Spain, French Riviera & the Balearic Islands

One of the best ways to arrive in Catalonia is by sea, especially via the Costa Brava. This coastline, also known as the Rugged or Wild Coast, stretches from Blanes to the French border. Its name aptly refers to the steep cliff of ancient twisted rocks, which runs its entire length and is bounded inland by the Catalan mountain ranges. The intensity of the coast’s colour, the ruggedness of the rocks and the scent of the plants all combine to add to its attraction. The history of this region is long and varied. Traces can be found of the advanced culture of the Iberians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs. With Wilfred I and the independence of Catalan countries, the Catalan dynasty was born. Later, in 1479, Catalonia became a part of unified Spain following the marriage of Isabel, Queen of Castile, and Fernando, King of Aragon. The port of Palamos, some 36 miles northeast of Barcelona, has been in existence for nearly 700 years thanks to its location on one of the deepest natural bays in the western Mediterranean. The town itself is the southernmost of a series of resorts popular with sun worshippers. For the most part, Palamos has managed to retain some of the charm of a fishing village. The port also serves as a gateway to such inland locations as Girona, the capital of the province. Art lovers may want to visit Figueras, famous for its bizarre Teatre-Museu Dali, the foremost of a series of sites associated with the eccentric surrealist artist, Salvador Dali. If you choose to stay in Palamos, you can enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the town or spend some time at a nearby beach. The town has a long seagoing tradition and busy harbour. The fish auction, prompted by the arrival of the fishing boats, is a spectacle worth seeing. The Fishing Museum illustrates the history and the life of the families who live off the sea.

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Part of Spain’s Costa Brava (which means ‘wild coast’) Palamós is an authentic working fishing village that beckons with Mediterranean charm and cultural richness. Explore the historic streets adorned with colourful buildings and quaint cafes, where the vibrant energy of local life fills the air. In nearby Figueres, the renowned Dalí Theatre-Museum brings the surreal works of Salvador Dalí to life in a mesmerising display of artistry. Immerse yourself in the masterpieces of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.Tastes of Discovery:The evening begins with the Captain’s Welcome Reception, where you’ll meet the esteemed Scenic Eclipse II crew and mingle with fellow travellers in an elegant setting. Meet acclaimed, Michelin-recognised and Top Chef Spain winner Chef Begoña Rodrigo, who will be responsible for the culinary delights you’ll savour throughout this cruise, sharing her passion for gourmet cuisine and setting the stage for an unforgettable journey. Scenic Freechoice: Visit to Girona: Enjoy a scenic drive to Girona and explore its historic Old Town on foot, including the Jewish Quarter, Arab Baths and medieval walls. Highlights also include the Bonastruch Ca Porta Museum and the Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants.Visit to the Dali Museum of Figueres: Travel to Figueres for a visit to the Dalí Theatre-Museum, an immersive space filled with the artist’s surreal masterpieces and visionary installations. Highlights include the Mae West Room, Rainy Taxi and Dalí’s crypt beneath the stage.Medieval Villages in Costa Brava: Discover the medieval villages of Pals and Peratallada with guided walks and free time to explore their charming streets and local shops.Emporda Wine Tasting: Begin with free time to explore the charming seaside town of S’Agaró before visiting Bell Lloc estate for a guided cellar tour. Finish with a tasting of the estate’s wines and premium olive oils, savouring the flavours of the region.

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The small town of Sanary-sur-Mer on the French Riviera began life as a fishing village and the marina is still crammed with hundreds of brightly coloured wooden boats. You’ll quickly be charmed by this picturesque Provençal village, with its pretty palm-lined harbour, quiet pedestrian streets and pastel-hued buildings, all clustered around a 13th century watchtower, which you can climb for sweeping views of the town. Along the harbour, you’ll see fishermen pulling in the day’s catch which is then served up at the open-air restaurants looking out over the bobbing boats.Scenic Freechoice: Bandol & Honey Tasting: Discover Bandol, a seaside resort with beautiful beaches, coves and wine estates. At a typical “Miellerie”, learn all about the production of honey.Exploration of La Ciotat: The summer resort of La Ciotat offers turquoise water beaches. Visit “Le savonnier des Calanques” for a tasting of organic olive oil.E-Bike in Sanary-sur-Mer: Enjoy a guided cycling tour along the stunning coastal road, taking in sea views and fresh Mediterranean air.Castellet & Wine Tasting: Visit Castellet and explore arts and crafts workshops before reaching Provence to sample local wines and olive oil at the Domaine de Fregate winery.

