ITINERARY
ITINERARY
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife
Santa Cruz is one of the Canary Islands’ biggest hitters. It shares its capital city title with Las Palmas, on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria, and more thanlives…
Departs: 23:00Cartagena, Spain
Tucked in a deep bay guarded by two cliff-top fortresses, this Spanish gem is steeped in history. In the 18th century it became a major Spanish naval base and reminders…
Time in port: 08:00 - 15:00Show Top Things to Do
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Easy Cartagena
See the famous La Manga Strip, one of the most unique places in Europe. Soak up superb views of the strip from the comfort of your coach and stop at the best viewpoint for pictures. To give you a taster of what to expect, La Manga is 21 kilometres long and 500 metres wide and translates as 'the sleeve’ in Spanish. This strip of land separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Mar Menor or ‘small sea’ - in fact, its Europe’s largest lagoon. You’ll then carry onto Cavanna beach area before taking in the highlights of Cartagena while your guide and driver do all the work. Pass by La Manga Club Complex, it’s been voted Europe’s top golf resort three times in the past four years. A final stop will be made at the Calle Mayor street for some more free time and even a local coffee called ‘Asiatic coffee’. Made from local liqueur "43", coffee, condensed milk and cinnamon, it’s a must. The Calle Mayor is the main high street, where there’s plenty of shopping opportunities before returning to the ship.
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La Manga Beach Transfer
Pack your swimmers – we’re off to the coast. The La Manga strip has more than 44 kilometres of beaches and we’ll be making a beeline for one of the biggest. The flat, sandy shores are a perfect place for a chilled-out day in the sunshine. And when it’s time to cool off, you’ll be spoilt for choice. As well as the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, you can swim in the Mar Menor, or ‘little sea’. It’s a lagoon created by a thin strip of land that stretches for 13 miles. The shallow water warms up in the summer months, so it’s a great swimming spot for the kids. Just make sure you drag them away in time for the coach back.
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Cartagena by trolley train
Monuments, military buildings and modernist palaces all feature on this 90-minute guided tour of Cartagena, which you'll experience from a seat on a trolley train. You'll board the train straight from the port, then set off on your sightseeing adventure. The tour offers a complete overview of the city, thanks to a knowledgeable guide, who will point out the most interesting and popular areas and highlights as you go. Spot timeworn relics dating back to Roman, Muslim and Arab rule. The train will also pass along the sea wall where you can enjoy views of the port, as well as going to Parque Torres for a photostop. Then hop back on the trolley train for the return journey back to the port.
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: 13:00 - 21:00Show 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.
Limassol, Cyprus
Set on Akrotiri Bay, Limassol is the island’s biggest seaside town with plenty to offer its visitors. Whether you’ve come here in search of age-old sights or bubbling…
Arrives: 06:00