Explore the west coast of Tenerife, a gorgeous landscape of remote villages and banana plantations. Have privilege views over the fertile Orotava valley from the Humbold viewpoint. Over time, sugarcane, grapes and bananas became the dominant crops, and they are still harvested using traditional techniques. Understand how the crops are cultivated visiting an old hacienda where you can learn firsthand how bananas are grown, a tour in an authentic banana plantation where you can see different varieties of bananas and learn the process before sampling the locally grown bananas and banana liqueur. On the way back to pier, visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island and stop at La Garañona Viewpoint, local´s favorite spot to take in the beauty of the sea and surrounding.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Gain an understanding of how crops are harvested using traditional methods.
• Learn firsthand how bananas are grown and see different varieties in an authentic plantation.
• Visit an ancient garden hosting the largest orchid collection on the Island .
• Sample several varieties of bananas and banana liqueur, which attest to the fruit’s diversity.

Settle in for a panoramic driving tour through Porto as a prelude to dining on dishes made to pair with the city’s namesake port wine. While traveling through the city’s historic district, which is so architecturally important that UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site, you will pass landmarks such as the Casa da Música concert hall and the cathedral where famed Portuguese explorer Henry the Navigator was baptized in the late 1300s. This immersion into Porto will also provide insight into the production of port, the fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley. Taylor’s Port Lodge in nearby Gaia offers the ideal setting for an exquisite tasting of appetizers created especially to pair with these wines. Tour the famous cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia while learning the history of Port wine. The family run company was founded hundreds of years ago in 1692, and has since been the best known and well respected winery in the area.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a panoramic driving tour through Porto as a prelude to dining on dishes made to pair with the city’s namesake port wine.
• Pass landmarks such as the Casa da Música concert hall and the cathedral where famed Portuguese explorer Henry the Navigator was baptized in the late 1300s.
• Tour the famous cellars at Vila Nova de Gaia while learning the history of Port wine.

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

OVERVIEW

Gaze at spectacular vistas from the hilltop ruins of Agadir’s Old Quarter. Travel along a splendidly scenic route to the enchanting earthen remains of the ancient Kasbah, which offers a sweeping panorama of the city’s beautifully broad avenues and sandy beaches. You’ll appreciate ample time to explore and photograph the amazing sights of the verdant Souss River Valley, the rolling Anti-Atlas Mountains and the intriguingly stark Tichka Plateau. Return to bustling Agadir, once a conglomeration of Berber and Jewish hamlets, and stop at Medina Coco Polizzi; a village built to commemorate the old city of Agadir which was destroyed during the earthquake in 1961. Designed by master craftsman Coco Polizzi, this medina impresses with its architecture. Inspired by ancient Moroccan constructions as well as superb buildings from around the world, it was erected in accordance with nature and the traditions of the kingdom. Relish a guided tour of the colorful Souk El Had, also known as the Sunday Market. You’ll be afforded the opportunity to seek out one-of-a-kind souvenirs, such as a thuya wood box, painstakingly crafted from the native cypress tree mentioned by Saint John in the Book of Revelation.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Embark on a scenic drive and explore the incredible ruins of Agadir’s ancient Kasbah.
• Discover stunning views of the Souss River Valley, the Anti-Atlas Mountains and the Tichka Plateau.
• Explore the Coco Polizzi Medina where you will find a spectacular place, respecting the ancestral architecture of Souss Massa.
• Take an illuminating guided tour of the bustling Souk El Had marketplace.
• Shop for wonderful souvenirs including rare thuya wood boxes made from the mountain cypress tree.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Spend hours of free time in Granada, exploring the attractions you find most intriguing, whether landmarks such as the Alhambra or lesser-known areas for shopping and dining. After departing from the pier, you will drive inland, past the majestic Sierra Nevada National Park and on to Granada. The Moors’ last stronghold before falling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs in 1492, Granada still bears a Moorish influence.

For starters, there is the Alhambra, the fortress-palace of the Nasrid sultans. Walking through the seemingly endless rooms and courtyards is an unforgettable experience, as the Alhambra complex is adorned with richly colored mosaics, ornamental columns and romantic archways. The adjoining Generalife gardens are just as magnificent.

You might also wander the labyrinthine streets in the historical Albaicin neighborhood, a World Heritage site where the Moors once resided. During Granada’s modernization, the Albaicin was almost destroyed, but preservationists prevailed. While wandering about, you may see the remains of an Arab bath complex and some original Moorish homes. Another highlight is where the remains of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand lie in the Royal Chapel.

As an alternative to sightseeing, you might spend time browsing the shops for hand-painted ceramics, designer fashions and leather goods, all of which are extraordinary in Granada. If you choose to dine, try regional favorites such gazpacho or garlic and almond soup, and a hearty dish of paella for the main course.

