Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then set out for a morning tour. From the busy squares of Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa to the storied streets of Barrio de Moreria, the Habsburg neighbourhood and the neoclassical Fountain of Neptune, discover Madrid with the direction of your local guide.
This afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may like to join an optional half-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Toledo, a well-preserved medieval town with winding streets, an ornate cathedral and a fortress at its centre.
This evening, come together as a group for a welcome dinner at a local tapas restaurant.
Following breakfast at your hotel, bid farewell to Madrid and set off for Avila in the Spanish countryside. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is known for its intact medieval fortress walls around the perimeter. Take the time to explore this city at your leisure.
Later, reach Salamanca in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time to explore the town, home to one of the oldest operating universities in the world.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Rise, shine and board your private coach as you cross the border to Portugal. Stop first at Pinhao on the banks of the Douro River, known for its local vineyards and centenary cellars. Explore the small town, making sure not to miss its historic train station.
Continue to Porto, one of Europe’s oldest towns, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Wake for a day discovering Porto on a guided tour. Admire the Porto Cathedral, the Stock Exchange Palace and Igreja de Santa Clara church.
Later, board your cruise for an easy ride along the waters of the Douro River, the city’s central lifeline, accompanied by a port wine tasting.
Back on land, spend your evening freely.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Douro River cruise
Fuel up at breakfast before setting out for Coimbra, the birthplace of fado – a popular style of traditional Portuguese music. Explore the historic centre of town, including the University of Coimbra and its Joanina Library – a Baroque-style building home to a colony of bats that protect their collection of more than 40,000 books by eating harmful insects.
Later, arrive in the city of Lisbon and check in for the evening at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
After breakfast, it’s time to hit the streets of Lisbon on a morning sightseeing tour. Wander the main squares and avenues, passing Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture where Vasco da Gama is entombed. See the Padrao dos Descobrimentos, or ‘Monument of the Discoverers’, on the northern bank of the Tagus River and the Marquis of Pombal Square.
Drive through central Lisbon, including Rossio Square and Liberty Avenue. In the evening, consider an optional traditional Portuguese dinner at one of Lisbon’s oldest Fado venues.
Spend the day exploring the town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See popular Pena Palace, one of the most recognisable landmarks in Portugal. Explore the gardens of the 16th-century Quinta da Regaleira and make your way down the winding steps of the Initiation Well, a circular staircase of ancient stone now decorated by moss.
Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and end the day in Cascais, a coastal town known for its sandy beaches, before returning to Lisbon for the evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Sintra visit with entry to Quinta da Regaleira
Tuck into breakfast before saying goodbye to Portugal as you travel to Merida. Capital of the western Spanish region of Extremadura, Merida’s famed Roman ruins date back to the 1st century BCE.
Spend time exploring the historic remains of this ancient colony, then continue onward to the Andalusian capital of Seville for the evening at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Today, follow your guide on a tour of Seville. Stop at the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and navigate the maze of Santa Cruz, the city’s Jewish Quarter.
Spend your afternoon meandering through the barrio at your own pace, or opt to join a walking tour of the city’s old town tavernas, a collection of small local tapas bars for an authentic taste of the city’s cuisine.
Fill up with a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then hit the road on your way to Cordoba. Founded in the 2nd century BCE, this historically Roman city is home to the Mezquita – a mosque-turned-cathedral dating back to the 8th century. The enormous mosque is an intricately constructed masterpiece of striped arches and wide halls, while the 16th-century cathedral at its heart tells the story of a changing Spain.
Continue on to Granada and check in at your hotel, then enjoy an evening spent at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Prepare for the day over breakfast, then make your way to Alhambra. This expansive hilltop fortress complex remains one of the most renowned examples of Islamic architecture in the world.
Spend your afternoon at leisure. In the evening, you may like to convene with your fellow adventurers for a traditional flamenco show over a Spanish dinner (surcharges apply).
Alhambra visit
Depart Granada and travel onward to Ubeda. Take a leisurely stroll past the Renaissance palaces and squares of this Andalusian town, then join a tasting of the region’s prized extra virgin olive oil and a light lunch.
Later, arrive in Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city. Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Ubeda olive oil tasting
After breakfast, embark on a morning tour of Valencia. Visit the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia’s collection of cinemas, museums, public parks and plazas.
Depart in the afternoon for Catalonia. Upon arriving in the region’s capital, Barcelona, check in at your hotel for the rest of the day at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Enjoy a day discovering Barcelona. Your first stop is Montjuic Mountain, offering views over Barcelona, as well as Montjuic Castle and the Magic Fountain.
