MEDITERRANEAN MARVELS Cruise on Azamara Onward from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of the largest cities in Spain, and is the largest city in the Canary Islands The Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria receives ships from all over the world. As a beach town, Las Palmas is specially popular for ocean-side activities. Catch a wave, grab your snorkel, or just soak up some sun. The south of the island is hot, dry, relatively arid and home to brash new resorts such as Playa del Inglés. The north and centre of the island is cooler, wetter, and retains more of a Spanish colonial atmosphere. The dramatic lush interior features spectacular volcanic peaks. The capital of Las Palmas functions as a bustling cosmopolitan city and a popular seaside. Those arriving by cruise ship can appreciate the island´s spectacular setting between two bays as they sail into the biggest port in Spanish territory. Most of the island´s top sights are in the north, situated within 30 minutes or so of Las Palmas. However, Las Palmas itself has a variety of first-class attractions plus an excellent golden beach, Playa de las Canteras, which is a 15-minute walk from the cruise terminal (as is the city centre).

Arrecife (Lanzarote)

Arrecife open the doors of Lanzarote, an island full of underwater views and spots, transparent waters, and palm trees. the natural park of Timanfaya is the most representative of the island, and you will see how the volcanic lava swept all the land. A good example of this is Los Jameos del Agua, spectacular volcanic cave in which interior lies a natural lake of transparent waters inhibiten by blind albino crabs, from unknown origin. You can also visit the beaches of Famara or Papagayo.

Agadir (Morocco)

Agadir is a major city in southwest Morocco. It is located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point where the Sous River flows into the ocean. The city centre includes the boulevards Mohammed V and Hassan II, the Valley of Birds, the avenues General Kettani, Mohammed VI, Moulay Abdellah, and Mokhtar Soussi as well as the main avenue of the Royal Armed Forces .The city centre also includes the Place Salam, Place de l'Esperance, the Loubnane Mosque, and the Square with two fountains that leads to the greenbelt of the municipality. With the combination of several communes, the city centre is process to gradually move towards the Haut Founty district where the new administraton have built a new building for the Court of Appeal. The seaside, the tourist area at the seaside consists of the boulevard of 20 August, Tawada Avenue, the Corniche, Avenue of Oued Souss, and the Founty district: Baie des Palmiers. It has many hotels, restaurants, trendy cafes, and residential villas.

Casablanca (Morocco)

Casablanca is the largest city of Morocco, situated in western Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the largest and most important cities in Africa. Casablanca is also Moroccos chief port and industrial centre. Casablanca is like any other European city and the most liberal and progressive of Moroccos cities. Most of the streets have signs, and passersby are extremely helpful in French or Arabic and, more rarely, Spanish or English. Young men flirt brazenly with scantily clad women, designer labels are the norm in the chic, beach front neighbourhood of Ain Diab and many young Moroccans speak to each other exclusively in French. The Medina historic district can be hard to navigate, but its so small that no matter how blindly you wander into it, youre never more than ten minutes from an exit. Places to visit: the Medina historic district, the Corniche, Octagon Square, the Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman, the Mosque Hassan II, the largest in North Africa, and the third largest in the world.

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.

Malaga (Spain)

Malaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol, or Empire of the Light, as Ortega y Gasset described it in a poem. You’ll find the Picasso Museum, which is devoted to the most influential artist of the twentieth century. He was born in the city in 1881. You’ll be amazed to visit this cosmopolitan city as tourist, visiting the monuments of the Alcazaba and Giralfaro or ancient Roman theatre. Not to mention the beautiful and unfinished Cathedral of the Incarnation, erected on the site which was the largest mosque in Malaga. This has long been a popular port for cruise passengers because there is no shortage of things to explore, enjoy and sample. The city itself is easily navigated on foot and that’s probably the best way to see it. For sun lovers, there are no less than 16 beaches for you to choose from.

