Barcelona

Follow a circuitous route through central Spain to explore cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites not readily reachable from the coast, including Madrid, Toledo and Cordoba’s Great Mosque.

DAY 1 - May 2, 2024

After disembarking the ship in Barcelona, you will meet the tour guide that will accompany you throughout this overland program. A short transfer will bring you to the Sants train station, where you will board the AVE high-speed train for a picturesque, 3.5-hour journey to Madrid. A box lunch will be provided, and cafeteria service is available on the train.

Upon arriving in the capital, you will settle in for a panoramic drive down streets such as Gran Via, which is lined with early 20th-century architecture. Other sights may include the Parliament House and Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s historical and geographical heart.

The walking portion of the tour will begin with a stroll through Plaza de España, where you will view the Don Quixote monument. Check-in at the Meliá Madrid Princesa hotel and time to relax follows, after which you will travel to a nearby venue for a tapas dinner and passionate flamenco performance.

The remainder of the evening will be spent at your leisure at the hotel.

DAY 2 - May 3, 2024

After breakfast and check out from the hotel, you will travel to Toledo, a city so architecturally rich that Spain has declared it a national monument. While walking through Toledo, the guide will point out the various styles of architecture, including Arabian, Jewish, Mudéjar, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. You will have the opportunity to explore the interior of the synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca. Constructed in 1180 in the Mudéjar style, it features 32 pilasters and five naves.

Toledo was the capital of Spain from the Gothic epoch until 1560 and much of the architecture from that time has been beautifully preserved. The streets are so atmospheric that it is easy to imagine what it was like there in the Middle Ages.

Continuing on, you will drive to Cordoba, stopping for lunch along the way. Once in town, you will begin a panoramic drive of Cordoba that passes the Roman bridge, the royal palaces and the Calahorra Tower. Following check in at the NH Califa Hotel, you will have time to relax before dinner at a nearby restaurant.

You will then overnight at the Soho Boutique Cordoba.

DAY 3 - May 4, 2024

After breakfast and check out from the hotel, you will tour more of Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage site hailed for its extraordinary architecture. Highlights include browsing the magnificent Great Mosque, which is now the Catholic cathedral, and strolling through the former Jewish Quarter.

You will then drive to the small town of Montilla and visit Bodega Perez Barquero, wine makers since 1905, and learn about the history of three brothers who founded the winery more than a century ago. You will be shown how their local wines are produced and of course enjoy samples with some snacks.

Following lunch at a nearby restaurant, you will continue on to Ronda, a dramatically picturesque city perched atop two sheer cliffs that form the El Tajo canyon. Over time, the Guadalevín River carved the deep, incredibly photogenic canyon out of the rock. Many of the buildings were constructed right on the edges of the cliffs, and three ancient stone bridges provide the only means to travel from one side of the city to the other.

Follow a guide through Ronda on an eye-opening walking tour. The Plaza de Toros may be the highlight as it was completed in 1785, making it the oldest bullring in Spain. Bullfighting aficionados such as Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles have watched some of Spain’s most legendary toreadors fight there, and original paintings by Malaga-born Picasso adorn the interior walls.

The Church of Santa Maria la Mayor is another landmark, and to see it you will cross over El Tajo canyon. The earthquake of 1580 destroyed much of the first church built on the site, and the renovated version that stands today features a beautiful blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural elements.

After checking into the hotel in Ronda, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

DAY 4 - MAY 5, 2024

Following breakfast at the hotel and check-out and enjoy the drive to Malaga.

Upon arrival, guests participating in the World Cruise Event will transfer to the event. The remainder of the group will enjoy a panoramic tour of Malaga before re-joining the ship.

Land Program Step by Step

The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details and the timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries updated details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review this final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

DAY 1

8:30am Disembark in Barcelona and transfer to Sants train station

10:00am Board a high-speed train for Madrid

1:00pm Arrive in Madrid for panoramic drive and walking tour

5:00pm Check-in at the hotel

8:00pm Meet in the lobby for flamenco Show and tapas dinner

Overnight at the Meliá Madrid Princesa or similar hotel

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at your hotel and check out

9:00am Depart from Madrid to Toledo

10:00am Arrival and visit of Toledo

1:00pm Departure to Cordoba and lunch along the way

5:30pm Arrival to Cordoba and panoramic drive

6:00pm Check in at the hotel, time on own

8:00pm Meet at reception and walk to restaurant for dinner

Overnight at the NH Califa Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at your hotel and check out

9:00am Visit Cordoba for a morning tour

11:30am Depart for Montilla and visit Bodega Perez Barquero

1:00pm Lunch

3:00pm Drive to Ronda and walking tour

7:00pm Arrival and check in

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Hotel de Parador de Ronda

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at your hotel and check out

8:30am Drive to Malaga

10:00am Upon arrival, World Cruise guests will depart for their event

OR panoramic drive to the port

TBA Arrival to the port of Malaga to re-join the ship

Expected Weather

The average high temperatures in this region in May range anywhere from 53F (12 C) to 79 F (26 C).

What to Bring

Bring comfortable clothing and good walking shoes as there is a lot of walking on this tour. Bring an umbrella in case of a spring rain. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts or short skirts when visiting temples, religious sites or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses and a hat are also recommended.

Local Currency

The Euro. USD are not accepted. Major credit cards are accepted.

Electricity

22O V, an adaptor is needed. Bring a universal travel adaptor for your electronic devices.

Luggage

Luggage must be stored at your seat while on the train, therefore, guests are limited to one piece of hand luggage and one additional small item such as a backpack or purse.

Documents

A valid passport is necessary.

Hotels

Meliá Madrid Princesa

C. de la Princesa, 27, 28008 Madrid

Phone: 912 76 47 47

NH Califa Hotel in Cordoba

C. Lope de Hoces, 14, 14003 Córdoba, Spain

Phone: +34 957 29 94 00

Hotel in Ronda

Hotel Parador De Ronda

Pl. España, s/n, 29400 Ronda

Phone: +34 952 87 75 00

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will stay at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests

1 night in Madrid at the Meliá Madrid Princesa hotel – Melia Room

1 night at the NH Califa Hotel in Cordoba – Standard double room

1 night at the Hotel de Parador de Ronda –Standard double room

3 breakfasts,1 lunch box, 3 lunches and 2 dinners

Lunches and dinners in restaurants include water, coffee or tea and a choice of a glass of wine, a beer or a soft drink

Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle

English-speaking guide throughout

Entrance fees per the itinerary

Program Excludes for guests

Any meals or beverages not listed above

Gratuities to drivers and guides

Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar

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, gravel and 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.

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. Mid-cruise overland 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.