Portugal - cruise | The Small Cruise Ship Collection

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                    The diversity of the Iberian Peninsula
The city of great explorers: Lisbon
Porto  Portugals secret capital

                    Highlights
                    The diversity of the Iberian Peninsula
The city of great explorers: Lisbon
Porto  Portugals secret capital

                  

Ship Sea Cloud II

Capacity: 96, Types: Luxury Small Ship CruiseYachtSingle cabins

Feture image for Around the Iberian Peninsula

The diversity of the Iberian Peninsula

Moors and Castilian kings, Inquisition and Conquista, breathtaking nature and modern architecture the Iberian Peninsula is one of the most multifaceted regions in Europe. Judaism, Christianity and Islam came together here a long time ago, and had a mutual influence on one another. This journey of discovery through the sunny landscape of Spain and Portugal guarantees both cultural and culinary diversity.

The city of great explorers: Lisbon

You can feel Lisbons rich heritage as a seafarer city wherever you go: Its monuments, promenades and viewing points all bear the names of Portuguese explorers. However there is also plenty to discover beyond the most famous sights. The Bairro Alto is one such example. With its countless bars and pubs, this vibrant district invites you to take a relaxed stroll.

Porto Portugal's secret capital

Situated on the Douro estuary, Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, and many find it to be even more charming than its larger counterpart, Lisbon. In the picturesque UNESCO-protected old town of Ribeira, with its idyllic narrow streets, Baroque churches and blue-white Azulejo tiles, you will find yourself immersed deep in the delightful lifestyle of the city, whose cultural richness shines clearly through the many museums, concert halls and bookshops. The title of European Capital of Culture 2001 was well and truly deserved.

The diversity of the Iberian Peninsula
The city of great explorers: Lisbon
Porto Portugals secret capital

There are no future departures for this trip at this stage.

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Day 1 - Barcelona/Spain

Guests arrive individually in Barcelona. Embarkation on the Sea Cloud ii. Barcelona revels in contrasts. Many enthuse over the beautiful elegant squares and boulevards, while others look for medieval romance in the Gothic quarter. Some love the artistic treasures in the Picasso Museum or the Joan Miro Foundation, but for most people Barcelona is the capital of Catalan Art Nouveau and its glory is epitomised in the spectacular Palau de la Musica. At every turn you encounter the playfully opulent creations of architect Antonio Gaudi. His exuberant fantasies are evident in the numerous houses, idiosyncratic parks and the famous uncompleted Sagrada Familia cathedral which he created.

Day 2 - Ibiza/Spain

Ibiza's motto is "live and let live". Artists, hedonists and the international jet set discovered the beauty of this Balearic island many years ago. The little island's character has a Moorish influence, which has given it the pseudonym of "the white island". The tidy old quarter in Ibiza Town, surrounded by huge fortified walls, has been carefully restored and, like the entire island, is under the protection of UNESCO. In contrast, the spectacular, sometimes wildly rugged island coastline with its innumerable bays and beaches shows the traditional side of Ibiza. The primordial backdrop is one of gentle hills cris-crossed with a scattering of fincas. Optional Island excursion and old city walking tour.

Day 3 - At sea

Day 4 - Malaga/Spain

Malaga has spruced itself up. In 2003, the Museo Picasso opened in a 16th century Renaissance palace and is dedicated to the artist's extensive life's work. This historic old city invites you to take a stroll and its buildings gleam like new. And above everything towers the Alcazaba, a mighty walled fortress. The port was completely redesigned when the city was opened to the sea and you can now take a lovely stroll along the promenade. In Malaga's hinterland you can see the most beautiful aspects of traditional Andalusia. From a distance the typical Andalusian villages look like white dabs of paint shining out from the brown of the barren mountain landscape. Optional City walking tour.

Day 5 - Cadiz/Spain

The old city of Cadiz, around 3,000 years old, has a picturesque location on a narrow headland, right by the Playa de la Caleta with its elegant beachside promenade. Visit the Andalusian capital of Seville and you will be transported back to the heyday of Moorish splendour and rule, but also the age of discovery. This town sits on the Guadalquivir River was a centre of Spanish maritime trade with the New World. Many buildings in the old town are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the splendid Moorish Alcazar fortress and the huge Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Sede. Seville is a fun-loving city that is still at the centre of Andalusian culture and is considered the proud birthplace of Flamenco. Optional Excursion - Cadiz and Jerez de la Frontera, including sherry tasting.

