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A Journey Of Moorish Echoes & Mediterranean Grace

11 Days Lisbon to Barcelona
A Journey Of Moorish Echoes & Mediterranean Grace
A Journey Of Moorish Echoes & Mediterranean Grace
A Journey Of Moorish Echoes & Mediterranean Grace

Overview

Explora Journeys
Cruise Operated By:
 (1) Review
Total No. of Cruises 521
Lisbon with its golden river light and sizzling cuisine sets the tone for this sailing before continuing onwards to Cadiz with its sherry-making heritage and grand Seville landmarks. Casablanca pairs Art Deco elements with the vast Hassan II Mosque, before Tangier charms with cafés, hidden lanes and Strait views. Motril brings Costa Tropical warmth, Cartagena layers Roman memory with seafaring character, Algiers reveals its storied Casbah, and Mallorca shines with mountain villages before you land in stylish Barcelona.
Our Price From
A$7,521 per person
Price shown based on twin share
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Cruise Length
11 Days
Cruise Starts
Lisbon
Cruise Ends
Barcelona
Departures
Cruise Ship
Passengers
922
Crew
700
Launched
2023
Cruise Code
LISBCN11
Countries Visited

Itinerary

Enjoy the rich buzz of Lisbon. Dip into the city's strong architectural, cultural and historical connections. Wander charming-cobbled streets, colourful buildings, the river Sado and endless nature. Pilgrimage to Fatima, tour hilly villages, learn Portuguese cooking techniques and listen to the Lisbon blues. Slip to charming Cascais for quieter energy and golden beaches. And as you bathe in the captivating light, enjoy plates of petiscos which - like fado - you'll soon discover is vibrant, warm and most appealing.

Go back in time - where cobbled streets clatter with horse drawn carriages, culture and history seeps through this Spanish city's soul. Enjoy locally produced tapas and admire the form of iconic Andalusian horses. Drift into tasting tours at sherry wineries in Jerez, then step out to twirl the flamenco. Explore Seville's architectural marvels; baroque churches, palaces, gothic cathedrals, aristocratic mansions and medieval buildings. With no less than three Unesco World Heritage sites to visit, you'll feel truly inspired by what Cadiz has to offer.

Like a lighthouse, the majestic Hassan II Mosque beckons us to the shores of this bustling port city, its minaret soaring 690ft to the sky. Africa's biggest mosque is one of only two in Morocco open to non-Muslims, inviting us to marvel its mosaics, marble columns and 50 Murano glass chandeliers. Casablanca conjures a charismatic collision of tradition and modernity, the Habous Quartier's faded grandeur of French colonial Art Deco, whitewashed Moorish houses, narrow alleyways, small souks and olive markets in companion to its cosmopolitan nightlife, buzzing restaurants and Parisien-style cafes.

At the crossroads of Europe and Africa, this once rakish, countercultural Moroccan city has retained its bohemian, beguilingly artistic feel. People watch the demi-monde from the Petit Socco, heart of Tangier's seductive café scene, before strolling the Kasbah and cobblestone Grand Socco among a tangle of streets saturated in colour from tiles and painted cedarwood shutters and doorways. Iconic must-visits might include the 64-year-old Librarie des Colonnes, a sumptuous bookshop of literary greats; Café Hafa, for sunset sweet mint tea overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar; and El Morocco Club, for a nightcap on its rooftop terrace or in the city's only piano bar.

Accustom yourself to the main Town of Costa Tropical, a sub-tropical slice of Spain bursting with mangos, bananas and locally made rum. Protected by Andalucia's Sierra Nevada mountains, head up to the castle and sugar cane plantation in Salobreña, wallow in rum at Motril, eat tapas in Granada and bask in the sensual splendour of the Alhambra palace. Visit Elche where UNESCO-protected date palm trees form a unique urban park, sip vino de costa, taste exotic custard apples and trawl out the remains of Roman heritage in Almuñécar. With a Caribbean style climate and glittering seas yonder, the sounds of the flamenco and old town squares whisper Andalusian charm.

March into a hidden Spanish gem with centuries of deeply ingrained culture and history. Not forgetting gourmet cuisine fit for a king. Take part in cookery lessons, wine samplings and coffee workshops, or the heart stopping elevator to the top of the Castillo. Head back to Roman times at the theatre and sanctuary for relics and mosaics. Inspect weaponry at the military museum and explore shipwrecks, artefacts and Mediterranean history at museums. View delightful street art in the bustling city centre and sample the traditional sailor tipple, Asiático. Cartagena has sites you won't see in the rest of Spain, from Roman ruins, Byzantine walls and Belle Epoque architecture to marble streets and war memorials.

