Barcelona to Lisbon

Welcome to Barcelona! Renowned for its unique architecture and vibrant culture. If you have time before your cruise departs today, take a stroll down Las Ramblas, a lively street filled with street performers, shops, and cafes, leading to the historic Gothic Quarter. Or for a taste of local life, explore the bustling La Boqueria market, offering a variety of fresh produce and local delicacies.

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Mahón, located about 2 km (1.2 miles) from the city center, a quick 5-minute drive. The port area offers a charming waterfront with restaurants, shops, and historical buildings. Once in Mahón, explore the old town's narrow streets, the impressive Santa Maria Church, and the bustling Fish Market. A visit to the Museo de Menorca provides insights into the island's history. For a scenic view, take a walk along the port's promenade or enjoy a boat tour around Mahón's natural harbor.

Charming town on the French island of Corsica with a rich history dating back to Napoleon Bonaparte. Home to the Maison Bonaparte, the residence-turned-museum bearing the general’s name, this once fortified town founded by the Genoese in 1492 today boasts a Côte d’Azur flair along its trendy waterfront promenade. Nestled between sea and mountains, its magnificent UNESCO-designated Golfe de Porto is part of Corsica’s Regional National Park, renowned for its geologic and ecologic natural value.

Cagliari, capital of Sardinia, sprawls across the hills promising awe-inspiring views for those who venture to Monte Urpinu Park. At its heart lies the historic Castello district, where a Roman amphitheater, medieval towers built by the Pisans, and a 13th-century cathedral with an intricately carved crypt sit beside the monolithic architecture of the Mussolini era. Down by the harbor, the eateries and bars in the Marina buzz with life. In Via Sardegna and Via Cavour taste local flavors such as the peppery salami mustela, salty pecorino cheese, and carta musica, a wafer-thin flatbread said to sound like music when it snaps. They all go well with a glass of cannonau or vernaccia, the island's robust wines.

Palermo, the capital of Sicily, is a vibrant and eclectic destination known for its stunning architecture, cultural landmarks, ornate palazzos, and bustling markets. At first blush, Palermo dazzles with colorful and energetic vibe, creating a captivating façade throughout the streets, which are lined with cupolas and vestiges of the Byzantine era and baroque periods. Look further and find less apparent delights like hidden chapels and vintage shops amidst a growing landscape of innovative eateries and grand historical treasures.

Bathed in the warm waters of the southern Mediterranean, Tunis is a blend of Maghreb flair and French style. Visit the magnificent Az-Zaytunah mosque, the most sacred religious site in the country. Take a dip in the hot baths, built by the Romans. Or experience the sights and sounds of one of the exotic souks (bazaars).

Bathed in the warm waters of the southern Mediterranean, Tunis is a blend of Maghreb flair and French style. Visit the magnificent Az-Zaytunah mosque, the most sacred religious site in the country. Take a dip in the hot baths, built by the Romans. Or experience the sights and sounds of one of the exotic souks (bazaars).

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

European and Moroccan traditions intertwine in everything from the beguiling blend of medieval and modernist architecture to the food in Melilla, Spain’s North African outpost. This cultural crossroads has religious buildings for each of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu faiths. Explore Old Melilla, with its beautifully preserved fortress on a rock jutting out into the Mediterranean, and stroll past ornate buildings designed by Enrique Nieto, a student of Antoni Gaudí. And when you need more sustenance than this visual feast provides, tuck into everything from tapas to dishes laced with Moroccan spices.

Veiled in myth, Morocco’s enigmatic port, Tangier, reveals history at every turn. The legend goes that the Greek god Hercules rested from his labors here – for certain, it was a Phoenician colony that could date from as early as the 10th century BCE. Pick out travelers’ treasures to take home in the labyrinthine alleyways of the city’s Medina, within the walls of a 15th-century Portuguese fortress.

The white contour of a church on a hilltop, the narrow streets of the old fishermen and tradesmen quarter, the presence of the sea and the immense beach known as Praia da Rocha identify the character of Portimao. The old town is dominated by the architecture of the late 19th and 20th centuries: houses boasting wrought-iron balconies, ornate stonework around the windows and doors, balustrades of stone and tile-covered ceramics and walls. This southern Portuguese port is the gateway to many historic towns of the Algarve region. The town offers a rich heritage of historical monuments and the eternal natural beauty of the Ria de Alvor. Portimao is also known for its extraordinary Portuguese cuisine. To savour the spirit of Portimao, there is nothing better than to sit in the shade of the trees in the gardens of Manuel Bivar, to watch the fishing boats sail by and to walk through streets and squares that exude the ambience of an active, hard-working town.

From Moorish walls and Manueline carvings to elaborate azulejo tiles and Gothic arches – the traces of Lisbon’s rich history can be seen and felt simply by wandering its storied (and rather hilly) streets. But Europe’s second-oldest city is also one of its most cosmopolitan, and amid historic landmarks like Jerónimos Monastery and São Jorge Castle, you’ll find chic rooftop bars with views across red terracotta rooftops and the sparkling Tagus river, design-led concept stores selling artisanal souvenirs, and stylish restaurants serving up inventive takes on local ingredients.