DAY 1 / MÁLAGA / EMBARKATION*

Board the ship in the late afternoon in the culturally and historically rich port city of Málaga, Spain. Settle into your cabin and enjoy dinner on board the ship, which moors in port for the night.

DAY 2 / MOTRIL / GRANADA

Arrive in Motril in the morning, where you have the option to set off on an optional full-day excursion to Granada, one of the most culturally distinct cities in Europe. Granada was the Iberian Peninsula’s last Moorish stronghold, and fell to the Christians in 1492, but numerous reminders of Granada’s former rulers—including the lavish, UNESCO-listed Alhambra Palace—remain. The palace and medieval fortress complex, which dates back to the 14th century, features a series of ornate structures amidst trickling fountains and lush gardens,

Next, visit the Granada Cathedral along with the neighbouring Royal Chapel of Granada, where former Spanish monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand lie buried. You’ll see the Cartuja de Granada, a monastery and prominent example of Spanish Baroque architecture. The city’s many churches showcase Granada’s distinctive mujédar style, influenced heavily by Moorish craftsmen who stayed in the country after the Reconquista.

DAY 3 / PUERTO JOSÉ BANÚS / RONDA

After arriving in Puerto José Banús, you may choose to join a full-day excursion to Ronda, located a short distance inland. Here, discover the incredible 18th-century Puente Nuevo, a bridge spanning the 120-metre deep canyon over the Guadalevín River. Ronda is also renowned as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, a tradition which is honoured in the Plaza de Toros arena and museum.

Next, pay a visit to an elegant 16th-century convent and La Ciudad, Ronda’s historic centre, which features cobblestone streets and stately mansions, some of which are still occupied by Ronda’s elite families. Stroll to the leafy Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, which boasts a convent and two churches, including the Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor with its fascinating bell tower.

In the late afternoon, visit Marbella, one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan ports. The ship moors here overnight.

DAY 4 / PUERTO JOSÉ BANÚS / GIBRALTAR

Today, set off on an optional half-day excursion to the famous Rock of Gibraltar, a 426-metre high limestone ridge. Here, take in breathtaking 360-degree views as you make your way to the summit on a cable car. At the Top Station, learn more about this British colony’s incredible geography from an experienced guide. At the Middle Station, see some of Gibraltar’s oldest inhabitants—the Barbary macaques, who have been given free roam here. Next, drive to Princess Caroline’s Battery and enter the Great Siege Tunnels, a series of tunnels carved out of solid limestone. Finally, tour the Gibraltar Museum, which is home to a vast array of artifacts. The afternoon is at your leisure to return to the ship or explore the town. The ship sails through the night to Cádiz.

DAY 5 / CÁDIZ / SEVILLE

Leave port this morning for an optional full-day excursion to Seville, an Iberian Peninsula gem. In this charismatic and vibrant city, Moorish and Spanish influences collide, and a rich history awaits your discovery. See the incredible Catedral and Giralda, a Christian church that stands on the site of a 12th-century mosque whose minaret is still intact. In Seville, you’ll also discover Alcázar, a must-see UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring vast gardens. Before rejoining to the ship in the late evening, visit the Parque de María Luisa on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and tour Seville’s elegant Santa Cruz district. The ship moors in Cádiz for the night.

DAY 6 / CÁDIZ / JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA

Today, join an optional excursion to Jerez de la Frontera, an inland municipality famous for wine, flamenco, and horse breeding. Here, see Alcázar, an 11th- to 12th-century fortress, along with the Catedral de San Salvador and a local ganadería, where bulls are raised for the emblematic Spanish tradition of bullfighting.

Lunch is served on board the ship. In the afternoon, you may wish to explore Cádiz and the neighbouring city of Sanlúcar de Barrameda on an optional guided excursion. As one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in all of Europe, Cádiz offers much to discover. The ancient city centre is almost fully surrounded by water, and the continuous crash of the waves against the sea walls makes for a soothing soundtrack.

In Sanlúcar de Barrameda, visit a wine cellar renowned for its production of Manzanilla, a variety of fino sherry made locally. In the late afternoon, return to the ship and prepare to sail to Portimão, Portugal. The night is spent at sea.

DAY 7 / PORTIMÃO / SILVES

Today, set off on an optional half-day excursion to Silves, Portugal, a city that was largely destroyed by the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. Here, marvel at the centuries-old Moorish castle complex with its underground water reservoir, visit a 13th-century cathedral built on the site of a former mosque by King Alfonso X of Castile, and see the bridge over the Rio Arade which dates back to the 15th century. You’ll also have time to browse the historic exhibitions at the Museu Arqueológico.

Leaving Silves, you’ll travel through the Serra de Monchique mountain range before reaching the picturesque town of Monchique, which sits nested between two hills. Monquiche has retained its 16th-century charm, and walking through its cobblestone streets, passing small doorways and artisan shops, you may feel as though you’ve traveled back in time. A 17th-century Franciscan monastery overlooks the town, along with a church decorated with hand-crafted ceramic tiles. Return to Portimão for a late lunch and in the early afternoon, the ship sets sail for Lisbon, Portugal.

