You know you have arrived in Palma de Mallorca, a major city of the Balearics of Spain, when you are met with majestic limestone cliffs plunging into glimmering blue water. On shore, its rich history is evident in its wonderful buildings, castles, and cathedrals. Take in the landmark Gothic cathedral, La Seu, with its enormous rose window and its wrought-iron canopy over the main altar designed by famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. Go for a run or bike ride along the seaside promenade that connects Palma de Mallorca to the neighboring villages of Portitxol and Es Molinar. Beyond the city, explore the lush Serra de Tramuntana, the island's major mountain range and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ... Read More
Tuesday - Sep 24, 2024
Day 2
Ibiza, Spain
Arrive: 8:00 am
Depart: 10:00 pm
Ibiza Town is one of the Balearic's most picturesque cities and a fabulous place to wander around. It's home to an old port and historic city ramparts and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island of Ibiza has some of the most beautiful and well-known beaches in the Mediterranean, including Ses Figueretes and Playa d'en Bossa. Whether you choose to swim or sunbathe, you will find inviting clear blue waters and golden sands lined with beach bars. For a more relaxing excursion, head toward S'Espalmador, a small, uninhabited island between Ibiza and Formentera. ... Read More
The area surrounding Alicante has been inhabited by people for more than 7,000 years, starting with the first tribes of hunter-gatherers of the region. Visit the Plaza de San Cristobal in Alicante's Old Town where buildings dating back to between the 15th and 18th centuries display an array of architectural styles that show the city's evolution. Overlooking the famous Playa del Postiguet, the Castillo de Santa Barbara on Mount Benacantil offers exquisite views. Find your way to the Alicante Central Market to sample delicious, local seafood, produce, meat, and other Spanish delicacies. ... Read More
Along the south of Spain on the Mediterranean coast sits Cartagena, founded in 227 BCE and inhabited for more than two millennia. From the 2,000-year-old Roman theater to the ARQUA Marine Archaeology Museum, it's a place rife with stories for the curious mind to dive into. Driving down dirt roads about 30 minutes outside of Cartagena, you find yourself at the tip of Cape Tinoso, where the impressive Bateria de Castillitos resides. Bring yourself back to the present with shopping, bars, cafes, and restaurants on Calle Mayor. While Cartagena only has one beach, Cala Cortina, it's an oasis jewel located within a tiny cove. ... Read More
Friday - Sep 27, 2024
Day 5
Almeria, Spain
Arrive: 8:00 am
Depart: 10:00 pm
With so much to see in the Andalusia region of Spain, Almeria is often overlooked. But it holds an enchantment all its own, with fairytale castles amid colorful modern buildings. In Cabo de Gata Natural Park you find a spectacular beach of unspoiled sands and blue water with a backdrop of sand dunes, cacti, and mountains. About 20 miles northwest of Almeria you also find Desierto de Tabernas, Europe's only desert and setting of a famous Sergio Leone movie starring Clint Eastwood. Discover a local eatery in the quaint fishing town of Garrucha to sample the port's famous red prawns, fresh-caught from the harbor. ... Read More
Saturday - Sep 28, 2024
Day 6
At Sea
Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.
