21 nætter fra Barcelona, Spain med Seabourn Sojourn

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is said to have been founded by the Phoenicians, and was once the rival of the powerful states of Venice and Genoa for control of the Mediterranean trade. Today, it is Spain’s second largest city and has long rivaled, even surpassed Madrid in industry and commerce. The medieval atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter and the elegant boulevards combine to make the city one of Europe’s most beautiful. Barcelona’s active cultural life and heritage brought forth such greats as the architect Antonio Gaudi, the painter Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso, who spent his formative years here. Other famous native Catalan artists include cellist Pau Casals, surrealist Salvador Dali, and opera singers Montserrat Caballe and Josep Carreras. Barcelona accomplished a long-cherished goal with the opportunity to host the Olympics in 1992. This big event prompted a massive building program and created a focal point of the world’s attention.

Often little more than a gateway to the Costa del Sol for sun-seeking vacationers, Malaga is a most interesting city in its own right. First settled by the Phoenicians, Malaga was held by virtually every ruling power in the Mediterranean at one time or another. Two Moorish fortresses, the 11th-century Alcazaba and the 14th-century Castillo de Gibralfaro still stand sentry above the harbor. Malaga was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso as well as the Malaguena style of flamenco. During your time here, you may wish to sample some of the sweet Malaga wine and excellent tapas for which the city is noted.

Situated just across the narrow Strait of Gibraltar from Europe, Tangier has long comprised a hybrid culture that is nearly as European as it is African. Standing atop Cap Spartel, one can gaze down on the place where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. The “Hollywood” district where the foreign embassies have traditionally been located reflects the European influence. But ascending the hill above the waterfront, one enters the narrow, winding alleys of the Kasbah, the city’s oldest, most Moroccan section. Down the coast, nearby Tetouan retains a nearly untouched walled medina, with sections originally occupied by Andalusian, Berber and Jewish populations. It is small enough that visitors can explore it without risking becoming lost, making it a perfect choice as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Casablanca er ikke kun navnet på en berømt film, men også Marokkos største havneby. Byen byder på storslået arkitektur, lange kyststrækninger og store parker. Få et glimt af det gamle Casablanca, når du går gennem stræderne i Old Medina. Køb ind på det travle marked, hvor du kan se boder fulde af grøntsager, lædervarer, traditionelt kunsthåndværk, silke og krydderier.Gå ikke glip af Grand Mosque Hassan II, der er en af verdens største moskéer. Tag med på en rundvisning i det 9 hektar store kompleks, hvor du kan se den enorme bedehal, springvand og detaljeret arkitektur. Ved siden af moskéen ligger The Corniche, der er en lang strækning med dejlige strande.Et af de flotteste steder i Casablanca er Parc de la Ligue Arabe, et stort åbent område med friserede græsplæner og boulevarder med palmer. 

Casablanca er ikke kun navnet på en berømt film, men også Marokkos største havneby. Byen byder på storslået arkitektur, lange kyststrækninger og store parker. Få et glimt af det gamle Casablanca, når du går gennem stræderne i Old Medina. Køb ind på det travle marked, hvor du kan se boder fulde af grøntsager, lædervarer, traditionelt kunsthåndværk, silke og krydderier.Gå ikke glip af Grand Mosque Hassan II, der er en af verdens største moskéer. Tag med på en rundvisning i det 9 hektar store kompleks, hvor du kan se den enorme bedehal, springvand og detaljeret arkitektur. Ved siden af moskéen ligger The Corniche, der er en lang strækning med dejlige strande.Et af de flotteste steder i Casablanca er Parc de la Ligue Arabe, et stort åbent område med friserede græsplæner og boulevarder med palmer. 

Lanzarote is the northernmost of the Canary Islands, often known as “volcano island.” Its capital is Arrecife, a quiet town of about 30,000 inhabitants. Present day Lanzarote consists of two quite distinct massifs: Famara in the north, and Los Ajaches in the south, where centuries of erosion have sculpted abrupt cliffs and deep ravines, contrasting sharply with the smoothly rounded hills of the island’s central region.

Hovedstaden på La Gomera hedder San Sebastian og her finder man hyggelige restauranter og gode shoppingsmuligheder. La Gomera viser en ny og uberørt side af De Kanariske Øer. Her bliver du mødt af smukke byer på grønklædte bjerge. La Gomera har en vulkansk oprindelse, men til forskel fra sine naboer Tenerife og Gran Canaria, som har haft vulkanudbrud i nyere tid, har man på La Gomera ikke haft udbrud i over 2 millioner år.

Lovely La Palma has earned itself two well-deserved nicknames: Isla Bonita (Pretty Island) and Isla Verde (Green Island). Although there are relatively few beaches La Palma has a number of other appealing attractions. The island’s capital city, Santa Cruz de la Palma, boasts a handsome 16th-century City Hall as well as a number of colonial-style homes. There is also an interesting maritime museum housed in a life-size replica of Christopher Columbus’ Santa Maria. Caldera de Taburiente, a massive volcanic crater, stands sentry in the middle of the island. The last of La Palma’s original inhabitants, the Guanche, held out in the crater until they were finally defeated by the Spaniards in 1492 – the area is now a National Park.