DAY 8 / LISBON / DISEMBARKATION

Enjoy breakfast on board the ship before debarking in Lisbon, where you’ll prepare for your onward journey.

*Note: This itinerary is available in the opposite direction.

• Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning.
• Full-board: Buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, a local themed Evening, fun BBQ, weather permitting) and Captain’s Dinner.
• Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day.
• Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability).
• English-Speaking Cruise Escort.

Travel Documents

Passport

Spain and Portugal are both European Schengen area countries. Canadian citizens should ensure that their passports are valid for 3 months after the last date of travel in both Schengen areas.

Citizens of other countries should consult with their travel agent or our office.

Visa

Canadian citizens are allowed entry into Spain and Portugal without tourist visas when visiting for less than 3 months (90 days).

Packing List

A handy checklist of what to bring on your trip can be downloaded here.

Insurance

We strongly recommend the purchase of appropriate travel insurance for any trip outside of Canada. Information on travel insurance options can be found here.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted indoors on the ship but there are designated areas on the outside decks where one can smoke. In Portugal it’s not permitted to smoke in all public buildings/spaces except for specifically designated smoking areas. In Spain it’s not permitted to smoke in bars and restaurants.

Weather

In Spain and Portugal the average temperatures in May to October is high 10’s to high 20’s.

May – Warm climate with temperatures in the high 10’s to low 20’s. Occasional rain.

June to September – Warm to hot days in the mid to high 20’s. Evenings in the low 20’s. Mostly dry.

October – Cooler climate with temperatures in the low to mid 20’s. Minimal rain.

In Spain the hottest month of the year is July with temperatures in the high 20’s. With an average sea temperature of low 20’s.

In Portugal the hottest month of the year is August with temperatures in the high 20’s. With an average sea temperature of mid 20’s.

Arrival / Departure

In Spain, you will to fly into/out of the Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport, which is 20 minutes away from the port of Málaga.

In Portugal, you will fly into/out of the Lisbon Portela Airport, which is about a 20 minute drive from the port area.

Once you have booked your trip, we will provide detailed instructions on where in Málaga or Lisbon to check-in for your cruise.

There a lot of captivating tourist attractions and activities, we highly recommend a stay here before or after your voyage. Have a look at some of our Pre and Post Tours.

The ship will not be ready for check-in before midday (unless otherwise stipulated in the itinerary). If you have any luggage that you need to have booked in so you can enjoy some free time in port, the purser may be able to accommodate you provided we know in advance.

The cruise will finish in the morning (usually around 7:00AM – 10:00AM) on the final day. It is necessary to have settled your onboard account and to have disembarked by this time as instructed by the cruise director on the day before.

Money

The official currency in Spain and Portugal is the Euro. It is uncommon for local shops and restaurants to accept any other currency.

All major credit cards and debit cards are accepted by larger shops but often not in restaurants or cafés in Spain. In Portugal all major credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted. However, when possible, carry enough of the local currencies for the day and charge what you can to your credit cards.

ATM’s accepting most international debit and credit cards can be found in abundance in both Spain and Portugal.

Gratuities (Tipping)

The gratuity suggested by the cruise line is USD 13 – 16 per guest per day.

Of course, gratuities are always at your discretion and the above recommendations are assuming you are thoroughly pleased with services rendered. All gratuities will be equally divided amongst the entire crew.

Laundry

Laundry service is available for a small fee. Self-laundry service is available. Unfortunately, dry cleaning is not available.

Services & Activities On board

Aboard your yacht you will receive a Welcome Cocktail as a welcome gift. You’ll find an elegant dining room, restaurant, spacious sun decks and comfortable lounges. No pools are on board as there is a swimming platform that enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit it.

You will find a small borrowing library as well as board games and playing cards for your amusement. Movies are often shown in the vessels’ Lounges, so please check in the Daily Program for show times.

Excursions

Shore excursions will be offered on board but are always subject to weather and docking conditions and a minimum number of participants. They can be purchased on board at an extra cost.

Excursions will usually involve a fair amount of walking. If you have difficulty walking any distance, please let us know in advance and we will advise how best we can accommodate you.

Please refer to our website or consult the purser on board for additional information.

Regrettably, most of our excursions are not suitable for guests in a wheelchair.

Activity Level / Strenuousness

Light to Moderate – At most, participation in the shore excursions requires the ability to walk reasonable distances. It is necessary to be reasonably sure-footed as walking will be on dirt roads and paths.

Food and Beverages

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily are included in your voyage. All drinks on board (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks) are subject to extra charges.

Spain’s eating and drinking culture is one of its greatest attractions, and a very sociable one too, with people rubbing shoulders in tapas bars and cafés. The Spaniards take their food seriously – be it diner-style menus del dia (menus of the day) or elaborate, nouveau cuisine in gourmet restaurants. Food is generally dictated by the seasons and fresh, whichever corner of Spain you go to.

