Catalonia Coastlines to the Algarve

Welcome to Spain and the spectacular coastal city of Barcelona. One of the most vibrant, cosmopolitan cities in Europe, Barcelona is famous for its beautiful beaches, incredible food, cutting-edge art scene and buzzing nightlife.

Your journey of wonder begins as soon as you step on board Scenic Eclipse. You’ll be warmly greeted by the crew and shown to your luxurious verandah suite. Take some time to settle in, pick the perfect pillow from the plush pillow menu, meet your personal butler, and order a glass of champagne to toast the beginning of your journey. Take the time to explore your Discovery Yacht before dinner, from the outdoor Vitality Pool on Deck 10 to the indulgent Senses Spa on Deck 6 and the Observation Lounge and Terrace on Deck 5, where you can look out to the twinkling lights of Barcelona as you depart.

Arrive in Valencia this morning. Spain’s third-largest city is an inspiring blend of old and new. It has one of the largest historic centres in Europe, with buildings dating back to the 13th century, sitting close to modern architectural gems like the futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. Running for more than nine kilometres through the centre of the town is the magnificent Turia Garden, a green space that was created by diverting a river in the 1980s. Join the locals riding bikes with Scenic’s own collection of e-bikes free to use, watch local sports being playing, listen to live music outdoors or just relax in the sun.

Valencia is also famous for its food. Visit the impressive Central Market, an enormous Art Nouveau food hall selling everything from fresh fruit to charcuterie, pastries and wine. Make sure to try the city’s signature paella, made with excellent local seafood.

Today is yours to do as much or as little as you want. Perhaps you’d like to take things slowly, starting with breakfast brought to your suite by your private butler, enjoyed on the verandah as you cruise through the deep blue waters of the Alboran Sea. Or you could start the day with an invigorating workout in the gym or a class in the Yoga & Pilates studio.

Take some time to explore the ship, from the Sky Bar and outdoor pool on Deck 10 to the tranquil and expansive 550m2 Senses Spa on Deck 6 with its steam rooms, saunas and plunge pool. Stop for a coffee or a cocktail at one of the nine bars and lounges on board or curl up with a good book in the library of the Observation Lounge. Check the daily program to see what lectures or discussions the Discovery Team are running and learn more about upcoming ports, wildlife or activities on offer.

Sail into Spain’s famous Costa del Sol and the 3,000-year-old city of Málaga. Millions of visitors flock to the region each year for its namesake sunshine, rich history and artistic soul. The city is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and proudly pays homage to the virtuoso with a dedicated museum. Uncover gastronomic delights such as ‘tinto de verano’, a refreshing iced summer wine, and wander the streets filled with architectural delights from colourful baroque designs to historic Roman theatre.

This morning, you’ll arrive in Gibraltar. Dominating the mouth of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar is a natural fortress and a little slice of Britain tucked within the borders of Spain. The skyline is dominated by the imposing Rock of Gibraltar, a 426-metre-high limestone promontory. Beneath it winds a network of more than 150 caves, where curious troops of Barbary macaques have taken up residence on The Rock’s upper reaches. On the windy streets below, explore dozens of British stores and traditional pubs, and marvel that you’re a stone’s throw away from Spain. Listen out for the local accent, a sing-song mix of English and Spanish, with people often swapping between the two languages mid-sentence.

Today, set out across the Strait of Gibraltar bound for North Africa is the Moroccan city of Tangier, known as the European gateway to Africa for centuries, attracting a cadre of traders, spies, artists and shady foreigners. Tangier has long been one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, drawing visitors from all over the world for hundreds of years. Today, it’s shining with prosperity thanks to a new business district, marina, and TGV train to Casablanca.

The city has a celebrated café culture, with more than 1,000 of them to be found. Wander through the labyrinthian laneways of the old town ‘medina’ souks, the traditional market where vendors hawk olives, preserved lemon, oils, spices, dates, chickens, lambs and much more.

The historic city of Seville is around 100km from the coast, yet its position on the bank of the Guadalquivir River means Scenic Eclipse can sail inland and dock right in its heart. A unique experience available to just a handful of ships, you’ll be completely immersed in the elegant capital of Andalusia and able to step straight off the ship to start your own discovery.

With two full days to discover Seville, you can explore many facets of this fascinating city. Dating back to the days of the Roman Empire, Seville was ruled by the Moors for hundreds of years and became one of the world’s most important trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. Walk through remnants of this turbulent history, from the breathtaking Moorish Alcazar Palace to the spectacular Gothic Cathedral and the extravagant Plaza de España.

Scenic Eclipse will be docked in Seville overnight, so you will have the opportunity to explore the city at night. After a delicious dinner with local ingredients in one of the up to 10 all-inclusive dining experiences on board, you may join your new friends for a nightcap in one of the city’s tapas bars, sipping a glass of local wine or a tasty Agua de Sevilla cocktail.

This morning start your day with a stroll through the tranquil Parque de Maria Luisa with its glorious landscapes gardens, shady paths and shimmering ponds are a welcome retreat from the bustle of the city. You can even hire a rowboat to explore the park’s canals.

Perhaps instead spend today exploring some of Seville’s excellent museums and galleries. The Museo de Bellas Artes is housed in an historic monastery and displays works from Spain’s great masters, like Zurbaran, Murillo and Valdes Leal. For contemporary art and sculpture, visit the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo. The Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions charts the history and culture of Andalusia while the Flamenco Dance Museum is dedicated to the local art form.

On the western Algarve, Portimão is a small port with a bustling historic centre. Once a well-known fishing port, now transformed into a breathtaking promenade with shops selling traditional lace, ceramics, and leather goods, and fantastic restaurants. Portimão is much loved for the steep limestone cliffs that surround its sandy beach of Praia da Rocha. Architectural masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries seamlessly blend with colourful contemporary structures creating the Portimão we know today.

Your voyage on board Scenic Eclipse ends today in the colourful Portuguese capital city of Lisbon. At the centre of global seafaring tradition for more than 600 years, it’s a vibrant, multicultural hub with fascinating history, glorious architecture and incredible food.

You’ll disembark Scenic Eclipse after breakfast. Farewell the crew and fellow guests, taking with you memories of a truly unforgettable ultra-luxury experience on board The World’s First Discovery Yacht.