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.

OVERVIEW

This unique tour combines a tour of Gibraltar’s unique sights with a sampling of its delicious Spanish culinary flavor. Setting out from the pier by panoramic coach, you’ll take a scenic drive out to Gibraltar’s unique airport runway, which doubles as the border between this small British colony and the Spanish mainland. Traveling on toward Catalan Bay along the colony’s eastern flank, you’ll admire spectacular views that reach all the way to Spain in one direction and Africa in the other. Passing the American War Memorial that honors Britain and America’s winning alliance in World War I and the Trafalgar Cemetery from far earlier, you’ll work your way toward the land’s very tip at Europa Point. From this viewpoint, with the coast of North Africa just 12 miles across the famous Strait, you’ll fully appreciate why this territory has always been of such strategic importance to the British Navy. Having drunk in all these sights, your next stop is at a local dining venue where you can sip a glass of wine and indulge in a delicious selection of traditional tapas. This colony may be English, but the cuisine is pure Mediterranean.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle back for a driving tour that circles Gibraltar in search of its most intriguing views.
• Drive the highway that crosses an airport runway and see Europa Point, from which North Africa is so close you can usually make out Morocco’s Rif mountains.
• Relax and enjoy a selection of traditional tapas and a glass of wine at a scenic local restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.

This definitive tour of Malaga showcases landmarks such as Gibralfaro Castle, but also leaves free time for shopping and exploring in the historic city center, where Picasso was born.

Starting off from the pier you'll drive due west along the coast to Malaga, an Andalusian city with Moorish roots and an illustrious past that was founded in the 8th century by the Phoenicians. Arriving in Malaga, your tour begins with a panoramic drive that passes by numerous city landmarks en route to your first stop, the imposing Gibralfaro Castle. Perched high atop a hill, it offers commanding views of the city, the bay and the mountains and has stood sentinel over Malaga for more than 1,000 years. During your visit, you might walk the ramparts, take in the panoramic views or immerse yourself in the castle's turbulent history in its museum, a building once used to store gunpowder.

Next, you'll travel back to the heart of Malaga where another historic landmark awaits you in the city center, the limestone Cathedral of Malaga. Built on the site of a former mosque, construction on the cathedral started in 1528 and dragged on for the next 255 years, until completely halting in 1783 due to a lack of money. To this day, the cathedral's second planned tower hasn't been built, giving rise to the nickname: manquita or "one-armed woman." It's an iconic building, as is the nearby Picasso Museum.

Continuing on, you'll enjoy an enlightening walking tour of the architecturally rich city center before stop for a tapas lunch at El Pimpi, a traditional Andalusian bodega. Afterwards, you'll have some free time to explore on your own, before driving back to the pier.