An excellent way get the feel of Spanish cuisine is to sample tapas (pintxos in the Basque Country): small snacks served with drinks in local bars across the country. They can range from gourmet canapés to simple plates of olives, cheeses and cured meats, and may be charged or given free.

Some of the traditionals dishes that you should try in Spain is Paella, a Valencian rice dish loaded with seafood and chicken or rabbit, saffron and vegetables. Gazpacho, a chilled tomato-based, tangy vegetable soup from Andalucía. Jamón is one of many cured Spanish meats, Jamón is a type of finely sliced cured ham. Pulpo á feira, is a tender, boiled lobster seasoned with paprika and salt and drizzled in olive oil. Last but not least Tortilla Española is a traditional dish in Spain which is made up of eggs, potatoes, onions… The Spanish omelette is so much more than the sum of its parts. The potatoes and onions are slow fried in olive oil then mixed with the beaten eggs for the flavours to mix before cooking.  You can add chorizo, ham, spinach and/or courgettes.

Spanish drinks have also brewed up quite a storm worldwide – from the thirst-quenching sangria to bubbly Cava to the sophisticated Rioja wine. Rioja is Spain’s flagship red wine, made from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes and Cava is a sparkling wine from Catalonia made using the same method used to produce Champagne. Another local wine that’s worth tasting is Sherry, a fortified wine available in several styles- Fino and Manzanilla (pale and dry), amontillado (dry, richer in body and darker in colour), Oloroso (medium, full-bodied, fragrant and golden) and sweet sherries such as Pedro Ximénez.

The ‘catch of the day’ (so to speak) in Portugal are “sardinhas” which are sardines. In fact a large variety of seafood is available in this region and it’s all well worth sampling. If seafood isn’t your fancy, try the “Queijo da Serra da Estrela” which is a superbly rich cheese, among the best in the country.

While in Lisbon, you would be remiss for not trying the “Pastéis de nata” which are basically little custards in pastry shells. One will unfortunately not be enough.Portugal is probably also most famous for its port wine, which originates from the area of the Douro Valley. However, there are many other fantastic red and white wines to choose from.

Language

The language spoken on board is primarily English. In general, there is a multilingual environment and you will have a chance to mix with a variety of nationalities. Excursions and public announcements are always in English.

The official language in Spain is Spanish. A traveler’s phrasebook would be helpful when communicating with the locals.

The official language in Portugal is Portuguese. Be sure to have a Portuguese phrasebook when going sightseeing in Portugal towns/cities if your knowledge of the Portuguese language is limited.

Medical Facilities

There are no medical personnel on board the ship. However, crew members are trained in first aid and the purser can contact onshore medical people for emergency and nonemergency situations and evacuation can be facilitated in the most urgent cases.

Cabin Amenities

All cabins have private, nicely appointed bathrooms fitted with showers. All cabins are air-conditioned and connected to a central music system. There is a telephone for intra ship communication. Our ship contains in lounge TV’s with satellite channels with at least a few English speaking programs. There are hairdryers in each cabin, flat-screen TV’s, public address system, safe boxes, mini-fridges and DVD players in the cabins.

The ship’s generator provides an electric voltage of 220V. Cabins are fitted with European type plugs so please remember to bring an adaptor if necessary.

For more details, please visit the Ships section on our website.

Phone & Internet

There is a phone in each cabin. Outgoing call rates are very high as a satellite connection is the only one possible.

WIFI is available in certain areas of the ship at a modest charge. As it is a satellite connection, internet speed will be very slow and we suggest it be used for urgent matters only.

If you would like to have regular data and phone connection while on land, we suggest either arranging an overseas roaming plan with your mobile operator, or pick up a local SIM card if you have an unlocked phone.

Children

Aboard the M/S Panorama II there are no recreational facilities for children and  reservations for those under the age of eleven are not advised. However, should you choose to bring children along please take into consideration that children onboard are their parents’/guardians sole responsibility.

Health / Vaccinations

There are no vaccinations required to travel to Spain and Portugal.

As always, we recommend being in good health prior to any long distance travel. We strongly recommend consulting your physician about your intention to travel on this program to receive specific advice for your situation.

Safety & Security

Despite recent events in Europe, Spain and Portugal are like any country in the world, it is generally but not totally safe. When visiting the small cities and towns on this voyage, you should have nothing to be concerned about. Being tourists in the city, security measures should be taken. When going out it’s recommended not to take any valuables along at all, in some cases even cameras and/or smartphones out of one’s hotel to reduce the chances  of an unfortunate incident occurring. Late night strolls alone are not advisable. Petty crime including pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft may occur in both Spain and Portugal.

Jewelry, money, documents, etc., should be placed in your individual safe deposit boxes or given to the captain who will deposit items in the ship’s safe boxes free of charge.

More information on this from the Canadian government can be obtained at:

www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain

www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/portugal

Suggested Reading

Lonely Planet Spain

Eyewitness Guide Spain

Lonely Planet Portugal

The Portuguese: The Land and Its People