Cannes is pampered with the luxurious year-round climate that has made it one of the most popular resorts in Europe. Cannes was an important sentinel site for the monks who established themselves on Île St-Honorat in the Middle Ages. Its bay served as nothing more than a fishing port until in 1834 an English aristocrat, Lord Brougham, fell in love with the site during an emergency stopover with a sick daughter. He had a home built here and returned every winter for a sun cure—a ritual quickly picked up by his peers. Between the popularity of Le Train Blue transporting wealthy passengers from Calais, and the introduction in 1936 of France’s first paid holidays, Cannes became the destination, a tasteful and expensive breeding ground for the upper-upscale.Cannes has been further glamorized by the ongoing success of its annual film festival, as famous as Hollywood’s Academy Awards. About the closest many of us will get to feeling like a film star is a stroll here along La Croisette, the iconic promenade that gracefully curves the wave-washed sand coastline, peppered with chic restaurants and prestigious private beaches. This is precisely the sort of place for which the French invented the verb flâner (to dawdle, saunter): strewn with palm trees and poseurs, its fancy boutiques and status-symbol grand hotels—including the Carlton, the legendary backdrop to Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief —all vying for the custom of the Louis Vuitton set. This legend is, to many, the heart and soul of the Côte d’Azur. 

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Welcome to the cinematic capital of the world. While we are a few weeks early for the Cannes Film Festival, you’ll be able to feel the excitement building up as you explore the picture-perfect streets exuding subtle movie magic.Explore haute-couture boutiques, relax on striped sun loungers along the beach, or sip cocktails at chic beachside bars. There’s plenty of history and culture to be found in this coastal enclave, but it’s really a place to relax and soak up the champagne lifestyle that plays out alongside the sparkling Mediterranean every day.Tastes of Discovery:An exclusive cooking demonstration takes place today, with our special guest Chef Begoña Rodrigo. Watch as Chef Begoña Rodrigo showcases her culinary skills, followed by a Q&A session where you’ll have the chance to learn more about her cooking techniques and culinary journey. Pop-Up Restaurant* Night 1: Enjoy a truly special evening as Chef Begoña Rodrigo presents an exclusive themed menu created just for this night. Showcasing her distinctive culinary style, each course is thoughtfully designed to highlight bold Mediterranean flavours with modern flair. This intimate dining experience invites you to savour exceptional dishes, where creativity, technique, and passion come together in a memorable celebration of taste.*Each guest will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique dining experience in our exclusive pop-up restaurant once during the voyage. An invitation confirming your allocated evening will be provided onboard.Scenic Freechoice: Cannes by Foot: Take a guided tour to the church of Le Suquet. Visit Fortville, a colourful produce market, and stroll la Promenade de la Croisette.Visit to a Perfume Factory & Picnic Lunch: Visit Grasse, the Capital of Perfume. Take an exclusive tour of a perfume factory, then enjoy a picnic at a nearby country house.Delights of Cannes: Explore the Old Town of Cannes. Taste local favourites like socca and rosé while exploring Cannes’ apéritif culture, then enjoy a hands-on moment making tapenade, aioli and a refreshing soft drink.Wine Tasting at Chateau St Martin: Escape to the Chateau St Martin in Taradeau. Discover its rich history and sample wonderful local wines.