The old town is a treasury of 16th and 17th century buildings, and not just churches. Do go inside the fortified-looking Iglesia del Salvador, however, to see its ornate, Islamic-style Mudejar ceiling, one of the best in the islands. A short way outside town is the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Snows, one of the most important sites on the island. The waterfront is a good place to find ancient houses with elaborate iron balconies, many now converted to restaurants and shops. Many visitors tour the island’s dormant volcanoes, or the odd, erosion caldera called La Cumbrecita, a UNESCO Biosphere Site. An excursion to the village of Mazo rewards with a fine island museum containing examples of local handicrafts and especially the fabulous indigenous embroidery. Just beyond the museum is a handicrafts school, an excellent place to acquire a handcrafted souvenir of your Canary Islands adventure.

The old town is a treasury of 16th and 17th century buildings, and not just churches. Do go inside the fortified-looking Iglesia del Salvador, however, to see its ornate, Islamic-style Mudejar ceiling, one of the best in the islands. A short way outside town is the Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Snows, one of the most important sites on the island. The waterfront is a good place to find ancient houses with elaborate iron balconies, many now converted to restaurants and shops. Many visitors tour the island’s dormant volcanoes, or the odd, erosion caldera called La Cumbrecita, a UNESCO Biosphere Site. An excursion to the village of Mazo rewards with a fine island museum containing examples of local handicrafts and especially the fabulous indigenous embroidery. Just beyond the museum is a handicrafts school, an excellent place to acquire a handcrafted souvenir of your Canary Islands adventure.

Funchal ligger på Madeira, en ø langt ude i Atlanten, som tilhører Portugal. Her er klimaet mildt hele året. Funchal har mange smukke, blomstrende parker. Bjergene rejser sig i udkanten af byen og der findes anlagte stier på lange strækninger. Man kan foretage herlige vandreture på alle tider af året.

Lissabon er Portugals hovedstad og den by i Europa, der ligger længst mod vest. Med det storladne udsyn over Atlanterhavet og en historie, der er mere end 2.000 år gammel, er der ingen mangel på turistmål. Besøg fx den gigantiske statue Cristo Rei (Jesus Kristus), hvorfra man kan se hele Lissabon med floden Tagus og Vasco da Gama broen, en af de længste broer i Europa. Besøg også den indre bymidte som byder på historiske monumenter, hyggelige cafeér, masser af shoppingmuligheder og meget mere. Snyd heller ikke dig selv for at smage det de er mest kendt for i Portugal, nemlig portvinen. Der findes utallige butikker som sælger portvin fra alle årgange.

Leixoes ligger ved mundingen af floden Douro, nær havnebyen Porto. Porto er en gammel havneby som er stolt af sine rødder, men det er samtidig en moderne og livlig handelsby.

Gibraltar er et britisk område, der ligger på den nordlige side af Gibraltarstrædet. På den anden side ligger Afrika. Når man besøger stedet, bliver man forbavset over det præg, briterne har sat overalt, til trods for beliggenheden klods op ad Spanien. Fra toppen af klippen (over 400 m oppe) kan du beundre udsigten over Middelhavet og op ad halvøen ind i Spanien. Udforsk St. Michael’s Cave, en fascinerende hule, som engang husede det neolitiske folk. Besøg butikker fyldt med broderet sengetøj fra Madeira, eller oplev til de berømte berberaber. Aberne er Gibraltars største varemærke, så selvfølgelig skal de ses nar man er her. Det er en spøjs oplevelse at være så tæt på de vilde dyr.

Often little more than a gateway to the Costa del Sol for sun-seeking vacationers, Malaga is a most interesting city in its own right. First settled by the Phoenicians, Malaga was held by virtually every ruling power in the Mediterranean at one time or another. Two Moorish fortresses, the 11th-century Alcazaba and the 14th-century Castillo de Gibralfaro still stand sentry above the harbor. Malaga was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso as well as the Malaguena style of flamenco. During your time here, you may wish to sample some of the sweet Malaga wine and excellent tapas for which the city is noted.

Founded by Carthaginians in the third century BC, this ancient Mediterranean port city exemplifies the region’s tumultuous history. Romans, Visigoths, Castilians and Moors have all left their marks. Under King Philip II, Cartagena’s naturally deep, sheltered harbor was developed into the nation’s premier naval base, a position it still enjoys today. Ancient ramparts remain, as does a lighthouse erected in Moorish times.

Valencia er Spaniens tredjestørste by og den kan fremvise mange store historiske, kulturelle og moderne attraktioner for sine gæster. Valencia er den mest turistmindede by på hele den iberiske halvø. Yderområderne består af en stor samling moderne, kreative og industrialiserede områder, men hjertet i byen er stadig meget smukt og overordentlig spansk. Den er endnu uberørt af masseturismen. Ydermere er Valencia kendt for deres paella. Rigtig mange restauranter tilbyder den spanske nationalret, de er dog også meget kendt for deres lokale tapas. Bymidten er fuld af shoppingmuligheder, samt historiske bygninger som virkelig er et besøg værd.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is said to have been founded by the Phoenicians, and was once the rival of the powerful states of Venice and Genoa for control of the Mediterranean trade. Today, it is Spain’s second largest city and has long rivaled, even surpassed Madrid in industry and commerce. The medieval atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter and the elegant boulevards combine to make the city one of Europe’s most beautiful. Barcelona’s active cultural life and heritage brought forth such greats as the architect Antonio Gaudi, the painter Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso, who spent his formative years here. Other famous native Catalan artists include cellist Pau Casals, surrealist Salvador Dali, and opera singers Montserrat Caballe and Josep Carreras. Barcelona accomplished a long-cherished goal with the opportunity to host the Olympics in 1992. This big event prompted a massive building program and created a focal point of the world’s attention.