14 Nights - Halloween Transatlantic Cruise

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second-largest city; it is also one of the world’s most gracious cities. Dominated by Montjuic, Vallvidrera and the Tibidabo Hills, sophisticated Barcelona is rich in ancient and modern architectural and artistic treasures. Many talented artists, sculptors and architects lived here, including Picasso, Gaudi, Miro and Mares, who found the warm days and lively nights an inspiration for their art.

The city was founded by the Phoenicians. As a port it really began to develop under the Romans. The most significant period was during the Middle Ages when Barcelona's wealth equaled that of the whole Catalonia province. In the 19th century Barcelona grew into a major European port. The city developed around its Gothic Quarter. The splendid buildings from the 13th and 15th centuries and the medieval ambiance remain major attractions for the thousands of visitors every year.

In addition to the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter there are the magnificent avenues cutting through the modern part of the city. They are lined by elegant boutiques and the whimsical facades of buildings designed by the famous Catalonian architect Antonio Gaudi.

Discover the city's outstanding museums dedicated to such masters as Picasso, Miro and Mares. No visit to Barcelona would be complete without seeing the most unique edifice, the Church of the Holy Family, or Sagrada Familia. Gaudi began this fantastic creation in 1883 but was unable to finish. Work was restarted in 1940 but has been greatly hindered because Gaudi left no plans or notes to assist in completing his masterpiece.

There are endless sites to see and things to do in this wonderful city warranting more than a one-day visit. Just strolling the popular Rambla or stopping at one of the many sidewalk cafes will be highlights of your visit to Barcelona.

Ibiza, Spain

In the past decade the island of Ibiza Spain has become synonymous with anything-goes, all-night partying. It’s reputation as the world’s clubbing capital is well deserved—an Ibiza vacation offers enough non-stop, orgiastic nightclubs to satisfy even the most tireless of ravers. But Ibiza Spain—and the Balaeric archipelago where Ibiza is located—offers tourists much more than just booze, drugs and dancing.

If Pamplona became a rallying point for the “lost generation” after Ernest Hemingway published a novel about ex-patriot adventures in the north of Spain, the emergence of trance and techno music on the island of Ibiza has enticed another “lost generation” to Spain once again.

Increasingly, an Ibiza vacation has become a right of passage for twenty-something westerners, with the result that flights to Ibiza from Europe and the United States can be found at cut rate prices. The cost of flights to Ibiza drops drastically for anyone willing to leave at a moment’s notice on special “last-minute” fares. The best Ibiza travel option for Americans would be to fly direct to London and catch one of the low-price air carriers that specialize in shuttling British party-goers to Ibiza for not much more than the cover charge at one of the island’s trendier discos. The money you save on flights to Ibiza can then be devoted to the island’s pricey hotel and hostel accommodations. Expect to pay two or three times the price of a normal mainland accommodation.

Ibiza tourism is centered around the quay area of Sa Penya. Once a fisherman’s quarter, this barrio has been a tourist haunt since the 1960’s. Daylight hours are usually spent on the beaches of Ses Salines and Es Cavellet. The exotic boutiques that Ibiza vacations are famous for are located in the Carrer Rimbau. The surrounding alleys and streets are filled with stalls selling everything from antiques to sex toys. If you are looking for fresh produce the Placa de La Constitucio, north of the church of San Telmo houses the main Market. Beyond the market is the main gate of Dalt Vila, which signals the start of the walled upper town. If you can drag yourself out of bed, or off the beach, the upper town can be explored in the late afternoon or early morning.

Finally, though it is rightly known as an island of excess, if you venture outside the city center you will be rewarded with the sight of islanders herding goats, as well as some of the best clothing optional beaches Spain has to offer.

Malaga, Spain

Situated on Spain’s Costa del Sol, Malaga is the region’s capital and a popular holiday destination. The city is known as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and for the sweet Malaga dessert wines that come from the hilly vineyards just outside of town. Other points of interest include impressive Gothic architecture, the remains of a Moorish castle and several interesting museums. A pleasant town to explore on your own, Malaga serves as a popular starting point for trips to Granada and resorts along the Costa del Sol.

Splendid Granada and the famed Alhambra are the region’s most outstanding attractions, located inland at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Magnificent Moorish palaces and fortifications contrast sharply with Christian churches from Spain’s significant era of the 1492 Reconquest, in which King Ferdinand put an end to eight centuries of Moorish rule.

Some distance inland lies Ronda, famed for its most unusual situation; the town is separated by a 300-foot-deep gorge. Ronda's incredible location affords spectacular views over the valley and distant hills.

Other worthwhile trips from Malaga include such well-known resorts as Torremolinos and Marbella or the white village of Mijas located picturesquely on the hillside above the coastal resorts.

Malaga, Spain

Situated on Spain’s Costa del Sol, Malaga is the region’s capital and a popular holiday destination. The city is known as the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and for the sweet Malaga dessert wines that come from the hilly vineyards just outside of town. Other points of interest include impressive Gothic architecture, the remains of a Moorish castle and several interesting museums. A pleasant town to explore on your own, Malaga serves as a popular starting point for trips to Granada and resorts along the Costa del Sol.

Splendid Granada and the famed Alhambra are the region’s most outstanding attractions, located inland at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Magnificent Moorish palaces and fortifications contrast sharply with Christian churches from Spain’s significant era of the 1492 Reconquest, in which King Ferdinand put an end to eight centuries of Moorish rule.

Some distance inland lies Ronda, famed for its most unusual situation; the town is separated by a 300-foot-deep gorge. Ronda's incredible location affords spectacular views over the valley and distant hills.

Other worthwhile trips from Malaga include such well-known resorts as Torremolinos and Marbella or the white village of Mijas located picturesquely on the hillside above the coastal resorts.

At Sea

Enjoy the whole day at sea.

Funchal, Maderia

Madeira has been described as the "Island of Eternal Spring."" Located off the coast of Morocco

Sailing the Sunny Atlantic

A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing the Sunny Atlantic

A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing the Sunny Atlantic

A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing the Sunny Atlantic

A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing the Sunny Atlantic

A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing the Sunny Atlantic

A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing the Sunny Atlantic

A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing the Sunny Atlantic

A transatlantic cruise is any sailing that crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

Miami, Florida

Miami is a sparkler of a city set against the water. It was originally settled at the mouth of the Miami River by the Tequesta Indians, and the downtown area still hugs the junction of the river and Biscayne Bay. To the south along the water, Coconut Grove is 3 mi/5 km away. The cities of Coral Gables and South Miami are approximately 6 mi/10 km to the west and south. Beyond that to the west is Kendall—a vast stretch of condos, homes, shopping malls and restaurants that reaches the edge of the Everglades. To the south is Homestead and, beyond that, the Florida Keys. Miami Beach is a finger of land separating Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic, connected by five causeways to the mainland. At its southern tip is South Beach, now known as the Art Deco District or SoBe.

Miami is a right now kind of city. Its history is short, so there isn’t much in the way of antiquities. What’s interesting about Miami is its neighborhoods: Little Havana, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, among others.

You’ll probably need a car—or a series of taxis—to get around in spread-out Miami. If your time is limited, we suggest you concentrate on a few sights. But if you have a day or more, you’ll have time to tour downtown and then branch out to the delightful diversities of Greater Miami.