At first glance, it really doesn’t look all that impressive. There’s a pretty port with cafés charging €5 for a coffee and a picturesque old town in sugared-almond hues, but there are many prettier in the hills nearby. There are sandy beaches, rare enough on the Riviera, and old-fashioned squares with plane trees and pétanque players, but these are a dime a dozen throughout Provence. So what made St-Tropez an internationally known locale? Two words: Brigitte Bardot. When this pulpeuse (voluptuous) teenager showed up in St-Tropez on the arm of Roger Vadim in 1956 to film And God Created Woman, the heads of the world snapped around. Neither the gentle descriptions of writer Guy de Maupassant (1850–93), nor the watercolor tones of Impressionist Paul Signac (1863–1935), nor the stream of painters who followed (including Matisse and Bonnard) could focus the world’s attention on this seaside hamlet as did this one sensual woman in a scarf, Ray-Bans, and capris. Vanity Fair ran a big article, “Saint Tropez Babylon,” detailing the over-the-top petrodollar parties, megayachts, and Beyoncé–d paparazzi. But don’t be turned off: the next year, Stewart, Tabori & Chang released an elegant coffee-table book, Houses of St-Tropez, packed with photos of supremely tasteful and pretty residences, many occupied by fashion designers, artists, and writers. Once a hangout for Colette, Anaïs Nin, and Françoise Sagan, the town still earns its old moniker, the “Montparnasse of the Mediterranean.” Yet you might be surprised to find that this byword for billionaires is so small and insulated. The lack of train service, casinos, and chain hotels keeps it that way. Yet fame, in a sense, came too fast for St-Trop. Unlike the chic resorts farther east, it didn’t have the decades-old reputation of the sort that would attract visitors all year around. For a good reason: its location on the south side of the gulf puts it at the mercy of the terrible mistral winter winds. So, in summer the crowds descend and the prices rise into the stratosphere. In July and August, you must be carefree about the sordid matter of cash. After all, at the most Dionysian nightclub in town, a glass of tap water goes for $37 and when the mojo really gets going, billionaires think nothing of “champagne-spraying” the partying crowds—think World Series celebrations but with $1,000 bottles of Roederer Cristal instead of Gatorade. Complaining about summer crowds, overpricing, and lack of customer service has become a tourist sport and yet this is what makes St-Tropez—described by the French daily newspaper Le Figaro as the place you can see “the greatest number of faces per square meter”—as intriguing as it is seductive.

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Scenic Eclipse II will have sailed into Saint-Tropez late at night, so you can wake to the sun rising over its famous harbour. Once a sleepy fishing village, French film star Brigitte Bardot put Saint-Tropez on the map in the 1950s, transforming it into a luxury hotspot for international travellers from all over the world. Today, it still retains all the glitz and glamour, alongside impossibly blue seas, stunning beaches and a bohemian art scene. Join the beautiful people at open-air bars along the waterfront, listen to the sounds of live music and keep an eye out for visiting celebrities.Tastes of Discovery:Pop-Up Restaurant* Night 2: Enjoy a truly special evening as Chef Begoña Rodrigo presents an exclusive themed menu created just for this night. Showcasing her distinctive culinary style, each course is thoughtfully designed to highlight bold Mediterranean flavours with modern flair. This intimate dining experience invites you to savour exceptional dishes, where creativity, technique, and passion come together in a memorable celebration of taste.*Each guest will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique dining experience in our exclusive pop-up restaurant once during the voyage. An invitation confirming your allocated evening will be provided onboard. Scenic Freechoice: Walking Tour of Saint-Tropez: Take a guided tour of the charming village of Saint Tropez and its iconic landmarks.Visit to the Cistercian Abbey of Thoronet & Lunch at Chateau Berne: Cruise from St Tropez to St Maxime, then journey through beautiful oak forests to the serene Thoronet Abbey. After exploring, indulge in a delicious three-course lunch at Château de Berne before heading back to St Tropez.Visit to Domaine Rayol Gardens: Enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful natural protected site and enjoy a “pause gourmande”, a sweet break with refreshments.Gassin & Wine Tasting: Stroll through the narrow streets of the picturesque Provence village of Gassin and enjoy a tasting at a local winery.St Tropez Coastal Hike: Set out on a scenic four-mile coastal hike along a historic trail, guided past Cap Camarat’s lighthouse and luxurious villas. Enjoy refreshments and stunning views, then explore St. Tropez or return to the ship.

