Product Description
Highlights
Sip Andalusian wine varietals and munch local snacks like jamon in a tiny bodega (boutique grocer) on the outskirts of clifftop Ronda.. Let a local guide you through the labyrinthian medina in Tangier, where you can barter with vendors over local trinkets before you stop to sip mint tea in a local haunt.. Get amongst it in hip, vibrant Seville. Get started with a walking tour with a local guide and then explore at your own pace.. Check out the eerily beautiful tomb effigies of the lords of Moguer during a visit to the 14th-century Santa Clara Monastery on an afternoon trip ashore.
Overview
Discover the joys of southern Spain and Portugal – plus a splash of North Africa – on this eight-day Adventure Cruising tour. Explore the historic sites of three countries linked by a shared Moorish history, from the townhouses of Ronda to the ancient fortifications of the Castle of Silves. In between daily excursions enjoy free time to stretch out on the deck of your comfortable small ship or indulge in the cafe cultures of iconic cities. This mix of cultural activities and sun-soaked leisure makes this cruise is perfect for travellers who want to experience the Iberian lifestyle with a dash of Morocco.
Breakfast Included: 7 Lunches Included: 1 Dinner Included: 7
Malaga
Welcome to Malaga! Embarkation begins at 3 pm, but there is plenty to explore in this energetic and creative city if you arrive with time to spare. The hillside Castle of Gibralfaro offers amazing views over the city and is a lovely place to while away a few idle hours. After boarding the vessel in the afternoon, settle in and listen to a safety and welcome briefing. Get to know your fellow travellers over an on-board dinner before setting sail for Puerto Banus overnight.
Puerto Banus
Go ashore and drive to Ronda in the morning, then set out on a guided walking tour of the Old and New Town. Set high above the deep El Tajo Gorge, Ronda is a spectacular town (and photographers dream) which has long been a magnet for artists and bohemians. Visit a bodega just out of town for lunch and a wine tasting before returning to Puerto Banus for some free time. Sail overnight to Tangier, Morocco.
Tangier
Today the group breaks up into smaller parties for a day tour of Tangier. Tour the medina with a local guide, sip mint tea at Cafe Hafa and perhaps opt for a group lunch at a local restaurant to sample some of Morocco's finest. Take the opportunity for some souvenir shopping before exploring the Caves of Hercules, where Hercules supposedly rested between his labours. Overnight in Tangier port.
Chefchaouen
Rise and shine for an early drive to Chefchaouen, the famous blue-washed city that sits below the Rif Mountains. The blue buildings provide a dramatic juxtaposition to the surrounding countryside and it’s no wonder photographers flock to the city. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the beautiful cobbled laneways and buzzing squares before returning to the boat in Tangier. Cruise overnight to Seville.
Seville
Spend the day in Seville on a walking tour with a local guide. Seville, the capital of Andalusia and home of flamenco, is presided over by an immense gothic cathedral (the world’s largest) in which you’ll find the tomb of Christopher Columbus. With both Christian and Moorish influences, Seville is an architectural haven and the UNESCO-listed palace, Real Alcazar, is just one awe-inspiring example.
Huelva
Cool off with a swim in the morning at a beach en route to Huelva. After lunch, disembark in Huelva and take a bus to Moguer. Visit Santa Clara Monastery, a complex which includes a 14th-century gothic church and a functional 18th-century monastery. Continue to El Rabida where replicas of the boats Christopher Columbus' sailed on his colonial missions are on display. Spend some time exploring the site before returning to the boat. The early evening is at your leisure in Huelva. Sail overnight to Portimao.
Portimao
Arrive in Portimao in the morning. Take a trip inland to Silves, a town largely destroyed by a 17th-century earthquake. Explore the centuries-old Moorish Castle of Silves complex, visit the 13th-century Silves Cathedral (built by Alfonso X of Castile) and admire the 15th-century Silves Bridge. Take a walking tour of Lagos' walled Old Town before returning to Portimao for dinner on board. Overnight at port.
Lisbon
Disembark in Portimao after breakfast and transfer by bus to Lisbon. Your Adventure Cruising tour ends on arrival in central Lisbon at about midday.