Barcelona to Basque Country: Tracing History & Culture on the Iberian Peninsula

In sunny Valencia, old-world cafes mingle with Gothic cathedrals and futuristic architecture. Explore the rich birdlife of Albufera National Park—Thekla’s Lark, the Wood Sandpiper and more—by hopping aboard private fishermen’s boats along the canals of the lake, where they cultivate rice and harvest shellfish. Enjoy a traditional paella, Valencia’s signature dish.

Today explore Cartagena, where Phoenicians, Romans and Moors all left their mark. Walk amid the city’s medieval fortress and visit the lookout at Parque Torres to view the ruins of the Roman amphitheater side by side with a modern-day one.

Nestled at the foot of Spain’s Sierra Nevada range, Granada is a city rich in history and culture. Its legacy as the last stronghold of the Moors lives on in the architecture, cuisine and culture of the modern-day city. Spend the day exploring Granada’s vibrant center, or choose to explore the Alhambra on a private tour. The fortified palace complex boasts exquisite Moorish architecture and decor, as well as meticulously landscaped gardens. This evening, enjoy the Alhambra by night, watching as it magically twinkles into the distant valleys below.

Choose to dedicate your day to discovering Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso and a gem of a coastal city surrounded by charming Andalusian towns. Or spend the day in Ronda, where bullfighting originated. Discover the town’s iconic Puente Nuevo, a stone bridge spanning the gorge and separating the new and old towns, or set for a hike in the countryside.

After having navigated through the Strait of Gibraltar overnight, enjoy the ship’s amenities during this day at sea. Listen to talks by the onboard experts, get photo tips from a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor, or spend some time on the Bridge with the officers, who are happy to answer questions. A massage from the wellness specialist is an inviting option, or relax with a book on the observation deck.

Portimão is your gateway to Portugal’s southernmost province, the Algarve, known for its picturesque beaches, whitewashed villages, lush farmlands and remnants of Moorish culture. Travel north to Silves, home to a fortified sandstone castle built by the Moors and learn about the tradition of harvesting cork from cork oak trees. Or, spend the afternoon exploring the sea caves of the Algarve coast by small boat while savoring a glass of medronho, a local fruit brandy.

Lisbon, the second oldest European capital, maintains a reputation as one of the continent’s most vibrant and charismatic cities. Begin your exploration of this fascinating city on a morning tour. See the stunning 18th-century downtown area of the city and take in views in the Graça District, one of Lisbon’s oldest suburbs located atop the city’s highest hill. Enter Terreiro do Paço, the palace’s square, where the royal palace stood for over two centuries, and marvel at the grandeur of Lisbon Cathedral.

In the afternoon continue to Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This intricately carved building was crafted to showcase the magnificent wealth that the age of exploration brought to the Portuguese empire. Continue to Belém Tower, a 16th-century fortification that served as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon and as a start and ending point for Portuguese explorers.

Alternatively, spend the day in Sintra, a charming town hidden in the pine-covered hills of the Serra de Sintra. Home to the whimsical Palácio Nacional de Pena, the medieval Palácio Nacional de Sintra, the Moorish Castelo dos Mouros and the Arabian-inspired Monserrate Palace, Sintra was the first European site listed by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape.

Take a panoramic drive from the port into the UNESCO World Heritage site of Porto in the early morning. The birthplace of port wine, Porto straddles a gorge on the Douro River linked by numerous bridges and filled with medieval architecture. Throughout the day, pick out your favorite azulejo tiles covering the facades of the old town and take in the views from the iron masterpiece Ponte Dom Luís. Take a tour of the Bolsa Palace Stock Exchange and the Monument Church of Saint Francis, or opt to discover the Clérigos Church and Bell Tower and the surrounding hilltop neighborhood of Clérigos. This afternoon, explore the iconic Ribiera along the waterfront at your leisure. Reconvene for a special dinner this evening at one of the historic port houses along the Duoro river, during which you will learn the secrets of port-making and enjoy a tasting.

Anchor in Villagarcía de Arousa and take a day trip to the Galician countryside, where you’ll visit a winery, watch fishermen as they collect mussels and enjoy the verdant Galician landscapes from the river. Alternatively, travel to Santiago de Compostela and visit the cathedral that has welcomed millions of pilgrims over the centuries. Enjoy a typical Galician musical performance and a tapas lunch at the adjacent Hostal dos Reis Católicos. Take the opportunity to hike a portion of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, offering beautiful views of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela through meadows and forests, before heading back to the ship.

Navigating around Cape Finisterre and into the Bay of Biscay, be greeted by one of the most active bodies of water in Europe. The Bay of Biscay has over 30 rivers that empty into its basin, and currents running through it from the North Atlantic. Spend time on the Bridge today and learn from the officers about the sailing history in this region, while you navigate along the Spanish coast.

Explore Spain’s Basque capital of San Sebastián today. Discover the connection to the Celts and hear the bouncing rhythms of a trikitixa, a traditional accordion. Learn some of the regional language that pre-dates Romance languages and delve deeper into the gastronomic traditions of this gem along the Bay of Biscay.

From the stunning symmetrical architecture of Place de la Bourse to charming side streets brimming with cafés, Bordeaux has no shortage of nooks and crannies worth discovering. Arrive in the picturesque riverside city this morning. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home.