| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 24th24 | AprApr | 202020 | 1 night accommodation before your cruise, staying in Lisbon | | |
| 25th25 | AprApr | 202020 | Lisbon, Portugal, embark on the Scenic Eclipse | | |
| Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades. Welcome to Lisbon, where your journey into wonder begins with a warm greeting from your crew as you step on board Scenic Eclipse. Raise your glass this evening and toast to the start of your luxurious cruise. |
| 26th26 | AprApr | 202020 | Portimão, Portugal | | |
| Portimão is a major fishing port, and significant investment has been poured into transforming it into an attractive cruise port as well. The city itself is spacious and has several good shopping streets—though sadly many of the more traditional retailers have closed in the wake of the global economic crisis. There is also a lovely riverside area that just begs to be strolled (lots of the coastal cruises depart from here). Don’t leave without stopping for an alfresco lunch at the Doca da Sardinha ("sardine dock") between the old bridge and the railway bridge. You can sit at one of many inexpensive establishments, eating charcoal-grilled sardines (a local specialty) accompanied by chewy fresh bread, simple salads, and local wine. On the western Algarve, Portimatildeo is a small port with a bustling historic centre. The architecture is a blend of 19th and 20th century mixed with colourful modern constructions. Today choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities or join a more active Scenic Discovery excursion. Freechoice: Visit Cabo San Vincente and Sagres Fort or explore the unique sandstone formations of Ponte de Piedade. Alternatively, uncover the ancient capital of Silves. Discovery: Take a Scenic Discovery excursion by bike to the pretty beaches of Praia da Rocha, go hiking along the Sete Vales Suspensos (Seven Hanging Valleys), or kayaking through caves. |
| 27th27 | AprApr | 202020 | Seville, Spain | | |
| Whether you pronounce it Seville or Sevilla, this gorgeous Spanish town is most certainly the stuff of dreams. Over 2,200 years old, Seville has a mutli-layered personality; home to Flamenco, high temperatures and three UNESCO-World Heritage Sites, there is a noble ancestry to the southern Spanish town. Not forgetting that it is the birthplace of painter Diego Velazquez, the resting place of Christopher Columbus, the inspiration for Bizet’s Carmen and a location for Game of Thrones filming, Seville is truly more than just a sum of its parts. This city is a full on experience, a beguiling labyrinth of centuries old streets, tiny tapas restaurants serving possibly the best dishes you’ll taste south of Madrid and a paradise of Mudejar architecture and tranquil palm trees and fountain-filled gardens. Seville, the elegant capital of Andalusia lies on the shores of the Guadalquivir River. Docking right in the heart of the city, simply step off Scenic Eclipse to start your discovery. Discover Seville's stunning mix of monuments and gardens, many of which are UNESCO World-heritage listed sites, on your included tour. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before your exclusive Scenic Enrich experience. Enrich Visit one of the oldest bullrings for an exclusive equestrian flamenco show There is ample time this evening to explore the local nightlife and city lights as Scenic Eclipse is docked in port overnight. |
| 28th28 | AprApr | 202020 | Seville, Spain | | |
| Whether you pronounce it Seville or Sevilla, this gorgeous Spanish town is most certainly the stuff of dreams. Over 2,200 years old, Seville has a mutli-layered personality; home to Flamenco, high temperatures and three UNESCO-World Heritage Sites, there is a noble ancestry to the southern Spanish town. Not forgetting that it is the birthplace of painter Diego Velazquez, the resting place of Christopher Columbus, the inspiration for Bizet’s Carmen and a location for Game of Thrones filming, Seville is truly more than just a sum of its parts. This city is a full on experience, a beguiling labyrinth of centuries old streets, tiny tapas restaurants serving possibly the best dishes you’ll taste south of Madrid and a paradise of Mudejar architecture and tranquil palm trees and fountain-filled gardens. Today choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities or join a more active Scenic Discovery excursion. Freechoice: Explore the monuments including the World Heritage-listed Alcázar Palace or visit the sherry capital, Jerez, for a tasting. Alternatively, choose to visit nearby historic Córdoba. Discovery: Take a Scenic Discovery excursion by bike. |
| 29th29 | AprApr | 202020 | Gibraltar, Gibraltar | | |