Since being designated a European Capital of Culture for 2013, with an estimated €660 million of funding in the bargain, Marseille has been in the throes of an extraordinary transformation, with no fewer than five major new arts centers, a beautifully refurbished port, revitalized neighborhoods, and a slew of new shops and restaurants. Once the underdog, this time-burnished city is now welcoming an influx of weekend tourists who have colonized entire neighborhoods and transformed them into elegant pieds-à-terre (or should we say, mer). The second-largest city in France, Marseille is one of Europe’s most vibrant destinations. Feisty and fond of broad gestures, it is also as complicated and as cosmopolitan now as it was when a band of Phoenician Greeks first sailed into the harbor that is today’s Vieux Port in 600 BC. Legend has it that on that same day a local chieftain’s daughter, Gyptis, needed to choose a husband, and her wandering eyes settled on the Greeks’ handsome commander Protis. Her dowry brought land near the mouth of the Rhône, where the Greeks founded Massalia, the most important Continental shipping port in antiquity. The port flourished for some 500 years as a typical Greek city, enjoying the full flush of classical culture, its gods, its democratic political system, its sports and theater, and its naval prowess. Caesar changed all that, besieging the city in 49 BC and seizing most of its colonies. In 1214 Marseille was seized again, this time by Charles d’Anjou, and was later annexed to France by Henri IV in 1481, but it was not until Louis XIV took the throne that the biggest transformations of the port began; he pulled down the city walls in 1666 and expanded the port to the Rive Neuve (New Riverbank). The city was devastated by plague in 1720, losing more than half its population. By the time of the Revolution, Marseille was on the rebound once again, with industries of soap manufacturing and oil processing flourishing, encouraging a wave of immigration from Provence and Italy. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Marseille became the greatest boomtown in 19th-century Europe. With a large influx of immigrants from areas as exotic as Tangiers, the city quickly acquired the multicultural population it maintains to this day.

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The oldest city in France, Marseille dates to 600BC. Today, it’s a fast-paced, modern city brimming with multicultural flavours, and flanked by breathtaking natural scenery and golden beaches. This is a place where grit and grandeur meet, offering a fascinating insight into contemporary French culture. Explore its ancient streets and diverse neighbourhoods, marvel at iconic landmarks such as the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde and treat yourself to the freshest seafood and traditional delicacies. Marseille is also the gateway to the region of Provence, famous for its wine and cuisine. Tastes of Discovery:Pop-Up Restaurant* Night 3: Enjoy a truly special evening as Chef Begoña Rodrigo presents an exclusive themed menu created just for this night. Showcasing her distinctive culinary style, each course is thoughtfully designed to highlight bold Mediterranean flavours with modern flair. This intimate dining experience invites you to savour exceptional dishes, where creativity, technique, and passion come together in a memorable celebration of taste.*Each guest will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique dining experience in our exclusive pop-up restaurant once during the voyage. An invitation confirming your allocated evening will be provided onboard. Scenic Freechoice: Aix En Provence: Discover elegant Aix-en-Provence on a guided walk through its historic old town and iconic Cours Mirabeau, with free time to explore before returning to Marseille.Gastronomic Walk Through Marseille: Discover Marseille’s rich heritage on foot, from the historic Panier District to the modern MuCEM museum. Enjoy tastings of local chocolate, olive oil and traditional Provençal treats along the way.Marseille Highlights: Discover Marseille’s charm with stunning views from Notre-Dame de la Garde, a stroll by the modern MuCEM and historic Fort Saint-Jean, then unwind with free time to explore the lively Old Port or the colourful streets of Le Panier.Castellet & Wine Tasting: Enjoy a scenic drive from Marseille to Bandol for a premium wine and olive oil tasting, then explore the charming medieval village of Le Castellet with stunning views.

