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.

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.

Discover the traditional ways being practiced in the fishing village Pedregalejo, where you will learn how to grill sardines on an open fire. The fishermen of this village use wooden boats, known as jábegas, the origin of which dates to the Phoenician era. They have recently experienced a rebirth of sorts with rowing clubs using them in competitive events. Pedregalejo is also revered for its old-style beachfront restaurants known as chiringuitos. At one of the most popular chiringuitos, you will learn how to prepare espeto, which is barbecued fish, most often sardines. The fish are heavily seasoned with coarse sea salt and skewered on long flat bamboo sticks. They are then placed over an open fire of olive wood, which imparts an unmistakable flavor. If sardines are used, their silvery color will turn golden brown as they cook. Once the sardines are done, you can eat them with your fingers right off the skewer.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a panoramic drive up to Gibralfaro Castle with time for photo stop.
• Stop in a beachfront restaurant known as a chiringuito for a cooking demonstration.
• Watch fresh sardines being grilled over an open fire and eat them right off the skewer.

OVERVIEW

Explore a series of caves that were once under the sea and indulge in an inspired wine tasting at a nearby restaurant. The Treasure Caves are named for their unusual geology, their Paleolithic Age wall paintings and the legend that the monarchs of the Almoravid dynasty buried treasure there in the 12th century. As you walk through the eerily illuminated caves, you will notice how seawater shaped the interior over the eons. There are still subterranean lakes in some of the chambers. A tasting of premium Spanish wines thoughtfully paired with tapas follows at the Valle Niza restaurant. Those pairings may include a sparkling wine served with a ham-and-cheese board, a fruity white wine with confit cod, a red wine with braised ratatouille, and a moscatel dessert wine with French toast and coconut ice cream. The chosen pairings will be representative of Costa del Sol’s extraordinary wines and cuisine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse the Treasure Caves, which were once completely under the sea.
• Sample several local wines paired with tapas at a restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Race over a stretch of spectacularly beautiful countryside on the outskirts of Malaga on a zipline that will enable you to reach a dizzying speed of up to 62 miles per hour. The adventure will begin atop Sunview Park, where after a briefing to help you maximize the experience, you will be harnessed into the zipline. It is the longest double zipline in Andalusia so you can share the thrills with a friend or family member that will race along side-by-side on the adjacent zipline. You have the choice of sitting in the zipline harness or lying flat in the so-called Superman position, which reduces your wind resistance. Either way, the ride will be immensely exhilarating as you zip downhill for nearly one mile. Along the way, you will enjoy a literal bird’s-eye view of distant mountains, agricultural fields and perhaps other adventurers riding horseback through the countryside below.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the longest double-zipline in Andalusia at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour.
• Fly through the air like Superman or sit in the zipline harness, if you prefer that position.
• Race downhill for nearly a mile and take in the beautiful scenery from high above.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak along the Cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo and enjoy a unique perspective of the dramatically beautiful shore. This area is known as the Tropical Coast because the sheltering Sierra Nevada mountains have created a mild microclimate, one that encourages outdoor activities. You will begin kayaking at La Herradura, a town known for its horseshoe-shaped bay and wide beaches, and then skirt along the visually arresting shore of the nature reserve. It is one of the few coastal areas in Andalusia that is undeveloped and as a result the flora and fauna have flourished. Depending on the chosen route and sea currents, you may enter small coastal caves, pass seagull habitats and secluded beaches and spot mountain goats along the craggy cliffs. Regardless of where you paddle, you will enjoy a close-up view of the wild, mountainous landscape. Afterwards, you may have the opportunity to swim in the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak along the jagged cliffs of a nature reserve and enjoy spectacular views.
• Look for wildlife while passing the wild coastal landscape, isolated beaches and coves.
• Take a refreshing swim in the sea, if time permits.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

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 rousing flamenco performance and savor a traditional Andalusian lunch at Venta Luciano, a family-owned restaurant-club that opened in 1956. A wonderfully scenic drive along southern Spain’s sun-splashed Costa Tropical will bring you to this beloved venue in the town of Almuñécar. Over the years, it has hosted some of flamenco’s greatest performers and the scheduled Aires de Sacromonte show will be star-studded, as well. Once you settle into your seat, the flamenco performance will begin with all the flair and passion associated with this centuries-old art form. You can expect it to be mesmerizing as the performers tell emotional stories through song and dance. As the perfect complement, you will enjoy a tapas and completed meal and cava sparkling wine as starters and a hearty meal made with locally sourced ingredients for a true taste of Andalusia. Besides sangria, white Zacatín and red Lindaraja Roble wines from the award-winning Fontedei winery will be served.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the seaside panoramas as you drive along the Costa Tropical, a subtropical paradise.
• Watch an expressive and emotional flamenco performance at Venta Luiciano.
• Savor traditional tapas and an Andalusian lunch with sparkling cava and other local wines.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Ride through the streets of Malaga in a tuk-tuk and stop along the way for tastings at destinations that are abuzz with activity. The tuk-tuk – an open-air rickshaw of sorts for just four passengers – will offer a unique perspective of the landmarks, which will become all the more meaningful as the driver describes them. While visiting a popular beach bar, you can choose a favorite drink that pairs well with a skewer of grilled sardines, which are known as espetos. These locally caught fish are typically prepared with a light seasoning of sea salt and olive oil and cooked over an open fire. Your immersion into Andalusian cuisine will continue with a plate of tapas at a tavern. Although the ingredients vary with the season, they often contain fresh seafood such as prawns, octopus and anchovies. For the ultimate sweeping view of Malaga, you will enjoy another drink at a rooftop bar.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride around Malaga in a four-passenger open-air vehicle known as a tuk-tuk.
• Sit back and enjoy the scenic urban landscape while the driver describes the attractions.
• Stop along the way to sample local specialties such as a grilled sardines and tapas.
• Toast the occasion with drinks at each destination.

HELPFUL HINTS

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