Málaga, Spain
After a day at sea we docked in Málaga, Spain on April 30, 2012. Our mooring was at the entrance to the harbor and gave us a beautiful panoramic view of the city surrounded by its mountains. We started the day by walking past the Paseo de los Curas (waterfront sidewalk) to the Plaza de Toros (bull ring). From there we walked down Paseo de Reding to the Gardens of Pedro R. Alonso and the City Hall. At City Hall, we boarded the Málaga Tour HOHO bus. The bus took us up to Castillo de Gibralfaro, which dates back to the 10th century and overlooks Málaga and the surrounding area. We walked the...
Read MoreValencia, Spain
We docked in Castellón de la Plana, Spain, a maiden call for our ship, on April 28, 2011. Our tour was to the City of Valencia, about an hour away through many orange groves and small farms. Arriving in Valencia we started with a panoramic drive around the ultramodern Arts and Science area which is built on the old river bed that runs through the city. We then proceed through the old part of the city to the highlight of the trip the Mercado Central de Valencia, one of the largest and oldest produce markets in Europe. From there we walked across the street to the Silk Exchange, a UNESCO World...
Read MoreBarcelona, Spain
We arrived in Barcelona on April 25, 2012 at 11:00 AM, for a stay of two nights. The first afternoon we took a shuttle to the Columbus Monument, walked the Ramblas and took in the Mercat Boqueria before returning to the ship. Later that afternoon we sat on our veranda watching the local fishermen returning with their catch. The next two days we spent on the “Hop On Hop Off Bus” touring the entire city. Along the route we got to see the Customs House, on our way to Port Vell, the old port and now a modern shopping area. Here we had views of the Customs House, Columbus Monument,...
Read MoreCartagena, Spain
Crossing back to Europe, we docked in downtown Cartagena, Spain. Today we spent a leisurely day wandering the city. We started out by walking the seaside promenade and then ventured up Calle Mayor, the main pedestrian street, to the Mercado de Santa Florentina, the local market. The rest of the day was spent enjoying this beautiful maritime city. Paseo de Alfonso XII Walking on Paseo de Alfonso XII Statue on Paseo de Alfonso XII Plaza de Heroes del Cavite Calle Mayor City Market In the City Market Olives in the City Market Wine by the liter – bring your own bottle Chicken...
Read MoreMelilla, Spanish Morocco
We left Cadiz and passed through the Straight of Gibraltar crossing the Mediterranean to Melilla, Spanish Morocco, which is on the north coast of Africa. We docked at the commercial pier and had a shuttle bus that took us about a mile to Plaza Espana, the center of town. Melilla is divided between new and old areas. We first explored the new area which has a Modernist-style of architecture consisting of about 100 buildings some of which were designed by Gaudi’s disciple, Enrique. Many of the facades are quite ornate. After lunch, we roamed Medina Sidonia, the old town in Melilla, which...
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When we retired and moved to Florida from Bellport,Long Island, NY, we began to cruise more and for longer periods of time. Our travels have taken us up the Amazon, around South America and the Antarctic, North Africa, the Mediterranean and Black Seas. We hope you enjoy some of our images and that they can help in planning your own dreams.