Itinerary
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys. This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travellers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture. This cruise from the Atlantic Coast of North Africa to the Spanish Mediterranean provides a relaxed and engaging experience of both the rich history and vibrant contemporary culture of the region. You begin with an overnight aboard ship in Casablanca, where you will have a full day either to discover the modern architecture of this bustling metropolis, including the stunning Hassan II Mosque, or to travel to Morocco' capital, Rabat, to delve into the Moorish past represented in the emblematic Hassan Tower and the Oudayas Kasbah. In Tangier you can visit the American Legation, the oldest U.S. diplomatic mission in the world, or you may travel across the Rif Mountains to the showcase of Moroccan handicrafts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tetouan. Next you will spend a full day in and around Malaga, the gateway to Andalusia and to the legendary Costa del Sol. One highlight of your time here is sure to be your journey to Granada, including dinner followed by a private evening tour of the incomparable Alhambra itself. From Marbella, you may travel to the picturesque town of Ronda, a center of bullfighting, or you may stay in Marbella to stroll the Avenida del Mar, decorated with ten sculptures by Dali, and take in a flamenco performance. The final port of call before your voyage ends in Lisbon is the ancient city of Cadiz, where you may visit one of the "white villages" for which the region is famous before a flamenco performance in the city' premiere tablao. Or you may travel to Seville, one of Europe' most important and affluent maritime cities, to visit the Alcázar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Gothic Cathedral containing the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