The capital of Menorca since 1721, Mahon has a impressive natural deep water harbour, which is one of the largest in the world. This, coupled with its strategic location, has made it a stronghold for many nations throughout history. Mahon has an abundance of historical buildings, the oldest being the Arch of Saint Roc which is all that remains of the wall that once encircled the whole town. The island was occupied by the British during the 18th century and Lord Nelson is thought to have stayed there. Indeed, San Antoni Mansion, located on the north side of the harbour, houses a collection of Nelson memorabilia. The legacy of colonial rule can be seen in the muted Georgian style of some of the buildings, but Mahon still boasts attractive examples of neo-Classical, Baroque and Romanesque architecture. With narrow streets to explore, pleasant shaded squares and welcoming pavement cafés, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Please be aware that most shops in town close for a siesta between 1330 and 1730.

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Known for its British-style Georgian houses and medieval streets filled with palaces, churches and fortresses, Mahon is truly Vella i Bella (‘Old and Beautiful’). As the capital of the laid-back island of Menorca, life here is dictated by the slow and gentle waves that lap on the shorelines. Breathe in history during a walk through the old town and gain insight into the great past of the town, a charismatic centre with a charm all its own.Tonight, settle in at the spacious Scenic Lounge Bar to enjoy your beverage of choice, whether it be aged whiskey—there are over 130 varieties—or a glass of wine, while reflecting on the day's discoveries.Tastes of DiscoveryWith a later arrival in Mahon, join us this morning for the second cooking demonstration and an engaging food lecture with our celebrity Chef Begoña Rodrigo. In this special event, Chef Begoña Rodrigo will share the fascinating story behind one of her signature dishes, offering insights into her inspiration and culinary approach.Pop-Up Restaurant* Night 4: Enjoy a truly special evening as Chef Begoña Rodrigo presents an exclusive themed menu created just for this night. Showcasing her distinctive culinary style, each course is thoughtfully designed to highlight bold Mediterranean flavours with modern flair. This intimate dining experience invites you to savour exceptional dishes, where creativity, technique, and passion come together in a memorable celebration of taste.*Each guest will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique dining experience in our exclusive pop-up restaurant once during the voyage. An invitation confirming your allocated evening will be provided onboardScenic Freechoice: Villages of Menorca & Caves: Discover Menorca’s natural and cultural highlights with panoramic views from Monte Toro, a drink at the legendary cliffside Xoroi Cave and a relaxing stroll through the picturesque, whitewashed village of Binibeca.Cultures of Menorca: This tour blends scenic views, local flavour and historic charm. Stroll through the peaceful fishing village of Fornells, taste Mahón cheese at a traditional farm and explore Mahón’s colonial streets and landmarks.Kayaking in Menorca: Explore Menorca’s northern coast by sea kayak, gliding through hidden coves and pristine beaches. Enjoy a refreshing snorkelling stop in a protected marine area, surrounded only by nature’s peaceful sounds.

If you look north of the cathedral (La Seu, or the seat of the bishopric, to Mallorcans) on a map of the city of Palma, you can see around the Plaça Santa Eulàlia a jumble of tiny streets that made up the earliest settlement. Farther out, a ring of wide boulevards traces the fortifications built by the Moors to defend the larger city that emerged by the 12th century. The zigzags mark the bastions that jutted out at regular intervals. By the end of the 19th century, most of the walls had been demolished; the only place where you can still see the massive defenses is at Ses Voltes, along the seafront west of the cathedral.A torrent (streambed) used to run through the middle of the old city, dry for most of the year but often a raging flood in the rainy season. In the 17th century it was diverted to the east, along the moat that ran outside the city walls. Two of Palma’s main arteries, La Rambla and the Passeig d’es Born, now follow the stream’s natural course. The traditional evening paseo (promenade) takes place on the Born.If you come to Palma by car, park in the garage beneath the Parc de la Mar (the ramp is just off the highway from the airport, as you reach the cathedral) and stroll along the park. Beside it run the huge bastions guarding the Almudaina Palace; the cathedral, golden and massive, rises beyond. Where you exit the garage, there’s a ceramic mural by the late Catalan artist and Mallorca resident Joan Miró, facing the cathedral across the pool that runs the length of the park.If you begin early enough, a walk along the ramparts at Ses Voltes from the mirador beside the cathedral is spectacular. The first rays of the sun turn the upper pinnacles of La Seu bright gold and then begin to work their way down the sandstone walls. From the Parc de la Mar, follow Avinguda Antoni Maura past the steps to the palace. Just below the Plaça de la Reina, where the Passeig d’es Born begins, turn left on Carrer de la Boteria into the Plaça de la Llotja (if the Llotja itself is open, don’t miss a chance to visit—it’s the Mediterranean’s finest Gothic-style civic building). From there stroll through the Plaça Drassana to the Museu d’Es Baluard, at the end of Carrer Sant Pere. Retrace your steps to Avinguda Antoni Maura. Walk up the Passeig d’es Born to Plaça Joan Carles I, then right on Avenida de La Unió.

