Spain and Portugal

Spain & Portugal: 7-night cruise from Malaga to Lisbon (alternates Lisbon to Malaga)

Don’t miss…

The waterfront at Malaga
The fabulous Alhambra Palace at Granada
The legendary bull ring at Rhonda
The apes on the Rock of Gibraltar
The Alcazar in old Seville
A glass of Manzanilla in Jerez
The Moorish castle in Silves

In a land both Moorish and moreish, this trip joins together some of the world’s totally ‘must see’ places. To see all this in one visit you’d normally be faced by a road-trip, living out of a suitcase in a succession of random hotels. Taking the cruising route is a much more cultured, civilized and relaxed way to see all the great culture and civilization on offer!

Basically we’ll take the effort out of seeing some of Europe’s most wonderful places. The two ‘megastars’ of this show are the Alhambra in Granada and the Alcazar in Seville – both legends of fabulous architecture. Having said that the stunning bull ring in Ronda, and the world’s sherry capital, Jerez de la Frontera, must run them close – to enjoy a glass of chilled sherry in a pavement café Jerez makes one feel surprisingly good with the world. En route we throw in fascinating Gibraltar, and the best Moorish ruins Portugal has to offer.

Optional: Cruise & Stay

The Costa del Sol is still a fabulous place to hang-out for a bit so why not stay for a night or two and soak up the Andalucian ambience at the five-star Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio near Malaga? Alternatively, at the other end of the journey, you might like to spend two days on the golden beach of the Algarve at the four-star Hotel Jupiter on the sandy seafront of Portimao. You could even do both!

Your vessel: M/Y Harmony G

marina de portimao on algarve in southern portugal

Ports of call: Malaga – Motril for Granada – Porto Banus for Ronda – Gibraltar – Cadiz for Seville and Jerez de la Frontera – Portimao, Portugal - Lisbon

The Yacht Cruise Experience

The Weather

The minimum average weather all year round is 22 degrees Celsius, and the maximum usually reaches about 32 degrees Celsius.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Saturday departures from Malaga or Portimao (transfers from Lisbon included) June to October

Day 1

Malaga

Embarkation 3 pm – Dinner on board. Overnight in port but make sure you stroll along the waterfront for a pre-dinner cocktail or post prandial digestif.

Day 2

Motril for Granada

Early morning sailing to Motril for our optional full day excursion to Granada, the last Muslim bastion in Europe before it fell to the Christians in 1492, and one of the world’s most lovely cities. The Alhambra is an architectural jewel – a series of spectacular palaces and gardens built in the 14th century by the Nazari Muslim dynasty, it should be on every bucket list. Moving on we visit the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel where Isabel and Ferdinand lie buried. We also visit the Monastery of La Cartuja and many churches built by the Moors in the unique “mudéjar” style. Afternoon return to Motril for our overnight cruise to Porto Banus

Day 3

Puerto Banus for Rhonda

Morning arrival in Puerto Banus for our optional full day excursion to Rhonda, which is 50kms inland from the coast through beautiful countryside and has an enduring place in Spanish culture as the home of the ‘Corrida’, or bullfighting. Actually, the old Plaza del Toros is now a museum portraying many famous ‘Suits of Lights’, and visitors can walk out into the arena. The nearby bridge, the Puente Novo may be named ‘new bridge’ but actually it was built in the 18th century – the views are to die for and make sure you get a drink in one of the cafes overlooking the gorge. The visit also includes a stroll from the leafy Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, which boasts a convent, two churches and the ‘toy town’ bell tower of the Iglesia Santa Maria de Mayor. If that’s not enough we also call in at Marbella, one of the most cosmopolitan European ports. Overnight in port

Day 4

Gibraltar

We set sail before anybody is awake and arrive in Gibraltar after breakfast. Our half-day optional excursion starts at the Cable Car Base Station and takes us to the summit of ‘the Rock’. Here, at the Top Station, your guide will point out the geography of this British colony before we descend to the Middle Station and the sanctuary of Gibraltar’s older inhabitants, the Barbary Apes, who roam free around this station. We then drive to Princess Caroline’s Battery and the entrance to the Great Siege Tunnels, a solid limestone carved system of tunnels. Finally it’s the Gibraltar Museum with its huge display of artefacts. Overnight at sea to Cadiz

