Discover the charms of Granada, the architecturally stunning capital of the Andalusia region, by exploring a magnificent palace, the Royal Chapel and the city’s oldest quarter.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for scenic drive inland to Granada, a city likely named for the Spanish word for pomegranate, a fruit so abundant it is depicted on Granada’s coat of arms. Or Granada may have derived from its Moorish name, as the city was the Moors’ last stronghold before falling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs in 1492.

Granada features a wealth of extraordinary architecture such as your first stop, the Carlos V Palace within the Alhambra complex. Construction on the palace began in the early 16th century, following a Renaissance ground plan with a circular courtyard within a square building—the only one of its kind in Spain. Amazingly, a monarch has never lived in the palace, nor did it even have a roof until 1957.

Walking a bit farther, you will soon arrive in the labyrinthine streets of the Albayzin quarter (down part of the quarter), the city’s oldest section. UNESCO has deemed it a World Heritage site for its harmonious blend of Moorish and Andalusian architecture.

Nearby, you will find the glorious Royal Chapel, the final resting place of Spanish monarchs such as Queen Isabella and Kind Ferdinand. Be sure to see the chapel’s mausoleum, spectacular altarpieces and ornate grilles before enjoying free time and perhaps lunch on your own in the surrounding historical area.

Afterwards, you will drive back to Malaga.

Visit an ancient farm and mill that produce olive oil in a traditional way that protects the environment and improves the land’s biodiversity. While walking through the olive groves with the owners of Molino La Paca, you will gain an understanding of the traditional agricultural practices in Andalusia. It provides benefits to the environment, such as less soil erosion, improved fire protection and greater biodiversity. Learn how the processes residues are used to produce energy in a nearby factory. While enjoying olives and a glass of local wine, you will taste the difference in the extra-virgin olive oil that the farm produces. For a glimpse into other aspects of Andalusian life, you will explore Mijas, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences and a picture-perfect village perched high on a mountainside.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour a farm and mill that produce organic olive oil in an traditional manner.
• Enjoy olives and a glass of local wine.
• Spend free time exploring Mijas, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy an overview of this legendary city’s best known attractions, including buildings of Mudejar and Gothic architecture, lovely parks and the bullring. Departing the port, your sightseeing drive will take you along Alameda Boulevard en route to the hilltop location of Gibralfaro. As you walk along the ramparts crowning the 560 foot high summit, admire splendid views of the city, harbor and the bullring. Then your coach will take you back down to the Plaza de la Merced for a short walk to the Alcazaba. At the foot of this ancient fortress, view the excavated ruins of a Roman amphitheater.

The restored Alcazaba dates back to the 11th century when the king of Granada ordered the fortress built and modeled on the style of the Alhambra. After the Christian conquest, the Catholic kings took over the Alcazaba and King Philip IV used it as his residence when visiting Malaga. Leaving the Alcazaba, your walk continues to the cathedral. You’ll admire its fabulous interior, the exquisitely carved choir stalls and other fine examples of Spanish Renaissance sculpture.

Take a drive along the coast passing the holiday resort of Fuengirola before arriving at the town of Marbella. Plunge into the past and visit the old quarter of the town with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses and heavily grilled windows, centered around the beautiful Plaza de los Naranjos "Orange Tree Square" filled with stately buildings, small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros; a hub of activity day and night.

Once a small fishing village, Marbella today is a fashionable and sophisticated resort, visited by the rich and famous. After your guided walk, enjoy some free time to explore on your own or shop before the return drive to your ship.

