Product Description
Highlights
Visit the one and only Alhambra Palace in Granada. This Moorish ‘pearl set in emeralds’ must be seen to be believed. Take in the natural beauty of the Algarve coast, with its jagged coastline cut with caves and grottoes. Slow the pace down a notch with some bird watching in the Ria Formosa National Park, looking out for flamingos, herons and kingfishers.
Overview
The lands south of Portugal and Spain sail somewhere under the radar compared to their northern brothers, yet the area is home to some of the best sights that Iberia has to offer. Dive straight in to this exciting yet lesser-explored region by boat, casting off from Malaga and travelling to Granada’s excellent Moorish buildings and tapas bars. Travel to Ronda, on past the famous ‘Rock’ of Gibraltar, then to Cadiz, Seville and Jerez de la Frontera – make sure you fill up on some of the delicious local food and drink on the way. You’ll also get to travel to Portugal and explore some outstanding medieval citadels before landing in it’s cosmopolitan capital, Lisbon. Enjoy this trip as you wrap your head around some interesting local history, or kick back on the Panorama II’s upper deck while you work on your tan. Either way, this adventure cruise is an excellent way to experience the Iberian lifestyle.
Breakfast Included: 7 Lunches Included: 2 Lunches Included: 6
Board in Lisbon
Arrive in Lisbon, greeting your shipmates as you board in the late afternoon. Boarding will take place between 3.30pm and 4pm with the boat setting sail just after 4pm. Attend a welcome meeting and safety briefing to go over the finer details of your upcoming journey. Sit down to dinner with your fellow travellers in the evening. Sail overnight to Portimao.
Exploring the Algarve
Arrive in Portimao mid-morning. Travel by bus to Carvoeiro, then board a small boat and cruise along the rocky coast. Travel on to Ria Formosa Natural Park, one of Portugal's seven natural wonders. Embark on a boat trip around the wetlands and enjoy some birdwatching along the way. Return to Portimao in the evening and rejoin the ship. Sail overnight to Huelva.
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 El Rocio. This must be Spain's strangest town, looking very much like a scene from a Spaghetti Western, it is the site of a large pilgrimage each year following Pentecost. Spend some time exploring the town and hearing its' stories from a local guide before returning to the boat. The evening is at your leisure in Huelva. Sail at midnight to Cadiz.
Seville
Get comfortable for a full day coach tour to Seville. Here you set off on a walking tour with a local guide, followed by some free time to make your own discoveries around town. On the way back, stop in Jerez to sample some sherry; there's no better place to do so, as this is the one and only home of this fortified, sweet yet often deliciously dry wine. Sail overnight to Tangier.
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 in a cafe in Hafa, and perhaps opt for a group lunch at a local restaurant to sample some of Morocco's finest. Depart Tangier late in the afternoon, and cruise overnight to Puerto Banus.
Granada
Arrive early in the morning in Puerto Banus. A full day tour of Granada takes you to Alhambra, which you explore with a local guide. After an optional group lunch in Granada (a city renowned for its unique cuisine), enjoy a walking tour with your leader. Stretch your legs with some free time, then reboard the ship in Motril. In the evening, sit down to a captain's dinner on board. Sail overnight to Malaga.
Motril and Nerja
In the morning, make an excursion out to Nerja caves and Balcon de Europa. There are two different transfer times offered from Nerja to Motril, so you can choose to have free time in either place. While Nerja is the smaller town of the two, both are delightful coastal towns. In the evening, back on board the boat, enjoy a Captain's Dinner, a great opportunity to toast your trip as it winds down to a close. Sail overnight for Malaga.
Disembark in Malaga
Disembark after breakfast as your trip comes to an end.