Almeria (Spain)

Almeria is a city in Andalusia, Spain, situated in the southeast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the province of the same name. Main sights: The Alcazaba, a medieval fortress that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1522. It includes a triple line of walls, a majestic keep and large gardens. It commands a city quarter with buildings dressed in white colours, of Muslim-age aspect. Almería air raid shelters, underground galleries for civilian protection during the Spanish Civil War, nowadays, the longest in Europe open for tourists. The Cathedral has a fortress-like appearance due to its towers, merlons and protected paths, created to defend it from Mediterranean pirates. Renaissance church of Santiago, built in 1533, with tower and portal decorated with reliefs. Chanca, a group of houses carved into rocks.Castle of San Cristobal, now in ruins. It is connected to the Alcazaba by a line of walls. Museum of Almería. Includes findings from Prehistoric, Iberic, Roman, Greek ages and Muslim objects, mostly from the Alcazaba. Paseo de Coches, a modern seaside promenade with gardens and palms.

La Goulette (Tunis)

La Goulette is the port of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. La Goulette is linked to Tunis by the TGM railway. As you disembark the port it will bring you closer to a totally different and fascinating culture. Tunisia is one of the favorite most exotic destinations you can visit. There are several festivals each year, of which the largest is the Carthage International Festival which takes place in July and August with international attraction. Tourist attractions are: Camel ride, Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul, Dar Ben Abdallah, MuseumBab el Bahr French Gate, The Great Mosque, Old City Medina, Bardo Museum & Souks.

Trapani (Sicily)

Trapani is a city and comune on the west coast of Sicily in Italy. The city is renowned for its Easter related Holy Week activities and traditions. Main attractions of Trapani are Old Town, Palazzo Giudecca,Santa Maria del Gesù, Biblioteca Fardelliana, Sant´Agostino, Palazzo Cavaretto, Chiesa del Collegio, Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Palazzo Riccio, Torre di Ligny Museum, Harbor, La Columbia, Santuario dell´Annunziata Museo Regionale Pepoli and Salt Works.

Sorrento (Italy)

Sorrento has multiple reasons to be an attractive city in the Amalfi Coast: it has a beautiful architecture, an imposing coast between beaches and cliffd, a variety of places to eat, cafès, restaurants, and shops willing to receive the tourists. Also, from the city we can start our tour to visit cities like Pompeii and Ercolano. We can also catch the ferry and in a short time be in the island of Capri. If we are thinking of taking a souvenir typical of Sorrento, nothing better than Limoncello, a liqueur done with lemon that has a known production for its quality in the whole world.

Civitavecchia (Rome)

 Civitavecchia is the city of Rome´s port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The harbour is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse. The name Civitavecchia means Ancient Town. There, the Eternal City lies before us in large format architectural and artistic sculptures such as the Colosseum, the most important monument of ancient Rome and used for public entertainment. Do not miss the Trevi Fountain and make a wish while you throw a coin over your shoulder and then continue to the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments of antiquity, Piazza Navona, and the Vatican City. Take a walk through the Plaza of Spain and rest on the steps of Trinita dei Monti before heading to Via Condotti, a wide avenue lined with shops. Civitavecchia is always popular with cruise passengers because, as noted earlier, it is the gateway to Rome. All cruise lines tend to offer shore excursions here to the Eternal City and we highly recommend that you book one. 

Monte Carlo

It is excepcionally located, between the sea and the mountain, it´s gardens, it´s sports and cultural events, and so many other things... make of Monaco the ideal destination for an escape or for a unforgettable conference. Montecarlo has been for decades a meeting place for royals and big movie stars.

Barcelona

The port of Barcelona was born about the same time as the city was. It is one of themost important ports in the Mediterranean, cruise ships leave the city to call on some of themost desirable cities in the Western Mediterranean. The port has modern facilities and allthe services needed to accommodate the many passengers who have Barcelona as anembarkation and a disembarkation port. Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan andmulticultural capitals of Europe. Among many attractions that include the Sagrada Familia,Montjuic, Gaudi's Güell Park and the famous Ramblas. It’s a hub of activity and the city isalways bustling.