8-Night Spain to Portugal Cruise-Tour

Day 1: Malaga

Afternoon arrival in Malaga for embarkation at 3.00pm. You can board the ship at your convenience and relax in your luxury cabin. You are invited to attend the welcome meeting at 7.00pm. You will be introduced to the captain and crew.

This is also an ideal opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers. Welcome dinner is served on board. After dinner you have free time to explore the port of Malaga, or to simply soak up the ambience onboard, while making plans for your voyage of discovery. Overnight in port.

Day 2: Malaga

After breakfast join our optional full day excursion to Granada. The fascinating city is home to the famous Alhambra palace and citadel that was built under the Arab Muslim Nasrid Dynasty in the 13^th century. Explore the fortress complex, the epic courtyards and the lion fountain.

The guided tour also visits the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel where Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II are buried, and the Monastery of La Cartuja. We return to Malaga in the afternoon. You have free time to do as you please. Overnight in port.

Day 3: Porto Banus

Morning arrival in Porto Banus. Our optional excursion visits historic Ronda, an inland city that is considered to be the birthplace of modern bullfighting. Visit the museum of Plaza de Toros, and stroll out into the arena. Explore the elegant cloistered 16th century convent and the cobbled streets of old Ronda,

La Ciudad, before we walk to the leafy Plaza Duquesa de Parcent to seek out the convent, churches, and the bell tower of the Iglesia Santa Maria de Mayor. In the afternoon we return to the ship for a refreshing swim.

Day 4: Gibraltar

Our optional half-day excursion in Gibraltar offers plenty of opportunities to explore the Rock from top to bottom. Take the cable car to the 1400 ft summit of Gibraltar for breathtaking panoramic views from the top of the British colony. Travel down to the middle station for an encounter with Gibraltar’s older inhabitants, the Barbary macaque apes. This is the only wild monkey population in Europe.

We return to the ship and set sail for Seville in the early afternoon. En route you can enjoy a swim stop or a relaxing sunbathing opportunity.

Day 5: Seville

After breakfast, we sail up the Guadalquivir, the fifth longest river in the Iberian Peninsula. In the afternoon, join our optional excursion to the beautiful city of Seville, where Moorish, Spanish and Gothic art and culture have truly left their mark. Visit the Cathedral, the Alcazar Palace and Andalusian gardens, and Maria Luisa Park.

You have free time to take a wander through the elegant district of Santa Cruz. The tourist area boasts an upbeat vibe, orange tree-lined squares, and colourful shops selling handicrafts, ceramics and souvenirs. Overnight in Seville.

Day 6: Jerez de la Frontera

Today’s full day optional excursion visits Jerez de la Frontera, in the region of Andalusia. The magnificent city of Jerez is famous for its sherry production, horse breeding and flamenco music. We visit the Moorish fortress of Alcazar de Jerez founded in the 11^th century, the cathedral, and a ‘ganadería’, where bulls are raised to take part in the traditional bull fighting that is part of Spanish culture. You have free time to enjoy the historic and artistic centre of Jerez before rejoining the ship in Cadiz in the evening. Overnight at sea.

Day 7: Portimao

Midday arrival in Portimao. Join our optional afternoon excursion to Silves, a traditional Portuguese town in the Algarve. Although mostly destroyed by a 17th century earthquake, Silves still boasts an ancient Moorish castle complex with an underground water reservoir, a 13th century Cathedral and a 15th century bridge built over the Rio Arade.

We head for Serra de Monchique and the picturesque city of Monchique. Take a stroll along the cobbled streets and admire the Franciscan monastery overlooking the town, and the charming Parish Church that is decorated with blue ceramic tiles.

Day 8: Lisbon

Disembarkation at 9am. The escorted bus transfer from Portimao to Lisbon departs at 9:30am. Arrive at the hotel in Lisbon early in the afternoon.

Day 9: Lisbon

Explore some more of Lisbon before you private transfer takes you to the airport for your flight home.