Barcelona, Spain     July 4, 2010

Arrive in Barcelona, Spain and check into your included hotel. This evening join your hosts, Chairman Dick West and his wife Leslie, for a Catalan style celebration! You’ll travel to the Torre dels Lleons (Tower of the Lions), a 19th century mansion built on the ruins of the Castle of Picalques. Parts of this graceful mansion date from the 2nd century A.D., though it is very much in keeping with the great Catalan masias or farmhouses; in fact, the Picalqués family’s coat of arms is still proudly displayed above the front door.

When you arrive at the Torre Dels Lleons, you’ll be greeted on the patio by castellers, who will form a human tower—a traditional Catalan activity—as you watch in amazement. After this dramatic welcome, you’ll enjoy a delicious Catalan meal as you’re entertained by a performance of Rumbas Catalañas, Catalan-style flamenco. When dinner is over, there’ll be Havaneras (sailor’s songs) sung around a cremat, a special flaming punch. At the end of the evening you’ll return to your hotel with warm memories of the most unique and delightful party ever.

Discover the Alhambra — crown jewel of historic Granada — on this unforgettable tour. The city is beautiful in its own right, but nothing in all of Spain compares to the wealth of architectural art to be found in its Muslim-Hispano complex, the 14th-century Alhambra. This breathtaking example of Islamic architecture is completely encircled by walls and towers. Within its fortified walls lie palaces, military buildings, a fortress and the administrative centers of a bygone era. You’ll have ample time to explore this remarkable structure, with its detailed mosaics, prism-style cupolas, and stone-cast lattice work.

Your tour includes the Renaissance-style palace of King Charles V, which houses the Alhambra’s museum, plus the Palacio de Gerneralife or “Garden of the Architect,” with its fountains, pools, grottos, trim rows of hedges and cypress allées — an exquisite example of Moorish landscape architecture. At the end of your tour, enjoy lunch at the Hotel Gran Luna de Granada.

Today’s destination is Seville, capital of Andalusia. Located in the south of Spain, Seville has more than 700,000 inhabitants, nearly half the population of the whole province. Our tour starts with a panoramic drive through Seville’s main streets, passing through the Plaza de España, Ciudad Expo, Maria Luisa Park, Torre del Oro and Plaza América.

Meet our local guide and embark on a walking tour. Seville has many historic monuments whose Moorish heritage is evident in their graceful arches, curving lines and exquisite tile work. There’s the Gothic Cathedral with its giralda, a minaret transformed into a Christian bell tower. The Alcázar Royal Palace, a fantastic example of the Moorish style with gorgeous tile mosaics, shady courtyards and Moorish and Renaissance gardens. The Alcázar has been the official residence of the Spanish royal family for centuries.

Continue to the old Jewish Quarter, Barrio Judío de Santa Cruz. With narrow cobbled streets winding among whitewashed buildings, this is the most picturesque area of the city. At the conclusion of our tour we’ stop for lunch at Restaurante El Cabildo, a local dining establishment. After lunch, we’ll drive back to Cadiz and return to the ship.

Portimão, Portugal     July 9, 2010

During the Golden Age of Exploration, Portugal led the world. On your visit to Lagos, explore the early discoveries of Prince Henry the Navigator. Tour the narrow cobblestone streets with your expert guide, visit the Antonine Museum and see the Golden Chapel of St Anthony. Relive one of history’s darkest chapters as you wander around the slave market, before stopping to admire the statue of Prince Henry the Navigator.

After taking in the fine views of the bay at Ponta da Piedade, head to Sagres, the most westerly village in Algarve, and to Cape St. Vincent, once called “The End of the Known World.” Here the full force of the Atlantic buffets the coast relentlessly with tremendous force.

Figuera da Foz, Portugal     July 11, 2010
Over the centuries poets and artists have immortalized the beauty of Coimbra, an ancient university town. Our first stop will be Coimbra University, founded in 1290 by King Dinis. The main door opens on to the university courtyard, which is dominated by an 18th century tower. You’ll visit the 17th century Ceremonial Hall, its ceiling painted with garlands and grotesques and walls adorned with fine portraits of the kings of Portugal. Explore the Joanina Library, a magnificent Baroque structure with a collection of more than 200,000 books stored in ornately carved and gilded bookshelves, then stop in at The Chapel of Saint Michael next door.

Stroll the medieval streets of Coimbra, past the Santa Clara Monastery, en route to a small converted chapel where you’ll be treated to refreshments and an exclusive fado performance. Fado is a genre of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor. It is said to incorporate African slave rhythms, Arabian influences and the folk music of Portuguese sailors. If you like what you hear, in Coimbra, it is customary to show your appreciation by coughing, not clapping.

Have lunch in Bussaco, then explore the Palace Hotel do Bussaco, a remarkable Portuguese hotel located in the heart of a natural woodland reserve spread over 105 hectares. This forested area is made up of a selection of rare trees and plants of exotic beauty. The unique, world-famous Neo-Manueline palace, erected by the Portuguese kings at the end of the 19th century, is one of Europe’s finest architectural masterpieces. It is richly decorated with tile depictions of Portugal’s glorious past and graced with vaulted arches, marble staircases, rare tapestries, fine master paintings and objets d’art created by Portugal’s most notable artists.

Bordeaux / Down river cruising, France     July 16, 2010

What better place to start your exploration of Bordeaux than in the Saint Emilion region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Saint Emilion is the heartland of the Merlot grape, which produces delicious, rich, round wines. The vines on the "Hill With A Thousand Châteaux” reach right up to Saint Emilion's 13th century town walls and surrounding moat.

Visit the town’s most interesting monuments including the Collegiale church and its magnificent 12th century cloister and ramparts, the market place, as well as the monolithic church and underground church from the 9th and 12th centuries, respectively. Consecrated to the 8th century holy hermit, St. Emilion, by the Benedictine monks, the Hermitage was constructed from a natural grotto where he once lived. Beside the church, the catacombs include a charnel house and a number of 11th and 12th century sepulchers. Strolling through the town, see the Cadene gate and the King's Tower. You will have time at your leisure for shopping before visiting a nearby château where you’ll learn about winemaking techniques and partake in a wine-tasting.

Belle-Ile-en-Mer, France     July 17, 2010

We will launch the ship’s Zodiac boats in search of wildlife along France’s dramatic Brittany coastline. (Zodiac landing or touring)

Mont Saint Michel is considered one of the greatest religious sites in all of Europe and is often compared to St. Peter's Basilica, and the cathedrals of Chartres and Durham. First built following the appearance of Archangel Michael to the Bishop of Avranches, the abbey is constructed at the summit of an immense granite precipice 250 feet above the sea — a monument to the heyday of Norman power and influence in the world.

You’ll get the most dramatic view of Mont Saint Michel from the 5-mile-long causeway at Pontorson where Mont Saint Michel joins the mainland. Once you arrive at the abbey, you’ll begin your walking tour and be richly rewarded with magnificent views at every juncture. You’ll have plenty of free time to stroll Mont Saint Michel’s labyrinth of streets, browse the shops, and take in this magnificent architectural achievement. Following your exploration, return to the ship along the coastal road passing small towns and traditional fishing harbors along the way.

Honfleur, France     July 19, 2010
Relish this opportunity to explore a dramatic chapter in history: the Allied Invasion of Normandy. Drive from Honfleur to Arromanches-les-Bains, where the Allies made their amphibious landing on “D-Day,” June 6, 1944. During your guided tour of the Landing Museum, examine the Allied strategy, including the “Mulberry” operation, in which they created an artificial prefabricated port. See the remnants of the port’s foundations, which played a critical role in the Normandy invasion. Take a motorcoach to Port-en-Bessin, where we’ll have a delicious lunch at Mercure Omaha in the heart of a sprawling golf course.

Later, we visit the American Cemetery at Colleville St. Laurent where over 9,000 soldiers are buried. Here long rows of marble crosses stand silent watch over Omaha Beach, a profoundly moving sight. From Colleville, continue to Pointe du Hoc. Heavily fortified by the Germans, the Hoc Point served as an observation post. On D-Day brave American troops climbed the cliffs with rope ladders, overwhelmed the Germans and took over this critical post.

With much to ponder, board your motorcoach for the return trip to Honfleur where you can stroll the cobblestone streets viewing local galleries and shops.

Honfleur, France     July 20, 2010

Disembark or continue your journey with the next voyage.