EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Visit an ancient farm and mill that produce olive oil in a traditional way that protects the environment and improves the land’s biodiversity. While walking through the olive groves with the owners of Molino La Paca, you will gain an understanding of the traditional agricultural practices in Andalusia. It provides benefits to the environment, such as less soil erosion, improved fire protection and greater biodiversity. Learn how the processes residues are used to produce energy in a nearby factory. While enjoying olives and a glass of local wine, you will taste the difference in the extra-virgin olive oil that the farm produces. For a glimpse into other aspects of Andalusian life, you will explore Mijas, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences and a picture-perfect village perched high on a mountainside.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour a farm and mill that produce organic olive oil in an traditional manner.
• Enjoy olives and a glass of local wine.
• Spend free time exploring Mijas, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the charms of Granada, the architecturally stunning capital of the Andalusia region, by exploring a magnificent palace, the Royal Chapel and the city’s oldest quarter.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for scenic drive inland to Granada, a city likely named for the Spanish word for pomegranate, a fruit so abundant it is depicted on Granada’s coat of arms. Or Granada may have derived from its Moorish name, as the city was the Moors’ last stronghold before falling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs in 1492.

Granada features a wealth of extraordinary architecture such as your first stop, the Carlos V Palace within the Alhambra complex. Construction on the palace began in the early 16th century, following a Renaissance ground plan with a circular courtyard within a square building—the only one of its kind in Spain. Amazingly, a monarch has never lived in the palace, nor did it even have a roof until 1957.

Walking a bit farther, you will soon arrive in the labyrinthine streets of the Albayzin quarter (down part of the quarter), the city’s oldest section. UNESCO has deemed it a World Heritage site for its harmonious blend of Moorish and Andalusian architecture.

Nearby, you will find the glorious Royal Chapel, the final resting place of Spanish monarchs such as Queen Isabella and Kind Ferdinand. Be sure to see the chapel’s mausoleum, spectacular altarpieces and ornate grilles before enjoying free time and perhaps lunch on your own in the surrounding historical area.

Afterwards, you will drive back to Malaga.

Enjoy an overview of this legendary city’s best known attractions, including buildings of Mudejar and Gothic architecture, lovely parks and the bullring. Departing the port, your sightseeing drive will take you along Alameda Boulevard en route to the hilltop location of Gibralfaro. As you walk along the ramparts crowning the 560 foot high summit, admire splendid views of the city, harbor and the bullring. Then your coach will take you back down to the Plaza de la Merced for a short walk to the Alcazaba. At the foot of this ancient fortress, view the excavated ruins of a Roman amphitheater.

The restored Alcazaba dates back to the 11th century when the king of Granada ordered the fortress built and modeled on the style of the Alhambra. After the Christian conquest, the Catholic kings took over the Alcazaba and King Philip IV used it as his residence when visiting Malaga. Leaving the Alcazaba, your walk continues to the cathedral. You’ll admire its fabulous interior, the exquisitely carved choir stalls and other fine examples of Spanish Renaissance sculpture.

Take a drive along the coast passing the holiday resort of Fuengirola before arriving at the town of Marbella. Plunge into the past and visit the old quarter of the town with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and heavily grilled windows, centered around the beautiful Plaza de los Naranjos "Orange Tree Square" filled with stately buildings, small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros; a hub of activity day and night.

Once a small fishing village, Marbella today is a fashionable and sophisticated resort, visited by the rich and famous. After your guided walk, enjoy some free time to explore on your own or shop before the return drive to your ship.

