| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 15th15 | AprApr | 202626 | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, embark on the Emerald Sakara | | |
| The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a beautiful and scenic island which enjoys year-round sunshine and is dominated by Mount Teide. The mountain range runs through the centre of the island, with fertile valleys on the northern side. In the central part of the range is the gigantic natural crater of the Cañadas del Teide, about 14 miles in diameter. Santa Cruz, the island’s pretty capital, was originally a small fishing village but has now grown into a modern city, and also contains 16th-century civic buildings and ornate private mansions. Near the pier is the Santa Cruz Palmetum, a Botanical Garden covering an area of 29 acres, specialising in palms. Your cruise begins in Spain’s Canary Islands and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a port city on the island of Tenerife, where you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht for the start of your marvellous voyage along the Spanish coastline. Please book your flight to arrive into Tenerife prior to 01:00 PM. |
| 16th16 | AprApr | 202626 | Arrecife, Lanzarote, Spain | | |
| A volcanic island designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote’s dramatic landscapes were shaped by an explosive past. Today, its pretty beaches and virtual absence of rain together with duty-free shopping make the island an extremely desirable destination. The main port and capital, Arrecife, is a pleasant town with a modern seafront and colourful gardens. Outside the capital there is plenty to explore, from the dazzling white salt flats of Janubio and the rugged terrain of Fire Mountain to the eerie caves of Los Verdes and an array of unspoilt fishing villages scattered around the coast. The island is home to a great selection of restaurants and local specialities including garbanzos compuestos – a chickpea stew; papas arrugadas – potatoes with carrots, peas, ham and green pepper; and of course, plenty of fresh seafood. Please note that those planning to participate in one of the shore excursions from this port may need to take an early lunch on board ship to suit the excursion schedules. Your first port of call is Arrecife, capital of Lanzarote and a beautiful port city situated on the island’s eastern coastline. Sharing prominence in its urban layout are the streets of the historic centre and the vibrant neighbourhoods. You can also discover Arrecifes's many museums and historic buildings as well as attractive beaches and excellent nautical facilities or play golf while taking in the stunning views of the Atlantic. |
| 17th17 | AprApr | 202626 | At Sea | | |
| 18th18 | AprApr | 202626 | Casablanca, Morocco | | |
| The original settlement formed on the site of Casablanca by the Berbers became the kingdom of Anfa, and during the 15th century harboured pirates who raided the Portuguese coast. In retaliation for the attacks, the Portuguese destroyed Anfa and founded the town they called Casa Branca (white house). They remained here until an earthquake in 1755 and the town was subsequently rebuilt by Mohammed ben Abdallah, whose legacy of mosques and houses can still be seen in the old Medina. Casablanca acquired its present-day name when the Spanish obtained special port privileges in 1781. The French landed here in 1907, later establishing a protectorate and modelling the town on the port of Marseilles. Today Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city, its most significant port and the centre of commerce and industry. The city is a vibrant fusion of European, African and Arabian influences and its French colonial architecture and art deco buildings seamlessly blend in with the busy, colourful markets. Please note that vendors in the souks can be very persistent and eager to make a sale. Morocco’s chief port and a thriving metropolis, Casablanca presents a city of contrasts: high-rise office buildings blending with striking palm trees lining the streets and the Atlantic Ocean visible in the horizon. And amid atmospheric neighbourhoods, modern infrastructure rubs shoulders with Arab-Muslim heritage and elegant colonial legacies. Take a stroll in the atmospheric Medina, roam through the city centre to discover art-deco buildings and admire the grand Hassan II Mosque, built over the water. |
| 19th19 | AprApr | 202626 | Cádiz, Spain | | |
| Believed to be the oldest town on the Iberian Peninsula, the Andalusian port of Cádiz enjoys a stunning location at the edge of a six-mile promontory. The town itself, with 3,000 years of history, is characterised by pretty white houses with balconies often adorned with colourful flowers. As you wander around be sure to take a stroll through the sizeable Plaza de Espãna, with its large monument dedicated to the first Spanish constitution, which was signed here in 1812. Cádiz has two pleasant seafront promenades which boast fine views of the Atlantic Ocean, and has a lovely park, the Parque Genoves, located close to the sea with an open-air theatre and attractive palm garden. Also notable is the neo-Classical cathedral, capped by a golden dome. Today, you’ll make a stop at the Andalusian coastal town of Cádiz, famed for its beautiful Atlantic beaches, festive carnivals and delicious local seafood dishes. |
| 20th20 | AprApr | 202626 | Cádiz, Spain | | |
| Believed to be the oldest town on the Iberian Peninsula, the Andalusian port of Cádiz enjoys a stunning location at the edge of a six-mile promontory. The town itself, with 3,000 years of history, is characterised by pretty white houses with balconies often adorned with colourful flowers. As you wander around be sure to take a stroll through the sizeable Plaza de Espãna, with its large monument dedicated to the first Spanish constitution, which was signed here in 1812. Cádiz has two pleasant seafront promenades which boast fine views of the Atlantic Ocean, and has a lovely park, the Parque Genoves, located close to the sea with an open-air theatre and attractive palm garden. Also notable is the neo-Classical cathedral, capped by a golden dome. While here, be sure to sample ‘pescaíto frito’ (fried fish) or ‘tortillitas de camarones’ (shrimp fritters). For an enjoyable dose of sun and sand, visit La Caleta, a pristine beach nestled between two castles. |
| 21st21 | AprApr | 202626 | Málaga, Spain | | |