| Tagged on to the end of Iberia, the intriguing British outpost of Gibraltar is dominated by a sandy peninsula and the stunning 1,400-feet-high limestone Rock. Although small, Gibraltar has always been seen as having great strategic importance on account of its advantageous position where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, just 12 miles from the coast of Africa. Ever popular with British holidaymakers, Gibraltar is very much a home from home, boasting excellent duty-free shopping in many familiar British high street shops. Please note: Gibraltar’s small size and narrow winding roads mean that excursions are operated by 22-seater mini-buses, accompanied by a driver/guide. Local health and safety regulations prohibit the carriage of walking aids and collapsible wheelchairs on these vehicles. If you do wish to bring a mobility aid, we can arrange the Rock Tour by taxi, which has extra space. If this suits your requirements, please advise the Tours and Travel office when you join the ship, as numbers are limited. At the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, the southernmost point of Europe, lies Gibraltar. This British Overseas Territory is strategically positioned at the western end of the Mediterranean, forming one of the ancient Pillars of Hercules. Today choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities or join a more active Scenic Discovery excursion. Freechoice: Set foot on the Rock of Gibraltar and see the cheeky Barbary macaques or tour the WWII tunnels and learn about the city's defense system. Discovery: Hike the Mediterranean Steps for an incredibly scenic journey. |
| 30th30 | AprApr | 202020 | 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. Málaga on Spain's Costa del Sol, is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and one of the oldest cities in the world. Today choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities or join a more active Scenic Discovery excursion. Freechoice: Uncover the secrets of the historic city centre and the Picasso Museum or take a panoramic tour and visit Gibralfaro Castle. Alternatively, discover the village of Mijas Pueblo. Discovery: Choose a Scenic Discovery bike excursion around Malaga, covering the present day and winding back through 3,000 years of civilization. |
| 1st01 | MayMay | 202020 | 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. A prized location for millenia with one of the world's great natural harbours and surrounded by rich mineral deposits, Cartagena was founded by the Carthaginians and conquered by the Romans, leaving a wealth of ancient sites in and around the city. Today choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities or join a more active Scenic Discovery excursion. Freechoice: Enjoy a walking tour of Cartagena and marvel at the Roman Amphitheatre or visit the historic city of Murcia dating back to 831AD. Alternatively, explore La Unión mining museum. Discovery: Take a Scenic Discovery bike excursion through the Natural Park of Calblanque, or choose a kayaking tour. |
| 2nd02 | MayMay | 202020 | Valencia, Spain | | |
| Valencia, Spain's third-largest municipality, is a proud city with a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene, quality museums, and spectacular contemporary architecture, juxtaposed with a thoroughly charming historic quarter, making it a popular destination year in year out. During the Civil War, it was the last seat of the Republican Loyalist government (1935–36), holding out against Franco’s National forces until the country fell to 40 years of dictatorship. Today it represents the essence of contemporary Spain—daring design and architecture along with experimental cuisine—but remains deeply conservative and proud of its traditions. Though it faces the Mediterranean, Valencia's history and geography have been defined most significantly by the River Turia and the fertile huerta that surrounds it.The city has been fiercely contested ever since it was founded by the Greeks. El Cid captured Valencia from the Moors in 1094 and won his strangest victory here in 1099: he died in the battle, but his corpse was strapped into his saddle and so frightened the besieging Moors that it caused their complete defeat. In 1102 his widow, Jimena, was forced to return the city to Moorish rule; Jaume I finally drove them out in 1238. Modern Valencia was best known for its frequent disastrous floods until the River Turia was diverted to the south in the late 1950s. Since then the city has been on a steady course of urban beautification. The lovely bridges that once spanned the Turia look equally graceful spanning a wandering municipal park, and the spectacularly futuristic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), most of it designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, has at last created an exciting architectural link between this river town and the Mediterranean. If you're in Valencia, an excursion to Albufera Nature Park is a worthwhile day trip. Boasting 300 days of sunshine each year, Valencia merges contemporary architecture with more than 2,000 years of history. Today choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities or join a more active Scenic Discovery excursion. Freechoice: Take a walking tour to discover the city or uncover the vibrant art and science scene. Alternatively, food lovers will delight in a tasting tour of local cuisine. Discovery: Choose a Scenic Discovery bike excursion of the city. |
| 3rd03 | MayMay | 202020 | Tarragona, Spain, disembark the Scenic Eclipse | | |
| Disembark after breakfast for your transfer to Barcelona for your flight to the UK as you farewell the crew and take away memories of a truly unforgettable cruise. Please book your flight to depart Barcelona after 12pm. |
