Gems of Spain & Portugal – Cruise from Belfast

Ferrol is a city in the province of A Coruña in Galicia, Spain. It is located in the Rías Altas, in the vicinity of Strabo’s Cape Nerium.

The final stop on the epic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail, Santiago is a unique city imbued with the aura of a millennium’s worth of journeys. Long-gone centuries live on in its arcaded streets and magnificent stone architecture, of which the famous cathedral is the jewel in the crown.

Cádiz is an ancient port city in the Andalucia region of southwestern Spain. The home of the Spanish Navy, the port boomed in the 16th-century as a base for exploration and trade. It has more than 100 watchtowers, including the iconic Torre Tavira, which was traditionally used for spotting ships. On the waterfront is the domed, 18th-century Cádiz Cathedral, featuring baroque and neoclassical elements.

Palma is a stunner. Rising in honey-coloured stone from the broad waters of the Badia de Palma, this enduring city dates back to the 13th-century Christian reconquest of the island, and to the Moors, Romans and Talayotic people before that. A richly studded diadem of historical sites, Palma also shelters a seemingly endless array of galleries, restaurants, craft studios and bars – it’s without doubt Mallorca’s greatest treasure. Wander in any direction from the awe-inspiring Gothic Catedral at its geographic and historical heart and you’ll find bent medieval streets lined with aristocratic townhouses, looming baroque churches, teeming public squares, vibrant bohemian neighbourhoods and markets overflowing with all the bounty of the island. You could spend weeks in this city alone, and still uncover fresh joys every day.

Spain’s third-largest city is a magnificent place, content for Madrid and Barcelona to grab the headlines while it gets on with being a wonderfully liveable city with thriving cultural, eating and nightlife scenes. Never afraid to innovate, Valencia diverted its flood-prone river to the outskirts and converted the former riverbed into a glorious green ribbon of park winding right through the city. On it are the strikingly futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, designed by local boy Santiago Calatrava. Other brilliant contemporary buildings grace the city, which also has a fistful of fabulous Modernista buildings, great museums, a long stretch of beach and a large, characterful old quarter. Valencia, surrounded by its Huerta, a fertile zone of market gardens, is famous as the home of rice dishes such as paella, but its buzzy dining scene offers plenty more besides; it’s a superb spot for eating.

Alicante, located in the Costa Blanca, is one of the most beautiful cities of the Spanish East Coast.
During your Mediterranean cruise you will discover a vibrant city connected to the sea and rich in history and architecture. From the Santa Barbara fortress, the main castle of the city, to parks and boulevards, such as the Explanada de España where you can enjoy Alicante’s breathing fresh air and relax in cozy bars and terrace cafés.

Some of the great sights to see nearby include:

• Santa Barbara Castle
• Mountain village of Guadalest
• Explanada de España

With an Excursion you will discover the Santa Barbara Castle, Alicante’s main historical sight. Sant Barbara Castle is an imposing medieval fortress located on the bare rocky hill above the town beach. From the old walls you can admire spectaculars views of the city and the whole bay.

A cruise excursion can also be an opportunity to discover the Mountain village of Guadalest, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. The sixteenth-century Moorish castle town and former Muslim settlement is built high up in the surrounding rock, and you enter through a gateway tunnelled into the mountain.

With one of our excursions you can also discover the Explanada de España, Alicante’s famous maritime promenade. It runs parallel to the port, from Plaza Puerta del Mar to Parque de Canalejas and has a mosaic pavement that mimics the waves of the sea. This boulevard is full of cafés and terraces where you can try some typical food or just relax while enjoying the Mediterranean views.

The Rock crouches over the sea like an ancient stone beast, looking Sphinx-like to Africa. Beneath the white cliffs of this natural fortress grows a profusion of palm, pine, and cypress. No fewer than 600 varieties of flowers thrive here, some not found anywhere else on Earth. Gibraltar’s stunning setting is matched by its history – five countries have battled for 13 centuries to control the passage between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The result made for a cultural melting pot. Veiled Moroccan women in caftans and vacationing Englishmen and Spaniards stroll along the narrow, steep lanes. The locals revert to a liquid Spanish when talking among themselves. And visitors to a 15th-century cathedral pass through a blue-tiled courtyard, once part of a 13th-century mosque.

Helmeted bobbies, pillar-boxes and pubs make for a bit of Britain in the Mediterranean. Gibraltar is a fascinating place, from its caves and batteries to the Barbary apes gamboling on the slopes of the Rock.

Lisbon is Portugal’s vibrant, colorful capital city, and the country’s cultural and commercial heart. There’s a lot to do in Lisbon, and lots of options for all tastes, at all times of year. Lisbon is famous for its cultural heritage, Baroque churches, Fado shows, delicious seafood, and brilliantly preserved architecture in the city’s many walkable neighborhoods. While there, ride the iconic Tram 28 from the city center up to Bairro Alto. Tour the Torre de Belem, a fortified tower built in the 16th century that watches over the city from the mouth of the River Tagus.

A short journey from Leixões takes you into the heart of Oporto, with its fortress-like Cathedral and the Baroque Church of Clérigos. Head to the historic Ribeira District, where the narrow, cobbled lanes wind their way down to the Douro River. Don’t forget to visit one of the many wine cellars for a taste of the tipple named after the city, Port. On the ground floor of the Museu Romantico is the Port Wine Institute, where port is served with great ceremony.

Oporto sits deep in the gorge of the River Douro and on the riverside – dominated by the two-level Luis I bridge – it’s possible to look up at the narrow old town streets climbing out of the valley. Pastel-fronted houses with red-tiled roofs line the streets, mixed with neo-classical buildings and wonderful baroque churches. Dominating the centre of the city is the fortress-like Cathedral, which is worth visiting for the views alone.

Your cruise comes to an end as you cruise into Belfast Port. Disembarkation begins shortly after the ship docks.