Visit an ancient farm and mill that produce olive oil in a traditional way that protects the environment and improves the land’s biodiversity. While walking through the olive groves with the owners of Molino La Paca, you will gain an understanding of the traditional agricultural practices in Andalusia. It provides benefits to the environment, such as less soil erosion, improved fire protection and greater biodiversity. Learn how the processes residues are used to produce energy in a nearby factory. While enjoying olives and a glass of local wine, you will taste the difference in the extra-virgin olive oil that the farm produces. For a glimpse into other aspects of Andalusian life, you will explore Mijas, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences and a picture-perfect village perched high on a mountainside.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour a farm and mill that produce organic olive oil in an traditional manner.
• Enjoy olives and a glass of local wine.
• Spend free time exploring Mijas, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the charms of Granada, the architecturally stunning capital of the Andalusia region, by exploring a magnificent palace, the Royal Chapel and the city’s oldest quarter.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for scenic drive inland to Granada, a city likely named for the Spanish word for pomegranate, a fruit so abundant it is depicted on Granada’s coat of arms. Or Granada may have derived from its Moorish name, as the city was the Moors’ last stronghold before falling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs in 1492.

Granada features a wealth of extraordinary architecture such as your first stop, the Carlos V Palace within the Alhambra complex. Construction on the palace began in the early 16th century, following a Renaissance ground plan with a circular courtyard within a square building—the only one of its kind in Spain. Amazingly, a monarch has never lived in the palace, nor did it even have a roof until 1957.

Walking a bit farther, you will soon arrive in the labyrinthine streets of the Albayzin quarter (down part of the quarter), the city’s oldest section. UNESCO has deemed it a World Heritage site for its harmonious blend of Moorish and Andalusian architecture.

Nearby, you will find the glorious Royal Chapel, the final resting place of Spanish monarchs such as Queen Isabella and Kind Ferdinand. Be sure to see the chapel’s mausoleum, spectacular altarpieces and ornate grilles before enjoying free time and perhaps lunch on your own in the surrounding historical area.

Afterwards, you will drive back to Malaga.

Enjoy an overview of this legendary city’s best known attractions, including buildings of Mudejar and Gothic architecture, lovely parks and the bullring. Departing the port, your sightseeing drive will take you along Alameda Boulevard en route to the hilltop location of Gibralfaro. As you walk along the ramparts crowning the 560 foot high summit, admire splendid views of the city, harbor and the bullring. Then your coach will take you back down to the Plaza de la Merced for a short walk to the Alcazaba. At the foot of this ancient fortress, view the excavated ruins of a Roman amphitheater.

The restored Alcazaba dates back to the 11th century when the king of Granada ordered the fortress built and modeled on the style of the Alhambra. After the Christian conquest, the Catholic kings took over the Alcazaba and King Philip IV used it as his residence when visiting Malaga. Leaving the Alcazaba, your walk continues to the cathedral. You’ll admire its fabulous interior, the exquisitely carved choir stalls and other fine examples of Spanish Renaissance sculpture.

Take a drive along the coast passing the holiday resort of Fuengirola before arriving at the town of Marbella. Plunge into the past and visit the old quarter of the town with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and heavily grilled windows, centered around the beautiful Plaza de los Naranjos "Orange Tree Square" filled with stately buildings, small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros; a hub of activity day and night.

Once a small fishing village, Marbella today is a fashionable and sophisticated resort, visited by the rich and famous. After your guided walk, enjoy some free time to explore on your own or shop before the return drive to your ship.