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Palma, a popular resort city and capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca, is a place where history comes alive. Its rich cultural heritage has been inherited from the Romans, Moors and Catholics who lived here successively since 123BC. Wander the narrow, cobbled streets of Palma’s Casco Antiguo (Old Town) and admire its elegant archways, grand historic palacios, medieval churches and charming squares. Highlights include Santa Maria Cathedral, a Gothic landmark, to La Almudaina, the Moorish-style Arab fortress converted into a royal residence, and Bellver Castle, a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape.Make the most of a late departure tonight with drinks on the Sky Deck overlooking the city.Scenic Freechoice: Guided Hike in Sóller: Explore Mallorca’s tranquil Sóller Valley on a guided hike through olive groves, citrus orchards and terraced stone landscapes. Then relax at a 13th-century ‘finca’ (country estate) with freshly squeezed orange juice and traditional Mallorcan delicacies in a peaceful garden.Valldemossa and Son Marroig: Discover Valldemossa’s historic monastery and enjoy a mini piano concert before exploring its charming streets. End with stunning coastal views from the Archduke’s estate at Son Marroig.Walking Tour of Palma: Explore Palma’s historic Jewish quarter and its narrow medieval streets, ending at the stunning Gothic Cathedral and its Treasure Museum. On the way, stop in the city center for a coffee and a traditional Ensaimada.Oceanview Yoga Class in Mallorca: Begin your day with a private yoga session, led by an expert local instructor, at the exclusive Lobster Club, overlooking the turquoise Mediterranean. Afterward, refresh with a drink and enjoy an hour of relaxing leisure time by the sea.Scenic EnrichCulture & Music of Mallorca at Bellver Castle: Enjoy an elegant evening at Bellver Castle, the iconic 14th-century hilltop fortress overlooking Palma de Mallorca and its beautiful bay. After a scenic transfer, explore the castle before a refined cocktail reception in the courtyard with live piano music and a short choral performance. The evening concludes with a lively demonstration of Ball de Bot. 

Hedonistic and historic, Eivissa (Ibiza, in Castilian) is a city jam-packed with cafés, nightspots, and trendy shops; looming over it are the massive stone walls of Dalt Vila —the medieval city declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999—and its Gothic cathedral. Squeezed between the north walls of the old city and the harbor is Sa Penya, a long labyrinth of stone-paved streets that offer some of the city’s best offbeat shopping, snacking, and exploring. The tourist information office on Vara de Rey has a useful map of walks through the old city.