Explore the attractions in Malaga that sound most interesting to you by using an Attraction Pass that covers the entrance fees and transportation around the city. Just hop on one of the buses that make continuous loops through Malaga and then hop off when it reaches an attraction that sounds intriguing. There's no need to rush because you can hop on another bus whenever the mood strikes. The Interactive Museum of Music is a great stop to participate in exhibitions that showcase music and art, where you will be able to enjoy Jaleo, a quality show to experience the intimacy of the Flamenco soul. Other great choices include browsing the works of art in the Centre Pompidou Malaga. Attractions Included: The pass includes the City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, the Interactive Museum of Music Malaga, the Automobile Museum and 3 of the following attractions based on the guests' preferences: Picasso Birthplace Museum, Jaleo Flamenco Show, Pompidou Museum, Revello de Toro Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, Alborania Museum, City Sightseeing Malaga Boat Tour.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Use the Attraction Pass to see Malaga’s best attractions at your own pace.
• Ride a bus around town, stopping at the attractions that you find most appealing, and stay as long as you like at each attraction to enhance your understanding of it.
• 3 Attractions Included: City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, the Interactive Museum of Music Malaga, and the Automobile Museum.
• 3 Attractions Choose-and-Select from the following options: Picasso Birthplace Museum, Jaleo Flamenco Show, Pompidou Museum, Revello de Toro Museum, Carmen Thyssen Museum, Alborania Museum, City Sightseeing Malaga Boat Tour.

OVERVIEW

Walk directly from the pier to some of the most iconic attractions in Malaga, many of which feature extraordinary Mudejar and Gothic architecture. You will see some of those buildings while meandering down leafy Alameda Boulevard on the way to Alcazaba, a fortification that the Moors constructed beginning in the 11th century. Some of its stones were repurposed from the Roman amphitheater built a millennium earlier at the foot of the fortress. You won’t have far to go to reach the pedestrianized city center, where you will find Picasso’s birthplace on the north corner of Plaza de la Merced and the city’s majestic cathedral. A fine example of Renaissance architecture, the cathedral took two centuries to build and its proposed second tower was never completed, the reason the somewhat lopsided cathedral is known as the “one-armed woman.” Free time follows the guided exploration, during which you might shop and dine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold revered landmarks while walking through Malaga’s compact city center.
• Gain insight into the city’s past at the Roman amphitheater and the 11th-century Alcazaba.
• View a variety of architecture, including Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance.
• See the magnificent single-tower Malaga Cathedral, the so-called “one-armed woman.”
• Spend free time in the city center, an area with abundant shopping and dining options.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing however you please at the fashionable beach in Torremolinos, an enticing resort town on the affluent Costa del Sol. The beach has been designated a Blue Flag, meaning it meets stringent environmental criteria for cleanliness and water quality. During your time there, you might stretch out on a sun bed, lie in the shade of beach umbrella, stroll the lengthy shoreline and take a refreshing swim in the sea. The fine golden sand is one of its most attractive features making it one of the favorite stretches of coast for residents and tourists alike. The beach is also exceptionally wide so you can easily find your own slice of paradise on it. If you wish to explore the surrounding area, the seaside promenade is lined with shops and restaurants.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax for hours at a popular beach in the resort town of Torremolinos.
• Take comfort in knowing that the beach has a Blue Flag designation for being eco-friendly.
• Do whatever you please at the beach, which is long, wide and fashionable.
• Take full advantage of the provided sun beds and beach umbrellas.
• Stroll the seaside promenade, a hub for shopping and dining.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride through downtown Malaga on, a small electric vehicle, ideal for navigating through an urban environment. According to the availability , you might be assigned either a Twizy - a half-car, half-motorcycle with seating for two people – made by Renault , a Ami, a funny e-minicar made by Citroen or a similar vehicle. Large windows and remarkable stability, will allow you to easily zip in and out of traffic. You can either drive or ride along as a passenger. As you travel from the pier through Malaga’s downtown, the guide will provide enlightening commentary over the vehicle radio. The exact route will depend on the traffic conditions, but you can expect to pass all sorts of historical landmarks before looping back to the pier. Stops will be made at points of interests such as Gibralfaro Castle, a 10th-century Moorish fortress that perches high on a hill overlooking the city. The views are spectacular from atop the castle’s medieval stone ramparts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Malaga in unique electric minicar
• Take the wheel or just ride along as a passenger, if you prefer.
• Enjoy commentary from the guide through the vehicle radio.
• Take in the panoramic views while stopping at the ramparts of a 10th-century castle.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Malaga, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie tutor will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.