OVERVIEW

Race over a stretch of spectacularly beautiful countryside on the outskirts of Malaga on a zipline that will enable you to reach a dizzying speed of up to 62 miles per hour. The adventure will begin atop Sunview Park, where after a briefing to help you maximize the experience, you will be harnessed into the zipline. It is the longest double zipline in Andalusia so you can share the thrills with a friend or family member that will race along side-by-side on the adjacent zipline. You have the choice of sitting in the zipline harness or lying flat in the so-called Superman position, which reduces your wind resistance. Either way, the ride will be immensely exhilarating as you zip downhill for nearly one mile. Along the way, you will enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of distant mountains, agricultural fields and perhaps other adventurers riding horseback through the countryside below.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the longest double-zipline in Andalusia at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour.
• Fly through the air like Superman or sit in the zipline harness, if you prefer that position.
• Race downhill for nearly a mile and take in the beautiful scenery from high above.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Watch a mesmerizing flamenco performance in a traditional club where this passionate style of dance takes center stage. A leisurely walk to the pedestrianized city center will bring you to Peña Flamenco Juan Breva, an esteemed flamenco museum and club where you will see the show while dining on tapas. Through dance, song and guitar music, the seductive gypsy art of flamenco tells an emotional story with themes ranging from love to oppression. The costumed performers will express themselves through hand-clapping, foot-stomping and shouts of encouragement that harkens back to the earliest forms of flamenco, which originated in southern Spain about 200 years ago. It will be hard not to get caught up in the dancers’ passion for flamenco as it is so representative of the region. Flamenco fuses song, dance and musicianship so artistically that UNESCO included it on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Free time follows the performance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a highly charged flamenco performance at a traditional peña flamenco club.
• Browse the exhibits at the flamenco museum within the club.
• Be inspired by the dancers’ passion for flamenco, which originated in southern Spain.
• Enjoy tapas during the performance and free time after the performance.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the traditional ways being practiced in the fishing village Pedregalejo, where you will learn how to grill sardines on an open fire. The fishermen of this village use wooden boats, known as jábegas, the origin of which dates to the Phoenician era. They have recently experienced a rebirth of sorts with rowing clubs using them in competitive events. Pedregalejo is also revered for its old-style beachfront restaurants known as chiringuitos. At one of the most popular chiringuitos, you will learn how to prepare espeto, which is barbecued fish, most often sardines. The fish are heavily seasoned with coarse sea salt and skewered on long flat bamboo sticks. They are then placed over an open fire of olive wood, which imparts an unmistakable flavor. If sardines are used, their silvery color will turn golden brown as they cook. Once the sardines are done, you can eat them with your fingers right off the skewer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic drive up to Gibralfaro Castle with time for photo stop.
• Stop in a beachfront restaurant known as a chiringuito for a cooking demonstration.
• Watch fresh sardines being grilled over an open fire and eat them right off the skewer.

