Western Mediterranean Explorer

Portugal's bustling capital showcases a rich contrast of the historical and modern. Situated near the Tagus River and endlessly sunny, Lisbon embodies a unique beauty and an internationally acclaimed architectural singularity. Its charming hilly neighborhoods boast winding, cobblestone streets and pastel-painted homes and cafés, which happily serve up the city’s signature cuisine, including pastel de nata and custard tarts. From imposing Sao Jorge Castle, the view encompasses the city’s Old Town, Tagus Estuary, and suspension bridge; the National Azulejo Museum displays 5 centuries of decorative ceramic tiles.

Setubal sits pretty in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region of Portugal on the edge of the Setubal peninsula, on the north bank of the Sado Estuary. This lovely historic town boasts notable landmarks such as the 16th-century Monastery of Jesus and the São Julião Church. A charming, strollable destination, Setubal is known for its vibrant food culture, including its local wines, fresh seafood, and local specialty, choco frito (fried cuttlefish). Stroll its waterfront, where traditional fishing boats bob gently against the backdrop of St. Philip fortress and the rugged Arrabida mountain range, or lounge one of its several beautiful beaches.

Sitting pretty at the mouth of the Bensafrim River and dominated by limestone cliffs, the lovely seaside town of Lagos charms for its scenic coastline and natural beauty. Once a center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery and home to Henry the Navigator, Lagos enjoys a rich history expressed in its Mercado de Escravos Museum and charming Old Town. Its narrow cobblestone streets, old churches, and tiled buildings are ripe for discovery, as are the vineyards and wineries above the town. Lagos boasts several golden-sand beaches, including Meia Praia, perfect for swimming, strolling, or snorkeling. Wooden steps point to the sandy cove of Praia do Camilo, and the nearby cliffs of Ponta de Piedade offer panoramic views and a stone lighthouse that stands guard over the Atlantic Sea.

A coastal town sitting along the Costa de la Luz coastline in the Gulf of Cádiz, Huelva lies next to the estuary formed by the confluence of the Odiel and Tinto rivers. Huelva is surrounded by the unique landscape of dunes, marshes, and pines of the Doñana National Park, pristine beaches, and golf courses. Rich is maritime history, the province is noted for its Palos de la Frontera, and Moguer, where Christopher Columbus sailed out of on his first voyage in 1492.

Cadiz is believed to have been founded some 3,000 years ago which could make this port city the oldest in Western Europe. The city has so much to offer its visitors with its commercial importance, stunning beaches, regional cuisine and the Unesco Awarded Donana National Park. There’s several significant landmarks in Cadiz, some of which include the yellow-domed Cathedral, the ancient roman theatre, an 18th-century watch tower, the city walls and so much more. SeaDream docks in the heart of this Andalusian town.

This Spanish city bordering northern Morocco is located on a narrow isthmus that connects Mt. Hacho to the Spanish mainland. Ceuta has a unique natural setting where the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea meet, making it perfect for kayaking and spotting the area’s resident dolphins and turtles. For a panoramic view of the city and stunning views of the Strait of Gibraltar, visit Mirador de Isabel II. Ceuta’s close proximity to northern Africa flavors its cuisine, architecture, and more, blending Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Hindu influences. With an area of just seven square miles, Ceuta is easy to explore by foot—with the historic Royal Walls, Plaza de los Reyes, House of the Dragons, Church of San Francisco, and Shrine of Our Lady of Africa—within easy reach.

Puerto Banus is a very upscale marina to the west of Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol. It was built in 1970 by Jose Banus, a local property developer, as a luxury marina and shopping complex for the jet-set. The focal point of Puerto Banus is the marina. It is also a scene for many exotic cars that are owned by international celebrities and wealthy owners that also own large mega yachts. Our local agent tells us that SeaDream is the only commercial yacht that has docked in Banus.

Malaga, together with adjacent towns and municipalities such as Rincon de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Alhaurin de la Torre, Mijas, and Marbella, forms the Malaga Metropolitan area. The important cultural infrastructure and the rich artistic heritage have culminated in the nomination of Malaga as a candidate for the 2016 European Capital of Culture. The internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso and actor Antonio Banderas were both born in Malaga. SeaDream calls to Malaga both as an embarkation point as well as a typical port of call. Kindly check on the land adventures tab to see all of the activities and options. Should you need embarkation information, it’s also available there.