Sunday - Sep 29, 2024
Day 7
Tangier, Morocco
Arrive: 7:00 am
Depart: 6:00 pm
A Moroccan port in the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier has acted as the connection between Europe and North Africa since Phoenician times. It's also a less-traveled port, so it offers a more authentic feel to city life in Morocco. Wander the medina to lose yourself in the maze of narrow streets leading to the Grand Socco marketplace. The Kasbah Museum, the old sultan's palace restored to its former glory, contains a dazzling array of detailed maps, mesmerizing courtyards, and signature Moorish architecture. Explore the Caves of Hercules, near Cap Spartel just outside of Tangier city limits. ... Read More
The Spanish city of Malaga along the Mediterranean's Costa del Sol combines the simple, cosmopolitan feel with the quiet sleepiness of local fishing villages. A dive into the past starts with the ruins of the Roman amphitheater, its ancient stones creating the path that leads to Alcazaba Castle. When the sun goes down, the party starts at Plaza de la Constitucion. Energy thrums through the city streets as the residents come out for the night. ... Read More
Iconic in its own right, the Moroccan city of Casablanca is a pillar of the local culture before French colonization. Marrakesh, meanwhile, offers an abundance of classical, Moorish architecture and the breathtaking gardens of the Bahia Palace dating back to the 12th century. The energy hums amid the Central Market of Casablanca and your senses are enthralled at Marrakesh's Jemaa el-Fnaa. The monumental Hassan II Mosque is a triumph of traditional, Moorish architecture combined with innovations of the 20th century. Known for having the largest minaret in the world and towering above the Atlantic Ocean, it's a magnificent sight from afar, but a closer look inside provides an even grander sight, as its glass floor gives way to views of the Atlantic beneath its foundations. ... Read More
Thursday - Oct 3, 2024
Day 11
Safi, Morocco
Arrive: 8:00 am
Depart: 6:00 pm
Located in Western Morocco along the Atlantic, Safi is a city that has been heavily influenced by Portuguese rule, as evidenced by a centuries-old fort that still stands today, Ksar El Bahr. It's also one of the oldest cities in the country, so it holds a great deal of rich history. But it is perhaps best known as a city of potters, as it is here you find colorful, delicate, and artistic pieces of pottery that are part of a great Moroccan tradition. Le Plus Grand Tajine du Monde stands as the largest tagine in the world, a feat crafted by 200 artisans. Wind your way through Safi's medina, a lively atmosphere of vendors selling carpets, leather, pottery, and lighting pieces. The Kechla ruins bring the past to life with its preserved architecture of ancient cannons, crenelated walls, and spectacular towers. ... Read More
Friday - Oct 4, 2024
Day 12
At Sea
Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore.
Saturday - Oct 5, 2024
Day 13
PORTO SANTO
Arrive: 7:00 am
Depart: 7:00 pm
One of the small islands of the Madeira archipelago, Porto Santo is renowned for warm waters, a long sandy beach, and exceptional dive sites and has come to be known as the Golden Island. The island's capital, Vila Baleira, holds a great deal to explore, from its main square Largo do Pelourinho to the Infante Gardens. Porto Santo's main beach of the same name is by far its most popular and iconic landmark, rumored to have curative powers. For a more thrilling adventure, take a GeoSafari tour navigating mountain terrain. ... Read More
The lava-formed landscapes of the island of Madeira call out to explorers to discover its lush scenery and rugged coastlines. The island's capital and biggest town, Funchal, offers invigorating adventures like an elevated cable car ride ascending the green slopes up to Monte for incredible sky-high views. As you rise to the top you see a sprawling, lively city and at the end of the ride, the Madeira Botanical Gardens await with enchanting flora. You can find your way back down with a wooden toboggan ride. For the full Madeira experience, visit the Blandy's Wine Lodge, a winery that has been in business for over 200 years. ... Read More
Monday - Oct 7, 2024
Day 15
Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain
Arrive: 10:00 am
Depart: 11:00 pm
With a historic quarter declared a Historic-Artistic Site, Santa Cruz de La Palma offers colonial homes and paths that invite you to wander through the Canary Islands' past. Take an invigorating uphill hike to the 17th-century Santuario de la Virgen de las Nieves, La Palma's prime landmark. Over at Maroparque, animal lovers can revel in the rescue center. Displaying an array of wildlife, this small zoo invites you to let out your inner child. Along Playa de Santa Cruz de La Palma, you find a contrasting scene of black-sand beach against a backdrop of verdant hills, a vibrant image you'll want to get lost in. ... Read More
One of Spain's Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa, Gran Canaria is best known for its black lava and white-sand beaches. Its capital, Las Palmas, offers some of the best beaches on the island with shorelines bordered by coral barriers that shelter swimmers. Make the trek up to the neighborhoods of San Nicolas and San Juan for remarkable views of the homes below. Within the capital's heart you can find the Pueblo Canario, a replica of a traditional Canarian village where you can learn about the island's culture and how it has evolved. ... Read More
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