Seabourn Sojourn - September 24, 2023

Barcelona is the cultural heartland of Spain, yet its first language is Catalan, the native tongue of the proudly independent Catalonia region. Stroll down the shady, tree-lined Ramblas between street musicians and elegant bistros. Then perhaps visit the venerable Gothic cathedral, Picasso Museum or enjoy the architectural genius of Antonio Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family.

Spain's third-largest city, and capital of the province of Valencia, comes as a pleasant surprise to many. Home to paella and the Holy Grail, it is also blessed with great weather and the spring festival of Las Fallas, one of the wildest parties in the country.

The major island in the chain known as the Balearics, Mallorca is Spain's sunny outpost in the Mediterranean. The town of Palma boasts a shady plaza near the Gothic Cathedral. Visit the Roman ruins and the Drach Caves nearby, or journey to the enchanting village of Valledemosa. Leave time to shop for lovely majolica faux pearls and hand-made lace.

Sete, France, is the charming port which leads you to Carcassone, a walled city which dates back to the time of the Roman Empire. Explore the town's boutiques and cafes. Be sure to sample "cassoulet"--a delightful combination of meats cooked with beans. It's the specialty of the city.

A pretty town along the Provencal coast, Sanary offers a charming seafront ambience, and interesting streets to wander. Stop off in a cafe and enjoy excellent rose from nearby region Bandol.

Portoferraio is the mainport of Elba. After Napoleon abdicated the throne, he was exiled to the island of Elba, located off the west coast of Italy, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Your stay here will feel less like exile and more like an escape as you sample the local wines and walk among her rich olive groves and relax on the beaches of her numerous resorts. Be sure to visit Napoleon's chief residence, the Mulini Palace, and his summer residence, Villa San Martino, which now houses a museum and his collection of engravings.

Portovenere is a charming and picturesque town in the Bay of La Spezia. The town has a very strong connection to both the military and the sea, reflected in the two centers of the town. The first ist he old port, the second the fortified, Genoese stronghold, where you'll also find the Church of San Lorenzo, which was constructed in Gothic-Renaissance style, similar to the Genoa Cathedral. The streets of Portovenere contain numerous other examples of medieval architecture.

The world's most famous casino (a must see even if you do not gamble), glittering nightlife, first-class dining and shopping, make it one of the world's most glamorous destinations. The casino is an elaborate Italianate structure capped by four towers and a copper-tin roof.

Portoferraio is the mainport of Elba. After Napoleon abdicated the throne, he was exiled to the island of Elba, located off the west coast of Italy, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Your stay here will feel less like exile and more like an escape as you sample the local wines and walk among her rich olive groves and relax on the beaches of her numerous resorts. Be sure to visit Napoleon's chief residence, the Mulini Palace, and his summer residence, Villa San Martino, which now houses a museum and his collection of engravings.

Just southwest of Naples, you'll find the ancient port city of Amalfi. Visit the Cathedral of Amalfi, which dates back to the Ninth Century, and the Arsenal gateway to the sea. Five kilometers from Amalfi is the bay of Conca dei Marini, home of the Emerald Cave, named for the color that it takes when the light of the sun comes through its tunnel. Notice the Arab influence on the local architecture in the Cathedral of S. Andrew and the Duomo of Amalfi.

The fertile valleys of Naxos are well-known producers of white wine, citron, and citrus and are the site of a number of ancient and medieval capitals. Visit the famous gardens ("giardini") and walk between the walls of the ancient Greek city and the viewing the museum's terrecotta artwork. A short trip to Grotta, just north of Naxos, finds the recent excavations of a Mycenaean settlement.

Located in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta's coastline features many harbors, bays, sandy beaches and rocky coves. After a leisurely stroll through the Barracca Gardens you'll be awarded with a spectacular view of the harbor of Valetta.

Located in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta's coastline features many harbors, bays, sandy beaches and rocky coves. After a leisurely stroll through the Barracca Gardens you'll be awarded with a spectacular view of the harbor of Valetta.

No introduction is needed for what is perhaps the world's best known and most fashionable resort on the Riviera. Immerse yourself in the splendid scenery of the Cote d'Azur with an excursion to the hilltop villages of Gassin and Il Ramatuelle, and the new town of Port Grimaud, built to resemble an old Mediterranean fishing village.

Though the scenery is strikingly dramatic, below the rugged headlands and rocky promontories you'll find quiet, beach-bordered bays rimmed by pine woodlands. Palamos is the southernmost of a series of small isolated ports that cling like oysters to tiny harbours set along Catalunya's northern coast. It sits on a high rock over the harbor, a favorite destination for yachts that vie for space with local fishing boats.

Barcelona is the cultural heartland of Spain, yet its first language is Catalan, the native tongue of the proudly independent Catalonia region. Stroll down the shady, tree-lined Ramblas between street musicians and elegant bistros. Then perhaps visit the venerable Gothic cathedral, Picasso Museum or enjoy the architectural genius of Antonio Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family.

The major island in the chain known as the Balearics, Mallorca is Spain's sunny outpost in the Mediterranean. The town of Palma boasts a shady plaza near the Gothic Cathedral. Visit the Roman ruins and the Drach Caves nearby, or journey to the enchanting village of Valledemosa. Leave time to shop for lovely majolica faux pearls and hand-made lace.

A major seaport and naval base, it has a fine natural harbor, protected by forts. It was founded in 225 B.C. and soon became a flourishing port: the chief Carthaginian base in Spain. The medieval Castillo de la Concepcion, whose ruins are surrounded by fine gardens, commands a splendid view of the city and harbor. No traces of the ancient city remain.

There are intensities to be found in Marbella - whether they be the power of the bird song, the almost-overpowering scent of orange blossom, or the effusiveness of the subtropical flora. These are intensities so far beyond the norm experienced in more dreary climes that they almost seem to offer a taste of Heaven itself. This is no less true of a quality of evening light that can haunt your thoughts and move you to tears of longing when parted from the place.

The "Gateway to Africa," located at its northwestern tip, Tangier is a fashionable resort that retains all of its age-old mystery and excitement. French and Islamic influences meet and merge in this fascinating old city. Mosques and minarets overlook the shadowy streets of the bazaar, while the higher part of town, with its broad boulevards and lovely parks, looks down on the ocean.

For a scenic view of Oporto, proceed to the 12th-century Cathedral where a long stone balcony overlooks the river and city below. Take a wine-tasting tour in this city renowned for its port wine and sample the region's local specialties. The city of Oporto makes a wonderful backdrop for savoring a glass of its fine liquor.

Lisbon is many cities, from the cobbled alleys of the Alfama district to the broad Parisian style avenues at its heart. View it all from the heights of St. George's Castle. Belem's Monument to the Discoveries recalls the seafaring past, while nearby Sintra's storybook palaces, and the seaside resort of Caiscais, have different tales to tell.