ITINERARY
ITINERARY
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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.…
Departs: 22:00;img.crop(width:1080%2Cheight:608))
Gibraltar, Gibraltar
Affectionately known as Gib or The Rock, Gibraltar is a little slice of Britain in the Mediterranean. And, just like the motherland, it’s a small stretch of land with…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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The Rock Tour
Discover the Rock, which rises nearly 1,400ft above sea level and is said to be one of the legendary pillars of Hercules. Gibraltar, well known as the gateway to the Mediterranean, is steeped in history. See Europa Point, the southernmost point of Gibraltar and the only Trinity Lighthouse outside Britain. You’ll also pass over the only runway in Europe that has to stop vehicles for aircraft! At the famous Gothic-style St. Michael’s Cave, marvel at the beautiful stalagtites and stalagmites sculpted through the centuries. Your leisurely tour ends with a trip to Gibraltar’s most respected residents, the ‘Barbary Apes’, a breed of tail-less and very naughty monkeys that roam free on rocky slopes. Be warned – they’ve got a penchant for cameras, handbags, hats and food!
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World War Two Tunnels
This short trip gives you a great introduction to Gibraltar’s history, and you’ll have an exoert guide on hand to give you the lowdown on the sights. Leaving Gibraltar’s quayside behind, you’ll kick things off by heading to Europa Point, where the Trinity Lighthouse is. There’ll be a photo-stop here so you can soak up the vistas – the area looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the busy Straits of Gibraltar, the African Coastline and Spain’s Costa del Sol. From here, your coach will whisk you to the Rock of Gibraltar – the highlight of the tour. Inside, is a network of narrow tunnels that were used back in the Second World War. You’ll be given a safety briefing, before being led down into the dark, following in the soldiers’ footsteps in a conga-line. Look out for the ancient stalactites and stalagmites as you get deeper into the caves. After the tour, it’s up to you whether you want to head back to the ship, or explore Gibraltar’s town centre.
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Dolphin Watch
Hop aboard and cruise with us around the Bay of Gibraltar, one of the most famous bays in the world. There’s a really high concentration of dolphins in these parts and if you’re lucky you might see baby dolphins swimming close to their mothers. It’s a great opportunity to take pictures and see the Striped, Bottle-Nosed and Common dolphin, as well as seven species of whale, flying fish, turtles and sunfish in their natural habitat. Plus you get to admire the landmarks of Gibraltar all in the same morning. What more could you ask for?
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Praia, Cape Verde
A quarter of Cape Verde’s population calls Praia, the capital city, home. But don’t let that fool you into thinking this place is a bustling metropolis. Praia’s managed…
Time in port: 09:00 - 18:00;img.crop(width:1080%2Cheight:608))
Mindelo, Cape Verde
Mindelo’s streets constantly ring with the sound of traditional morna music. And the city gets even livelier at certain times of the year, when Rio-esque carnivals parade…
Time in port: 08:00 - 16:00Show Top Things to Do
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Island Drive
This two-hour coach tour showcases Mindelo’s best bits. You’ll start by motoring along the waterside Rua de Praia. The route takes you past the Diogo Alfonso Monument, a tribute to the Portuguese seafarer who first discovered this archipelago back in 1482, and the Belem Tower, a fortress-like replica of a 15th-century tower in Lisbon. You’ll continue on through the lively African, vegetable and fish markets – listen out for the locals speaking Criulo, the island’s patois. Our final stop is Mindelo’s number-one beach, Baia das Gatas. It’s a sweep of white sand backed by dramatic mountains – we’ll stop here for a bit to stretch our legs and sip tasters of local island liqueur.
Walking Tour of Mindelo
You’ll get a close-up of Mindelo’s highlights on this guided walking tour of the city. We’ll start by strolling along the bayside road, passing the Diogo Alfonso Monument – a tribute to the captain who first discovered the archipelago – and the fortress-like Belem Tower. Next up, we’ll explore the fish, vegetable and African markets, where you can browse the stalls and listen to the locals chatting in Criulo, the island’s patois. We’ll make our way to the historic district, home to the Town Hall and the Portuguese-style Nossa Senhora de Luz Catholic Church. From here, we’ll board a coach for the next part of the tour – a drive up to the 2,379-foot-high Monte Verde. It’s one of the few green areas on the island – the rest of the landscape is dry and volcanic. We’ll have time at the top to take in the views, and your guide can fill you in on the area’s history. Make sure you’ve got your camera handy for the ride back, as we’ll have a few photos ops – including Baia das Gatas, Mindelo’s premier beach.
