ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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Dubrovnik, Croatia
Ancient city walls. Higgledy-piggledy red rooftops. Cobbled streets worn by time. That’s Dubrovnik, a heart-stealing city that you just know you’re going to love themoment…
Departs: 21:00
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Valletta, Malta
As your ship cruises into Valletta, a magical skyline of soaring steeples and bulbous church domes rises to greet you. This is Malta's quintessential capital, a captivating…
Time in port: 08:00 - 16:00Show Top Things to Do
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Malta Panoramic
This driving tour takes in some of Malta’s most famous sights – everything from bomb-proof buildings to natural wonders are on the agenda. First up, you’ll set off on the coach and head for the historic city of Vittoriosa, where you’ll get to see the Church of St Lawrence, which is home to the observation tower used by Grand Master La Vallette during the siege of 1565. From here, it’s on to Marsaxlokk, Malta’s largest fishing village, where you’ll have some time to explore before getting back on the coach. Next up, you’ll drive through some tiny villages before reaching the Blue Grotto – a cluster of picturesque sea caverns on the south coast. Then, you’ll pass through the town of Girgenti, home of the Prime Minister’s summer residence, before making tracks for the Dingli Cliffs – Malta’s highest point. From here, you’ll drive through Rabat, and around the edges of Mdina, Malta’s old capital city. Lastly, there’s a stop in the town of Mosta, which is famous for its church, which was hit by a shell bomb in World War II. The bomb went through the property but, miraculously, didn’t explode.
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Highlights of Malta
Your tour kicks off just a short coach ride from the capital with a visit to the ‘Malta Experience’ - a spectacular show bringing to life more than 7,000 years of history, followed by a visit to the Barrakka Gardens, Valletta’s most beautiful garden with a breath-taking view of the Grand Harbour and the old towns of Senglea and Vittoriosa. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to walk the main attractions of Valletta like the exterior of the Grandmaster’s Palace, the House of Parliament and the outside of Castille Palace. You then make your way to Mdina, the ancient capital city, for a wander around the bastions and ramparts. You’ll also get the chance to go inside the beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral. Next comes Rabat, a town just outside Mdina, famous for its crafts and local trades. Here, you’ll make one last stop at the ‘Tales of the Silent City’, where you’ll get some free time to shop for take-home trinkets, before re-boarding the ship.
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Harbour Cruise
Set off on a cruise round Valletta’s two natural harbours. This is the ultimate chill-out experience, so just sit back with a drink and watch as you float past Malta’s capital. You’ll drift by historical forts, battlements and creeks that can only be seen from the sea. Back on dry land, you’ll have some free time for retail therapy in Sliema. You can dip in and out of boutiques selling shoes, jewellery and bastketware. Simply sit beneath a parasol and sip a cup of coffee at one of the charming cafeterias dotting the seafront or just enjoy a local ice-cream on the Sliema promenade.
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La Goulette (for Tunis), Tunisia
Enter the city of Tunis via this northern gateway – the port city of La Goulette. This place puts you a half-an-hour drive away from Tunisia’s capital, which is decked…
Time in port: 09:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Carthage & Sidi Bou Said
Who hasn’t heard of Hannibal and this city that dared brave the might of Rome? Nowadays the ruins of both these great empires lay open to the sun and wild flowers. Declared a National Monument, the town of Carthage is packed with temples, shrines and Roman baths. This tour introduces you to the breathtakingly beautiful site of Carthage and sights like the theatre, the ruined amphitheatre, the Antonine thermal baths and Mount Byrsa. From here, carry on by coach to Sidi Bou Said, a splendid Moorish village on a rocky hill overlooking the Mediterranean. It’s fronted hundreds of postcards from Tunisia, thanks to its charming corners and typical blue doors and shutters that contrast beautifully against white facades and colourful geraniums. A meeting place for artists, the village is full of architectural treasures and art galleries you’ll love to explore.