OVERVIEW

Ride through the streets of Malaga in a tuk-tuk and stop along the way for tastings at destinations that are abuzz with activity. The tuk-tuk – an open-air rickshaw of sorts for just four passengers – will offer a unique perspective of the landmarks, which will become all the more meaningful as the driver describes them. While visiting a popular beach bar, you can choose a favorite drink that pairs well with a skewer of grilled sardines, which are known as espetos. These locally caught fish are typically prepared with a light seasoning of sea salt and olive oil and cooked over an open fire. Your immersion into Andalusian cuisine will continue with a plate of tapas at a tavern. Although the ingredients vary with the season, they often contain fresh seafood such as prawns, octopus and anchovies. For the ultimate sweeping view of Malaga, you will enjoy another drink at a rooftop bar.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride around Malaga in a four-passenger open-air vehicle known as a tuk-tuk.
• Sit back and enjoy the scenic urban landscape while the driver describes the attractions.
• Stop along the way to sample local specialties such as a grilled sardines and tapas.
• Toast the occasion with drinks at each destination.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing however you please at the fashionable beach in Torremolinos, an enticing resort town on the affluent Costa del Sol. The beach has been designated a Blue Flag, meaning it meets stringent environmental criteria for cleanliness and water quality. During your time there, you might stretch out on a sun bed, lie in the shade of beach umbrella, stroll the lengthy shoreline and take a refreshing swim in the sea. The fine golden sand is one of its most attractive features making it one of the favorite stretches of coast for residents and tourists alike. The beach is also exceptionally wide so you can easily find your own slice of paradise on it. If you wish to explore the surrounding area, the seaside promenade is lined with shops and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax for hours at a popular beach in the resort town of Torremolinos.
• Take comfort in knowing that the beach has a Blue Flag designation for being eco-friendly.
• Do whatever you please at the beach, which is long, wide and fashionable.
• Take full advantage of the provided sun beds and beach umbrellas.
• Stroll the seaside promenade, a hub for shopping and dining.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride through downtown Malaga on, a small electric vehicle, ideal for navigating through an urban environment. According to the availability , you might be assigned either a Twizy - a half-car, half-motorcycle with seating for two people – made by Renault , a Ami, a funny e-minicar made by Citroen or a similar vehicle. Large windows and remarkable stability, will allow you to easily zip in and out of traffic. You can either drive or ride along as a passenger. As you travel from the pier through Malaga’s downtown, the guide will provide enlightening commentary over the vehicle radio. The exact route will depend on the traffic conditions, but you can expect to pass all sorts of historical landmarks before looping back to the pier. Stops will be made at points of interests such as Gibralfaro Castle, a 10th-century Moorish fortress that perches high on a hill overlooking the city. The views are spectacular from atop the castle’s medieval stone ramparts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Malaga in unique electric minicar
• Take the wheel or just ride along as a passenger, if you prefer.
• Enjoy commentary from the guide through the vehicle radio.
• Take in the panoramic views while stopping at the ramparts of a 10th-century castle.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Watch a rousing flamenco performance and savor a traditional Andalusian lunch at Venta Luciano, a family-owned restaurant-club that opened in 1956. A wonderfully scenic drive along southern Spain’s sun-splashed Costa Tropical will bring you to this beloved venue in the town of Almuñécar. Over the years, it has hosted some of flamenco’s greatest performers and the scheduled Aires de Sacromonte show will be star-studded, as well. Once you settle into your seat, the flamenco performance will begin with all the flair and passion associated with this centuries-old art form. You can expect it to be mesmerizing as the performers tell emotional stories through song and dance. As the perfect complement, you will enjoy a tapas and completed meal and cava sparkling wine as starters and a hearty meal made with locally sourced ingredients for a true taste of Andalusia. Besides sangria, white Zacatín and red Lindaraja Roble wines from the award-winning Fontedei winery will be served.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the seaside panoramas as you drive along the Costa Tropical, a subtropical paradise.
• Watch an expressive and emotional flamenco performance at Venta Luiciano.
• Savor traditional tapas and an Andalusian lunch with sparkling cava and other local wines.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride through Malaga in an eco-friendly tuk tuk for a unique introductory look at this city that the Phoenicians founded in the 8th century. Your four-passenger tuk tuk is an open-air golf cart of sorts that is electric-powered, emission-free and an ideal form of transportation because it offers such an unusual perspective of Malaga. All that is required of you is to sit back and enjoy the sights as the driver takes you past some of the most renowned landmarks in this Andalusian city with Moorish roots. You can expect to see Plaza de la Merced – where Picasso’s birthplace is located – the bullring where Spain’s most legendary bullfighters have performed and the excavated ruins of a 1st-century Roman amphitheater, parts of which the Moors used to build the palatial fortification Alcazaba in the Middle Ages. You will also see Calle Larios, an elegant pedestrian and shopping street that leads into Old Town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Malaga’s landmarks while riding through town in an electric, emission-free tuk tuk.
• Sit back and enjoy a unique perspective of the city from the open-air golf cart-like tuk tuk.
• Pass attractions such as the Roman amphitheater, the bullring and a bustling food market.
• Admire affluent Calle Larios, a shopping street that you might visit on your own later.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Malaga, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Malaga, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Gibralfaro Castle
• Plaza de la Higuera
• Malaga Cathedral
• Roman Theater
• Alcazaba
• Pompidou Centre museum
• City Hall

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Malaga.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Enjoy sweeping views of Malaga from the viewpoint of Gibralfaro Castle.
• See Malaga Cathedral, nicknamed the “one-armed woman” for its single tower.
• Stand in front of the multi-colored glass cube of the Pompidou Centre art museum

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Watch a mesmerizing flamenco performance in a traditional club where this passionate style of dance takes center stage. A leisurely walk to the pedestrianized city center will bring you to Peña Flamenco Juan Breva, an esteemed flamenco museum and club where you will see the show while dining on tapas. Through dance, song and guitar music, the seductive gypsy art of flamenco tells an emotional story with themes ranging from love to oppression. The costumed performers will express themselves through hand-clapping, foot-stomping and shouts of encouragement that harkens back to the earliest forms of flamenco, which originated in southern Spain about 200 years ago. It will be hard not to get caught up in the dancers’ passion for flamenco as it is so representative of the region. Flamenco fuses song, dance and musicianship so artistically that UNESCO included it on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Free time follows the performance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a highly charged flamenco performance at a traditional peña flamenco club.
• Browse the exhibits at the flamenco museum within the club.
• Be inspired by the dancers’ passion for flamenco, which originated in southern Spain.
• Enjoy tapas during the performance and free time after the performance.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Savor the slow pace and casual lifestyle so prevalent in the mountain villages north of Malaga, where you will linger over a home-cooked meal at a private residence and spend a visit to an olive oil mill. As you meander through white-washed village of Alfarnatejo, you can’t help but notice the relaxed pace. Life here reflects the town’s remote location, limited population and low-key economy. Days are meant to be enjoyed without stress or anything else that may interrupt the tranquility. It’s a refreshing attitude that the locals have wholeheartedly embraced in these wonderfully serene mountain villages, where goats seem to outnumber residents. Life here also unfolds slowly, as you will discover while visiting a private home for an authentic Andalusian meal. Your hospitable host will happily discuss the attractions of living in a quiet village and how most residents pass the time. The conversation can be as frank as you wish and no topic is off limits.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Stroll the tranquil streets of Alfarnatejo, taking in the village’s stress-free atmosphere.
• Stop in a small olive oil mill to learn about the process of extra virgin olive oil make and taste some of the products.
• Dine on authentic Andalusian cuisine at a private residence in Alfarnatejo.
• Discuss daily life with your hospitable hosts, who will gladly share their views.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.