Barcelona, Morocco & the Atlantic Islands

Welcome to Barcelona. You have 3 nights to explore the city.

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.

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.

Morocco’s economic capital is a city of grand ambition and quiet contradictions. The Hassan II Mosque — one of the largest in the world and built partially over the Atlantic — is a genuine architectural wonder, its minaret visible from 60 kilometres at sea. Beyond it, the Ville Nouvelle reveals wide Haussman-influenced boulevards, art deco facades and café terraces where locals linger over coffee and newspapers. The old medina is compact and unhurried compared to Marrakech — easier to explore, less trafficked and all the more rewarding for it.

Agadir sits at the foot of the Atlas Mountains where the Souss River meets the Atlantic, a city rebuilt after a devastating 1960 earthquake with wide boulevards, a long crescent beach and a surprisingly sophisticated dining scene. The hilltop Kasbah — largely destroyed in the quake but partially restored — offers panoramic views across the bay and out to sea. Beyond the city, the Souss-Massa National Park shelters flamingos, bald ibis and coastal wetlands, while the foothills of the Anti-Atlas offer day excursions into Berber villages and argan oil cooperatives run by local women.

La Gomera is the Canary Island that most visitors fly over on their way somewhere else which is precisely what makes it worth stopping for. The island’s interior is a UNESCO World Heritage laurisilva forest, a relic subtropical jungle of extraordinary density that has survived virtually unchanged for millions of years. San Sebastián is the quiet capital the harbour where Columbus stopped to resupply on his first voyage to the Americas in 1492, the Torre del Conde still standing on the waterfront. The island is also home to Silbo Gomero, a whistled language developed to communicate across the ravines, still taught in local schools and unlike anything you’ll hear anywhere else on earth.

Funchal’s web of ancient streets spills down from lofty heights. Ride the cable car up to the exotic gardens of Monte Palace at its peak, where peacocks prowl high above the Atlantic. Descend at speed in a wicker sleigh piloted by ‘Carreriros’ elegantly dressed in crisp whites and straw boater hats since the mid-1800s. Swirl a glass of amber-coloured Madeira at a café overlooking chequerboard-tiled Praça do Município and prepare to explore lush could forests crisscrossed by hiking trails and black sand beaches below jungle-covered cliffs.

Funchal’s web of ancient streets spills down from lofty heights. Ride the cable car up to the exotic gardens of Monte Palace at its peak, where peacocks prowl high above the Atlantic. Descend at speed in a wicker sleigh piloted by ‘Carreriros’ elegantly dressed in crisp whites and straw boater hats since the mid-1800s. Swirl a glass of amber-coloured Madeira at a café overlooking chequerboard-tiled Praça do Município and prepare to explore lush could forests crisscrossed by hiking trails and black sand beaches below jungle-covered cliffs.

Enjoy the rich buzz of Lisbon. Dip into the city’s strong architectural, cultural and historical connections. Wander charming-cobbled streets, colourful buildings, the river Sado and endless nature. Pilgrimage to Fatima, tour hilly villages, learn Portuguese cooking techniques and listen to the Lisbon blues. Slip to charming Cascais for quieter energy and golden beaches. And as you bathe in the captivating light, enjoy plates of petiscos which – like fado – you’ll soon discover is vibrant, warm and most appealing.

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.