28/10/2021 Southampton

Southampton

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1800.

29/10/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

30/10/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

31/10/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

01/11/2021 Málaga, Spain

Málaga, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

A reflection of the many cultures which have intermingled in this port city over the centuries, Malaga boasts a wealth of historical sights. Chief among these are the imposing Moorish citadels of Alcazaba and its gardens, and the ruins of Gilfarbaro castle, as well as the Roman amphitheatre and Renaissance cathedral. Picasso, one of the city’s most famous sons, is celebrated at the Museu de Picasso in the artists’ quarter, which is also home to the Centre of Contemporary Arts as well as a host of smaller galleries and displays of street art.

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing excursion will show you Málaga’s highlights.

Optional excursions

Follow the Camino del Rey – ‘Kings Way’ – on a walk through a gorge and discover the natural beauty of the Málaga province.

02/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

03/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

04/11/2021 Valletta, Malta

Valletta, Malta

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Cruise into the Grand Harbour of Valletta, which is overlooked by forts built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century. The surrounding UNESCO-listed streets exude old-world charm at every turn, and an included sightseeing excursion will give you an overview of this historic capital.

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing excursion will give you an overview.

Optional excursions

Visit the ‘Silent City’ of Mdina or even head underground to the Byzantine-era Catacombs of St Paul.

05/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

06/11/2021 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Greece’s largest island boasts a rich history that can be traced back over 5,000 years. One of the ancient world’s most advanced civilisations, the Bronze Age Minoans, built an incredible palace labyrinth that thrived for 1,500 years. The Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans came next but it was the Venetians who have left a lasting impression on its capital Heraklion, best seen in the 16th-century walls which encircle the old town, the old harbour and the sea fortress of Koules Castle. The outstanding artefacts unearthed at the Palace of Knossos, the haunt of the mythical Minotaur, are displayed at Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum.

Optional excursions

Visit the nearby archaeological site of Knossos to marvel at the ancient Minoan culture’s legacy or explore traditional island villages for a glimpse of Cretan life.

07/11/2021 Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos, Greece 

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Mykonos is framed by sandy beaches and dotted with whitewashed villages and windmills that have attracted sightseers and celebrities alike for decades. The cosmopolitan main town bustles with life and is a warren of flagstone lanes fringed with chic boutiques, pavement cafes and galleries. The district of Little Venice features waterfront houses with balconies that overhang the sea below.

Optional excursions

Join a boat ride to the sacred island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Greece’s most significant archaeological sites.

08/11/2021 Canakkale, Turkey

Canakkale, Turkey 

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set on the Asian side of the Dardanelles, Canakkale is a gateway to the ancient ruins of Troy and the Gallipoli battlefields. It is a lively port city with a bustling harbour, squares and bazaar selling exotic goods. A replica of the Trojan horse stands tall on the waterfront, while the small yet fascinating Archaeological Museum features artefacts from both sides of the strait, including figurines from nearby Assos. 

Optional excursions

Join a tour to the ruins of Bronze Age Troy, thought only to be a mythical city as recounted in Homer’s epic Iliad until unearthed by Heinrich Schliemann in 1870. Alternatively, visit the acropolis of Assos with its 6th-century BC Temple of Athena.

09/11/2021 Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

A bridge between Europe and Asia, Istanbul has a colourful history encompassing Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule that spans three millennia. Beautiful minarets, towers and domes etch out its skyline while the Bosphorus divides it in two. Keys sights are centred around Sultanahmet Square, ancient Constantinople’s former hippodrome, including the Grand Bazaar and Suleymaniye Mosque which dominates the skyline from its hilltop setting. Other landmark sights include the Blue Mosque, so-called for the thousands of blue tiles which decorate the interior, and Hagia Sophia, a church turned mosque.

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing excursion offers the perfect introduction to this vibrant metropolis.

Optional excursions

A leisurely cruise along the Bosphorus reveals the changing cityscape. Alternatively, join a tour of historic Topkapi Palace, an elaborate complex from which the Ottoman sultans ruled for nearly four centuries.

10/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

11/11/2021 Piraeus (for Athens), Greece

Piraeus (for Athens), Greece

Arrive 0800 on November 11. Depart 1700 on November 12.

‘The Cradle of Western Civilisation’, ancient Athens was the birthplace of democracy as well as a crucible of creativity, leading to great advances in philosophy, art, literature and architecture. This is represented by Athen’s crowning achievement, the UNESCO-listed Acropolis. The exceptional well-preserved 5th-century BC complex watches over the city from a rocky outcrop and encompasses the monumental Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia and the temple of Athena Nike. In its lee sprawls the old Plaka neighbourhood packed with tavernas, cafes and small shops. An included sightseeing excursion will give you an introduction to the city before you have two days free to discover its many ancient sights, such as the Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Dionysus Theatre.

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing excursion will give you an introduction to the city before you have two days free to discover its many ancient sights, such as the Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Dionysus Theatre.

Optional excursions

Enjoy a scenic coastal drive to Cape Sounion, where you will visit the 5th-century Temple of Poseidon.

13/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

14/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

15/11/2021 Cagliari, Sardinia

Cagliari, Sardinia

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

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 eight-kilometre-long sands of Poetto, a prime example of a Sardinian beach.

Included sightseeing excursion

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

16/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

17/11/2021 Almeria, Spain

Almeria, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Almeria has a distinct North African vibe as seen in its Moorish whitewashed houses and the impregnable 10th-century Moorish Alcazaba. The latter was the largest citadel constructed by Arabs in Spain and runs along a hilltop ridge. There is also a 16th-century cathedral which was used as a defensive port, as well as a place of worship.

Included sightseeing excursion

Get a feel for this city, which once served as a port for the Caliphate of Cordoba, on an included sightseeing excursion.

Optional excursions

Discover more of the surrounding countryside on a tour of the Cabo de Gata and Nijar Natural Park.

18/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

19/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

20/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

21/11/2021 Southampton

Southampton

Arrive 0800.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.

Please note: Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions, at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.