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Mindelo City & Cultural Centre
You’ll twin a city tour with a spot of culture on this trip. Kick off with a scenic drive around Mindelo, a city that’s sandwiched between two extinct volcanoes and a natural harbour. Keep your camera to hand as we tick off sights like the town hall, the Belem Tower and the lively markets. We’ll also travel past the Diogo Alfonso statue, the Monument of the Hawk, and Praja De Cachorro, which used to be the coal warehouse district, but is now home to a pretty garden square. Next up, it’s time to hit the beach. We’ll head to Mindelo’s most popular sandy spot – Baia das Gatas. Have a swim in the lagoon, or sit on the sand with a complimentary glass of Portuguese or French wine while listening to the sultry sounds of morna, traditional Cape Verdean folk music. Just next to the beach is the local museum, which showcases the island’s culture. Have a wander around and peek at handicrafts like pottery and batiks. Our final stop for the day is the quaint fishing village of Salamansa, which we’ll get to via a walk through the sand dunes.
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Castries, St Lucia
St Lucia’s skyline is high rise. But it’s not the hotels that make this island look serrated against the sky, it’s the mountains. The Pitons are 2 of the biggest. Both…
Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00Show Top Things to Do
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Pitons Cruise
Beaches. Mountains. Rainforests. Volcanoes. Springs. When it comes to natural beauties, St Lucia’s in a league of its own. This trip takes you on a tour of some of the island’s best bits and, because they can all be seen from the sea, you’ll get to enjoy them from the comfort of a catamaran. Setting off from Castries, you’ll glide along the island’s west coast, passing mangrove-lined beaches and lush forests. And then it’s time for the star of the show. As you enter Soufriere bay, the twin mountains of Petit and Gros Piton will rise out of the sea before you. Topping over 2,000 feet each, their summits have only been tackled by the most daring of climbers. We’ll circle the bay for some great photo opportunities, before heading to one of the scenic bays along the coast. We’ll make a quick stop, and you’ll be served snacks, drinks and get the chance to dive into the Caribbean Sea for a quick swim. Last up is Marigot, the most famous cove on the island. This was a favourite battleground of the English and French back in the 18th century and, more recently, was the setting of Dr Doolittle.
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Scenes of St Lucia
This short tour packs a lot in, so it’s a good way of ticking off St Lucia’s top attractions. It begins with a scenic drive up the Morne Fortune hillside. Translated as ‘hill of good luck’, it was a key battleground during colonial times. You’ll look out over thick, green vegetation as you get higher and higher, making your first stop at the colonial-style St Mark’s House high in the hills. From here, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of Castries’ harbour and the Caribbean Sea. Next on the agenda is St Lucia’s one-and-only rum distillery. Here, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how the spirit is made, before enjoying a tasting session. Sip premium, spicy and crème liquor varieties, then head to the gift shop to pick up a bottle of your favourite. Your next stop is a viewpoint at the picturesque Marigot Bay, with its turquoise waters and velvety green hills. Last but not least, there’ll be time for a bit of retail therapy, as you call in at Caribelle Batik. This place is famous throughout the Caribbean for its batik prints, and you can see the artisans at work on the clothes and wall hangings.
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Time At The Beach
Think Caribbean, think soft sands and turquoise seas. Throw in a palm tree or two and you could be in paradise. It’s true - beach-wise, you just don’t get better than this. That’s why you’ll probably want to make the most of the shoreline while you’re here. And our trip to Reduit Beach, in Rodney Bay, is a great chance to do just that. The choice of restaurants, shops and bars on offer has cemented Rodney Bay’s reputation as a top tourist spot, but Reduit Beach itself has remained pretty unspoilt. Cue clean waters, soft sands and plenty of space to pull up a sunlounger and relax, Caribbean-style. Of course, if you don’t fancy staying horizontal the whole time, there’s a good selection of watersports on offer. Or there’s a scattering of beach bars where you can chill out if that sounds just a little too much like hard work.
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Bridgetown, Barbados
A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for…
Arrives: 08:00
