Spain & Portugal 2026

June 17

Albufera & Valencia

*Includes Lunch

8+ Hours

$259/person

The Parque Natural de la Albufera  is only 15 kilometers South of Valencia. After a short drive you’ll find ourselves surrounded by nature as the natural reserve comprises marshlands, woodlands, dunes and a lake. It has a high ecological value and in it there are species in danger of extinction. The marshlands contain some of the most extensive rice-fields in Spain, while the lake known as La Albufera is a favourite stopover for migratory birds.

Arrive at the village of El Palmar, where you'll board a boat for a cruise on the placid lake (45 min approx) and visit a barraca (traditional dwelling of the former fishermen and farmers of the area). El Palmar is full of family-run and traditional restaurants and is the origin of paella rice, so a stop for lunch is a very good idea!!

After your meal it will be time to return to Valencia where your guide will take you on a guided walk around Valencia’s attractive old quarter and see the most representative squares of the city such as Plaza of the Virgen and Plaza of the Reina. We visit the interior of the cathedral where we can marvel at paintings by Goya, the Holy Grail and superb Renaissance frescoes.

During the visit, you'll also visit the Modernist-style Central Market (one of the largest and most impressive food markets in Europe) and the gothic guild hall known as Lonja de los Mercaderes declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is also an optional visit to other sights such as San Nicholas Church (the Valencia's Sistine Chapel) or the Palace of Marques de Dos Aguas, today housing the National Ceramics Museum. Your enthusiastic host will be sure to tell all the tales that make Valencia such a fascinating city, both past and present before returning with you to the cruise port.

June 18

Palma & the Tramuntana Villages

*Includes Lunch

7.5 hours

$265/person

Meet your guide at Palma's cruise terminal and head straight into the city centre. You will uncover some of the city's hidden corners while enjoying much that the city has to offer. Start by taking in a bustling market bursting with local products from cheese to wine, fish and produce. You'll drop in on the city's oldest shops, some of which are over 100 years old. In Palma’s Gothic cathedral, you will admire the work of the Catalan architects, Gaudí and Jujol. From ancient to modern, in Palma there is something for everyone! Combining art and gastronomy with local stories, this walking tour will reveal to you the depth and variety of Palma!

After discovering Palma, set off to explore the nearby villages of the Tramuntana Mountains. Cobblestone streets, stone buildings, and flower-filled balconies make for picturesque scenes. Valldemossa has attracted many famous visitors. From the American artist John Singer Sargent to Chopin, they all once strolled its winding streets. In lively Soller, enjoy a drink in Plaça de la Constitució. Then, time to shop, visit Can Prunera, an art museum housed in a wonderful Art Nouveau mansion or see the exhibit of Picasso ceramics at the train station. In Fornalutx, one of the most picturesque towns in Spain, you’ll climb the steps and wander the streets, taking in the aromas of citrus and lush greenery. 

Lunch is included and will be arranged in one of the beautiful Tramuntana villages.

June 19

Private Walking Tour of Cartagena

3.5 hours

$95/person

 Cartagena is one of the oldest cities of the whole mediterranean coastline, so this tour is going to show you the highlights of this fascinating city. Your guide will take you back in time more than 2300 years to see the oldest structure wtill standing in the city: The Punic Wall. The punic people, or carthaginians are the ones who founded the city and built the first defensive system of Cartagena which for sure will impress you. After learning about the origin, you will get to know the 600 years of Roman presence visiting the most important archaeological site of Cartagena, its stunning Roman Theater. To finish your tour, explore with your guide the Art Noveau buildings located in the downtown which are the result of mining at the outskirts of the city in the XIX Century and the prosperity brought by them. 

Following the tour, you may remain in town on your own, returning to the ship at your leisure.

June 20

Day Trip to Ronda

*Includes Winery Lunch

7.5 hours

$265/person

Meet your driver and your guide in Málaga cruise port and set off towards Ronda. Your driver will take you into Ronda where you will be guided through the tiny backstreets of one of the oldest towns in Spain, past incredible buildings and be absolutely mesmerized by the views of the River Tajo from the Ronda Bridge. You'll also enter the Plaza de Toros, the oldest bullring in Spain. 

After your tour of the town you will board your bus again and drive to a nearby Ronda winery. Ronda is a small wine region that is making a lot of noise amongst wine connoisseurs. Varying altitudes and microclimates and a broad variety of grapes and techniques make it a very interesting region to visit and taste wines in. We have arranged a visit to one of the area's boutique bodegas. Learn all about their journey with its trials and tribulations, before sitting down to try their finest wines, paired with lunch served in the beautiful setting of this local wine producer.

After your meal it will be time to board your bus and return to your ship in Málaga.

June 21

In-Depth

Private Tour of Gibraltar

$395/person 

6 hours

Today you're going to explore the Rock of Gibraltar with the perfect host! Your driver-guide is a local resident from Gibraltar who knows more about the Rock than just about anyone!

Your first stop will be 100 Ton Gun, on the west coast,  at the bay of Gibraltar’s shores.  100 Tons – Muzzle Loading – 32ft long barrel – steam powered able to penetrate 2 ft of iron, this was quite a weapon!

A coastal and tunnel drive will take you to the most southern point in Europe, Europa Point, a photo stop at the shore of the Straits of Gibraltar to North Africa.

A drive round the back of the rock, east coast,  for a photo stop overlooking the beautiful fishing village and beach of Catalan Bay.