View landmarks of Palma de Mallorca and thrill to an authentic flamenco performance while being treated to delicious traditional tapas. Make your way to the city center aboard your coach, passing alluring sights during a comfortable, panoramic ride, and get acquainted with this lively city. Stop for some pictures in front of La Seu, the city’s utterly magnificent cathedral, located by the sea and impressed by its spectacular gothic architecture. Relish some free time. Prior To experience the true spirit of Spain: you’ll savor a typical tapas lunch served with sangria, all while enjoying a rousing flamenco performance. Applaud this exhilarating dance, a stirring blend of clicking heels and castanets, Spanish guitar and emotive bravado, a perfect encapsulation of the impassioned and irrepressible soul of this magical land.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a relaxing day of sun, sand, and reggae vibes at the Bamboo Beach Club, just a short drive from the pier. Lounge on complimentary beach chairs beneath shade sails and tropical trees while hostesses serve a delicious tapas-style lunch right to your seat, featuring local favorites like jerk chicken, sausage skewers, and cinnamon banana puffs. Sip on included cocktails — such as guava rum punch and fern gully— or enjoy refreshing non-alcoholic drinks as the beach comes to life with music, line dancing, and even a cocktail demonstration. Swim in the calm Caribbean waters, stroll along the shoreline, or simply sit back and enjoy the authentic Jamaican atmosphere. Time permitting, a short shopping stop will be made before returning to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax on a soft sandy beach with included beach chairs, shade, and facilities.
• Enjoy a tapas-style lunch served to your chair with local Jamaican flavors.
• Sip on complimentary cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages while enjoying reggae music.
• Enjoy the fun beach activities such as line dancing or simply unwind to the reggae beat.
• Optional shopping stop in route back to the ship, time permitting.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Spend hours independently exploring Bilbao, a seaside city in the heart of Basque Country that has been dramatically revitalized since the Guggenheim Museum opened a few decades ago. You will be dropped off near the Euskalduna building, one of the symbols of modern Bilbao. Built on the site of a former shipyard, the Euskalduna Concert Hall and Convention Centre is another contemporary masterpiece well worth visiting. For a counterpoint, you might cross the circuitous Nervión River to browse the Archaeological Museum. Nearby, you will also find within easy walking distance from the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum, whose wildly expressionistic titanium-clad exterior sets the tone for the collection of modern art inside.. A nice 30 minutes stroll along Gran Via – Bilbao´s main shopping avenue - will lead you to the Old Quarter, a pedestrian-friendly area founded more than 700 years ago. Bilbao’s most historical churches, monuments and plazas are there and not to be missed. If you wish to dine like a local, most every restaurant serves sparkling txakoli wine and pintxos, the Basque version of tapas. Fresh seafood is typically among the ingredients.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Bilbao on your own and focus on the attractions that sound most interesting.
• Be dropped off in the city center near the Euskalduna building and at walking distance from the Guggenheim Museum.
• Enjoy the freedom of wandering about at your own pace with no schedule to follow.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

Enjoy this taste of Spain with the best of Spain presented in dancing, horses and food. This is a treat not to be missed! Spanish horses are pure breed and gifted with an ability to learn the intricate steps of Spanish dressage. Schooling of the Andalusian horses requires much time and patience on the part of their professional trainers. They will show you how the horses are trained. You’ll also enjoy fantastic local produce here served with a selection of typical Spanish tapas with wine, offering the best ingredients of the region in a beautiful garden setting. Just before returning to the pier, your guide will give you an orientation tour through Cartagena, a panoramic drive from the bus. Learn about the intense history of the city since Carthaginian and Roman times, the military history of the city and the prosperous Modernist period in Cartagena.

Your panoramic drive through some of the most important avenues of the city such as Paseo Alfonso XIII, Plaza de España and Calle Real, will give you the opportunity of admiring the University area, the beautiful building of the Regional Assembly, the Military Arsenal, as well as some notable Modernist buildings such as the Maestre House.

Just before entering back to the pier, there is also a drop-off optional stop: Next to the Main Street (Historical, shopping and restaurant area) you will have the opportunity to finish your tour and descend from the bus if you decide to stay in the city center, at your own leisure, to stroll or have a coffee (at own expenses) before making your own way back to the ship, if not, just remain seated and the bus will drive back inside of the pier to finish the tour.

What better way to discover a destination up-close than on foot. This delightful and delicious tour allows you to not only experience the charming atmosphere of La Coruña, but its lively Galician food culture as well.

Your tour begins with a brief walk from the pier to the beachfront that runs along the Atlantic coastline. Along the way, you will pass by many conservatories and beautiful old homes that capture the character of La Coruña. From here, it's on to the San Agustín Market, which is the town's main food market. Every day, a huge variety of products are available for purchase here and the Market is especially well-known for its impressive and wide-ranging selection of seafood.

Next, you will have the opportunity to enjoy local tapas as your tour takes you around to two local taverns, know as tapas bars. During your visit, you will be treated to various tapas, which are typically made with fresh seafood and ham, accompanied by the best wines in Galicia, like Albariño or Ribeiro.

Following your visit to the tapas bars, your guide will escort you back to the pier where your tour concludes.

