The City of Seven Hills

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, its magnificent harbor made it a logical trading port as far back as the Phoenicians, as well as a departure point for 15th-century voyages sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of Portuguese explorers.

This city is rich in architecture, from Romanesque and Gothic to Post Modern, and crisscrossed by monument-studded grand boulevards. In addition to its own active cultural calendar, it is seeking a place on the world stage by hosting film festivals, art, fashion, design shows, book fairs, marathons, and rock concerts.

Land of flamenco, fiestas, and tapas

The adventure begins once the ship starts its journey upriver the Guadalquivir, through spectacular landscapes and wonderful views of the city, until reaching the port of Seville.

The passionate nature of Sevillanos is evident in their devotion to bullfighting, flamenco, and fiesta. As Seville is credited with the invention of tapas, join in with the locals as they graze from bar to bar, making an entire meal out of the experience.

The city also has a rich history evident in its old quarters and landmarks. The great cathedral is immense, lavishly ornamented with painting, sculpture, and copious quantities of gold. The Alcazar, the main palace, is exquisitely decorated in Moorish style, with themed gardens laid out in terraces. All in all, an abundance of riches for all those who come to call.

Fortress of the Mediterranean

The towering Rock of Gibraltar is a sight to behold. Overlooking the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea from a height of 1,400 feet, it is a natural fortress in a strategic position to control all naval traffic between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

Only three miles long and a mile wide, this peninsula attached to the Spanish mainland juts out into the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates continental Europe from North Africa, within a distance of only 14 miles.

Beautiful beaches & sunny skies

Malaga is the lively capital of the Costa del Sol, famed for its beaches and mild climate, and gateway to Andalusia, with its Moorish architectural heritage. The city’s Alcazaba is a fine example, an 11th century citadel sitting in majestic splendor overlooking the African coast. It contains three magnificent palaces and graceful gardens with ornate fountains.

In addition to their rich cultural heritage, Malagueños are also proud of their most famous citizens, such as Picasso, having a museum commemorating his birth here, and actor Antonio Banderas.

Legendary nightlife

Mountainous Ibiza is known as Isla Blanca, the White Island, perhaps because of the white walls of the traditional houses and churches that make up the small villages, dotting its landscape. Its atmosphere is reminiscent of Greek islands, making it unique among the Balearic Isles, and its rustic beauty attracts artists, as well photo and film shoots.

Once you’ve explored the sights of the island, including its fabulous and exclusive beach clubs, be sure to take a nap and rest up for the evening’s festivities, since Ibiza’s nightlife is legendary within the jet set and its atmosphere is something not to be missed.

City of Gaudi

Dynamic Barcelona is all about architecture, from the magnificent medieval buildings of the Gothic Quarter to the Modernist movement typified by the work of Antoni Gaudi. Though his materials were stone and metal, his forms were organic, awash in curves, swirls, and colors. His masterpiece is the amazing Church of the Sagrada Familia, colossal and as yet unfinished, though construction began in 1882.

A contemporary contribution to the scene is Ricardo Bofill’s post-modernist National Theater of Catalonia, an imaginative combination of classical and modern design, with a greenhouse-like lobby.