6-day cruise in the heart of Andalusia: New Year's Eve in Seville and discovery of local charms

Transfer by coach to Seville. We'll start off our visit with the azulejos that adorn the Plaza de España which was constructed for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. The 200 meter diameter hemicycle symbolizes Spain welcoming its former... more+ colonies. It faces in the direction of Guadalquivir and represents the path to the Atlantic Ocean and America. There is only one building going all along its rounded side. A fountain designed by Vicente Traver, a Valencian architect, stands in the center. Also lying between the center and the palace are four bridges spanning four canals in half circles, representing the four former Spanish Queens. We'll move on with a stroll through the typically Sevillian patios garnished with flowers in the charming Santa Cruz district. Sheltered behind the former perimeter wall, what used to be the Jewish district belongs to the historic heart of the city and is surrounded by the most famous buildings of the Andalusian capital. The district, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is a center of art and history that brims with legends, churches and palaces, witnesses to its past. It was greatly enhanced at the beginning of the 20th century and stands today as one of the most emblematic quarters of Seville. It's mostly reputed for its enchanting steep alleys and shaded squares. Afterwards, we'll discover the Alcazar*, one of the oldest Royal Palaces in Europe and the King's residence. A Moorish house and a fortress, the Alcazaba (former Arab district) is a gorgeous witness of the mudéjar style with a combination of Moorish techniques and Christian symbols. The visit will end with Seville's cathedral, providing one of the last testimonies to the Gothic style. This structure was built over the ruins of an Almohad mosque as a symbol of the capital's prosperous status of great commercial town after the Reconquista. We'll return on board at the end of the morning. PLEASE NOTE Entrance to the Alcazar and the cathedral is included. Good walking shoes are recommended: visits by coach and on foot. Please dress appropriately for the visit of the cathedral. *Except on Sunday afternoons and Mondays: visit of the Pilate Palace. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.  less-

We'll leave by coach on a panoramic tour of Cádiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe. You'll be able to revel in the cultural and historical riches of the city, as well as its long stretches of unspoiled beaches. Many cities built by the... more+ Spanish colonists in the Americas used Cádiz as its urban model, and the port is heavily reminiscent of Havana, Cuba and San Juan, Puerto Rico. We'll visit the cathedral, a magnificent Baroque and Neoclassic building that took over 115 years to build. We'll return on board for dinner. PLEASE NOTE Entrance to the cathedral is included. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.  less-

We'll leave on foot with our host/hostess for the Osborne Bodega. One of the oldest wineries in the region, Osborne began producing its Sherry Solera in 1772. The iconic Osborne bull silhouette has become part of the landscape in the area. Now considered... more+ a true piece of art, it was decorated by Keith Herring in 1983 and was the subject of a photo exhibit by Larry Mangino in 1996. We'll enjoy a tasting* of three different wines along with some regional products. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. Good walking shoes are recommended. *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.  less-

We will depart from El Puerto de Santa Maria for our excursion in Jerez. Jerez has been renowned for its wines, flamenco, horses and bull ranching. A panoramic tour by coach will enable you to see the cathedral which was built in 1695 over the ruins of the... more+ old Jerez mosque and the former Salvador Church. The bell tower outside was probably built over the mosque's minaret. The rectangular temple has five naves and houses a latin cross structure. Afterwards, we'll discover the Alcazar which still displays a large amount of features from its early construction in the 12th century by the Almohads. After the city fell into the hands of Alfonso X, it became the house of Sevillian Caliphs and the headquarters of Christian governers. We'll return on board. PLEASE NOTE Good walking shoes are recommended. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.  less-

Departure by coach from Seville for an excursion to Córdoba. Córdoba is ideal for those who like to eat well, explore on foot, hang out in old bodegas and relish architectural wonders. The city center needs no introduction, for its fame is... more+ widespread: the magnificent Mezquita, a symbol of worldly and sophisticated Islamic culture, reigns over the town and pulls thousands of tourists into its arched interior every day. The streets of the Jewish Quarter branch out from the great mosque and emerge onto peaceful plazas. The ruins of Medinat al-Zahra, to the west of town, stir the imagination with its mystery and grandeur. We'll have lunch in a local restaurant. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to discover the city at your own pace. We'll return to the ship in Seville. PLEASE NOTE Good walking shoes are recommended. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.  less-