Vantage World Travel

MS Europa - Barcelona - Santa Cruz

Castañets rattle in time with the Andalusian zest for life. In the narrow alleys of the towns you will be accompanied by the laughter of the people; in the villages with the leisurely pace of life. On the Canaries it’s the volcanic lava that sizzles; apart from the musical programme on board, that is. A 9 day /8 night cruise itinerary.

Highlights

Malaga, Spain - The modern Andalusian town on the Costa del Sol takes you back to its roots. The city tour* of Malaga takes you to Gibralfaro, the impressive castle of the Moorish califes of Malaga and to the cathedral, which was built on the site of what was originally a mosque. After a walk through the Old Town there is still time to wander as you please through the narrow streets of Malaga. If you would rather have a lie-in today, you can leave the tour to late in the afternoon. Alternatively, visit today the Moorish residence Alhambra* in Granada, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The last and most beautiful Moorish palace to be built on Spanish soil opens its fairytale interiors and its magical gardens.

Cadiz, Spain - On a spit in the Bay of Cadiz, the harbour town welcomes you with its beautiful and typically Spanish historic centre. You will be surrounded by sheer zest for life in Seville, the capital of Andalusia*. The emblem of the town, the Giralda, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site rises above the city and points the way through narrow streets to the old Jewish quarter Barrio de Santa Cruz or to the Casa de Pilatos, a magnificent city palace dating from the 16th century with superb azulejos and two pretty, quiet gardens in the middle of the city. Jerez and Arcos* are the other wonderful destinations today. The medieval town of Arcos is considered the most beautiful of the white villages in the Sierra de Cadiz while Jerez is the home of noble thoroughbreds and delicious sherry. Long ago the Phoenicians are supposed to have grown vines in this region and to this day world-famous sherry cellars are based here, which of course, you are welcome to visit - with tasting, it goes without saying.

Casablanca, Morocco - Come ashore to the famous Moroccan town and take time for an excursion through Casablanca including a visit to the Hassan II Mosque*. The second-largest mosque in the world is also open to non-muslims and has room for a congregation of 20,000 people in the prayer room. Visible for miles around: the 200 metre-high minaret. A visit to Rabat*, governmental seat of the kingdom, takes you into the narrow streets of the casbah dating from the 17th century, the necropolis Chellah with Roman ruins, the unfinished minaret of the Hassan Tower and to the mausoleum of King Mohammed V.

Funchal, Madeira - The capital of Madeira shows its romantic character, from the moment you disembark on the quay, with magnificent Portuguese colonial architecture and you may fancy discovering picturesque Madeira with Funchal’s mountain landscape* . In fine weather you have a splendid view from Pico de Arieriro as far as the neighbouring island of Porto Santo. From the look-out point of Camoes Pequeno you can look across to the Machico Valley before you visit the Sissi-Garden and the Santa Catarina Park in Funchal. On the alternative tour, explore the east of the island with a cablecar trip*. By cablecar you hover over the roofs of Funchal up to Monte, with the Church of the Mother of God dating from the 18th century, the last resting place of Charles I of Habsburg. You travel to Pico de Arieriro along impressive mountain ranges and on to Santana with its traditional Casas del Colmos, the tiny, whitewashed houses with pointed, thatched roofs. If you like, you can go on this excursion with a small group in the minivan.

Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands - From the pleasant capital of Lanzarote you head off for the volcanoes of the South Island*, either by bus or with a group of friends in the minivan. In the Timanfaya National Park temperatures just under the surface of the ground reach up to 400 °C. The region of lava flows, volcanoes and craters is just 250 years old and invites you to a impressive excursion along the crater route. Things are somewhat more comfortable again when we come to the wine-growing region of La Geria.

San Sebastian, Gomera, Canary Islands - The bustling harbour town is your starting point for getting acquainted with this island full of contrasts. On the country tour on Gomera* you encounter several climatic zones within a small space. From San Sebastian we head to the fertile Hermigua valley where the town of Hermigua lies in the middle of banana plantations. In Las Rosas, the Visitors’ Centre of Garajonay National Park is on the programme where you can find out a great deal about the flora, fauna and artisan handicrafts of the island. In the park which has been declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage, there are plants which grow no longer in the wild in Europe. Your tour through the Valle Gran Rey* takes you high up to the Roques de Agando and the escarpement of Garajonay at an altitude of 1,487 m. From Las Hayas the road then leads up into the Valle Gran Rey, the legendary valley of the Great King, past the banana plantations and palm forests. Go for a walk on the beach with its black volcanic sand, before going on to Arucas, the next stop on your excursion.

Daily Itinerary

• Fri 11/16 Barcelona, Spain, departure at midnight
• Sat 11/17 Relax at sea
• Sun 11/18 Malaga, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
• Mon 11/19 Cadiz, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Tue 11/20 Casablanca, 7:00 am - midnight
• Wed 11/21 Relax at sea
• Thurs 11/22 Funchal, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Fri 11/23 Arrecife, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Sat 11/24 San Sebastian, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
• Sun 11/25 Santa Cruz, Teneriffe, Canary Islands arrival 6:00 am