| As you sail into Malaga you will notice what an idyllic setting the city enjoys on the famous Costa del Sol. To the east of this provincial capital, the coast along the region of La Axarqua is scattered with villages, farmland and sleepy fishing hamlets - the epitome of traditional rural Spain. To the west stretches a continuous city where the razzmatazz and bustle creates a colourful contrast that is easily recognisable as the Costa del Sol. Surrounding the region, the Penibéetica Mountains provide an attractive backdrop overlooking the lower terraced slopes which yield olives and almonds. This spectacular mountain chain shelters the province from cold northerly winds, giving it a reputation as a therapeutic and exotic place in which to escape from cold northern climes. Malaga is also the gateway to many of Andalusia's enchanting historic villages, towns and cities. Nestled in the beautiful southern region of Andalusia, Málaga was founded by the Phoenicians and has been under the rule of various civilisations, including the Romans and Moors, each leaving their legacies on the city's culture and architecture. Several historical sites and landmarks can be found in this popular port city and holiday hotspot, including the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress overlooking the city, and nearby Roman Theatre. |
| 22nd22 | AprApr | 202626 | Cartagena, Spain | | |
| A Mediterranean city and naval station located in the Region of Murcia, southeastern Spain, Cartagena’s sheltered bay has attracted sailors for centuries. The Carthaginians founded the city in 223BC and named it Cartago Nova; it later became a prosperous Roman colony, and a Byzantine trading centre. The city has been the main Spanish Mediterranean naval base since the reign of King Philip II, and is still surrounded by walls built during this period. Cartagena’s importance grew with the arrival of the Spanish Bourbons in the 18th century, when the Navidad Fortress was constructed to protect the harbour. In recent years, traces of the city’s fascinating past have been brought to light: a well-preserved Roman Theatre was discovered in 1988, and this has now been restored and opened to the public. During your free time, you may like to take a mini-cruise around Cartagena's historic harbour: these operate several times a day, take approximately 40 minutes and do not need to be booked in advance. Full details will be available at the port. As a major naval station on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, Cartagena has been greatly influenced by various cultures over the centuries. This historical crossroads of civilisations is evident in the city's diverse architectural styles, from the Roman era to Art Nouveau. A must-see landmark is the ancient Roman Theatre, unearthed in 1987 and beautifully restored for public viewing. |
| 23rd23 | AprApr | 202626 | Ibiza, Spain | | |
| Hedonistic and historic, Eivissa (Ibiza, in Castilian) is a city jam-packed with cafés, nightspots, and trendy shops; looming over it are the massive stone walls of Dalt Vila —the medieval city declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999—and its Gothic cathedral. Squeezed between the north walls of the old city and the harbor is Sa Penya, a long labyrinth of stone-paved streets that offer some of the city's best offbeat shopping, snacking, and exploring. The tourist information office on Vara de Rey has a useful map of walks through the old city. Ibiza's party scene is legendary worldwide, attracting thousands of revellers each year. This gorgeous Balearic Island, lying just off the coast of Spain, has become synonymous with electronic dance music, jetsetters lifestyle and late-night revelry. Despite its hedonistic reputation however, Ibiza also promotes responsible tourism, with initiatives to ensure the island's natural beauty, extending to beautiful sandy coves backed by pine-clad hills, is preserved for future generations. |
| 24th24 | AprApr | 202626 | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | | |
| If you look north of the cathedral (La Seu, or the seat of the bishopric, to Mallorcans) on a map of the city of Palma, you can see around the Plaça Santa Eulàlia a jumble of tiny streets that made up the earliest settlement. Farther out, a ring of wide boulevards traces the fortifications built by the Moors to defend the larger city that emerged by the 12th century. The zigzags mark the bastions that jutted out at regular intervals. By the end of the 19th century, most of the walls had been demolished; the only place where you can still see the massive defenses is at Ses Voltes, along the seafront west of the cathedral.A torrent (streambed) used to run through the middle of the old city, dry for most of the year but often a raging flood in the rainy season. In the 17th century it was diverted to the east, along the moat that ran outside the city walls. Two of Palma's main arteries, La Rambla and the Passeig d'es Born, now follow the stream's natural course. The traditional evening paseo (promenade) takes place on the Born.If you come to Palma by car, park in the garage beneath the Parc de la Mar (the ramp is just off the highway from the airport, as you reach the cathedral) and stroll along the park. Beside it run the huge bastions guarding the Almudaina Palace; the cathedral, golden and massive, rises beyond. Where you exit the garage, there's a ceramic mural by the late Catalan artist and Mallorca resident Joan Miró, facing the cathedral across the pool that runs the length of the park.If you begin early enough, a walk along the ramparts at Ses Voltes from the mirador beside the cathedral is spectacular. The first rays of the sun turn the upper pinnacles of La Seu bright gold and then begin to work their way down the sandstone walls. From the Parc de la Mar, follow Avinguda Antoni Maura past the steps to the palace. Just below the Plaça de la Reina, where the Passeig d'es Born begins, turn left on Carrer de la Boteria into the Plaça de la Llotja (if the Llotja itself is open, don't miss a chance to visit—it's the Mediterranean's finest Gothic-style civic building). From there stroll through the Plaça Drassana to the Museu d'Es Baluard, at the end of Carrer Sant Pere. Retrace your steps to Avinguda Antoni Maura. Walk up the Passeig d'es Born to Plaça Joan Carles I, then right on Avenida de La Unió. On neighbouring Majorca, the capital of Spain's Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, presents a city steeped in history brimming with striking architecture. One of Palma's most notable landmarks is the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture dating back to the 13th century, boasting one of the largest rose windows — a decorated circular window with stained glass — in the world. |
| 25th25 | AprApr | 202626 | Barcelona, Spain, disembark the Emerald Sakara | | |
| The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars. Your luxurious yacht cruise concludes in Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital city of Catalonia, where you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home or to continue your holiday. Please book your flight to depart out of Barcelona after 01:00 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. |
