Spain and Portugal

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

7 Nights, 8 days cruise.

Why go: in a land both Moorish and moreish this trip joins together some of the worlds totally ‘must see’ places. Normally to see all this you’d 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 luxurious way to see all the great culture and civilization on offer!

In brief: essentially, we’re taking the effort out of seeing some of Europe’s most wonderful places – the Alhambra in Granada, the Alcazar in Seville, the bull ring in Ronda, and the fabulous sherry capital of the world Jerez de la Frontera. En route we throw in fascinating Gibraltar, and the best Moorish ruins Portugal has to offer. On top of that at either end of the journey you have Malaga and Lisbon – two places that are themselves well worth a long-weekend in the own right

Your vessel: the elegant motor sailer Panorama II

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

Day 1

Malaga

Embarkation 4 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 n 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 anmed ‘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 head inland for 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

marina de portimao on algarve in southern portugal

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 early in the afternoon we sail overnight to Lisbon.

Day 8

Cruises from Lisbon, Portugal to Malaga, Spain

Portimao – Lisbon

Early morning sail to Lisbon. Disembark 7 am – 10 am.

M/Y Panorama II

Discover a two-masted state of the art Motor sailer accommodating up to 49 passengers in 25 cabins. Panorama II was launched in 2004 and fully renovated in 2012,offering the highest standard of accommodation and comfort safety. In 2015, the main lounge and bar area have been completely refitted followed by a redecoration.

The swimming platform enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit. All cabins are handsomely designed, finished with lustrous wood trims and warm fabrics. The fully equipped bathrooms are finished with marble. All cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone (for internal use), hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, public address system and safe boxes.

M/Y	Panorama II
Launched / Rebuilt	2004
Renovated	2015
Length	50.00 meters
Breadth	11.00 meters
Draft	4.50 meters
Crew	16 - 18 persons
Cruising speed	10.00 knots
Cabins	25

Cabins

Category C:

Lower Deck (Double Bed)

Category C cabins are located on the lower deck offering portholes and bathroom with showers. The cabins are equipped with individual controlled A/C, piped music, TV (Satellite channels), telephone for internal use, mini safe box, mini fridge and hairdryer adapters (voltage: 220 V).

Category B:

Lower Deck (Twin Beds or Triple Beds)

Category B cabins are located on the lower deck offering portholes and bathroom with showers. The cabins are equipped with individual controlled A/C, piped music, TV (Satellite channels), telephone for internal use, mini safe box, mini fridge and hairdryer adapters (voltage: 220 V).

Category A:

Main Deck (Twin Beds or Double Bed)

Category A cabins are located on the main or upper deck offering windows and bathroom with showers. The cabins are equipped with individual controlled A/C, piped music, TV (Satellite channels), telephone for internal use, mini safe box, mini fridge and hairdryer adapters (voltage: 220 V).

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"

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