OVERVIEW

Survey glorious Granada at your own pace, visiting locations of your choice, on this independent exploration. Settle in for a relaxing drive to elegant Granada’s city center, where you’ll revel in approximately three hours to do as you please. You may choose to explore the glorious Alhambra and its stunning Generalife gardens or the labyrinthine streets and plazas of the historic Albaicín neighborhood, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Perhaps you’ll visit the marvelous Cathedral of Granada and its adjacent Royal Chapel, final resting place of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand, or just wander the enchanting medieval streets in search of a perfect keepsake. However you decide to spend your generous free time, the dazzling sights and sounds of extraordinary Granada are certain to stir your soul.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy ample time for independent exploration in resplendent Granada • View the city’s spellbinding UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Alhambra and Albaicín.
• Choose to visit the extraordinary Cathedral of Granada and Royal Chapel.
• Shop for unique handcrafted items such as leather goods, hammered metalwork and pottery.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• If you plan to visit a religious venue, dress appropriately; shoulders and knees must be covered.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing however you please at the fashionable beach in Torremolinos, an enticing resort town on the affluent Costa del Sol. The beach has been designated a Blue Flag, meaning it meets stringent environmental criteria for cleanliness and water quality. During your time there, you might stretch out on a sun bed, lie in the shade of beach umbrella, stroll the lengthy shoreline and take a refreshing swim in the sea. The fine golden sand is one of its most attractive features making it one of the favorite stretches of coast for residents and tourists alike. The beach is also exceptionally wide so you can easily find your own slice of paradise on it. If you wish to explore the surrounding area, the seaside promenade is lined with shops and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax for hours at a popular beach in the resort town of Torremolinos.
• Take comfort in knowing that the beach has a Blue Flag designation for being eco-friendly.
• Do whatever you please at the beach, which is long, wide and fashionable.
• Take full advantage of the provided sun beds and beach umbrellas.
• Stroll the seaside promenade, a hub for shopping and dining.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride through the streets of Malaga in a tuk-tuk and stop along the way for tastings at destinations that are abuzz with activity. The tuk-tuk – an open-air rickshaw of sorts for just four passengers – will offer a unique perspective of the landmarks, which will become all the more meaningful as the driver describes them. While visiting a popular beach bar, you can choose a favorite drink that pairs well with a skewer of grilled sardines, which are known as espetos. These locally caught fish are typically prepared with a light seasoning of sea salt and olive oil and cooked over an open fire. Your immersion into Andalusian cuisine will continue with a plate of tapas at a tavern. Although the ingredients vary with the season, they often contain fresh seafood such as prawns, octopus and anchovies. For the ultimate sweeping view of Malaga, you will enjoy another drink at a rooftop bar.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride around Malaga in a four-passenger open-air vehicle known as a tuk-tuk.
• Sit back and enjoy the scenic urban landscape while the driver describes the attractions.
• Stop along the way to sample local specialties such as a grilled sardines and tapas.
• Toast the occasion with drinks at each destination.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore the attractions in Malaga that sound most interesting to you by using an Attraction Pass that covers the entrance fees and transportation around the city. Just hop on one of the buses that make continuous loops through Malaga and then hop off when it reaches an attraction that sounds intriguing. There's no need to rush because you can hop on another bus whenever the mood strikes. The Interactive Museum of Music is a great stop to participate in exhibitions that showcase music and art, where you will be able to enjoy Jaleo, a quality show to experience the intimacy of the Flamenco soul. Other great choices include browsing the works of art in the Centre Pompidou Malaga. Attractions Included: The pass includes the City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, the Interactive Museum of Music Malaga, the Automobile Museum and 3 of the following attractions based on the guests' preferences: Picasso Birthplace Museum, Jaleo Flamenco Show, Pompidou Museum, Revello de Toro Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, Alborania Museum, City Sightseeing Malaga Boat Tour.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Use the Attraction Pass to see Malaga’s best attractions at your own pace.
• Ride a bus around town, stopping at the attractions that you find most appealing, and stay as long as you like at each attraction to enhance your understanding of it.
• 3 Attractions Included: City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, the Interactive Museum of Music Malaga, and the Automobile Museum.
• 3 Attractions Choose-and-Select from the following options: Picasso Birthplace Museum, Jaleo Flamenco Show, Pompidou Museum, Revello de Toro Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, Alborania Museum, City Sightseeing Malaga Boat Tour.

OVERVIEW

Savor the slow pace and casual lifestyle so prevalent in the mountain villages north of Malaga, where you will linger over a home-cooked meal at a private residence and spend a visit to an olive oil mill. As you meander through white-washed village of Alfarnatejo, you can’t help but notice the relaxed pace. Life here reflects the town’s remote location, limited population and low-key economy. Days are meant to be enjoyed without stress or anything else that may interrupt the tranquility. It’s a refreshing attitude that the locals have wholeheartedly embraced in these wonderfully serene mountain villages, where goats seem to outnumber residents. Life here also unfolds slowly, as you will discover while visiting a private home for an authentic Andalusian meal. Your hospitable host will happily discuss the attractions of living in a quiet village and how most residents pass the time. The conversation can be as frank as you wish and no topic is off limits.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Stroll the tranquil streets of Alfarnatejo, taking in the village’s stress-free atmosphere.
• Stop in a small olive oil mill to learn about the process of extra virgin olive oil make and taste some of the products.
• Dine on authentic Andalusian cuisine at a private residence in Alfarnatejo.
• Discuss daily life with your hospitable hosts, who will gladly share their views.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.