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Carthage & Sidi Bou Said with Folklore Show
This trip is a showcase of Tunisian culture. You’ll begin the day in Carthage, a city that blurs the line between fact and fiction. It’s known this city was once as powerful as Sparta and Rome. But most of the historical records were lost at the end of the Third Punic War, so there’s not a lot of evidence to separate myth from fact. Legend has it the city was founded by the goddess Dido, who became a mortal queen in the 5th century BC. On this trip, you’ll get to make up your own mind. Among the ruins here, you’ll see the Tophet, a place where human sacrifices were offered to the gods. You’ll also see the site where the Antonine Baths once stood. When you’ve finished exploring here, you’ll get to see a traditional folklore show. This break will be a feast for the stomach as well as the eyes, because you’ll be served traditional mint tea and a Tunisian pastry while you watch the acts. The last stop of the day will be Sidi Bou Saïd. Perched on a cliff top, overlooking the sea, this whitewashed village has long been a muse to artists and writers from all over Europe.
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Sidi Bou Said & Medina
The medina of Tunis is your first stop on this half-day trip. Set off on a guided tour through the maze-like streets of the old town. This is where the city’s artisans show off their finest handiwork. Head for the souk and you’ll see it’s like an enormous shopping centre - with more than a touch of traditional North Africa about it. Stalls are weighed down with everything from ceramics to some of Tunisia's finest fashions and the smell of spice fills the air. The layout’s really interesting, too. It’s like an old-world department store. There’s a section devoted to metalwork, another to dyed fabrics. One for weaving, another for jewellery. You could easily put a dent in your holiday budget here. Once you’ve had a look around, you’ll set off for the Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said. If it looks familiar it’s probably because it fronts postcards all over Tunisia. How you spend your time here is up to you. Wander round, admiring the white houses with their bright blue doors and shutters. Or call into a café for a glass of sweet mint tea. Just remember to save some time for the scenery. This sleepy little village gazes out on the Bay of Tunis and the view is definitely worth writing home about.
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Alicante, Spain
A palm-lined promenade packed with waterfront cafés. Whitewashed houses freckled with fuchsia geraniums. World class museums stacked with futuristic attractions. That’s…
Time in port: 09:00 - 16:00Show Top Things to Do
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Benidorm On Your Own
To most people, Benidorm is the Costa Blanca. It’s been a major player on the holiday scene for a good while now, and after a day here you’ll see why. The city is less than an hour away by coach, and when we arrive, we’ll leave you to explore on your own. Head for the famous Levante Beach, rated among Europe’s best. Or plump for a bit of people-watching at one of the cafés along the promenade. Lining the beach you’ve got the high-rise hotels that Benidorm’s famous for. The skyline here is all skyscrapers looming in spiky clusters. But behind them, you’ll find the old town. Think cobbled streets, whitewashed little houses and noisy tapas bars. There’s plenty in the way of shops, too, from chic boutiques to market stalls groaning under the weight of souvenirs.
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Guadalest
Set in the foothills of the Sierra de Aitana mountains, Guadalest holds the title of the Costa Blanca’s prettiest village. The first thing you’ll notice is its whitewashed belltower. It’s set high up on the summit of the mountain, next to the entrance of the Portal de San Jose tunnel. Even today, the tunnel is the only way of getting to and from the village. Once you’re through, you’ll set off on a walking tour. It was built by the Moors over a thousand years ago and there are plenty of old treasures to check out. Wander through the little streets towards Orduna House. This charming place was built by the rich family after a 17th-century earthquake wiped out their house. Nowadays, it’s a fascinating museum. Take a look round the pantries, kitchen and recpetion area – they’re built half into the rock. And make sure you head out to the gardens where you’ll find the barn and stables.
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Alicante Bike Tour
For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our bike tours. This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights.
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Almeria, Spain
A wide, tree-lined avenue splits Almeria in half. To the west, you’ll find the Medieval buildings of the old town, while on the east side, the new town is home to boutiques…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Almeria Bike Tour
For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our bike tours. This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights.
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Malaga, Spain
Set on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol, Malaga is a Moorish delight. During the Arab occupation of Spain, the city was the principal port of the Moorish kingdom of Granada.…
Arrives: 06:00
