Detailed Itinerary
Embark Azamara Journey 1:00PM. from 1:00PM onwards. All aboard 4:30PM. Welcome Cocktails & Briefing this evening. Meet your fellow participants.
Overnight: At Sea
The popular resort town of Alcudia is located on the northern end of Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands found 200 miles due east of Valencia. It was the Phoenicians and Greeks who first settled here, followed in the 2nd century BC by the Romans who made Alcudia the capital. Visitors to the Old Town enter the narrow streets through one of the two gates that were constructed, along with the impressive city walls, after the conquest of the island by King Jaime I of Spain. It is possible to step up on the well preserved wall and follow it almost all around the village. The largest wetland area in the Balearic Islands—S’Albufera Natural Park—is wonderful for a view of over 250 different bird species.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
GOLF: Alcanada was designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jr, and opened for play in 2003. Situated in the northern part of the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, it is located right by the sea with its beautifully manicured layout blending perfectly into the typical Mallorcan landscape. The club takes its name from a nearby island just off the shore which, complete with its own lighthouse, can be seen from most of the holes. Apart from the magnificent sea view, players are surrounded by pine and olive groves throughout their round. Although a relatively well kept secret the course has already received a number of accolades from various magazines and publications. Click here for VIDEO.
Overnight: At Sea
Valencia has come a very long way since 138 BC when it was founded as a Roman colony. Today it is Spain’s third largest city after Madrid and Barcelona. It has one of the world’s most prosperous local economies. The story you’ll probably take home however is about one of the most striking ranges of architecture imaginable. Of course you’ll find antiquity in many forms such as Valencia’s Gothic cathedral which was built over a mosque after the Christian reconquest of 1238. You will also find the space-age City of Arts and Sciences, a massive project by neofuturistic architect Santiago Calatrava (World Trade Center Transportation Hub) whose showpiece is Oceanogràfic – one of the world’s biggest aquariums, with polar zones, underwater tunnels and an underwater restaurant. The juxtaposition is startling. And you’ll have two full days to immerse yourself in it!
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Port Explorer Guide – Valencia
GOLF: El Saler Golf Club is located on the outskirts of Valencia within the Albufera Nature Park. Designed by Javier Arana, one of the most prestigious Spanish designers and opened in 1968, it sits nearby the beach occupying terrain dotted with pine trees and sand dunes and has a distinctly “links” feel. It’s famous "cats claw" (not dissimilar to the Monterey Penisula’s “iceplant”) is certainly to be avoided in the rough.
Overnight: At Sea
Alicante is located halfway between Valencia and Cartagena on the eastern coast of Spain, and is one of the most famous towns along the Costa Blanca. Renowned for its miles of pristine beaches and excellent weather, it’s a sun lover’s dream destination and a popular port for intrepid sailors, since Alicante is both the headquarters and the starting point of the Volvo Ocean Race, a yacht race around the world that’s held every three years. For more land-based activities, climb to the top of the 16th century Castle of Saint Barbara for spectacular views of the city, tour the Barrio de la Santa Cruz old quarter of the city, or visit the nearby city of Elche for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmeral of Elche as well as shoe shopping, since Elche is home to over 1,000 shoe factories! Then in your new pair of shoes, take a stroll along one of the loveliest promenades in Spain, Explanada de España,with its 6.5 million marble tiles that lead you to a variety of bars, restaurants and open-air events.
Port Explorer Guide – Alicante
GOLF : Las Colinas Golf & Country Club is a modern Cabell Robinson design situated within an upmarket residential estate of 815 acres on the Costa Blanca. Opening in 2010 the course has wide forgiving fairways with forested hills overlooking the course giving a feeling of seclusion. A Par 71 championship course, Las Colinas is managed by Troon Golf which is present in 26 countries and manages over 190 courses worldwide, 39 of which are in the world’s top 100 courses. The course has extremely versatile holes, making it ideal for professional competitions but also offering any calibre of golfer a fantastic experience.