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and a world-renowned center for trade. Visit the central market, home to hundreds of stalls brimming with locally grown vegetables, meats, seafood, as well as handicrafts. Continue to the new Medina of Casablanca and the Habous quarter with its Arab-Islamic architecture. You’ll see the facade of the Royal Palace and cross the quarter and the colorful olive market on foot. Drive through the residential quarter of Anfa and your guide will point out the location of the Casablanca Conference held during World War II. The main highlight of Casablanca is the famous Hassan II Mosque; stop here for an inside visit of this great architectural masterpiece. This is the world's largest religious monument after Mecca and its minaret is the tallest. You'll have some free time at United Nations Square for more photo opportunities or even some shopping.

moins

A drive to the southern part of the Lanzarote will take you past the picturesque villages of Macher and Uga and cross black lava streams before arriving at the Timanfaya National Park, a natural museum of unique beauty. Bizarre craters, streams of lava, and fields of ashes are mixed here with a nearly unrealistic lunar landscape, all formed during the last eruption in the 18th century. Upon arrival to Islote de Hilario, a crater with the highest surface temperatures in the region, you’ll experience still-existing activity not far underground as you gather around for the fun demonstrations. The geothermal energy is so strong that water gushes up and dry weed catches fire within seconds. At the restaurant El Diablo, food is cooked on a natural grill powered by the heat within the earth below.

Board a coach to embark on a tour of the Fire Mountains called "Lunar Route" which goes deep inside the heart of the National Park and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Through a recorded narration, you’ll learn about the history of the volcanic eruptions and see how slowly life conquers the inhospitable landscape with very few endemic plants. From here you’ll drive to the wine-growing area of La Geria where the locals have modified grape-growing through the centuries in order to preserve the vines from the harsh natural elements and provide a special cultivation for the grapes that produce the famous Malvasia wine. These vines are grown inside dimple-like craters and surrounded by volcanic stone semi-circles (called Zocos), built for each individual vine to provide much needed protection from the fierce winds. After this photo stop you’ll return to your ship.

Dine on traditional Portuguese dishes at a family-owned restaurant followed by a panoramic tour of the city’s most historical district. The venue for this gastronomical experience will be Postigo do Carvão, a restaurant that opened nearly four decades ago. The latter is such a signature dish in Porto that residents are nicknamed “tripeiros” for their love of tripe. Portuguese white wines from the Dão region and reds from the Douro region will be served to complement the dishes. The restaurant lies in the heart of the Clérigos district, home to the Clérigos Tower, once the highest building in Portugal. You can also expect to see the rococo-style Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, an 18th-century landmark that is especially revered for the blue and white azulejo tiles that adorn its exterior walls.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal in a family-owned restaurant in the Clérigos district.
• Sample a selection of Portuguese white and red whites that pair well with the dishes.
• See what was once Portugal’s highest building while driving through the Clérigos district.

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

Stroll through the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter on the way to a flamenco venue, where you will watch a mesmerizing flamenco performance that tells a passionate story. After walking from the pier, you will continue at a leisurely pace toward the narrow, cobbled streets of the Old Quarter, which the Phoenicians founded in the 12th century. Being the oldest continuously occupied city in Western Europe, Cadiz exudes history, as you will soon discover in the Plaza of San Juan de Dios, a square that originated in medieval times.

As you meander the labyrinthine streets of the Old Quarter, you will pass one architectural treasure after another. Highlights may include the Neoclassical-style Cadiz Cathedral, which boasts a tile dome that appears Moorish, and Calle Ancha, a wide boulevard that is considered the heart of the city. In time, you will arrive at Taberna Flamenco La Cava, a flamenco venue that showcases the art of flamenco. Before taking your seat, be sure to notice the photos on the wall of some of the most acclaimed flamenco performers in the past 50 years. UNESCO honored flamenco by recognizing it on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Andalusia, especially Cadiz, is the heartland of flamenco, an electrifying art form that fuses expressive songs, passionate dancing and emotional music. To enhance your immersion into the local culture, you will be served traditional tapas that may include Serrano ham and Manchego cheese.

Departing your ship, drive along Avenida do Mar to reach the terminal. There you’ll board your cable car for a ride over the city and harbor on the way to the Village of Monte, located in the outskirts of Funchal. At Monte you'll have the opportunity to take a trip back to the past when you join the toboggan ride to Livramento. The ride downhill in a wicker sledge is an exciting one, providing you with a taste of the Madeira of past decades, when this was the established form of transport from Monte to Funchal. After a short drive along a winding road you’ll reach Eira do Serrado, offering spectacular views of the interior of the island.