Spend the day in cosmopolitan Santiago de Compostela, which gained fame in medieval times as a pilgrimage site for the faithful who came to visit the tomb of Saint James. Depart from the pier and begin driving into Spain's northwestern interior to Santiago de Compostela, a city so architecturally rich it's now deemed a World Heritage Site. The marquee attraction is undeniably the Cathedral, home to the relics of Saint James. Despite its Baroque façade, the cathedral boasts a spectacular predominately Romanesque interior. It took more than 150 years to build, finally being completed in 1211. There are so many inspiring features, including the largest cloisters in Spain, a sacred carving where countless pilgrims have worn five deep indentations in the marble with their fingers, and of course the silver coffer that holds the saint's relics. Four magnificent squares surround the Cathedral, and you'll have time to explore them in detail, as part of your guided walking tour and then on your own. The squares are graced by fountains, framed by historic buildings, and replete with shops. No matter where you venture in Santiago de Compostela, the setting is phenomenal. That is especially true of the historic hotel where you’ll enjoy a delicious Galician tapas experience, sampling a variety of regional small plates that highlight the culinary heritage of Galicia. In fact, the luxurious Parador de los Reyes Catolicos is a Spanish national monument and considered to be the world's oldest hotel. After your tapas experience, you will have free time to enter the Cathedral on your own, or continue exploring the historic heart of Santiago at your leisure. When the time comes, enjoy a scenic and relaxing drive back to the pier.

Experience the picturesque beauty and historic landmarks of Samoa during this scenic and informative tour of Apia. Depart the pier for a sightseeing drive through Apia, stopping first at the Mulivai Cathedral with it’s impressive marriage of local and international architectural designs that include a wonderful wooden ceiling and beautiful stained glass windows. Next, a stop will be made at the Samoa Cultural Village. Here, you will be treated to a display of local activities such as, a welcome Kava Ceremony, fire making (by rubbing sticks together), Siapo (tapa making – a traditional art form made from the bark of the Mulberry tree & using natural dyes made from the sap of the “o’a” tree & river rocks), basket weaving, printing of traditional designs on “lavalavas” (sarong) to name a few. There is an opportunity to purchase these handicraft or souvenirs made by the village women. Continuing on, you'll see Mulinu'u, the sacred burial grounds of Samoan royalty, the Independence Monuments, Parliament House, the Lands and Titles Court, and the German Monument, where the German flag was raised during its occupation of Samoa. Your last stop is at Vailima, the former home of Robert Louis Stevenson, which has been converted into a museum. During your guided tour of this tropical haven, you will explore the well-maintained grounds highlighted by local indigenous plants and flowers. A refreshment of seasonal fresh fruit, water and juice is served on the museum's patio before rejoining your coach for the brief return drive to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Explore a series of caves that were once under the sea and indulge in an inspired wine tasting at a nearby restaurant. The Treasure Caves are named for their unusual geology, their Paleolithic Age wall paintings and the legend that the monarchs of the Almoravid dynasty buried treasure there in the 12th century. As you walk through the eerily illuminated caves, you will notice how seawater shaped the interior over the eons. There are still subterranean lakes in some of the chambers. A tasting of premium Spanish wines thoughtfully paired with tapas follows at the Valle Niza restaurant. Those pairings may include a sparkling wine served with a ham-and-cheese board, a fruity white wine with confit cod, a red wine with braised ratatouille, and a moscatel dessert wine with French toast and coconut ice cream. The chosen pairings will be representative of Costa del Sol’s extraordinary wines and cuisine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the Treasure Caves, which were once completely under the sea.
• Sample several local wines paired with tapas at a restaurant.
• See Cueva del Tesoro, one of the only three caves of underwater origin known in the world and the only one in Europe.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

The best thing about Seville is that all the major sights are packed neatly into one easily-walkable square mile, most of which is flat. Your best friend, from an orientation point of view, will be the Giralda Tower. The 319-feet high tower is a great landmark when you loose yourself in the wonderful maze of city streets. Be sure to take a look at the huge Gothic cathedral, stroll through the picturesque alleyways, hidden plazas and flower-filled patios and treat yourself in one of the many souvenir shops, restaurants or tapas bars. A visit to the Royal Palace is a rewarding experience, as is the Hospital de los Venerables, however if you like shopping head to the Calle de las Sierpes and seek out the market squares nearby.