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Ibiza is known as one of the world’s great party capitals, but you’ll soon see there is more to this island than meets the eye. Home to beautiful nature and superb beaches, you will also discover archaeological sites and small villages almost untouched by modern life. Inland, the island is all limestone hills and lush pine forest, home to artisan producers who are creating one-of-a-kind local delights.The island is famous for its dazzling sunsets, so make the most of a late departure and watch the sky turn a blaze of orange and red from a stylish waterfront bar.Tastes of DiscoveryPop-Up Restaurant* Night 5: Enjoy a truly special evening as Chef Begoña Rodrigo presents an exclusive themed menu created just for this night. Showcasing her distinctive culinary style, each course is thoughtfully designed to highlight bold Mediterranean flavours with modern flair. This intimate dining experience invites you to savour exceptional dishes, where creativity, technique, and passion come together in a memorable celebration of taste.*Each guest will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique dining experience in our exclusive pop-up restaurant once during the voyage. An invitation confirming your allocated evening will be provided onboard. Scenic Freechoice: Organic Farm, Hierbas Workshop & Santa Eulalia: Visit a family-run farm in Ibiza's countryside for a hands-on hierbas liqueur workshop, where you can craft your own liqueur, tour the farm, and enjoy local delicacies.Ibiza Dalt Vila Walking Tour: Experience the medieval charms of Old Town Ibiza, also known as Dalt Vila, on a narrated walking tour.Ibiza Bike Tour: Cycle the southeastern coastline of Ibiza and the beaches of Ses Salines and Es Cavallet, and visit Dalt Vila Old Town.Discover Bibo Park & Aloe Vera Secrets: Take a panoramic drive to Bibo Park for a guided tour of over 20,000 native plants. Then visit an organic Aloe Vera Plantation for an organic cultivation tour, aloe sampling, soap workshop and refreshing Aloe Vera mojito.

Valencia, Spain’s third-largest municipality, is a proud city with a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene, quality museums, and spectacular contemporary architecture, juxtaposed with a thoroughly charming historic quarter, making it a popular destination year in year out. During the Civil War, it was the last seat of the Republican Loyalist government (1935–36), holding out against Franco’s National forces until the country fell to 40 years of dictatorship. Today it represents the essence of contemporary Spain—daring design and architecture along with experimental cuisine—but remains deeply conservative and proud of its traditions. Though it faces the Mediterranean, Valencia’s history and geography have been defined most significantly by the River Turia and the fertile huerta that surrounds it.The city has been fiercely contested ever since it was founded by the Greeks. El Cid captured Valencia from the Moors in 1094 and won his strangest victory here in 1099: he died in the battle, but his corpse was strapped into his saddle and so frightened the besieging Moors that it caused their complete defeat. In 1102 his widow, Jimena, was forced to return the city to Moorish rule; Jaume I finally drove them out in 1238. Modern Valencia was best known for its frequent disastrous floods until the River Turia was diverted to the south in the late 1950s. Since then the city has been on a steady course of urban beautification. The lovely bridges that once spanned the Turia look equally graceful spanning a wandering municipal park, and the spectacularly futuristic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), most of it designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, has at last created an exciting architectural link between this river town and the Mediterranean. If you’re in Valencia, an excursion to Albufera Nature Park is a worthwhile day trip.

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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. Join the locals riding bikes, playing sport, listening to live music or just relaxing in the sun in the magnificent Turia Garden. 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.Scenic Freechoice: Panoramic Drive & Walking Tour of Valencia: Enjoy a guided drive and walking tour of Valencia’s Gothic architecture, its wonderful cathedral and the futuristic City of Arts and Science complex.Tastes of Valencia: Join a Valencian cooking class with local wine tastings, a traditional wood-fired paella demonstration and a delicious meal featuring local starters, three types of paella and dessert.City of Arts & Sciences: Experience a panoramic drive to Valencia’s old city centre, the City of Arts and Sciences complex and the Prince Felipe Museum of Sciences.The Orange Route & Agua de Valencia Workshop: Visit a charming estate surrounded by orange groves and walk the Orange Route to learn about citrus heritage. Then, enjoy an Agua de Valencia workshop and create this iconic cocktail.

The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí’s majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain’s second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona’s vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.

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Your journey finishes this morning in the vibrant city of Barcelona, capital of the region of Catalonia. This spectacular city is known for its stunning beaches, culinary delights, thriving art scene and lively nightlife.   Disembark after breakfast as you farewell your fellow guests and crew, taking with you memories of a truly unforgettable journey.   Please book your flight to depart out of Barcelona after 12:00 PM.+All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. #Spa treatments at additional cost.   Please note the itinerary is a guide and may be subject to changes for operational reasons. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.