Grand Voyage: Malta to Las Palmas Cruise

Day 1 - Malta

Arrive: Sun 27 October 2024 / Depart: Sun 27 October 2024

The Knights of St. John put Malta on the map in 1565 when they withstood an invasion of 30,000 Turks with only 700 Knights. For that a grateful Europe gave them the means to build the city of Valleta. And a beautiful city it is. See the graves of the Knights guarded by masterpieces by Caravaggio in the imposing St. John's Co-Cathedral. Marvel at frescos in the Palace of the Grand Knights. Or drive to the ancient ruins of Hagar Qim, where Neolithic temples more than 5,500 years old are believed to be the oldest human structures on earth.

Day 2 - Gozo

Arrive: Mon 28 October 2024 / Depart: Mon 28 October 2024

Legend says that Ulysses tarried with the goddess Calypso on Gozo, hence it's original name of Calypso's Isle. And no wonder he didn't want to leave - her cave overlooks an enchanted lagoon of gin-clear water surrounded by tall cliffs called the Inland Sea. Look out to the blue Mediterranean through the Azure Window, a soaring arch of rock spanning sky and sea, carved by eons of wind and water.

Day 3 - At sea

Day 4 - Cagliari

Arrive: Wed 30 October 2024 / Depart: Wed 30 October 2024

Cagliari is the capital city of the Italian island of Sardinia. It’s known for the hilltop Castello, a medieval walled quarter situated high over the rest of the town. Architectural highlights include the 13th-century Cagliari Cathedral. Housed in a former arsenal, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari displays bronze objects, Roman ceramics and artifacts from the Nuragic age to the Byzantine era.

Day 5 - At sea

Day 6 - At sea

Day 7 - Mahon, Spain

Arrive: Sat 02 November 2024 / Depart: Sat 02 November 2024

You can see why Lord Nelson choose this spot as the base for the British Mediterranean fleet during the Napoleonic Wars. Imagine dozens of ships of the line, being fitted out for battle in this historic harbor. Reminders of those times can still be seen in the 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.

Day 8 - Majorca

Arrive: Sun 03 November 2024 / Depart: Sun 03 November 2024

Palma is a resort city and capital of the Spanish island of Mallorca (Majorca), in the western Mediterranean. The massive Santa María cathedral, a Gothic landmark begun in the 13th century, overlooks the Bay of Palma. The adjacent Almudaina is a Moorish-style Arab fortress converted to a royal residence. West of the city, hilltop Bellver Castle is a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape.

Day 9 - Ibiza

Arrive: Mon 04 November 2024 / Depart: Mon 04 November 2024

Ibiza is a place where people hang out because they can let it all hang out. With a wildly mixed population of trendy artists, aging hippies, laid-back ex-pats, and dedicated club goers, Ibiza has a well-earned reputation for the bizarre and outrageous. 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.

Day 10 - Cartagena, Spain

Arrive: Tue 05 November 2024 / Depart: Tue 05 November 2024

Cartagena is a port city and naval base in the Murcia region of southeast Spain. Founded by the Carthaginians around 220 B.C., the city boomed during the Roman period. Among its many Roman ruins are a 1st-century B.C. theater and Casa de la Fortuna, a villa with murals and mosaics. The Muralla Púnica (Punic Wall) interpretation center houses the remains of a 3rd-century B.C. defensive wall.

Day 11 - Motril, Granada

Arrive: Wed 06 November 2024 / Depart: Wed 06 November 2024

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, Motril lies at the heart of the Costa Tropical which is one of the most lush and productive agricultural areas of Spain. The town’s coastal strip includes two main beaches - the busiest being Playa Poniente, which is well served with tourist facilities, and the quieter Playa Granada. There are also many sheltered coves, rocky inlets and impressive cliff faces along this stretch of coastline making it popular with divers, snorkelers and sailors.

Day 12 - Malaga

Arrive: Thu 07 November 2024 / Depart: Thu 07 November 2024

When the Moors crossed over from Africa to Andalucía in 714, they were to establish a kingdom that would become the glory of the Middle Ages. 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. Ferdinand and Isabella lived here for a while, as did Washington Irving, author or Tales of the Alhambra

Day 13 - Gibraltar

Arrive: Fri 08 November 2024 / Depart: Fri 08 November 2024

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. First settled by the Moors in the Middle Ages and later ruled by Spain, the outpost was ceded to the British in 1713. Layers of fortifications include the remains of a 14th-century Moorish Castle and the 18th century Great Siege Tunnels, which were expanded in WWII

Day 14 - Tangier

Arrive: Sat 09 November 2024 / Depart: Sat 09 November 2024

Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, is the country’s cultural hub. It retains its walled, cobblestoned Old Town, home to cafes and shops, as well as Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century defensive tower. Its Gothic Town Hall, built in the 13th century and with a 64m-high tower, sits in historic Tallinn’s main square. St. Nicholas Church is a 13th-century landmark exhibiting ecclesiastical art.

Day 15 - Cadiz

Arrive: Sun 10 November 2024 / Depart: Sun 10 November 2024

Cadiz called ‘‘the cup of silver’’ takes its name from the silvery harbour and sparkling atmosphere. It is almost African in appearance - its streets are lined with palm trees, its churches topped with dome-like cupolas and its white houses shaded by orange trees. Take advantage of our optional tours to Seville, the irresistible capital and cultural centre of Andalusia with its colourful and festive lifestyle.

Day 16 - At sea

Day 17 - Safi (Morroco)

Arrive: Tue 12 November 2024 / Depart: Tue 12 November 2024

Today, Safi is mainly modern, home to a fishing port and diversified industries. The old town which lies within the city is still very much alive. Here you may be tempted to buy pottery typical of this part of the region.

Day 18 - At sea

Day 19 - Lanzarote

Arrive: Thu 14 November 2024 / Depart: Thu 14 November 2024

Arrecife is a port city on the east coast of Lanzarote, one of Spain’s Canary Islands. In the old quarter, the 17th-century San Ginés Church has a bell tower and a Mudéjar-style ceiling. The Agustín De La Hoz mansion now houses a cultural center. Playa del Reducto beach has golden sand and calm waters. The International Museum of Contemporary Art displays abstract works in San José Castle, an 18th-century fortress

Day 20 - Fuerteventura

Arrive: Fri 15 November 2024 / Depart: Fri 15 November 2024

Puerto del Rosario is a busy port and the capital of Fuerteventura, one of Spain’s Canary Islands. It’s known for its whitewashed houses and open-air artworks, including giant snail sculptures along the harbor promenade. Close to the harbor, Playa Chica is a sheltered beach with clear waters. Playa Blanca, to the south, has strong surf. Shops line León y Castillo and the pedestrianized Primero de Mayo streets

Day 21 - Gran Canaria

Arrive: Sat 16 November 2024 / Depart: Sat 16 November 2024

Columbus wasn’t the fi rst visitor to Las Palmas (he stopped here twice on his first voyage). Today this 15th century city with a semi-tropical colonial ambiance is a favourite stopping place for yachts crossing the Atlantic. Visit the Casa Colon, named for the great explorer, and do some exploring of your own by adventuring to the volcanic crater of Caldera de Taburiente National Park. Its lunar landscape and exotic vegetation take you to a new world!