Discovering Spain and North Africa

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.

Located close to the Mediterranean coast, Algiers is situated on the slopes of the Sahel Hills. Founded by the Phoenicians, the city was modernised when under French colonial rule, and theatres, museums and public gardens were built. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Kasbah of Algiers is home to souks, hammams and mosques, hidden within the picturesque labyrinth of lanes. To be able to visit Algiers from your cruise ship, you will need to be booked on an organised Shore Tour, which our team can arrange for you.

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.