaurant, followed by free time to explore before returning to Málaga.

This moderate excursion includes about 2.5 hours of walking over flat and cobblestone surfaces with some steps. Sturdy shoes, layered clothing, and sun protection are recommended.

Old Malaga & The Picasso Museum with Exclusive Access - 4h30
During this walking tour of Old Málaga, explore the incredible art and architecture of the birthplace city of Picasso, and discover his work during a visit to the Picasso Museum.
 
From the pier, start your guided walking tour to the Picasso Museum. En route, take a stroll through Málaga’s Old Town. Your first stop is Calle Larios, the main shopping street of Málaga. Next, cross the Plaza de la Constitución, walk along Calle Granada to the Plaza de la Merced. Then proceed to the highlight of the tour, the Picasso Museum of Málaga, or "Museo Picasso Málaga".
 
The Picasso Museum is permanently housed in the Palacio de Buenavista, a 16th-century historical building that is adorned with the Andalusian architecture of the day, along with a unique blend of Renaissance and Mudéjar elements. Enjoy a guided tour including exclusive access to sections of the museum and palace not generally open to the public.
 
Following your guided museum visit, proceed to a local restaurant for a snack of local tapas and wine. Return to the ship with your guide or enjoy some free time to explore on your own.
 
This tour involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking over mostly even city surfaces. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.

Mijas & Molino de la Paca: Olive Oil Traditions of Andalusia - 5h00
Travel inland to the foothills of the Sierra de Mijas, where olive groves blanket the countryside and centuries-old traditions still thrive. Your destination is Molino de la Paca, a family-run olive oil mill founded in 1870 in the small town of Alhaurín el Grande.

This working mill offers a candid look into the world of olive oil production. Tour its small museum showcasing antique tools, including a ship engine–powered stone mill, and learn how both traditional and modern techniques coexist in today’s operations. Accompanied by the owners, stroll through surrounding olive groves to hear how time-tested Andalusian agricultural practices nurture the land, prevent erosion, and promote biodiversity.

At the mill’s conclusion, enjoy a tasting of its signature extra virgin olive oil alongside local olives and a glass of Málaga wine. Your journey continues to Mijas, a whitewashed village perched dramatically on the mountainside. Roam its narrow lanes lined with artisan boutiques, take in panoramic views of the coastline, and soak up the laid-back rhythm of Andalusian life before your return to the ship.

This excursion involves approximately 2 hours of walking on uneven surfaces and steps. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Andalusia’s Cadiz is located on the Costa de la Luz, in the southwest of Spain. From the beaches of Cortadura to the flamenco bars of Santa Maria, through the colorful streets of la Viña, be amazed by this city, which is both steeped in history and extremely festive. In the medieval El Pópulo district, stroll along covered passages in the narrow gaps between houses. You can also move around the lush Mina Square. The star of the show is the magnificent cathedral and its dome crowned with yellow porcelain, presiding above the ocean.

Included Excursion:

Cadiz: Gateway to Southern Spain - 4h30
Settled about 1100 BCE by Phoenicians, Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe. It remains to this day an important port and an opening to the history and culture of southernmost Spain.

Your excursion begins with a picturesque walking tour from the pier to San Juan de Dios square, where you will witness the historic architecture of the town hall against a modern background of pedestrian walkways and palm-tree-lined fountains.

Continue through the Barrio del Pópulo, the heartbeat of the city and Cadiz’s old town. Considered one of the oldest neighborhoods in Europe, Pópulo was once home to Phoenicians, Punics, Romans, and Arabs alike.

Proceed to the Catedral de Cadiz for an outside visit to view the gold dome and exquisite Baroque façade. Construction of the cathedral began in 1722, when Cadiz was at the height of its power and one of the wealthiest ports in Western Europe, with gold and silver from the New World. Continue your walk through winding streets to the Plaza de las Flores and enjoy some free time to explore on your own.

Meet back up with your guide and pass by the lively Plaza San Francisco, home to the Convent of San Francisco, house of the Franciscans in Cadiz, founded in 1566. Continue to Plaza de la Mina, one of the most popular residential squares in Cadiz, and one of the historic gardens of the city.

