Delve into the Moorish history of Cordoba and Granada by visiting their most iconic architectural treasures. In Cordoba’s atmospheric Old Town, a distinguished UNESCO World Heritage site, you will explore the Great Mosque, which dates to the 8th century when Muslims ruled much of Iberia. The Moorish-influenced Alhambra – another UNESCO World Heritage site – and the adjacent Generalife gardens are among the star attractions in Granada. Time in Malaga allows for a passionate flamenco performance and an enlightening visit to the house where Picasso was born.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at Malaga International Airport, meet our local English-speaking driver outside the luggage pick-up area and transfer to the Gran Hotel Miramar in the center of Malaga to spend a relaxing evening.
At the hotel, receive a welcome letter with the timings of the visits and hospitality desk hours.
Meals are on your own.
Overnight at Gran Hotel Miramar or similar
DAY 2
After breakfast, meet your travel companions and tour guide and leave Malaga behind for a leisurely drive to Cordoba. Its historic old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site with abundant little streets to be explored, courtyards full of flowers, inviting squares and lively taverns. Become familiar with the city prior to arriving at a centrally located hotel in a historical palace to enjoy a traditional meal paired with local wines.
In the afternoon, visit the Great Mosque of Cordoba, a mixture of architectural styles superimposed on one another over nine centuries of construction and renovations. It is one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim architecture in Spain.
Leave Cordoba for Granada, where you will spend the evening at the Alhambra Palace Hotel near the legendary Alhambra.
Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Overnight at Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 3
Following breakfast, treasure an in-depth exploration of Granada’s astonishing Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Join a knowledgeable local guide and wander through seemingly endless rooms and courtyards, where you will be dazzled by richly colored mosaics, intricate ceilings and romantic archways.
In the adjacent Generalife gardens, part of a sprawling former summer residence, observe the Moorish Patio de La Acequia, the Patio del Ciprés – which mixes Moorish and Renaissance features – the Italian-style terraced gardens and the famed Water Stairway, all of which are showcased amid a dazzling array of cypress hedges and fountains.
Then savor a delicious repast in a nearby restaurant prior to exploring the city of Granada, in particular the Albaicin Quarter, a historical neighborhood with an eclectic cultural mix of people. From numerous viewpoints there, you can take extraordinary pictures of the Alhambra.
Return to the hotel for some rest prior to meeting again with your guide for a flamenco performance with dinner in a characteristic venue. Flamenco is a form of popular artistic expression representing a long-standing tradition that appears on the UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This art form combines vocal music, dance and musical accompaniment rooted fundamentally in Andalusia.
After the show, return to the Alhambra Palace Hotel for the evening.
Overnight at Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 4
Following breakfast and check-out from the hotel, settle in for a relaxing 2-hour drive to Malaga. This Andalusian city on the shores of the Mediterranean is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and has reinvented itself recently by inaugurating a variety of museums.
At the top of Gibralfaro hill, visit the imposing Phoenician castle that the Moors later reconstructed. The views of the city from there are extraordinary.
Follow your guide on a walking tour through the pedestrian-friendly Malaga city center and stop for a brief visit at Picasso’s birthplace.
A leisurely lunch in a bodega will precede your transfer to the port for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive at the Barcelona International Airport and transfer to your hotel for 3:00 pm check in. Although rooms may be available before then, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you have an early arrival you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.
Meals will be on your own and the evening will be at your leisure.
Overnight at Gran Hotel Miramar or similar
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
09:30am Meet the group, briefing and depart from hotel to Cordoba
11:30am Shorth Stroll around and familiarization with the city
12:30pm Lunch with wine pairing at the Hospes
2:00pm Walking tour and visits including Cathedral and mosque
4:00pm Depart for Granada
6:30pm Check in at the hotel and dinner at the hotel
Overnight at Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
09:00am Meet the local guide and visit Alhambra Palaces and Gardens
12:30pm Lunch at local restaurant
2:00pm Orientation tour of City Centre and afternoon at leisure
7:00pm Meet for flamenco show and dinner
Overnight at Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
09:00am Check out the hotel, drive to Malaga
11:00am Visit Gibralfaro Castle in Malaga
12:30pm Walking tour of City centre including Picasso Birth Place
1:30pm Tapas-style lunch at local restaurant
3:00pm Approximate arrival at the pier and embark the ship
Expected Weather:
Min 59°F max 77°F Farenheit
Min 15°C max 25°C Celsius
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothes and shoes for walking visits, sunscreen, medicine, and foldable umbrella just in case.
Currency:
Euro is accepted and Credit Card. USD not normally accepted.
Electricity:
220 Volt. Adaptor is needed, normally can be purchased at the hotel or in many souvenir shops or shops in the hotel area.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required.
Hotel addresses:
Alhambra Palace Hotel
Pl. Arquitecto García de Paredes, 1, 18009 Granada, Spain
Phone: +34 958 22 14 68
Gran Hotel Miramar
P.º Reding, 22, 24, 29016 Málaga, Spain
Phone: +34 952 60 30 00
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of changes before departure, then the hotel(s) listed in this program will be used
Program Includes:
•2 nights at the Alhambra Palace Hotel – Classic Room (or similar hotel) with breakfast daily
•1 night at the Gran Hotel Miramar – Premier Room (or similar hotel) with breakfast daily
•English-speaking official guides on Days 1-3
•Lunch on Days 2-4
•Dinner on Day 2 and Day 3
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
• Gratuities to drivers and guides
• Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
• Meals and beverages not listed above
• Any touring not listed above
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