Overnight: At Sea
Cartagena is strategically located amongst a number of historic sailing routes, and has been colonized by a veritable who’s who of Mediterranean superpowers over the millennia. The result is a rich and multi-layered cultural heritage, and a history both glorious and turbulent. From atop a hill, Concepción Castle served as a fortress for Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, and Castilians. The 13th century Old Cathedral stands on the remains of a Roman Theater just discovered in 1987. More recent architectural contributions include modernist designs of public buildings and private dwellings by pupils of the famous architect Antoni Gaudi.
Port Explorer Guide – Cartagena
Overnight: At Sea
“The Rock” of Gibraltar is a sight to behold rising nearly 1,400 feet out of nowhere located in a strategic position at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It overlooks the Straits of Gibraltar and is linked to Spain by a narrow isthmus. Most of the upper Rock, starting just above the town, is a nature reserve with spectacular views accessible by cable car. Gibraltar is imposing but small. It measures less than six square kilometres and is inhabited by around 30,000 people made up of Gibraltarians, British, Moroccans, Indians and Spanish. There is a colony of the famous, camera-hogging Barbary apes who run free in a semi-wild state. Gibraltar is a British self-governing colony and a member of the European Union by virtue of Britain's membership.
Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Port Explorer Guide – Gibraltar
GOLF: Valderrama is a perennial World 100 layout consistently been rated among the five best in Continental Europe. “The Augusta of Europe” is a private club originally designed in 1974 by Robert Trent Jones on a hill above the old Andalucian village of Sotogrande. He was recalled in 1985 for a remake that has subsequently hosted a plethora of championships including the Volvo Masters and the 1997 Ryder Cup remembered for Europe’s late, great and charismatic captain Severiano Ballesteros.
Overnight: At Sea
Cádiz dates over 3,000 years, is considered “the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe”, and is perched on a narrow strip of land surrounded by brilliant blue waters. Stroll through the barrios and narrow alleyways of the Old Town, with stops along Plaza San Antonio, Plaza de Mina, and Plaza de la Catedral, where you can see one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the Cádiz Cathedral. In the El Pópulo district, you’ll find the second largest Roman theater in the world (which was constructed in 1st century BC), go to Tarifa for beautiful beaches, a variety of watersports, and great views of Morocco, or simply enjoy a traditional meal of Andalusian specialties like gazpacho, fried fish, Iberian ham, and a glass of Jerez sherry. Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
Portimão is located in the District of Faro in the Algarve Region of Portugal, and is the host venue for many prestigious sailing events. The Lisbon to Dakar Rally passes through, and there is also surfing and kitesurfing. This is a great place for seafood restaurants with grilled sardines being the specialty. Enjoy it on your own arrangements or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
GOLF: The Oceânico Faldo Course at Amendoeira, designed by Sir Nick Faldo, opened for play in 2008. In a modern twist of a traditional recipe, cacti and wild herbs replace the role of Sunningdale’s heather, and spartan holm oaks and ancient olive trees take the place of a lush English woodland, and desert scrub bunkers of crushed limestone replace Berkshire’s sandy tracts in a golf course that revels in the classic principles of strategic play. It also enjoys great views, in particular on the back nine.
Overnight – At Sea
Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its magnificent harbour made it a logical trading port as far back as the Phoenicians, as well as a departure point for 15th century voyages sponsored by Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of Portuguese explorers. The city is rich in architecture, from Romanesque and Gothic to postmodern, and criss-crossed by monument-studded grand boulevards. Today it is seeking a place on the world stage by hosting, in addition to its own active cultural calendar, film festivals, art, fashion and design shows, book fairs, marathons, and rock concerts.
GOLF : Oitavos Dunes is located on the most westerly tip of Europe and mixes wonderous views of the Atlantic Ocean with the stunning backdrop of the Sintra Mountains. Oitavos was designed by the renowned Arthur Hills and is one of only two European Courses that bear his name. The course is a recent addition to the area in golfing terms and was inaugurated in 2001 while now ranking in the world’s top 100 courses. Oitavos Dunes is a par 71 course that measure 6,300m from the competition tees. The course is a lovely mixture of woodland and links-type holes that make the most of the existing landscape.
Overnight: In Port - Lisbon, Portugal
9:00AM Disembark Azamara Journey.