Losing yourself is a rite of passage in the UNESCO-listed Casbah of Algiers, where labyrinthine alleyways reveal hidden courtyards, artisan studios and the remarkable architecture of Ketchaoua Mosque. In the palm-shaded gardens and poetic pathways of Jardin d'Essai du Hamma, cast your eyes uphill towards the upraised hands of Maqam Echahid (Martyr's Memorial), lifted in eternal gratitude to those who fell during Algeria's War of Independence. Delve deeper into Algeria's prehistory at the Bardo National Museum before strolling the Promenade des Sablettes under a sultry Mediterranean sunset.

Leave craggy coastlines behind and venture to the heartland of the biggest Balearic. Where endless authentic charm, history and nature await. Celebrate at Spain's oldest winery, shop chic Palma boutiques and marvel at blossoming UNESCO-limestone mountains aboard a vintage train. Experience a tranquil monastery, art at a historic hacienda and tons of protected wildlife. Delve into nature at reserves, feast on wood-fired paella at lively hangouts, pilgrimage to historic churches and tour old-world Mallorcan villages. And as for sapphire seas that frame spotless beaches - Mallorca is truly an immense Balearic beauty.

Breathe in the cultural heart of Catalan; an elegant blend of high energy and undisturbed tradition. Muse over the origins of captivating Gaudi architecture within the enchanting labyrinth that is the Gothic Quarter. Savour the flavours of fresh tapas and crisp cava in breezy plazas, tranquil terraces and coveted cafés, or glide down to a shimmering beach club to unwind. Imagine a visit to peaceful Passeig de Gracia, where modernist buildings merge to showcase iconic global labels. And, as dusk falls, prepare for urban action and swing by the lively bohemian bars to fiesta on the leafy stretch of La Rambla. If you're serious about style, this colourful city provides plenty to celebrate.

Life On Board

EXPLORA I
EXPLORA I

EXPLORA I represents a new era of luxury ocean travel. Exquisitely designed to offer you relaxed luxury, restoring life's essential balance with a combination of discovery and appreciation for wellbeing and nature. Read more

Inclusive Journeys
Inclusive Journeys

Experience vibrant cosmopolitan life aboard, with European luxury, 5-star dining, ocean wellness experiences, and tech-savvy comforts in sophisticated suites, all while enjoying beautiful sea views. Read more

Your Home At Sea
Your Home At Sea

Elegant, spacious and comfortable our ocean-front suites, penthouses and residences are designed to create a home at sea for our guests. Read more

Dining At Sea
Dining At Sea

Celebrating global talents and cultures, infusing global influences with personality, sophistication, and a touch of soul for a unique dining experience at sea. Read more

Leisure Experiences
Leisure Experiences

Discover Explora Journeys' collection of one-of-a-kind entertainment and enrichment experiences, designed to stimulate the mind and feed the soul. Read more

Ocean Inspired Wellness
Ocean Inspired Wellness

Ocean Wellness encompasses the physical, spiritual, and emotional health of our guests, ensuring their time with us is enriching and fulfilling. Read more

Download Brochure

Explora Journeys  (2027) Brochure

Explora Journeys (2027)

Explora Journeys is the new luxury lifestyle travel brand launched by the MSC Group with the ambition to redefine the luxury cruise category.The concept: Vibrant, cosmopolitan, relaxed European luxury at sea. Instead of cruises, we create journeys – of the mind, and across the oceans of the world, to destinations on and off the beaten track. On board: more Spaces that offer guests relaxed luxury, creating a home at sea. Restoring life’s essential balance with a combination of discovery and appreciation for wellbeing and nature. This is what our new discerning travellers have asked for and this is what they will enjoy on Explora Journeys.

Dates & Pricing

Cabin Layout Options:

Select Cabin Preference:

From $7,521
Wednesday 24 Nov 2027 24 Nov 27 Lisbon
Saturday 04 Dec 2027 04 Dec 27 Barcelona
Details
Explora I
Exclusive Savings
Suite
A$7,521
Save $154
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Explora Journeys. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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