The Jamón Ibérico Route and the Pueblos Blancos - Amazing Andalusia: Enchanting Traditional Architecture and Fabulous Cuisine (port-to-port cruise)

Our coach will meet you at either the Seville Airport at 3:30 p.m. or the Seville train station at 4:00 p.m. to take you to Jerez de la Frontera,  where you'll check into a 4-star hotel for dinner and the night.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Set out on a full-day adventure to visit the Pueblos Blancos. See the most beautiful Pueblos Blancos in Andalusia. In the morning, we'll leave for Arcos de la Frontera, a charming village perched on a cliff. Next, we'll travel through Grazalema Natural Park along spectacular roads with breathtaking panoramas at every turn. We'll have lunch in Ronda, the largest city in the region. In the afternoon, we'll continue through the park towards Ubrique, visiting this charming village nestled at the foot of the mountains.

We'll return to Jerez de la Frontera for dinner and the night.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. In the morning, we'll visit the regional pig-raising pasturelands and discover the countryside where Jabugo ham is produced, one of the most famous in the world. The vast environment filled with oak trees and the acorns the pigs feast on gives the ham its special features. Learn about how it is made before enjoying a tasting of this famous delicacy. We'll have lunch in the area before leaving for Seville in the afternoon.        

Once in Seville, you'll board our ship, the MS Belle de Cadix. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Enjoy a free evening to explore Seville on your own.

Seville is an exemplary city in Spanish history, as Christian and Muslim cultures have cohabited in veritable peace throughout its past. The Andalusian capital simply oozes joy and liveliness on each of its streets and squares in the old city, and its architecture is testimony to its diverse heritage.

This morning, join us for a guided tour on foot of Seville, known by its secret code NO8DO (She has not abandoned me). Discover this splendid city and its impressive Mudéjar architecture. Many of its buildings are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the cathedral.

In the afternoon, we'll begin to cruise towards Cádiz. Will pass in front of the Doñana National Park, a UNESCO biosphere natural reserve, which spreads along the right bank of the river to its estuary. Located between the European and African continents, the reserve is one of the most important wet zones in the area and attracts several million migrating birds a year.

We’ll arrive in Cádiz this evening.

This morning, we’ll set out on a guided tour of Cádiz. The lovely city of Cádiz is tucked between lavish lagoons, sprawling beaches, and rich salt marshes. The city was once inhabited by the Phoenicians and Greeks and has been able to preserve its historic charm among its white walls. The sinuous streets in the medieval quarter contrast the straight and orderly streets found in the Baroque-style area.

This afternoon, join us for a visit to admire the Pueblos Blancos in Vejer de la Frontera and Conil de la Frontera. Vejer de la Frontera is one of the most captivating “white villages” in Andalusia. Every corner seems to be filled with colorful sights and fascinating spots to explore. Our next stop will be the fishing village of Conil de la Frontera. This coastal town is the apex of beauty among the Pueblos Blancos. White houses with beautifully decorated patios and walls make the city a must-see for any traveler. At the end of our tour, we’ll enjoy a snack of delicious churros dipped in chocolate. After our excursion, we’ll return on board the ship. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a Spanish-themed dinner and evening of flamenco. Our ship will cruise to El Puerto de Santa Maria.

This morning, we’ll visit the Osborne bodega and taste the local wines.* We’ll leave on foot with our host/hostess for the Osborne Bodega, where we’ll enjoy a tasting of three different wines along with some regional products. As with most European cultures, wine has a distinct place in Andalusian culture. The exceptional climate conditions help produce the famous Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.

We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Isla Minima. At the end of the afternoon, we will visit a typical Andalusian hacienda in Isla Minima, located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. The hacienda was originally a bull-raising ranch. At the beginning of the 1940s, the Escobar family settled across the whole area and founded Finca Isla Minima. It was the ideal location to raise wild bulls and Carthusian horses because of the quality of its pastures. Over the years it has become a model ranch. We'll return to the ship after the show and cast off for Seville.

This morning, we’ll tour the Palacio de las Dueñas. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, Las Dueñas was named after the former monastery of Santa María de las Dueñas. It has several buildings, courtyards, and gardens. We will tour the stables, lemon-tree courtyard, main courtyard, and Gypsy Hall—which was once the center of social life in the palace. Many of the other rooms we will see illustrate the fundamental activities found in Andalusian culture, including bullfighting and flamenco dancing.

After our excursion, we’ll return on board for lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon in Seville, and take advantage of this time to discover the city at your own pace. We suggest a stroll through the historic center to take in the full ambiance of the city.

OR

Optional excursion (not included in package): Full-day trip to Grenada(1) (available only through reservation before departure). We will leave by coach for a full-day tour of Grenada (driving time is approximately 3 hours round trip). We’ll visit the Alhambra, the Palacio de Generalife, and the historic center of the city.  Ringed by the imposing mountainous barrier of the Sierra Nevada, Grenada is built across three hills. Its most beautiful treasure is the Alhambra. The city’s cuisine, handicrafts, and architecture have all been marked by its glorious past. We will return to our ship by coach.

Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.