Spring Voyage from Iberia to Britain - Discover the History, Gardens & Wines of Iberia

Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure before we meet for dinner this evening.

A morning walking tour will explore this vibrant city and visit some of the fine Baroque buildings including the 15th century Gothic Silk Exchange and the old ‘La Carmen’ quarter. Later we visit the Colegio del Patriarca with its wonderful Renaissance courtyard, church and museum with works including ‘The Last Supper’ by Ribalta. After lunch we will transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky moored in the city and sail in the early evening.

Over breakfast we arrive in Spain’s main naval port of Cartagena. Enter the deep natural harbour through two fortified rocky headlands for a morning of exploration in this historic city that dates back to the Phoenicians. Hannibal used it as his capital city on the Iberian Peninsula and named it after Carthage in North Africa whilst the Romans used it as a strategic port and administrative centre. The city walls remained intact until the 20th century creating a dense historic centre. Take the lift or walk up to Concepcio Castle for amazing views of the city and harbour, view the Roman Theatre and the archaeological site of Molinete where work continues to uncover the Roman city. Later enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined harbour promenade as we return to the MS Hebridean Sky and spend the afternoon at sea.

We spend the day in the historic city of Malaga where there will be a choice of tours this morning. A city tour will take us to the 14th century Castillo de Gibralfaro, built on a hill overlooking the city and once considered the most impregnable fortress in Iberia. Continue to La Merced Square where we see the birthplace of Pablo Picasso before we visit the impressive 16th century cathedral which was built on the remains of a mosque. With its mix of Renaissance and Gothic styles it has been declared a national landmark. Alternatively visit the Botanical Gardens, created in 1855 and home to more than 25,000 species of plants. After lunch on board the rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace from our central berth, you may wish to head to the market or, for the art lovers, visit the Picasso Museum.

Having passed the Strait of Gibraltar we arrive in North Africa and the port of Tangier. A short drive will bring us to the Donabo Gardens, located on the coast with wonderful sea views. Divided into ten sections we can explore the Moroccan garden that celebrates the tradition of tea, the mints maze where multiple varieties blend their fragrances along the alleys, a rose garden thriving in the cool shade and the pollinators garden purposely designed to attract bees. Later we can explore the city where on a walking tour we will visit the Medina, enjoy the views from the Kasbah situated at the highest point of Tangier, and wander through the Grand Souk. Alternatively, drive across the beautiful Rif Mountains to Tetouan. Visit the unique School of Art Dar Sanaa which is situated in a former palace and teaches the most traditional of Moroccan crafts to its students before we continue to the Medina which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient medina is full of narrow alleys and streets with vendors selling local handicrafts, foods and spices. Our tour will end at the old Royal Palace, a 17th century building which is itself a reflection of the Hispano-Moresque architecture, and the nearby Hassan II square. Stop to savour the Moroccan tea and fresh pastries at a local riad in the heart of the Medina before returning to the ship.

Spend the day at sea as we sail towards Portugal. Our lecture programme continues in the lounge or maybe find a spot on deck to relax.

Arriving into Portugal we dock at Leixoes, the base for our day of activities around Oporto. There will be the option to join the guided tour to Oporto including the impressive St Francis Church and the Ribeira before continuing to a local port wine cellar. Here we will be able to learn all about these wines and how they are produced before enjoying a tasting. Alternatively, drive to Guimaraes, the birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first independent King of Portugal. Guimaraes has beautifully preserved its illustrious past; its Medieval centre is a warren of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th century edifices and on an adjacent hill stands the 1,000 year old castle and the palace built by the first Duke of Braganca in the 15th century. A third option will be a visit to the Quinta de Aveleda, located in the heart of the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region, which creates a young fresh wine with low alcoholic content and a lightly fruity flavour. After exploring the beautiful park and gardens with rare specimens of trees, shrubs and flowers which surround the Manor House, we will learn about the wine which has been produced here since 1947.

We spend the morning at some of the wonderful houses and gardens of the Galicia region. Visit the Pazo de Oca, a Baroque stately home known as the ‘Galician Versailles’ and ‘El Generalife of the north’ due to the beauty of its gardens. See Pazo de Ribadulla which dates from the 16th century and is set in a beautiful location on the shores of the Ulla Valley. The garden was developed by the Armada family in the 1870s and is today renowned for its outstanding collection of camellia trees, giant magnolias, olive trees and liriodendron. This afternoon is free to explore the town at your own pace or alternatively visit the 15th century Pazo de Rubianes where we find one of the three official lordships in Spain. Explore the 11 hectare garden before we visit the Pazo’s vineyards to learn about the local Albarino wine production and enjoy a tasting.

Today we visit Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia. The city’s cathedral is the destination of the important Medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St James (in Spanish the ‘Camino de Santiago’), which is still walked today. For those keen to walk some of the route there will be the chance to hike a short section towards Santiago. Otherwise transfer directly to the site where we will visit the Conventual de San Francisco, the Faculty of Medicine and the world-famous Plaza del Obradoiro. Inside the cathedral, we will visit the Romanic crypt and see the facade of Platerias, the Quintana Plaza, House of Parra, the facade of Azabacheria, and the facade of San Martin Pinario. Enjoy lunch at a Parador and some free time before returning to the ship and sailing this evening.

Maybe join a lecture in the lounge or watch for wildlife on deck as we spend the day at sea.

In the late morning we will sail along the River Dart to our anchorage off the town of Dartmouth. This afternoon we will visit Greenway, the wonderful historic house and garden that was once home to Agatha Christie. Visit the gardens, including the Camellia Garden, a wonderful place to sit and ponder on the history of the house and the notable residents and visitors that have included Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake. Alternatively, you may prefer to explore this historic maritime port at your own pace. It was from Dartmouth that the Mayflower sailed to the New World in 1620 and you may wish to walk one of the heritage trails which paints a picture of the town in the 17th century. Please note that we will be at anchor today and will use the ship’s Zodiacs to transfer to shore.

Disembark this morning. Transfers will be provided to Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station and the London departure airport at a fixed time.

Itineraries are subject to change.