Day 6 - At sea

Day 7 - Lisbon/Portugal

The most beautiful approach to the Portuguese capital is to travel up the River Tagus. One of the city's most famous landmarks has been greeting visitors right on the estuary since 1521 - the Torre de Belem. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and transports you back to the glory days when Portugal was a naval power. There are many landmarks, such as the facades of the houses decorated with azulejos tilework and the ancient trams that rattle through the city. But Lisbon has many different sides. Joie de vivre comes face to face with the melancholy of Fado music, winding lanes in the old city meet wide boulevards, while magnificent churches and austere monasteries show the two sides of former religious faith. Optional City tour with the historical tram.

Day 8 - At sea

Day 9 - Porto (Leixoes)/Portugal

Porto considers itself the country's secret capital. The narrow lanes of the historic old town "Ribeira", a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extend in terraces up the slope overlooking the Douro. The former working class district has blossomed into a beautifully restored trendy neighbourhood. A student of Gustave Eiffel created the bold design for the bridge, which stretches over the river in a wide arc and links the Ribeira with Vila Nova da Geia and its 50 port wineries that lie on the other side. The best way to reach the incredible Douro Valley and the countryside of the Alto Douro wine region, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is by river. Optional Porto city walking tour.

Day 10 - Islas Cies/Spain

On the seventh day, when God had created the world, he took a rest from his work on Galicia's Cies Islands. And you can well understand why. Today the Galician National Park encompasses large parts of the sea and three uninhabited islands which form the archipelago of the Cies Islands. Walking along beautiful footpaths along impressive cliffs, through dune landscapes and small forests, you can discover the rich array of flora and fauna. Its beautiful beaches are still almost a secret - the Playa de Rodas was even selected by a British newspaper as the world's most beautiful beach.

Day 11 - La Coruna/Spain

The old city of La Coruna is set picturesquely on a peninsula and its landmark is the Tower of Hercules, over 2,000 years old, set on the headland in front of the city. Culture, history and art come face to face with traditional Galician lifestyle. Santiago de Compostela, one of the world's most famous pilgrimage sites, is the goal and climax of the Camino de Santiago, a path that has existed since the 11th century. The beautiful cathedral, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom next to Rome and Jerusalem, also dates back to this time. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the old city. A special ritual takes place here - the Botafumeiro, where a huge thurible is swung through the magnificent transept. Optional Excursion to Santiago de Compostela or city walking tour including tapas.

Day 12 - At sea

Day 13 - Bilbao/Spain

Bilbao has always been an important port and industrial city. In 1993, Bilbao was a pilgrimage destination for lovers of modern art and avant-garde architecture. The Guggenheim Museum, with its idiosyncratic and unique design by famous architect Frank O Gehry, showcases everything that is important within its 11,000 square metres 118,403 foot). Steel used to be manufactured in Bilbao and it now plays a major role here, since other renowned architects have also been inspired to give Bilbao an attractive, distinctive look. Cross the futuristic Calatrava Bridge to reach the old town, where you can take a delightful stroll round the lanes and enjoy the art of Basque cuisine. Disembarkation. Guests return home individually.

Please Note:

Itinerary subject to change! Optional excursions are not included in the rate.

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Itinerary subject to change! Optional excursions are not included in the rate.

* = Indicative

Sea Cloud II

Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing) Length: 105 metres Passenger Capacity: 96 Built: 2001 Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe acco…

Sea Cloud II

Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing)

Length: 105 metres

Passenger Capacity: 96

Built: 2001

Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. Just like her legendary sister ship Sea Cloud, the 29,600 square feet of sails is set by hand which is a truly magical sight. Built to accommodate 96 passengers in five star luxury, she offers a range of beautifully appointed suites and cabins which are furnished with great style. All accommodations have outside views and the bathrooms, in light marble, are unusually spacious and extremely comfortable. The finest, carefully chosen fabrics, combined with leather, rattan and other materials, brass and gold, precious woods and marble together create an impressive ensemble.

No expense has been spared to create a sympathetic ambience in both the accommodations and public areas and this is reflected throughout the vessel. Public areas include an elegant lounge, library, fitness centre, boutique, lido bar and hospital. The single sitting dining room is airy and modern and the quality of the cuisine and service will be to the highest of standards, as one would expect on a Sea Cloud cruise. Relax on the Lido deck and experience the natural grandeur of travelling under sail, rekindling memories of a bygone age.

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Around the Iberian Peninsula

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