Cruising Southern Spain and Portugal - with Smithsonian Journeys

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

Set sail aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville on an exceptional 8-day itinerary that will take you along the Portuguese and Spanish coasts, from Lisbon to Barcelona.

Your voyage begins in Lisbon, Portugal's capital. Lisbon boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. Enjoy strolling through the streets of this city of seven hills, soaking up the local zest for life.

You head first to the rich cultural landscape of Andalusia, where you will discover Cádiz, one of the country's oldest cities, and enchanting Málaga. These calls will allow for visits to the superb palace of the Alcázar in Seville and to the magnificent Alhambra of Grenada, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Your ship will then sail to Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands. Stop at the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, one of only a handful of circular castles in Europe, or board a vintage train through the orange and olive groves, almond and locust-bean trees, lush villages, and pine-covered mountains that create the island landscape.

Your call in captivating Valencia offers the opportunity to view the city's architectural wonders, from the UNESCO World Heritage La Lonja de la Seda, a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture originally used for trading silk, to the City of Arts and Sciences, a complex designed by native architect Santiago Calatrava.

Your voyage will end in Barcelona, a city in perpetual movement, where you will fall under the spell of the famous architectural works of Antoni Gaudí, including the UNESCO World Heritage Basílica de la Sagrada Família.