End at the Flamenco La Cava, one of the city's premier tablao, where you will be treated to an exciting performance of flamenco, replete with rhythmically tapping heels, clicking castanets, and the traditional rascado flourishes of the guitar. During the show, a full tapas-style lunch will be served, the perfect enhancement to a quintessentially Spanish experience.

After lunch and the show, transfer back to the ship. This moderate excursion involves a significant amount of walking (approximately 2.5 miles total). Most of the walking is over flat and even ground, but there are some uneven areas and cobblestones.  It is recommended to wear sturdy yet comfortable shoes. Hats and sunblock are also recommended. Note that sites may be visited in a different order.

There stands a natural paradise called Lagos, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. With its picturesque and age-old town center and the Ponta da Piedade natural site sheltering paradisiacal beaches protected by captivating limestone cliffs in hues of ochre, Lagos enthralls, fascinates, and enchants. In this interesting blend between nature and culture, do not miss the chance to stroll along the small paved streets of its historic center, surrounded by impressive Moorish ramparts and edged with traditional white houses with decorations sculpted in the stone. In particular, admire the Manuelian-style Governor's Castle, the 17th-century Ponta da Bandeira Fort, and the Church of Santo Antonio in Baroque architecture.

Included Excursions:

Seco & Benagil - 4h00
Lagos is your gateway to the Algarve, the southwestern portion of Portugal that juts into the Atlantic Ocean—a region of beaches known for their surf, wetlands teeming with birdlife, and towns and villages with a rich history spanning from Phoenician settlement through Muslim Conquest and Spanish Reconquest to the present day. This excursion focuses on the natural history of the coastline east of Portimão and on the amazing formations of the Seco and Benagil Caves.
 
Transfer to Portimão where you will board a local boat and set sail. Pass by the remains of a medieval fort on one shore and the fishing village of Ferragudo on the other, then relax and enjoy the scenery as you make your way past beautiful beaches to the town of Carvoeiro, where you pause to admire the remarkable rock formations of Algar Seco. Continuing eastward a few more miles, arrive at the famous grottoes of Benagil, mesmerizing structures carved from the sandstone by sea and wind. Weather and sea conditions permitting, your boat will enter the caves where you can see close up the fascinating results of centuries of erosion.
 
This is an easy excursion, involving only the walk along the pier to the local boat and back. Layered clothing, including a windbreaker for the cruise, is recommended, as is protection from the sun.

Lagos Walking Tour - 3h00
The town of Lagos served as an outpost and trading center for Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Romans, but its heyday was in the 15th and 16th centuries, when it played a major role in the Portuguese exploration of Africa and South America. It was here that Prince Henry the Navigator outfitted the caravels that began the Age of Discovery.
 
A guided walking tour of the Old Town includes the 16th-century walls that protected the town from invaders, as well as visits to two important monuments: the Church of Santo Antonio, rebuilt after the devastating earthquake in 1755; and the Municipal Museum, founded in 1932. The exterior of the church is quite modest, but the interior can only be described as extravagant, filled with gilded wood carvings, intricately worked panels, and ceiling paintings. The Museum, which underwent a significant renovation in 2021, displays archaeological artifacts from the Neolithic, Roman, and Islamic periods, as well as material from the 15th to the 19th centuries. After the tour, enjoy some time at leisure to explore on your own before stopping at a local taverna to sample some regional tapas accompanied by a good Portuguese wine.
 
This is a relatively easy excursion with about 1.5 miles of walking over mostly flat surfaces. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes, layered clothing, and protection from the sun.

Portugal’s capital city, located on the banks of the Tagus, only a few kilometers from the Atlantic coast, is a city of exceptionally rich cultural diversity. At the mouth of the river harbor are two UNESCO World Heritage monuments, Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower. The Alfama hillside is also worth visiting; known for its fado bars and its Moorish streets, this district is the oldest one in the city and one of the most typical. Not far from there, Chiado’s elegant streets are home to big fashion labels and are an invitation to a bit of luxury shopping.