20/08/2023 Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1800.

21/08/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

22/08/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

23/08/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

24/08/2023 Cádiz, Spain

Cádiz, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

3,000-year-old Cadiz is Western Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city, having been founded by the ancient seafaring Phoenicians. It sits along a peninsula, and was refortified in the 17th-century after the British attacked twice, nearly destroying the city. Key landmarks include the Baroque and neoclassical cathedral with its yellow dome and the adjoining El Sagarario, the Roman amphitheatre, Castillo de Santa Catalaina and the Torre Tavira – one of 129 watchtowers dotted throughout the city. An included excursion offers a relaxing introduction to the city.

Included excursion

See some of the city’s attractions during an included sightseeing excursion.

25/08/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

26/08/2023 Mahon, Minorca

Mahon, Minorca

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Mahon, capital of Minorca, lies in a sheltered natural harbour. The rocky shoreline is dotted with elegant Georgian-style architecture, a throwback to its period of 18th-century British occupation. The museum in Fort Marlborough offers a look back at this era. Other attractions close by include 19th-century Mola Fortress, built to prevent the return of the British, and Far de Favaritx lighthouse. Join an included sightseeing excursion for an introduction to Minorca’s history and traditions before exploring at your own pace.

Included excursion

Join an included sightseeing excursion for an introduction to Minorca’s history and traditions.

27/08/2023 Ajaccio, Corsica

Ajaccio, Corsica

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

The mountainous island of Corsica has been a French island since 1768 that nevertheless has a distinctly Italian vibe. The legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte can be felt throughout Ajaccio. As the birthplace of the French Emperor, Napoleon’s memory has been preserved in a museum in his childhood home, the grand cathedral where he was christened and in the square named after him. Explore the atmospheric squares and lanes of the old town, enjoy the relaxed air of the harbourside cafes or visit one of the fine museums, such as the Fesch which has paintings by Botticelli, Raphael and Titian.

28/08/2023 Olbia, Sardinia

Olbia, Sardinia

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

A gateway to Sardinia’s Emerald Coast, a haunt of the rich and famous, Olbia is a bustling trade hub thanks to its strategic setting on the island’s west coast facing Italy. Upmarket shops, jewellers and pavement cafes edge piazzas. From the ancient Phoenicians and Carthaginians to Romans, Olbia has passed hands many times. The Romanesque Basilica of San Simplicio is a fine example of an early Pisan church, while some of the region’s ancient relics are showcased at the Archaeological Museum. Nearby archaeological sites worth visiting include the Roman aqueduct and baths. The nearby Neolithic Rui Mulino O Cabu Abbas and sacred well of ‘Sa Testa’ ruins, left behind by the ancient Nurgahic culture, on the outskirts of town.

Optional excursions

Journey through valleys and villages on the narrow-gauge railway, known as the Trenino Verde or ‘Little Green Train’, or set off on a scenic drive along the Emerald Coast, famed for its beaches. Pass traditional villages, such as San Pantaleo with its stone cottages before arriving in Porto Cervo, a millionaire’s playground. A guided tour will reveal the town’s highlights before free time to browse designer shops.

29/08/2023 Cagliari, Sardinia

Cagliari, Sardinia

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

Centuries-old Cagliari is a memorable sight to behold – especially when approaching by sea. Grand churches, watchtowers and shuttered townhouses that rise over the capital’s seven hills will be revealed on a panoramic included sightseeing excursion. The cityscape is crowned by Il Castello, the medieval hilltop old town which is penned in by Pisan and Aragonese ramparts. Don’t miss the 13th-century cathedral and the Five-mile-long sands of Poetto, a prime example of a Sardinian beach. 

Included excursion

Grand churches, watchtowers and shuttered townhouses that rise over the capital’s seven hills will be revealed on a panoramic included sightseeing excursion.

30/08/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

31/08/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

01/09/2023 Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The sprawling city of Lisbon is spread across seven hills. It boasts two UNESCO-listed sites: Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama is entombed and Bélem Tower, built in his honour. An included sightseeing tour is a great way to see some of the highlights.

Included excursion

See some of the city’s numerous attractions.

02/09/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

03/09/2023 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

04/09/2023 Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.