Fred Olsen MS Braemar - The Highlights of Andalusia

Day 1 Southampton, UK.

Embark Braemar in Southampton for your Andalusian Adventure!

Note: In the event of adverse weather/sea conditions that prevent the ship from calling at one of the scheduled ports, alternative arrangements will be made where possible.

Day 2 – 4 At Sea.

Relax and enjoy three days at sea.

Day 5 Malaga, Spain.

Situated on Andalusia’s beautiful Mediterranean coast, Malaga offers everything you would expect from a city on the Costa del Sol: seemingly endless stretches of golden sand beaches, fantastic restaurants serving traditional tapas and friendly bars attract locals and holidaymakers alike. There’s much more to the regions captivating capital than busy beach resorts though. Dig a little deeper and a wealth of cultural, historical, artistic and architectural treasures reveal themselves, such as Catedral de Málaga, the statuesque and striking Alcazaba Fortress and Castillo de Gibralfaro. Not-to-be-missed is the Picasso Museum, which exhibits a fantastic collection of masterpieces from arguably Malaga's most famous 'son', Pablo Picasso.
What's more, Malaga is also your gateway to Granada and the glorious Alhambra, where proud 14th century palaces and exotic gardens are Spain's finest expression of Moorish art; as well as the Ronda Valley, where on tour you can explore a charming old town and the picturesque El Tajo gorge.

Day 6 Cruising Guadalquivir River, Seville, Spain.

At the mouth of the river, you’ll see the vast Doñana National Park – a huge protected marshland with a huge range of diverse fauna and flora – and the charming fishing town of Bonanza. After sailing 49 nautical miles up the river – a feat only smaller-sized ships can achieve – you will glide straight to the heart of the Seville, where incredible historic architecture and stunning landmarks such as the Real Alcázar await.

Day 7 Seville, Spain.

Compact, rich in history and famous for its flamenco, tapas bars and orange trees, the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia region, Seville, is bursting with antique charm. Located on the plain of the Guadalquivir River, Seville’s old Roman city is now home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

World-renowned for flamenco dancing, particularly in its Triana neighbourhood, the city’s significant landmarks include the ornate Moorish-Renaissance Alcázar Palace complex, and the 18th century Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza bullring. The colossal Gothic Seville Cathedral is the site of Christopher Columbus’s tomb and the Giralda, an imposing bell tower built on a minaret.

Many arrive ready to soak up the atmosphere in the city’s old town and explore the cobbled streets of the Santa Cruz Quarter, or rest on the banks of the Guadalquivir to admire the views of the stunning Metropol Parasol project, commonly known as Las Setas (Mushrooms), which helped to revitalise the Plaza de la Encarnación. It is the world’s largest wooden structure.

The tapas scene is one of the main cultural attractions of Seville. Visitors go from one bar to another, enjoying the small dishes. Popular desserts include pestiños, a honey-coated fritter; torrijas, fried bread with honey; roscos fritos, sugar-coated ring doughnuts; and magdalenas, while Seville oranges grow on trees lining the city streets. The Sevillanos are masters of the art of celebrating and the city’s great annual festivals, notably the Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, are truly awe-inspiring Spanish occasions.

Day 8 Cadiz, Spain.

Cadiz - one of Europe's most ancient cities - hugs Andalusia’s sunlit Atlantic coast and is characterised by palm trees, lookout towers and weathered old buildings. Now into its fourth millennium, Cádiz's fascinating Old Town district is home to huge stone walls from the 1500s and the beautifully crafted 18th century Cádiz Cathedral.

Boasting over 100 watchtowers, including the iconic Torre Tavira, traditionally used for spotting ships; traditional tapas bars serving delicious traditional cuisine and local seafood; and fascinating maritime history; Cádiz offers a plethora of authentic sights and experiences. The winding streets assume the feel of a carnival, packed-out with friendly locals and humming to the sounds of upbeat alegrías (flamenco songs).

Cádiz is also the gateway to the stunning city of Seville, with its maze of courtyards, atmosphere old quarters and ornate churches and cathedrals.

Day 9 Lisbon, Portugal.

Stretched across its seven trademark hills overlooking the River Tagus estuary, Portugal’s hilly, coastal capital city of Lisbon, is a cinematic collection of cobbled alleyways, pastel-coloured buildings, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals. Decimated by an earthquake in 1755, modern Lisbon has been shaped by that eventful day. The Pombaline architecture that now defines the city represents some of the first seismically-protected buildings in Europe.

The city’s bridges include the Ponte 25 de Abril – similar to the Golden Gate in San Francisco – and the Ponte Vasco da Gama, which includes over 11km of viaducts. Lisbon’s many fascinating museums, include the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Coach Museum and the Carmo Archaeological Museum.

Lisbon is also a shopper’s paradise, with the Centro Commercial Colombo – the biggest shopping mall on the Iberian peninsula – and the elegant Avenidas Novas, full of upmarket shops. Alternatively, there bargains to be had in the local flea market, Campo de Santa Clara. Don't miss the chance to sample iconic egg tarts at Pasteis de Belém too.

Days 10 – 11 At Sea.

Days 10 and 11 are spent cruising at sea.

Day 12 Southampton, UK.

Disembark Braemar in the port of Southampton.