Andalusian River Escape

Travel to southern Spain this morning, where you’ll be greeted by your friendly local tour manager. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to venture into Seville for some initial exploration or soak up the atmosphere beneath an orange tree.

In the early evening, head down to the Guadalquivir waterfront to board your premium CroisiEurope ship, MS La Belle de Cadix, and enjoy a welcome cocktail as you’re introduced to the crew. You can then spend the evening as you see fit before settling in for your first dinner on board.

Wake up in Seville this morning and, after breakfast on board the ship, travel by coach for an unmissable included excursion to Córdoba, a former capital of the Islamic world.

Upon arrival, you’ll join an expert local guide for a tour of the UNESCO-listed Mosque-Cathedral, which tells the tale of Córdoba’s cosmopolitan history. Once the capital of the Al Andalus caliphate, Córdoba is home to many religions, and its diverse influences come together in this spectacular building. Continue deeper into the city and take in the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, with its exquisite Andalusian gardens, and the imposing Calahorra Tower. You’ll then have lunch at a local restaurant followed by some time at leisure to explore Cordoba.

This afternoon, return to MS La Belle de Cadix for dinner and an overnight stay on the Guadalquivir.

The lively birthplace of the flamenco, elegant Seville, is yours to explore today, and you’ll join a local guide for a tour after breakfast.

Your first stop today will be Plaza de España, where your guide will point out the intricate azulejos for which the square is known. You’ll then head on to the bustling Santa Cruz district, which was once the city’s Jewish Quarter, and the magnificent Alcazar of Seville, one of Europe’s largest royal residences. After some time to explore the palace, finish the morning’s tour with a walk along orange-tree-fringed streets to the city’s Gothic cathedral.

This afternoon, return to the ship for a sailing south along the Guadalquivir and follow Spain’s south coast to colourful Cadiz. Moor in the city later this evening and enjoy an orientation tour by night before heading back to MS La Belle de Cadix for dinner.

A fascinating day’s exploration awaits, and once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll board a coach transfer to winemaking Jerez de la Frontera. Here, you’ll join an expert guide for some sightseeing around the city ahead of a visit to the Moorish Alcazar, a former palace that highlights the architecture and artwork of Andalucía’s Moorish heritage. See the complex’s mosque, the only building of its kind still standing in the city which was converted into a church in the 13th century, and its traditional hammam. Later, you’ll walk to Jerez Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, before heading back to Cadiz by coach.

This afternoon, after lunch, you’ll see some of the most impressive spots from the previous evening in the daylight on today’s second included excursion. This fascinating city is the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Western Europe and is home to Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Moorish buildings, which are still standing to this day. Head into the Casco Antiguo, the city’s historic centre, and take in its timeless wonders, from the gold-domed Cathedral and Roman amphitheatre to the Tavira Tower.

Back on board the ship this evening, you’ll embrace Andalucía’s traditional art forms with a live flamenco performance before settling in for dinner and an evening sailing to El Puerto de Santa Maria.*

*Please note: Should circumstances require, you might stay in Cadiz instead of stopping over in El Puerto de Santa Maria.

Wake up this morning in El Puerto de Santa Maria and head out on foot for a tour of the famous Osborne Bodega, one of the region’s oldest wineries, after breakfast. On your visit, you’ll be introduced to one of Andalucía’s most lucrative exports, sherry, and see where it’s produced with a guided tour of the barrel cellars. Afterwards, you’ll have the chance to sample three of the bodega’s fine local labels, before heading back to Cadiz.

This afternoon, you’ll continue your Andalusian exploration with a stop at an authentic hacienda, a type of ranch which once made up the heart of Spain’s rural communities. Here, you might see vaqueros (horse riders) in action as they drive cattle between corrals and will have the chance to watch an equestrian show in a private arena.

Back on MS La Belle de Cadix this evening, you’ll enjoy a gala dinner with live entertainment before sailing back up the Guadalquivir to Isla Minima.

This morning, keep cruising to Seville, moor in the city, and get ready for a scenic drive to Granada with breakfast on board.

Today’s included excursion will showcase Granada’s magnificent Moorish landmarks, starting with a visit to La Alhambra, one of the best-preserved Islamic monuments in the world. This towering, red-brick palace was built in the 13th century and has stood watch over Granada for almost 900 years. You’ll have the chance to see the Alcazaba Citadel, home to a collection of royal residences and servant quarters, as well as the nearby Generalife, with its idyllic gardens and city lookouts. Head down into the city at noon and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before heading out under your own steam in the popular Albaicín district.

Drive back to Seville this evening and settle in for dinner.

It’s your final day in southern Spain, and you’ll have the chance to tick a few more memorable experiences off your travel wish-list. Have breakfast onboard and join your tour manager ashore for a visit to the historic Wharf of the Caravels.

Start today’s excursion at the Cartuja Monastery, a baroque charterhouse that hosted Christopher Columbus ahead of his voyage to North America in the 15th century. This exquisite landmark is widely considered one of the best examples of Spanish baroque architecture and you’ll see its intricate fresco depicting Columbus’ journey. Next will be the Wharf of Caravels, a historic shipyard from which many of Spain’s most famous navigators set sail during the Age of Exploration. Here, you’ll see life-size replicas of the Pinta, Nina, and Santa Maria, the ships that made up Columbus’ initial exhibition to the Americas.

Later this afternoon, you’ll be free to explore Seville at your own pace ahead of a final night onboard the ship.

There’s time for one more breakfast on board MS Belle de Cadix this morning and, after, you’ll disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight.