Discovering Spain and North Africa
January 2025

One of Europe’s oldest cities, Cádiz is known for its palm trees, ancient buildings and maritime history. The Old Town is home to the striking 18th century Cádiz Cathedral and over 100 watchtowers, as well as traditional Tapas bars. Tapa derives from ‘cover’, where one legend has it that bartenders would cover drinks with a saucer to keep out the dust created by the breeze in the city, and would add little treats of olives and ham to entice customers to visit again. Tapas are best served with a glass of Spanish wine from Jerez de la Frontera.

The British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar is dominated by The Rock, a 426m-high limestone ridge, home to the mischievous Barbary apes, which are hugely entertaining but must be remembered that they are still wild animals. Elsewhere, the town is resolutely British, with red pillar boxes, helmeted police officers, traditional pubs and even Marks & Spencer. The waters surrounding Gibraltar are also a haven for various cetaceans, including three species of dolphin.

One of the most strategically placed natural landmarks in the world, the Rock of Gibraltar juts proudly out into the Mediterranean Sea. Used as a fortress during World War II, its natural caves and tunnels were perfect for protecting Royal Navy artillery, and can still be seen today as your cruise ship sails past. Today, the Rock is home to the inquisitive Barbary macaques – the only wild primate species in Europe.

Cartagena Bay surrounds the city of the same name, and is home to a number of fortifications built into the rocks, some more well hidden than others – including two archways that were intended to be submarine bases, but were never completed. The bay is overlooked by four hills that are topped with forts as the city of Cartagena is Spain’s main naval base in the Mediterranean, and has been an important naval port sine Roman times.

Originally constructed in 223 B.C by the Carthaginians, Cartagena is immersed in ancient history and has been through some incredibly turbulent times. Its heyday was during the Roman era, and there are several archaeological sites in the city, many only discovered when built over in recent years. The first of these sites to be discovered was the Roman Theatre, which held 6,000 spectators; and other sites including the Baths and the Augsteum.

Malaga is a city that is rich in history and culture – located on the shores of the Mediterranean, it is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and his childhood spent here is reflected in many of the recurring themes of his paintings, including flamenco and bulls. Known as the olive capital of the world, the Andalusian region accounts for 35% of the olives produced in the EU and are closely monitored by officials from the regional government.

Ceuta is an autonomous Spanish town on the North African coastline of Morocco. Located on a peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean, Cueta offers a blend of fine architecture, intriguing museums, excellent cuisine and stunning natural landscapes. The city’s museums include the Museo de la Basilica Tardorromana and the Military Museum of the Legion, established in 1940 to celebrate the Spanish Legion. The Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo is a leisure complex consisting of three artificial lakes of salt water, filtered directly from the sea.

Tangier is the gateway from Europe to Africa, due to its location on the Straits of Gibraltar, and has seen rapid progression into a cosmopolitan city, whilst still retaining its history. The Medina is situated within the walls of a 15th century Portuguese fortress, and is a labyrinth of market stalls and cafés, where the popular Moroccan mint tea is often served. Gunpowder tea first arrived here in the 18th century, and where locals added fresh mint and sugar – this refreshing drink is now available throughout Tangier.

Some of the best moments of cruising are the days spent at sea where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful programme of events and activities we have planned for you.