AMALFI COAST & SPANISH SUNSETS

Welcome to Rome, You have 2 nights to explore the city.

There’s more to Rome than its ancient architecture. The Eternal City is home to a seemingly endless array of hidden gems. The artistic-minded can enjoy fashion aristocracy, street art, vespa jaunts to The Appian Way and toss coins into fountains. Or you can stroll by appointment to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel and the Pope’s private quarters at the Vatican. Explore the historic ruins of The Colosseum, Caravaggio churches, the Spanish Steps and The Pantheon. Learn how to make pasta the true Italian way, hunt truffles, nibble gelato, sip coffee and sink into a 3000 year old pool for a wellness experience. an ode to homespun pasta at a Renaissance piazza. When in Rome, fusing old with new makes it simple to indulge in whatever you like.

The Amalfi Coast is one of those places that earns every superlative thrown at it. The cliffs are genuinely vertical, the villages genuinely improbable, the light genuinely unlike anywhere else in the Mediterranean. Amalfi town sits at the base of a deep gorge with the cathedral of Sant’Andrea rising from the main piazza in tiers of Arab-Norman detail — it was built in the 9th century when Amalfi was a maritime republic trading with the entire known world. The sfogliatelle are worth seeking out, as is the limoncello, made from lemons grown on terraces so steep they can only be harvested by hand. Positano is accessible along the coast and rewards those who make the effort with one of the most photographed views in Italy — best appreciated early, before the crowds arrive.

Cagliari is the kind of Mediterranean capital that rewards the traveller who arrives without a fixed plan. The old quarter — the Castello — sits on a limestone plateau above the port, ringed by Pisan walls and full of narrow lanes, baroque churches and terraces with views across the Golfo degli Angeli that stretch to the horizon on a clear day. The National Archaeological Museum holds one of the finest collections of Nuragic bronzes in the world, a civilisation that built thousands of stone towers across Sardinia between 1800 and 200 BC and left behind almost no written record. The fish market near the port opens early and closes when it’s sold out — the sea urchins, the bottarga and the fresh tuna are all reasons to be there before nine.

March into a hidden Spanish gem with centuries of deeply ingrained culture and history. Not forgetting gourmet cuisine fit for a king. Take part in cookery lessons, wine samplings and coffee workshops, or the heart stopping elevator to the top of the Castillo. Head back to Roman times at the theatre and sanctuary for relics and mosaics. Inspect weaponry at the military museum and explore shipwrecks, artefacts and Mediterranean history at museums. View delightful street art in the bustling city centre and sample the traditional sailor tipple, Asiático. Cartagena has sites you won’t see in the rest of Spain, from Roman ruins, Byzantine walls and Belle Epoque architecture to marble streets and war memorials.

Enjoy the epitome of Spanish charm. Slowly discover Andalusian riches to reveal Picasso’s birthplace, the Alhambra in Granada, Mezquita in Cordoba and the Ronda valley. Explore ancient heritage sites, dance the flamenco, dare to hike the Caminito del Rey trail and delve into white villages sprinkled amongst mango groves and avocado orchards. Sip cocktails by day and sangria by night. And as you watch the sun slip down, reflect upon this gateway of delights.

Enjoy the epitome of Spanish charm. Slowly discover Andalusian riches to reveal Picasso’s birthplace, the Alhambra in Granada, Mezquita in Cordoba and the Ronda valley. Explore ancient heritage sites, dance the flamenco, dare to hike the Caminito del Rey trail and delve into white villages sprinkled amongst mango groves and avocado orchards. Sip cocktails by day and sangria by night. And as you watch the sun slip down, reflect upon this gateway of delights.

Where Europe ends and Africa begins, Tangier has been a city of intrigue for centuries. The medina’s labyrinthine streets wind past hammams, spice sellers and tea houses where mint tea arrives sweet and ceremonial. The Kasbah sits at the city’s highest point with views across the Strait of Gibraltar — on a clear day you can see Spain. Down at the Grand Socco, the old market square pulses with traders and storytellers, while the American Legation Museum houses one of Morocco’s most surprising cultural collections. Tangier rewards the curious and moves at its own pace.

Alicante is the Spanish city that serious travellers have been quietly appreciating for years. The old town climbs from the waterfront in tight Moorish streets past tapas bars, tiled courtyards and the 16th-century Santa Bárbara Castle, perched on a bare rock face directly above the city — accessible by lift cut through the cliff itself and worth every minute for the views across the Costa Blanca coastline. The Explanada de España promenade runs along the harbour in a mosaic of three million marble tiles, lined with café terraces where the afternoon passes at its own pace. The local rice dishes — arroz a banda, cooked in fish stock and served with alioli — are among the best on the Spanish coast and completely overshadowed by Valencia’s paella reputation, which means they’re cheaper and less crowded.

Breathe in the cultural heart of Catalan; an elegant blend of high energy and undisturbed tradition. Muse over the origins of captivating Gaudi architecture within the enchanting labyrinth that is the Gothic Quarter. Savour the flavours of fresh tapas and crisp cava in breezy plazas, tranquil terraces and coveted cafés, or glide down to a shimmering beach club to unwind. Imagine a visit to peaceful Passeig de Gracia, where modernist buildings merge to showcase iconic global labels. And, as dusk falls, prepare for urban action and swing by the lively bohemian bars to fiesta on the leafy stretch of La Rambla. If you’re serious about style, this colourful city provides plenty to celebrate.

Your holiday comes to an end today. Interested in extending you stay? Ask us about our amazing range of packages available or speak with a Cruise Travel Advisor who will be able to customise your holiday with you.