As you walk and ride through Malaga, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Gibralfaro Castle
• Plaza de la Higuera
• Malaga Cathedral
• Roman Theater
• Alcazaba
• Pompidou Centre museum
• City Hall

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Malaga.
• Follow tips from your selfie tutor to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Enjoy sweeping views of Malaga from the viewpoint of Gibralfaro Castle.
• See Malaga Cathedral, nicknamed the “one-armed woman” for its single tower.
• Stand in front of the multi-colored glass cube of the Pompidou Centre art museum

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Be sure your phone or camera is fully charged.

OVERVIEW

Savor the slow pace and casual lifestyle so prevalent in the mountain villages north of Malaga, where you will linger over a home-cooked meal at a private residence and spend a visit to an olive oil mill. As you meander through white-washed village of Alfarnatejo, you can’t help but notice the relaxed pace. Life here reflects the town’s remote location, limited population and low-key economy. Days are meant to be enjoyed without stress or anything else that may interrupt the tranquility. It’s a refreshing attitude that the locals have wholeheartedly embraced in these wonderfully serene mountain villages, where goats seem to outnumber residents. Life here also unfolds slowly, as you will discover while visiting a private home for an authentic Andalusian meal. Your hospitable host will happily discuss the attractions of living in a quiet village and how most residents pass the time. The conversation can be as frank as you wish and no topic is off limits.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Stroll the tranquil streets of Alfarnatejo, taking in the village’s stress-free atmosphere.
• Stop in a small olive oil mill to learn about the process of extra virgin olive oil make and taste some of the products.
• Dine on authentic Andalusian cuisine at a private residence in Alfarnatejo.
• Discuss daily life with your hospitable hosts, who will gladly share their views.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Watch a mesmerizing flamenco performance in a traditional club where this passionate style of dance takes center stage. A leisurely walk to the pedestrianized city center will bring you to Peña Flamenco Juan Breva, an esteemed flamenco museum and club where you will see the show while dining on tapas. Through dance, song and guitar music, the seductive gypsy art of flamenco tells an emotional story with themes ranging from love to oppression. The costumed performers will express themselves through hand-clapping, foot-stomping and shouts of encouragement that harkens back to the earliest forms of flamenco, which originated in southern Spain about 200 years ago. It will be hard not to get caught up in the dancers’ passion for flamenco as it is so representative of the region. Flamenco fuses song, dance and musicianship so artistically that UNESCO included it on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Free time follows the performance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a highly charged flamenco performance at a traditional peña flamenco club.
• Browse the exhibits at the flamenco museum within the club.
• Be inspired by the dancers’ passion for flamenco, which originated in southern Spain.
• Enjoy tapas during the performance and free time after the performance.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend free time shopping along elegant Calle Larios before settling in for a traditional lunch at El Pimpi, a restaurant that Malaga-born actor Antonio Banderas co-owns. As an introduction to the city, you will enjoy a guided tour of landmarks such as the Alcazaba, a palatial fortress that dates to the 11th century. You will also view the exterior of the Malaga Cathedral, whose planned second tower was never completed, giving rise to the cathedral’s nickname “the one-armed woman.” It lies within the historic district as does the pedestrian-only Calle Larios, a shopping paradise that is also Malaga’s most expensive residential area. You will dine nearby at El Pimpi, whose name refers to a folkloric character that was a city guide for visiting sailors. Although the menu – named for Malaga-born Picasso – changes seasonally, it will likely include potato salad with prawns, local fried fish and acorn-fed Iberian tenderloin pork, all complemented by unlimited wine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Malaga’s landmarks on an enlightening tour of the historic district.
• Shop along the exclusive pedestrian-only street Calle Larios.
• Dine at El Pimpi, a restaurant that actor Antonio Banderas co-owns.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.