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.

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.

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.

Discover the traditional ways being practiced in the fishing village of El Palo, , 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. These fishermen neighborhoods are 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

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

Walk directly from the pier to some of the most iconic attractions in Malaga, many of which feature extraordinary Mudejar and Gothic architecture. You will see some of those buildings while meandering down leafy Alameda Boulevard on the way to Alcazaba, a fortification that the Moors constructed beginning in the 11th century. Some of its stones were repurposed from the Roman amphitheater built a millennium earlier at the foot of the fortress. You won’t have far to go to reach the pedestrianized city center, where you will find Picasso’s birthplace on the north corner of Plaza de la Merced and the city’s majestic cathedral. A fine example of Renaissance architecture, the cathedral took two centuries to build and its proposed second tower was never completed, the reason the somewhat lopsided cathedral is known as the “one-armed woman.” Free time follows the guided exploration, during which you might shop and dine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold revered landmarks while walking through Malaga’s compact city center.
• Gain insight into the city’s past at the Roman amphitheater and the 11th-century Alcazaba.
• View a variety of architecture, including Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance.
• See the magnificent single-tower Malaga Cathedral, the so-called “one-armed woman.”
• Spend free time in the city center, an area with abundant shopping and dining options.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride through downtown Malaga on, a small electric vehicle, ideal for navigating through an urban environment. According to the availability , you might be assigned either a Twizy - a half-car, half-motorcycle with seating for two people – made by Renault , a Ami, a funny e-minicar made by Citroen or a similar vehicle. Large windows and remarkable stability, will allow you to easily zip in and out of traffic. You can either drive or ride along as a passenger. As you travel from the pier through Malaga’s downtown, the guide will provide enlightening commentary over the vehicle radio. The exact route will depend on the traffic conditions, but you can expect to pass all sorts of historical landmarks before looping back to the pier. Stops will be made at points of interests such as Gibralfaro Castle, a 10th-century Moorish fortress that perches high on a hill overlooking the city. The views are spectacular from atop the castle’s medieval stone ramparts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Malaga in unique electric minicar
• Take the wheel or just ride along as a passenger, if you prefer.
• Enjoy commentary from the guide through the vehicle radio.
• Take in the panoramic views while stopping at the ramparts of a 10th-century castle.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak along the Cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo and enjoy a unique perspective of the dramatically beautiful shore. This area is known as the Tropical Coast because the sheltering Sierra Nevada mountains have created a mild microclimate, one that encourages outdoor activities. You will begin kayaking at La Herradura, a town known for its horseshoe-shaped bay and wide beaches, and then skirt along the visually arresting shore of the nature reserve. It is one of the few coastal areas in Andalusia that is undeveloped and as a result the flora and fauna have flourished. Depending on the chosen route and sea currents, you may enter small coastal caves, pass seagull habitats and secluded beaches and spot mountain goats along the craggy cliffs. Regardless of where you paddle, you will enjoy a close-up view of the wild, mountainous landscape. Afterwards, you may have the opportunity to swim in the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak along the jagged cliffs of a nature reserve and enjoy spectacular views.
• Look for wildlife while passing the wild coastal landscape, isolated beaches and coves.
• Take a refreshing swim in the sea, if time permits.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

This is an ideal introduction, at a leisurely pace, into the heart and surrounds of Malaga. The capital of the Costa del Sol, Malaga is a modern city rich in history and culture.

Sit back and let your guide bring to life both Malaga’s past and present on this panoramic tour of the city and surroundings. Driving past the subtropical gardens of the park to the bullring on the eastern side of the city, your coach winds its way to the Castle of Gibralfaro’s lookout point. You’ll have a great panoramic view of the city and the port, which gives you perfect photo opportunities.

Once in the city center, follow your guide on a short walk. Enjoy the street life of Malaga during your walking tour.

See the attractions that you find most interesting by hopping on and off double-decker buses as they make continuous loops around Malaga, the historical birthplace of Pablo Picasso. With the complimentary bus pass in hand, you can ride both the Red Line and Green Line buses and gain entrance into the Interactive Museum of Music. Simply hop on one of the buses and then hop off when it reaches an attraction that intrigues you from the nearly 20 designated stops. The amount of time that you spend at each destination is entirely up to you. When you are ready to leave, just hop on the next bus. You might take in the sweeping views from the 10th-century Gibralfaro Castle, see the downtown bullring where Spain’s most legendary bullfighters have performed and wander through the Cathedral of Malaga, which is affectionately known as “La Manquita,” the one-armed lady, because its planned second tower was never built.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Ride a bus around Malaga, stopping at the attractions that you find most appealing. • Stay as long as you like in each attraction to enhance your understanding of it. • Hop on another bus whenever you please and ride it to another must-see destination. • Use the provided route map and headphones to easily plan your exploration of the city. less

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 sampling some local tapas snack . 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 a tapas snack during the performance and free time after the performance.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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.