SPANISH COASTS & MOROCCAN ADVENTURE

Welcome to London. You have two nights here before boarding MSC Meraviglia, time to settle in before the cruise gets underway.

London rewards a full day on foot. Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace anchor the classic sights, while the quieter Georgian squares and narrow lanes of the City of London reward a slower pace. St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London round out the historic core, and a walk along the river ties it together before Southampton tomorrow.

Southampton has kept pockets of its medieval character despite wartime bombing and postwar redevelopment, with the glass fronted West Quay now the heart of the modern town. The Western Esplanade runs alongside the best surviving stretch of the old city walls, including God’s House Tower and the Bargate, one of the original seven gates into the city. This is embarkation day, so keep an eye on your transfer time to the port.

Gijon sits on Spain’s northern Asturian coast, a working port city with a long seafaring history and a green, laid back backdrop rare on a Mediterranean heavy itinerary. The old fishing quarter of Cimavilla climbs a headland above the harbour, tapas bars tucked into its narrow streets and views out over the Bay of Biscay.

Cadiz is one of Spain’s oldest cities and one of its principal ports, its old town built on a narrow peninsula where grand squares and sailors’ alleyways sit close together. The Museo de Cadiz overlooks the leafy Plaza de Mina, and the eighteenth century Catedral Nueva is worth the visit even if Baroque isn’t usually your thing, decorated entirely in stone with no gold in sight. Climb the Torre Tavira for views over the rooftops and out to sea.

Malaga’s pedestrianised centre is built around Calle Marques de Larios, lined with cafes and fashionable stores. Plaza de la Constitucion is a good place to start, and the Museo Picasso Malaga marks the birthplace of the city’s most famous son. Above the town, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro citadels are relics of seven centuries of Moorish rule, and the Roman theatre below them, uncovered by accident in 1951, now hosts outdoor events.

Alicante, Valencia and Castellon make up the three provinces of the Valencian Community, a stretch of Spain’s eastern coast bordered by Catalonia to the north and Murcia to the south. Alicante itself is known for its palm lined boulevard and the Costa Blanca beaches that draw sun seekers from across Europe, its old town climbing toward Santa Barbara Castle for views over the bay.

Ibiza is known for its party scene, but its fortified old town, archaeological sites and quieter beaches make a strong case for slowing down instead. If you have time, a short sail south reveals Formentera, a smaller and even quieter Balearic island.

Tarragona was once the Roman capital of Hispania, and the ruins still show it. The Amfiteatre Roma sits right on the seafront, and the old town’s Passeig Arqueologic runs along the ancient Roman walls. Above it all, Tarragona Cathedral blends Romanesque and Gothic styles built up over centuries.

Casablanca is MSC Meraviglia’s only North African port, and it makes the most of it with Mauresque architecture, wide beaches and the colourful Old Medina. Place Mohammed V, lined with palm trees and a grand fountain, is a good starting point. Beyond the port, Marrakech and Rabat are both within reach for those wanting to go further inland.

La Coruna sits on a narrow peninsula on Spain’s northern coast, a working harbour on one side and a long Atlantic beach on the other. The old town’s narrow stone lanes wind around the Romanesque churches of Santiago and Santa Maria del Campo, and the glass fronted galleries along Avenida da Marina were built so residents could watch the harbour in shelter from the weather. The most popular excursion from here is Santiago de Compostela, its medieval core largely pedestrianised and one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

The ship returns to Southampton this morning, marking the end of your Spanish coasts and Moroccan adventure. If you have time before your onward travel, the Western Esplanade and the old city walls are an easy way to fill an hour or two before you head home.