Malaga

Explore Andalusia, a region known for its historical sites and cultural significance. Visit Cordoba and its Cathedral-Mosque, which reflects the area's Islamic heritage and notable architecture. Experience local cuisine during lunch with Andalusian wines, highlighting regional flavors and traditions. In Granada, visit the Alhambra, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring Moorish architectural details. Attend a flamenco performance that showcases elements of the region's musical and dance traditions. Before embarkation, tour Picasso's birthplace and explore the Mediterranean-inspired local cuisine alongside connections to the artist's legacy.

Special Notes:

•This program involves walking distances at times over uneven ground. It is not recommended for guests who require use of wheelchair, walker or cane

•Please advise the RSSC Reservations team when you book this program should you have any special dietary restrictions or requirements. Requests will be sent to our local ground operators for review.

Day 1

Upon arriving at Malaga International Airport, you will meet your local English-speaking driver outside the luggage pick-up area who will accompany you to your hotel in the center of Malaga.

Enjoy the day at leisure. All meals are on own today.

Check in time is at 3:00pm. Should you have an early arriving flight you may wish to book an extra night to guarantee room availability upon arrival or you may choose to store luggage at Reception and begin to enjoy the facilities of the hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast, convene with your fellow travelers and tour guide before departing Malaga for a comfortable journey to Cordoba. The city’s historic old town, recognized as a World Heritage site, features narrow streets, picturesque courtyards adorned with flowers, charming squares, and vibrant taverns. Upon arrival, acquaint yourself with the city before proceeding to a centrally located hotel housed within an historic palace, where you will enjoy a traditional meal complemented by local wines.

In the afternoon, visit the Great Mosque of Cordoba, an exceptional monument that showcases a blend of architectural styles accumulated throughout its nine centuries of construction and renovation. Located in the historic center, it stands as one of Spain's finest examples of Islamic art.

After your visit to Cordoba, proceed to Granada. Your hotel is situated just 100 meters from the Alhambra and is renowned for its rich history and legendary status in Spain. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening.

Note: for the visit to the Mosque, guests must carry identification (Passport) and adhere to the dress code which requires shoulders to be covered and skirts or dresses to fall below the knee.

Day 3

After breakfast, embark on an in-depth exploration of Granada’s renowned Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the refined Generalife gardens. Accompanied by an expert local guide, tour the extensive rooms and courtyards, taking in the vibrant mosaics, intricate ceilings, and elegant archways. Within the adjoining Generalife gardens—the former summer palace—observe highlights such as the Moorish Patio de La Acequia, the Patio del Ciprés featuring both Moorish and Renaissance elements, the Italian-inspired terraced gardens, and the distinguished Water Stairway, all set amidst beautifully maintained cypress hedges and fountains.

Following your tour of the Alhambra, enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before continuing your discovery of Granada, focusing on the Albaicin Quarter. This historic neighborhood boasts a rich heritage, shaped by various cultures through time, resulting in a distinctive and vibrant atmosphere. Take advantage of the best viewpoints to capture remarkable photographs of the Alhambra. Return to the hotel for a period of rest before meeting with your guide in the evening for a Flamenco experience at a traditional venue.

Flamenco, listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, is a celebrated art form originating in Andalusia, combining vocal music (cante), dance (baile), and instrumental accompaniment (toque). Dinner will be served during the performance.

Day 4

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and enjoy a comfortable two-hour drive to Malaga. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, this Andalusian city boasts a vibrant cultural scene. Renowned as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Malaga has undergone significant transformation in recent years, opening a variety of museums to appeal to diverse interests. Ascend Gibralfaro Hill to visit the historic castle—originally Phoenician and later rebuilt by the Moors—offering panoramic views of the city.

Join your guide for a walking tour along the pedestrian streets of Malaga's city centre, including a brief stop at Picasso’s birthplace. Afterwards, savour a relaxed lunch in a traditional bodega before transferring to the city for embarkation.

Land Program Details Step by Step:

•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•Guests who do not arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program without notice will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Extra Nights

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm. Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at Malaga International Airport

You are met in the Arrivals Hall by your driver and transferred to your hotel to spend the afternoon and the evening at your leisure

3:00pm Check in time at your hotel

Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.

Meals are on your own today

Overnight at the AC Palacio Malaga or similar hotel

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at your hotel

9:30am Meet your guide in the lobby and depart for Cordoba

11:30am Short stroll around the city

12:30pm Lunch with wine pairing at the Hospes or similar venue

2:00pm Walking tour and visits including the Cathedra and the Mosque

4:00pm Transfer to Granada

6:30pm Check in and dinner at the hotel

Overnight at the Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar

DAY 3 – Timing subject to change based on the assigned time slot for the Alhambra visit

AM Breakfast at your hotel

9:00am Meet your local guide and visit the Alhambra Palace and Gardens

12:30pm Lunch at local restaurant

2:00pm Orientation tour of the city center and afternoon at leisure

7:00pm Meet for Flamenco evening and dinner

TBA Return to your hotel

Overnight at the Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at your hotel

9:00am Check out and drive to Malaga

11:00am Arrival and visit Gibralfaro Castle

12:30pm Walking tour of City center including Picasso’s birthplace

1:30pm Tapas Style Lunch at local restaurant

3:00pm Embarkation on the ship

Expected Weather:

Min 59F and max 77F (Min 15C and max 25C)

What to Bring:

Comfortable clothes and shoes for walking visits, sunscreen, foldable umbrella in case of rain, hat, sunglasses, cameras and chargers.

Local Currency:

EUR is accepted as well as credit cards. USD are not normally accepted.

Electricity

22O V. We recommend you bring a universal travel adapter for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport that is valid for at least six months after travel is required.

The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.

If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements

Accommodation:

AC Palacio Malaga

Calle Cortina del Muelle, 1, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga

Phone: +34 952 21 51 85

Alhambra Palace Hotel

Pl. Arquitecto García de Paredes, 1, 18009 Granada, Spain

Phone: +34 958 22 14 68

*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 be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

•Private transfer from airport to hotel on day 1

•1 night at the AC Palacio Hotel in Malaga or similar – Standard View Room including breakfast

•2 nights at the Alhambra Palace Hotel or similar – Classic City View Room including breakfast

•Tours and meals per the itinerary

•Flamenco Show with dinner

Program Excludes for guests:

•Any meals not specified in the itinerary

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, laundry and room service

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, and gravel or 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. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

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. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.