SHORE EXCURSIONS

Enjoy a glass of sherry while learning to make authentic tapas at the Bodega Casa del Marques, a 19th-century palace built for a wine merchant. The elegant residence is decorated with period furnishings that lend it an ambiance so authentic that it feels as if you were transported to another time. While there, you will learn to make tapas, some traditional and others topped with surprisingly inventive ingredients. These small-plate snacks reflect the local cuisine and are typically served with a glass of sherry, especially in Jerez, which has been producing the fortified wine for more than 175 years. The exact tapas that you will prepare will depend on which ingredients are freshest and most flavorful. They might include fried fish, meatballs or something a bit more unusual such as stewed ox tail. Be sure to add favorite ingredients, as you will dine on the tapas afterwards.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Participate in a hands-on culinary class at a 19th-century palace built for a wine merchant.
• Learn to prepare authentic, small-plate tapas with traditional and unusual ingredients.
• Dine on the finished tapas and enjoy a glass of sherry as an accompaniment.

Drive through the beautiful Andalucia region to an acclaimed cheese-producing village for an insider’s look at the artisanal process and to sample the most representative cheeses. The most well-known and award-winning cheese is El Bosqueño, a smooth textured, light-colored cheese, manufactured in the most traditional way. This particular cheese, made from Grazalemeña sheep’s milk, is distributed nationally and exported to countries like the UK, USA, Japan, Italy, Sweden and Belgium. You will also browse a cheese museum with displays of cheese-making hand tools and exhibits detailing the history of cheese production in the area. Afterwards, you will enjoy a sampling that may include an emborrado cheese cured in olive oil and wheat bran. Other cheeses produced here are cured with fresh spices such as rosemary and paprika. To complement the experience, you will be served a glass of locally produced wine.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• See how several award-winning cheeses are produced in the town of El Bosque.
• Browse a cheese museum with displays that trace the importance of cheese in this region.
• Sample various cheeses made with milk from payoya goats and Grazalemeña sheep.

Stroll through the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter on the way to a nightclub, 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 nightclub 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.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Seville ! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site as some of the stops might include wi-fi in real time. Your accompanying guide will help you choose the spot to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination. Your tour begins with a scenic drive from Cadiz to the majestic city of Seville.

You will have designated selfie stops at: Metrosol Parasol, Streets of the Old Quarter, Plaza de Espana.

To make this experience even more fun you will be provided with a selfie stick to help catch the perfect picture. Your picture-perfect day includes some free time to explore on your own. Note: Tour involves approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) of walking on mostly flat and cobblestone terrain, and some steps.

Stroll through the Old Quarter of Cadiz, following a guide that will introduce you to the rhythms of local life at a busy market, an iconic tavern and at a favorite urban beach.

After departing from the pier on foot, you will soon realize the charms of Cadiz and especially its people. Friendly and gregarious, they are always willing to share their insights into what makes Cadiz so attractive.

As an example, your local guide will lead you on an enlightening walking tour through the narrow, cobbled streets of the Old Quarter, which the Phoenicians founded in the 12th century. Your first destination will be a bustling marketplace, where the locals shop for fresh produce and seafood and enthusiastically socialize.

While meandering through the stalls, you will pause on occasion to sample some of the enticing delicacies that reflect Cadiz’s cuisine. It will be an excellent introduction to the signature offerings that you will be served at the nearby Manteca Tavern.

Founded in 1953, the tavern is wonderfully atmospheric and a favorite among locals. While reveling in the authentic ambiance, you will sample a plate of fried pork rinds known as chicharrones and enjoy a glass of sherry that complements their flavor.

Afterwards, the guide will lead you to another favorite local spot, the beach at La Caleta. During free time, you might gaze out at the fishing boats that are usually anchored just offshore, walk the promenade with the locals or simply people-watch.

Ride horseback through a serene pine forest in the country and then return to Cadiz for a panoramic drive through the historical downtown, passing many of its landmark attractions. After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a wonderfully picturesque drive south, following a mostly coastal road to the town of Chiclana de la Frontera. Here, you will find the Royal Center Hipica, an equestrian facility where you will be paired with a horse suited to your riding abilities. Even beginners will be comfortable in the saddle. Following a brief orientation on how to make the most of the experience, you will ride into the surrounding pine forests. The gentle trail will lead you through the spectacularly scenic and serene countryside at a leisurely pace that will allow you to really take in the natural beauty. Along the way, the guide will point out the most noteworthy flora and perhaps describe the founding of Chiclana de la Frontera in the early 14th century. You can expect it to be an enlightening, immensely peaceful ride, most of it in the shade of the towering pines. Upon returning to Cadiz, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, which the Phoenicians founded in the 12th century. You can’t help but notice the Moorish influence in architecture, especially in the Old Quarter. Highlights include the Neoclassical-style Cadiz Cathedral, an abundance of stately 18th-century mansions and the remains of the original walls that once protected the city.

Discover the most iconic landmarks of the city of Seville, a compact and relaxing city with a rich cultural heritage and the capital of Andalusia. Drive from the port of Cadiz to Seville along the highway through vineyards, cotton fields and olive groves. Enjoy the panoramic drive through some of its most iconic sites such as Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park. Visit Casa Pilatos, the permanent residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli family and one of the city’s most glorious mansions. Originally dating to the late 15th century, it incorporates a wonderful mixture of Mudéjar, Gothic and Renaissance decor, with some beautiful tilework. The guided visit will be focused on the ground floor premises, considered one of the finest examples of Andalusian architecthre of the 16th century in Seville. Next, pause in front the Cathedral of Seville, built in the 15th century and considered the third largest in the world: it will impress you as well as La Giralda, an imposing 322-foot (98 meter) tower, formerly a Moorish-style minaret from a mosque that once stood on this site. Take a stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter and a labyrinth of narrow streets with wrought iron-grilled windows, white-washed buildings and tiled patios. Afterwards, you will enjoy lunch at a local establishment.