Next stop is at the Upper Rock Nature  Reserve, 150 meters above sea level. You will enjoy great views overlooking the Bay and Straits of Gibraltar to North Africa Morocco. The Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient times known as “Non Plus Ultra” The end of the World. You'll also enter St Michael's cave, 300 meters above sea level, a 20 minute visit in this natural grotto to admire its beauty with stalactites and lighting display. Inhabited by the Neanderthals and visited since the time of the Romans, prepared as an emergency hospital during WWII. Today a main tourist attraction and used for concerts  and social events.

Your next stop will be at the very top, with stunning views of both sides of the rock, 400 meters  above sea level. Here, you meet the rock’s main pack of Barbary Apes,  all ages and sizes and maybe even have a close encounter. Introduced in 1750, at present there’s approximately 200 apes  roaming free on the upper rock.” No touching or feeding allowed” as they can bite.

Your final stop will be the Grat Siege Tunnels, built the hard way, deep into the rock, housing a gallery of cannons proving to have served as  a very effective defence during the Great Siege.

*Includes Tickets to Nature Reserve & Tunnels

*During the course of the day your driver-guides will also take you to a local Gibraltar restaurant for lunch and you will have some free time to explore the center of town around Casemate's Square and Main Street.

June 22

Private Flamenco

 "Jam Session"

$245/person

*Includes Dinner

4 hours

Today you’re going to meet some of the flamenco world’s rising stars! These young, professional flamenco artists have recently graduated from the most renowned international flamenco academy in Spain. Think of the Oxford/Cambridge of flamenco academies!! Since graduating, these artists have been working on the flamenco scene around Andalucia. They're young, professional, enthusiastic and superb artists!

Instead of a flamenco show format in which artists and audience sit well apart and there is no interaction, we will experience a kind of "flamenco amongst family".  The artists will tell us all about themselves, their love of flamenco, their background and studies, the origins of flamenco and answer any questions that we may have. Between explanations, they will perform different types of flamenco music live for us. Think of this as being like a Jazz jamming session, but for flamenco!

After this unique immersion in the flamenco art form your guide will take you to a local restaurant set by the river where we've included dinner and drinks for you before returning to your ship.

June 23

Private Tour of Seville

$215/person

* Includes Lunch at an Olive Mill

6 hours

Meet your private guide and set off to explore Seville’s greatest monuments. Visit the Santa Cruz suburb and the old Jewish quarter. This is an area peppered with narrow, meandering streets and charming plazas. Learn about Seville’s magnificent Cathedral, the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world and holder of the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Visit the Alcázar, a Royal Palace built by the Moorish monarchs, with beautiful gardens and the finest examples of mudejar architecture to be seen today. Learn about the fascinating relationship between Peter the Cruel and Mohamed V which allowed for the Alcázar to benefit from the finest artists and architects in Spain. 

On finishing your tour you will board your bus and travel around 40 minutes outside of Seville. Today you'll have the privilege of visiting an Andalucian country estate devoted to producing the finest Extra Virgin Olive Oil. On arrival, your host will greet you and show you around the traditional olive mill and the methods employed to harvest and extract this liquid gold. Spain is the largest producer of olive oil in the world and if you ask any local, it produces the best as well! It will then be time to taste some of their excellent varieties.

Once you've enjoyed your tasting, sit down for a delicious lunch served for you in the main country house of the olive grove! 

After your meal it will be time to say farewell to your hosts and return to Seville.

June 25

Full Day Exploring Lisbon & Belem

*Includes Lunch

7 hours

$225/person

Today you have a full day to enjoy Lisbon and its surroundings! Meet your guide in the morning, after breakfast (but leave a little bit of room!) and together head off to Belem. Belém is home to two UNESCO world heritage sites, namely, the Tower of Belém and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. You will learn about the legacy of Prince Henry the Navigator and Portugal's role as a seafaring nation on the forefront of naval exploration in the 15th and 16th century. Vasco da Gama, Pedro Alvares Cabral and Bartolomeu Dias are some of the many great explorers that spent time here. During the morning you will also have time for a world-famous Pastel de Belem and a coffee!

In the afternoon, head back to the city centre, but not before experiencing Lisbon from a couple of the fabulous lookout points that offer impressive views over the city and down to the Tagus river. Your guide will also take you through the centre where you'll all about the city's history and local day to day life in Portugal's most important city.

June 26

DayTrip from Lisbon to Queluz Palace, Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Cascais

*Lunch Included

6.5 hours

Today you'll be collected from your cruise ship (with your luggage) and head out to visit Sintra. Your day will begin by visiting the National Palace of Queluz, known for the exuberance of its architectural details, closely bound up with the lives of three generations of the Portuguese Royal Family. The Palace reflects the evolution in tastes and styles over different periods, moving from the Baroque to the Rococo and onto Neoclassicism. 

Your day will continue with a visit to the historic village of Sintra. You'll see the Pena Palace from afar, but due to overcrowding and endless queues we purposefully will avoid visiting it! 

Here the group will stop for lunch in a local restaurant (your meal is included).

In the afternoon you'll continue to Sintra Cascais Natural Park -some can't-miss locales in this area include the dramatic coastal cliffs of the Cabo de Roca, the wide and inviting Guincho Beach (a popular surf spot), and the glamorous towns of Cascais and Estoril. At the end of the afternoon it will be time to head back to your accommodation! 

June 27

Portuguese Petiscos Cooking Class

3 hours

Discover the authentic flavors of Portugal in this hands-on cooking experience. Guided by a local chef, you’ll learn to prepare traditional dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients while exploring the stories and traditions behind them. From classic appetizers to hearty mains, and of course, a sweet Portuguese dessert, you’ll cook, taste, and enjoy every step.

The experience takes place in a welcoming kitchen environment, where you’ll share the meal you’ve prepared together, paired with local wine. A delicious and memorable way to connect with Portuguese culture through its rich culinary heritage