Gems of Spain and Portugal Cruise on Ambition from Belfast

Belfast

Belfast Harbour (also the Port of Belfast) is a major maritime gateway in Northern Ireland, It is increasingly popular with cruise liners. Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland and the second largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin. Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough, Belfast is surrounded by low hills. After years of violence, its center has been polished up making it great to walk through the pedestrian streets, shop in its arcades and spend some time in its pubs or dine in its excellent restaurants. Belfast city centre is focused on Donegall Square and Belfast City Hall in its centre. The City Hall is the grand centerpiece of the city and the orientation point for your exploration of Belfast. Running north from the centre of Donegall Square is Donegall Place, a broad and bustling shopping street, which will lead you towards the Cathedral Quarter and the Arts School. Bedford Street, becomes Dublin Road, which, leads south to the University Quarter, area where you´ll find the Botanic Gardens, art galleries and museums. Belfast is home to a wide range of parks and open spaces, making it one of the greenest cities in Ireland. The Golden Mile is the area around Great Victoria Street beyond Bradbury Place and it is considered the city´s best address for restaurants and pubs. The famous I.R.A. and Protestant murals are just to the west of the city center and it´s perfectly safe to go there and take photos.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a city in the county of Merseyside, on the side of the estuary of the river Mersey. The popularity of The Beatles and of Liverpool Football Club have made Liverpool a touristic destination. Liverpool Cruise Terminal is located at Pier Head in the heart of the waterfront; it is clearly identifiable once you reach the Liver Buildings. Port address: Liverpool Cruise Terminal. Pier Head. Princes Parade. Liverpool. L3 1DL

Ferrol (Spain)

Cadiz (Spain)

Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. The older part of Cadiz within the remnants of the city walls is commonly referred to as the Old Town It is characterized by the antiquity of its various quarters, among them El Pópulo, La Viña, and Santa María, which present a marked contrast to the newer areas of town. While the Old City's street plan consists of narrow winding alleys connecting large plazas, newer areas of Cadiz typically have wide avenues and more modern buildings. In addition, the city is dotted with numerous parks where exotic plants flourish, including giant trees supposedly brought to Spain by Columbus from the New World. Cadiz, situated on a peninsula, is home to some of Spain's most beautiful beaches. La Playa de la Caleta is the best-loved beach of Cadiz. It has always been in Carnival songs, due to its unequalled beauty and its proximity to the Barrio de la Viña. It is the beach of the Old City, situated between two castles, San Sebastian and Santa Catalina. La Caleta and the boulevard show a lot of resemblance to parts of Havana, the capital city of Cuba,

Palma (Majorca)

The capital of the island of Mallorca, Palma welcomes you through a magnificent view: the marina, the promenade, the Cathedral that is dominated by the Bellver Castle, situated on a hill which overlooks the harbour. Majorca is a favourite European destination for many cruise passengers. Great shopping centres and tourist services, beautiful and pristine beaches, the cuisine, and traditional products, not to mention the wonderful caves of Drach, all await you on your visit. Inland, you’ll find typical Mallorcan villages and mountain ranges reaching heights of 1,500 metres. 

Valencia (Spain)

Valencia is the capital of the province with the same name, situated on the eastern coast of the Spanish territory, which is accessible by air, land (rail and highway) and sea. The Maritime Station is one of the most modern facilities in Spain. The modern style pier where the Cruises depart from or the “Golondrinas” boats that can take you for a nice ride along the dock. Nearby, you will find the Royal Atarazanas, a historic monument in the Maritime Museum.

Alicante (Spain)

Alicante is a city and port in Spain on the Costa Blanca, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The most important festival, the Bonfires of Saint John (Fogueres de Sant Joan), takes place during the summer solstice. This is followed a week later by seven nights of firework and pyrotechnic contests between companies on the urban beach Playa del Postiguet. Another well-known festival is Moros i Cristians in Altozano or San Blas district. Overall, the city boasts a year-round nightlife for the enjoyment of tourists, fun-loving residents, and a large student population of the University of Alicante. The nightlife social scene tends to shift to nearby Playa de San Juan (St. John's Beach) during the summer months. Every summer in Alicante, a two-month-long programme of music, theatre and dance is staged in the Paseo del Puerto.

Gibraltar

It is a small British colony in southern Spain. The population is about 29,000 inhabitants in an area of 2.6 square miles. It is also a naval base of the British Armed Forces. Most interesting things are the Rock of Gibraltar, the famous rock monkeys,the dolphins and the main shopping streets.

Lisbon

The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern constructions can be found all over Lisbon. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts. There are several substantial museums one can visit in the city. In addition, the mosaic Portuguese Pavement was born in Lisbon, in the mid-1800s. The art has since spread to the rest of the Portuguese Speaking world. The city remains one of the most expansive examples of the technique, nearly all walkways and even many streets being created and maintained in this style.

Porto (Portugal)

Porto is the second most important city in Portugal, after Lisbon. Porto is an old city that has many historical heritage sites, although during the last decades is has been modernized. It has the longest underground line in Portugal, that covers not only the centre of the city, but also the metropolitan outskirts such as Senhora da Hora or maja. The old town is included in the UNESCO world heritage site. Some of it's most important monuments are: Mercado do Bolhao, teh Cathedral, the Clerigos Church and Tower, the Crystal Palace, the town hall and the bridges over the Duero river. it is also known for the grandeur, innovation and beauty of it's bridges, dated in diferent seasons and of different architectural styles.

Belfast

Belfast Harbour (also the Port of Belfast) is a major maritime gateway in Northern Ireland, It is increasingly popular with cruise liners. Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland and the second largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin. Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough, Belfast is surrounded by low hills. After years of violence, its center has been polished up making it great to walk through the pedestrian streets, shop in its arcades and spend some time in its pubs or dine in its excellent restaurants. Belfast city centre is focused on Donegall Square and Belfast City Hall in its centre. The City Hall is the grand centerpiece of the city and the orientation point for your exploration of Belfast. Running north from the centre of Donegall Square is Donegall Place, a broad and bustling shopping street, which will lead you towards the Cathedral Quarter and the Arts School. Bedford Street, becomes Dublin Road, which, leads south to the University Quarter, area where you´ll find the Botanic Gardens, art galleries and museums. Belfast is home to a wide range of parks and open spaces, making it one of the greenest cities in Ireland. The Golden Mile is the area around Great Victoria Street beyond Bradbury Place and it is considered the city´s best address for restaurants and pubs. The famous I.R.A. and Protestant murals are just to the west of the city center and it´s perfectly safe to go there and take photos.