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.

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.

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.

At the crossroads of Europe and Africa, of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Tangier opens the door to Morocco. This port on the Strait of Gibraltar is truly a feast for the senses. Take in the influences of peoples and cultures, the heavy fragrances of the spice markets, the murmurs of the sea and city swirling together. The Old Town, or medina, is an architecturally rich labyrinth, boasting Byzantine-era cobblestone streets, Grecian whitewashed homes, and ancient mosques and temples. Separated from the medina by ramparts, the Kasbah, ancient palace district, is built on the highest point in the city, overlooking the harbor.

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the entrance of the Mediterranean on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. Most visitors arriving by sea are impressed by the rock’s enormous visual impact. Only covering an area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 sq. km.) several sites are a must-see! Some of the “can’t miss” options include the Great Siege Tunnels, St. Michael’s Cave, The Moorish Castle, The Lighthouse at Europa Point and shopping – yes shopping. SeaDream docks at the passenger terminal and has the coaches for the land adventures just outside. It is an easy walk downtown to the duty-free area. Bikes are available should you want to bike up the rock.

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.