Explore the enchanting town of Tarifa at the southern tip of Spain and then cruise the Strait of Gibraltar looking for the many whales and dolphins that frequent these waters.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive south, passing through small villages and the gorgeous countryside that characterizes the southernmost part of Spain. In time, you will reach Tarifa, a charming town overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.

A former Roman settlement, Tarifa feels wonderfully casual and its narrow, cobbled streets invite exploration. As you stroll through the most historical part of town, you can expect to see St. Matthew Church, white-washed houses adorned with wrought iron and sections of the original castellated city walls.

Continuing on to the waterfront, you will board a boat designed for whale watching and cruise into the Strait of Gibraltar. Across the water in Morocco, you will see the Rif Mountains, which stretch along the Mediterranean so closely that they make much of the land unsuitable for agriculture or development.

Seven different species of whales and dolphins live in these waters, including pilot whales, sperm whales and striped dolphins. Chances are, you will see these magnificent creatures breaching the surface as they feed in the nutrient-rich waters. The experience will be unforgettable and well worth discussing over lunch on your own during free time in Tarifa.

Ride a double-decker bus through Cadiz, hop on and off at the destinations that interest you the most and stay as long as you like. After departing from the pier, you will ride a bus through the heart of Cadiz, which is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in western Europe. Use the complimentary bus pass to hop on and off the bus whenever you please, so you will never feel rushed or compelled to leave a destination until you are ready. Be marvel at the beauty of Cadiz with an an exciting optional guided walking tour through its streets and old city walls. Stroll around Pópulo Neighborhood, Plaza de la Catedral, and many more!

The buses operate throughout the day and make continuous loops around Cadiz’s must-see landmarks. Once onboard, you will receive a route map that describes the attractions, making it easy to choose your favorite ones. You might stop at the golden-tile domed cathedral, which was started in 1720 but not finished until 116 years and seven architects later. As Cadiz exudes history, you may opt to browse museums such as the namesake Cadiz Museum, a treasure-trove of archaeological artifacts and European paintings from the 16th through 20th centuries. For the ultimate view of Cadiz, stop at the Tavira Tower and use the ingenious camera obscura to project pictures of the landscape onto a horizontal screen in front of you. It focuses like any camera and makes distance images seem near. The buses also stop at the best city beaches, including Playa de la Caleta, which the 16th-century Santa Catalina Castle overlooks. This popular stretch of sand was featured in the James Bond movie “Die Another Day.”

Visit the classic white washed village of Vejer de la Frontera, perched high above the steep gorge of the river Barbate and squeezed between the sierra and the sea. Declared a national monument in 1978, this charming village offers a perfect example of what many Andalusian towns were like during five centuries of Islamic rule.

Take a walk through this stunning town and explore the cobblestone streets, secret corners, hidden patios and delightful houses. Along your journey pass the beautiful Plaza de Espana, undoubtedly one of the sweetest village squares in Spain. You'll have free time to explore the local souvenir shops or relax and grab some of the local specialties in one of the many bars and cafes found at the square.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the rich countryside passing through the Natural Park of La Brena, a beautiful and protected pine tree forest. On a clear day, you can enjoy the view over the Straits of Gibraltar and the coast of Morocco as well as over the famous Cape Trafalgar. Your guide will point out the lighthouse marking the bleak headland where Lord Horatio Nelson won the Battle of Trafalgar, but lost his life. Enjoy some free time at Conil de la Frontera, a beautiful seaside white village, before your drive back

OVERVIEW

Step into Seville on foot and discover some of the high-profile, now-iconic buildings that transformed the skyline of Seville and pushed the boundaries of design. A guide will elaborate on the buildings’ advanced technologies and present a rare insider’s perspective of their construction. You will first walk to Las Setas, a collection of dramatic mushroom-shaped parasols. Few modern structures are quite so stunning to behold. Its cutting-edge design is patterned after the Seville Cathedral, which you will also reach on foot as your next stop. Now continue walking through the city to soak up more history, building transformation and magic by visiting Plaza España just before returning to the ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow a local expert through two cutting-edge architectural icons.
• Discover how architects overcame the design challenges in both structures.
• See how the 16th-century Seville Cathedral inspired the design of the modern Las Setas.
• Gain an understanding of how modern architecture has transformed the face of Seville.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Bicycle on modern 29” mountain bikes through the spectacular scenery of the recently inaugurated Eurovelo cycling path and the iconic Roche Forest. This is not only one of Andalusia’s largest coastal pine forests, but it also offers among the region’s most breathtaking natural settings, with rocky cliffs plunging dramatically into the sea. Cycle along the coastal path, passing through quiet forest trails and open landscapes. The route offers a perfect balance of nature, ocean breeze, and scenic beauty. Stop for photos at the iconic Roche lighthouse before the ride back to the starting point.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pedal through the fabulous landscapes that offer a perfect blend of nature, sea views and local charm.
• Admire a rugged and lush scenery highlighted by awe-inspiring, precipitous coastal bluffs.
• Reach the rugged cliffs and the iconic Roche Lighthouse.
• Stop for photos at beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs and reach the iconic Roche Lighthouse.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable closed-toe sports shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.