| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 5th05 | OctOct | 202424 | Cannes, France, embark on the Royal Clipper | | |
| Cannes is pampered with the luxurious year-round climate that has made it one of the most popular resorts in Europe. Cannes was an important sentinel site for the monks who established themselves on Île St-Honorat in the Middle Ages. Its bay served as nothing more than a fishing port until in 1834 an English aristocrat, Lord Brougham, fell in love with the site during an emergency stopover with a sick daughter. He had a home built here and returned every winter for a sun cure—a ritual quickly picked up by his peers. Between the popularity of Le Train Blue transporting wealthy passengers from Calais, and the introduction in 1936 of France's first paid holidays, Cannes became the destination, a tasteful and expensive breeding ground for the upper-upscale.Cannes has been further glamorized by the ongoing success of its annual film festival, as famous as Hollywood's Academy Awards. About the closest many of us will get to feeling like a film star is a stroll here along La Croisette, the iconic promenade that gracefully curves the wave-washed sand coastline, peppered with chic restaurants and prestigious private beaches. This is precisely the sort of place for which the French invented the verb flâner (to dawdle, saunter): strewn with palm trees and poseurs, its fancy boutiques and status-symbol grand hotels—including the Carlton, the legendary backdrop to Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief —all vying for the custom of the Louis Vuitton set. This legend is, to many, the heart and soul of the Côte d'Azur. Glittering Cannes is the archetypal Mediterranean resort city discovered by wealthy English nobles who came to the sunny south of France to escape their drafty old castles during the dreary British winters. Cannes' high flying lifestyle has attracted notables and the notorious ever since. Every year, the stars flock to celebrate the Cannes Film Festival at the colossal Palais des Festivals. |
| 6th06 | OctOct | 202424 | Bonifacio, Corsica, France | | |
| Located in the South of Corsica, Bonifacio is one of the island’s most beautiful destinations. From its breathtaking views and sandy white islands to its historic citadel, the city is a must visit for anyone travelling to the island. Bonifacio's almost land-locked harbour is one of the most dramatic, totally protected harbours. It is a bustling port with excellent seafood restaurants, and a modern marina. The ancient citadel town is perched high atop a seemingly impenetrable cliff. |
| 7th07 | OctOct | 202424 | Mahón, Menorca, Spain | | |
| The capital of Menorca since 1721, Mahon has a impressive natural deep water harbour, which is one of the largest in the world. This, coupled with its strategic location, has made it a stronghold for many nations throughout history. Mahon has an abundance of historical buildings, the oldest being the Arch of Saint Roc which is all that remains of the wall that once encircled the whole town. The island was occupied by the British during the 18th century and Lord Nelson is thought to have stayed there. Indeed, San Antoni Mansion, located on the north side of the harbour, houses a collection of Nelson memorabilia. The legacy of colonial rule can be seen in the muted Georgian style of some of the buildings, but Mahon still boasts attractive examples of neo-Classical, Baroque and Romanesque architecture. With narrow streets to explore, pleasant shaded squares and welcoming pavement cafés, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Please be aware that most shops in town close for a siesta between 1330 and 1730. Gracious Georgian buildings that climb the steep hills backing the Moll Ponent. Mahon's heritage also includes the invention of mayonnaise and the first distillation of gin from juniper berries. |
| 8th08 | OctOct | 202424 | 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 is a place where people hang out because, except for the medieval walls, you could almost think it was the Med's version of Key West. But away from the hustle of town, some lovely beaches await. |
| 9th09 | OctOct | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 10th10 | OctOct | 202424 | Motril, Spain | | |
| Motril is located in the Spanish region of Andalucia on the Costa Tropical. It is the biggest town on the Costa with a thriving commercial, fishing and leisure port. An hour and a half's drive east of Malaga and within easy reach of the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountain range, Motril makes an ideal base for exploring the many delights of the Andalucian coastline and its hinterland. Halfway between the resorts of Malaga to the west and Almeria to the east, nestling in the foothills of the Sierra Lujar mountains, Motril is at the heart of one of the most fertile and productive agricultural areas of Spain. The Costa Tropical takes its name from its sub-tropical climate which enables the cultivation of exotic fruits and crops such as sugar cane, oranges, lemons, apples, avocadoes, mangoes and bananas. One of the sights of Motril is the 17th-century church of Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza, dedicated to the town's patron saint. The town of Motril is located in the Spanish region of Andalucia on the Costa Tropical. Nestling at the foothills of the Sierra Lujar mountains, the town's coastal strip includes two main beaches - the busy Playa Poniente, and the quieter Playa Granada. |
| 11th11 | OctOct | 202424 | 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. Malaga's fortress palace of the Alcazaba and the Castillo de Gibralfaro are splendid examples of Moorish architecture. But it is in Granada that you can see the most romantic and magnificent expression of the Arabesque style in the glorious Alhambra Palace. |
| 12th12 | OctOct | 202424 | Puerto Banús, Spain | | |
| Located on the Costa del Sol of southeast Spain, Puerto Banus is a beautiful Mediterranean playground of white-washed buildings and a marina filled with yachts. The marina was developed in 1970 and over the past four decades has become adored by jet-setters around the globe for its beauty and simplicity. Famous for its prominent visitors, nightlife and luxury boutiques, this ‘Jewel of the Costa del Sol' is very much the place to see and be seen. |
| 13th13 | OctOct | 202424 | 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. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and headland, on Spain's south coast. It's dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m-high limestone ridge. The Cable Car is one of the ways to the Top of the Rock and a must-see attraction for all visitors to Gibraltar. The view is spectacular and you can watch the islands famous apes. A lesser known wildlife attraction are the dolphins leaping in the sparkling waters of Gibraltar Bay. Whole families of dolphins visit the bay and the chances of seeing them are good." |
| 14th14 | OctOct | 202424 | Tangier, Morocco | | |
| Tangier can trace its origins back to the Phoenicians and ancient Greeks. It was named after Tinge, the mother of Hercules’ son, and its beginnings are embedded in mythology. It was subsequently a Roman province, and after Vandal and Byzantine influences, was occupied by the Arabs with Spain, Portugal, France and England also playing a part in the city’s history. With such a diverse past it is perhaps not surprising that Tangier is such an individual city. Overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar, the city lies on a bay between two promontories. With its old Kasbah, panoramic views, elegant buildings, squares and places of interest, there is much to discover in both the new and old parts of the city. Tangier was the real model for the famous American film «Casablanca» with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. It still retains its faded mongrel charm - not entirely Moroccan, European or African but a heady mix of all three. |
| 15th15 | OctOct | 202424 | 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. Cadiz called 'the cup of silver' is almost African in appearance, its streets are lined with palm trees, its churches topped with dome-like cupolas. Take advantage of our optional tours to Seville, the irresistible capital and cultural centre of Andalusia with its colourful and festive lifestyle. |
| 16th16 | OctOct | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 17th17 | OctOct | 202424 | Lisbon, Portugal, disembark the Royal Clipper | | |
| 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. The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of history. Spreading out along the right bank of the Tagus, its downtown, the Baixa, is located in the 18th-century area around Rossio. The Alfama, one of the oldest quarters in Lisboa, still retains much of its original layout since it largely survived the earthquake of 1755. |
