Monday, May 5
NEW YORK / SEVILLE, SPAIN
Depart New York on an overnight flight
to Seville.
Tuesday, May 6
SEVILLE
Upon arrival in Seville, transfer to the
luxurious Hotel Alfonso XIII, where we will spend three nights.
Gather this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.
Wednesday, May 7
SEVILLE
In the picturesque Old City, visit the
beautiful Giralda Tower and the immense Gothic cathedral.
Following a tapas lunch, continue to the Alcázar (above right), a fortified
royal palace and an outstanding example of Mudéjar
architecture. Dinner and the evening are at leisure.
Thursday, May 8
SEVILLE
At the invitation of the director, visit the
Museum of Fine Arts before it opens to the public. Housed
in a former convent, the collections include works by El
Greco, Murillo, Zurbarán and the great Sevillian Velázquez.
Then explore the city’s famous riverfront Plaza de Toros
(bull ring) and visit its museum. Following lunch at leisure,
horse-drawn carriages will take us to the 10th-century
palace, Casa de Pilatos, for a private visit. This evening you
may wish to dine at one of Seville’s fine restaurants.
Friday, May 9
SEVILLE / CADIZ, SPAIN / SEA CLOUD II
Begin the day at the 15th-century Palacio de
las Dueñas, now home to the Duchess of Alba. Stroll
through the garden with its magnificent palms, orange trees
and wide variety of flowering plants. Depart in the late
morning for Cádiz (above) and enjoy a lunch of Andalusian specialties before embarking the awaiting Sea Cloud II.
Saturday, May 10
AT SEA
Spend a leisurely day at sea as we sail
along the coast of Spain. Onboard lectures will prepare us
for tomorrow’s visits in Lisbon.
Sunday, May 11
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Set on seven hills and cooled by Atlantic
breezes, Lisbon was substantially rebuilt after an earthquake
in 1755. In the lower town see the cathedral and charming
18th-century neoclassical houses, as well as the Madre de
Deus Church, built in the Manueline style. Visit the National
Tile Museum housed in the church cloisters. After lunch
discover the renowned Calouste Gulbenkian Museum with works by Rembrandt and Manet, as well as extraordinary
18th-century furniture, silver and Lalique jewelry.
Alternatively, you may wish to visit Palácio dos Marqueses
da Fronteira with its grand interior, formal gardens and
stunning azulejos (painted tiles, above). Set sail in the late afternoon.
Monday, May 12
PORTO, PORTUGAL
Arrive in Porto this afternoon for a visit to
the Serralves Foundation, a cultural institution whose mission
is to raise the public’s awareness about contemporary art and
the environment. Stroll through the extensive gardens, which
include a comprehensive variety of indigenous and exotic
vegetation. Or you may choose to see Porto’s magnificent
baroque churches on a walking tour. Return to the ship in
time for dinner. Sail this evening along Spain’s Galician Coast.
Tuesday, May 13
LA CORUNA, SPAIN
Attend onboard lectures before we arrive
this afternoon in the town of La Coruña. Drive to Santiago
de Compostela (right), a historic city retaining a mystical quality. Its
11th-century cathedral was the destination of the most
traveled pilgrimage route of the Middle Ages, the Camino de
Santiago, and continues to draw modern-day pilgrims.
Experience a traditional Botafumeiro ceremony in the
cathedral before returning to the ship.
Wednesday, May 14
AT SEA
During a relaxing day at sea, observe
as the ship’s crew practices the art of trimming the sails by
hand, or perhaps settle into a comfortable deck chair with a
favorite book. Tonight join the captain on Lido Deck for
farewell cocktails, followed by dinner.
Thursday, May 15
BILBAO, SPAIN
Following a morning at sea, arrive in
Bilbao for a visit to the astonishing Guggenheim, designed
by American architect Frank Gehry. Sea Cloud II will remain
overnight in Bilbao.
Friday, May 16
BILBAO
Transfer to the airport for flights home,
continue on the San Sebastián postlude, or remain aboard Sea Cloud II to join the second part of The Grand Tour.
Optional Postlude
SAN SEBASTIAN
Friday, May 16 Disembark Sea Cloud II in Bilbao and visit
the Museo de Bellas Artes, whose collection includes works
by European painters. After a lunch of Basque specialties, drive
to the picturesque city of San Sebastián, once the favorite
summer resort of the royal family. Accommodations are at
the elegant Hotel María Cristina, where we will spend three
nights. Dinner is at leisure.
Saturday, May 17
Depart the hotel for a specially arranged
visit to the Eduardo Chillida Sculpture Park, where the artist
recast a 16th-century farmhouse and its grounds as a space
where his work could be on permanent display. Return to
San Sebastián for a tour of the Old Town. The balance of the
day is at leisure.
Sunday, May 18
Discover the Basque country as we drive
along the scenic coast to St. Jean de Luz, a fishing village
dating from the 11th century. Continue to Biarritz, the aristocratic
French resort town, for lunch at the historic Hôtel du
Palais, built by Empress Eugenie in 1854. Return to San Sebastián
in the afternoon. Gather this evening for dinner at the hotel.
Monday, May 19
Transfer to the airport for the flights home.