Take a short walk up to the viewpoint on Pico do Serrado at an altitude of approximately 3,592 feet (1,095 meters), for an amazing view down onto the village of Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley), a small village located in the heart of the island, nestled between almost perpendicular mountains. In 1566, the nuns from the Santa Clara convent fled from pirates attacking Funchal and found seclusion here where they also brought the convent’s treasure. Your last stop before returning to your ship will be at a local souvenir shop in Funchal, where you'll see the various types of this handmade crafts and sample and may purchase the world-famous Madeira wine.

OVERVIEW

Explore the most enlightening attractions on the Rock of Gibraltar, the iconic strategically important limestone monolith at the western entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. Although now a British Oversea Territory, the famed rock has been occupied by countless invaders since ancient times. You will follow in their footsteps inside St. Michael’s Cave, which was believed to be bottomless in Roman times. As you stroll the voluminous main chamber, you will see eerily illuminated rock formations and learn about the history of the cave, which was first inhabited in the Neolithic period. You will also wander through the labyrinthine Great Siege Tunnels, which the British carved out of the solid limestone for military purposes in the late 18th century. Free-roaming macaque monkeys inhabit the exterior of the Upper Rock as you will discover at Apes Den. From this elevated perch, you will enjoy a sweeping view of the limestone cliffs and sea below.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View the teeny British Oversea Territory of Gibraltar from several perspectives.
• Walk through the main chamber of St. Michael’s Cave, whose interior is dramatically illuminated.
• Discover how the hand-carved Great Siege Tunnels were used during wartime in the 18th century.
• Watch Gibraltar’s famed, free-roaming macaque monkeys at the Apes Den.

HELPFUL HINTS

&bull Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Your day starts with an approximate 1 1/2 hour drive to Rabat, the diplomatic capital of Morocco. Discover Rabat’s rich history and see its major treasures. Admire the majestic exterior of the Royal Palace built in 1864. Explore the archaeological site of Chellah, an ancient Phoenician city. Excavations uncovered the remains of “Decumanus Maximus” its principal way, a forum, monumental fountain, triumphal arch and other important ruins. Visit the Mohamed V Mausoleum, where the father of Moroccan independence is buried. You’ll also see Hassan Tower, one of the prestigious architectural heritages of the Almohad dynasty. After lunch at a typical Moroccan restaurant, continue to the Kasbah of Oudaya, a quiet and picturesque spot with white and blue houses nestled in the heart of bustling Rabat. Stroll through its charming pathways, it’s beautiful Andalusian garden and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of this historic site on the banks of the Bou Regreg River. Back in Casablanca, you’ll have an orientation tour of the city including a photo stop at the Hassan II Mosque. Time permitting, you'll have some time for shopping at United Nations square.

You’ll journey to the southern part of the island passing the picturesque villages of Macher and Uga and cross a huge black lava stream to get to the Timanfaya National Park. At the Visitors Center, you’ll learn about the volcanic phenomenon in Lanzarote. There are various exhibition rooms, each equipped with different interpretative resources. Then, it’s off to Timanfaya National Park, a natural museum of unique beauty. Bizarre craters, streams of lava, and fields of ash are mixed here with a nearly unrealistic lunar landscape, all formed during the last eruption in the 18th century. Upon arrival to Islote de Hilario, a crater with the highest surface temperatures in the region, you’ll experience still-existing activity not far underground as you gather around for fun demonstrations.

The geothermal energy is so strong that water gushes up and dry weed catches fire within seconds. At the restaurant El Diablo, food is cooked on a natural grill powered by the heat from the earth below. Board the coach to embark on a tour of the Fire Mountains called "Lunar Route" which goes deep inside the heart of the national park and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Through a recorded narration you’ll learn about the history of the volcanic eruptions and see how slowly life conquers the inhospitable landscape with very few endemic plants. Continue to the valley of La Geria where the famous Malvasia grape is cultivated. Here you’ll be able to taste the wine produced from the grapes that grow in deep holes surrounded by semicircular volcanic stone walls that protect the delicate vines from the strong winds.

Next, stop will at Mancha Blanca Village to enjoy a buffet-style lunch at Los Dolores Restaurant. Then continue to the Mirador del Rio viewpoint, built into the precipice of the Famara Mountains and also designed by Cesar Manrique. From the steep cliffs you’ll appreciate fantastic views (weather permitting) of the small island of La Graciosa, Montaña Clara and Alegranza. Drive through the northern area of the island known for its volcanic tunnels, product of strong eruptions that have carved caves and passages, to the town of Guatiza; and visit an extraordinary botanical space: the Cactus Gardens. Designed by renowned local artist César Manrique and set within a former volcanic quarry. It showcases over 4,500 cactuses from around the world, beautifully integrated into the island’s unique environment, respective the unbreakable bond between art and nature that can be felt in all Manrique´s works.