Day 5

Cadiz for Seville

Sticking out into the Atlantic, Cadiz is the port where Sir Francis Drake famously ‘singed the King of Spain’s Beard’ in 1587, so expect some history! Today we sail up the historic Guadalquivir river to Seville, by many accounts one of the most beautiful cities in Europe – and we’re not about to disagree. The streets smell of oranges, the air is filled with the sound of flamenco guitars (flamenco is more properly called ‘Sevilliana’ in these parts). All in all it’s a day that blends Moorish and Spanish art and culture with the chance to see the Cathedral, the Alcazar Palace and its lush Andalusian gardens, the Maria Luisa Park and the quaint district of Santa Cruz. Later, in the evening we return to Cadiz for dinner and overnight in port

Day 6

Seville for Jerez de la Frontera

The morning offers an optional half-day tour to Jerez, famous for its wines and horse breeding. We also visit a ‘ganadería’, where bulls are bred for bull fighting. After lunch back on board, there is an optional guided tour of the history and culture of Cadiz followed by a trip to Sanlucar de Barrameda and a wine cellar renowned for its ‘Manzanilla’ – bone dry sherry with a salty flavour served chilled. Overnight at sea to Portimao.

Day 7

Portimao, Portugal

Today’s optional half-day excursion into Portugal takes us to the old city of Silves which was largely destroyed in the 17th century earthquake. The sights include a centuries-old Moorish castle complex with underground water reservoir, a 13th century Cathedral on the site of a Mosque, the fine 15th century bridge over the Rio Arade, and the exhibits of the Museu Arqueológico. From Silves we travel into the Serra de Monchique to the picturesque city of Monchique which retains a 16th century charm in the cobbled streets with small doorways that house a multitude of artisan shops, all overlooked by a 17th Century Franciscan monastery and a 16th Century Parish Church decorated with ‘ajulejos’ – tin glazed blue ceramic tiles. We return to Portimao for a late lunch and free time with swimming option.Overnight in Port.

Day 8

Cruises from Lisbon, Portugal to Malaga, Spain

Portimao – Lisbon

Disembarkation at 9 am. Escorted bus transfer for those departing from Lisbon.

The Harmony “G” is a modern vessel with a sleek high-tech look very similar to the private yachts to be found in the famous ports of the world. The 53 meter long / 7.2 meter wide Mega Yacht Harmony G was launched in January 2001 and renovated in 2009-10 and in 2013. It complies with the most stringent SOLAS safety regulations ,while its powerful engines and state of the art stabilizers allow for safe and comfortable cruising.

Life on board centers around the Indoor / Outdoor lounge and its American bar, on Upper Deck. The classy dining room located on Main Deck is surrounded by large windows. The spacious Sun deck is the ideal place to bask under the sun, read a good book or just gaze at the scenery. The swimming platform on Harmony G stern enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit.

M/Y	Harmony G
Launched Rebuilt	2001
Renovated	2013
Length	54.00 meters
Breadth	7.10 meters
Draft	3.65 meters
Crew	16 - 18 persons
Cruising speed	10.00 knots
Cabins	21

Cabins

Category C:

Lower Deck

1 Double Bed or 2 Lower Beds

The Category C cabins are located on the lower deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).

Category B:

Main Deck

2 Lower Beds

The Category B cabins are located on the main deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).

Category A:

Main Deck

2 Lower Beds

The Category A cabins are located on the main deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).

Category P:

Upper Deck

1 Double Bed or 2 Lower Beds

The Category P suites are located on the upper deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).

2018

Glories of Spain and Portugal

2018 PRICES (£) PER PERSON
SATURDAY DEPARTURES FROM MALAGA OR PORTIMAO

Departure Dates	Category C	Category B	Category A	Category P	Departure from
08/09/2018	£1,864	£2,227	£2,364	£2,864	Malaga
15/09/2018	£1,864	£2,227	£2,364	£2,864	Portimao
22/09/2018	£1,864	£2,227	£2,364	£2,864	Malaga
06/10/2018	£1,864	£2,227	£2,364	£2,864	Malaga
13/10/2018	£1,864	£2,227	£2,364	£2,864	Portimao
20/10/2018	£1,864	£2,227	£2,364	£2,864	Malaga