As you return to the city centre, drive along Paseo de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s most significant avenues, home to some of famous architect Antoni Gaudi’s most recognisable works. Look up to the facades of Casa Batllo, with its skeletal balconies and colourful mosaics, as well as La Pedrera (Casa Mila), known for its stone facade and wrought-iron balconies.
Then, visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s most famous and ambitious work, under construction since 1882. Step inside to admire its intricate facades and towering spires and learn about Gaudi’s inspiration for the church’s design.
Choose to stay this afternoon to explore Las Ramblas, or enjoy a drink on the rooftop of your hotel looking out over the Sagrada (at own expense).
This evening, come together as a group for dinner at a local restaurant.
Sagrada Familia visit
After breakfast, it’s time to say adios to the Iberian Peninsula as you take a transfer to Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) for your included flight to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO).
Say ‘ciao’ to Italy as you make your way to your Rome accommodation for check-in. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure – you may like to step out for your first taste of authentic Italian.
With a full day at leisure in Rome, you have the freedom to explore its most iconic sights at your own pace. Step out to see the Colosseum, a powerful reminder of the city’s gladiatorial past, or wander through the Roman Forum’s temple ruins and basilica.
Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, climb the Spanish Steps for sweeping views over the rooftops, and see the grand Pantheon or the famous fountains of Piazza Navona nearby.
Venture into Vatican City to admire Saint Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, or lose yourself in the cobbled lanes of Trastevere.
Enjoy your final morning in Rome, before making your way to the port of Civitavecchia to embark on your Norwegian Epic cruise in time for a 5pm departure.
Settle into life onboard today and take advantage of the available activities and delectable restaurants. Tuck into Irish pub classics at O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, hit The Manhattan Room for a la carte dining or head to The Great Outdoors, the ship’s alfresco buffet, for burgers and brilliant views over the ocean.
Norwegian Epic cruise
Arriving in the afternoon, your first stop is the Greek island of Santorini, where cobalt-domed churches, sun-kissed sands and a captivating history reign. Admire the islands’ enchanting cliffs and sun-bleached architecture – you’ll have plenty of time to stroll across the marvellous peaks and soak in the scenery of a lifetime before your late evening departure.
Welcome to Athens! Arrice early to enjoy a full day unearthing the beauty of the City of Gods. Follow in Socrates’ footsteps and explore more than three millennia of history as you bask in the shadow of the mighty Acropolis, honour Athena at the Parthenon, gaze upon the colossal Panathenaic Stadium and savour delicious souvlaki from one of the many tavernas that fill the streets.
Greek islands don’t get more iconic than Mykonos. Soaked in Aegean sunshine, the ‘Island of the Winds’ waits to welcome you to paradise. Arriving in the morning, lose yourself within the labyrinth of whitewashed building-lined streets – accented by splashes of blue, green or red paint – and enjoy plenty of time to savour serenity on the island’s pristine coastline.
Framed by dramatic blue waters and topped with hillside villages, Corfu has a well-deserved reputation as Greece’s most lush isle. Rich in history, with white-sand beaches that overlook the dazzling Ionian Sea, Corfu is a perfect taste of local coastal culture. Wander through the streets of UNESCO-listed Old Town, or unwind on one of the many secluded coves and balmy beaches.
This afternoon, arrive in Valletta, capital of Malta – home to one of the world’s longest-enduring knightly orders. Spend the day getting to know one of Europe’s most exceptional cities. Valetta prides itself on its magnificent Baroque palaces, piazzas, gardens and churches, and each is well worth your time.
Sicily’s third-largest city, Messina, dazzles with extraordinary religious architecture, sun-soaked palazzos and extravagant fountains. Stroll through the Piazza Cairoli and enjoy a glass of Marsala wine – one of Sicily’s fondest exports – at any of the cafes in this remarkable city.
This morning dock in Naples, located on the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Steeped in history, a tour around Naples’ grand piazzas, cathedrals and castles in the old centre will take you back centuries, and a visit to nearby Pompeii offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient city swallowed by the fire and ash of nearby Mount Vesuvius.
Explore the wonders of Tuscany, with time to visit Florence or Pisa upon docking in Livorno. While Pisa tempts visitors with the charms of its Leaning Tower, for the perfect day in Florence, wander through Santa Croce and the Piazza del Duomo before heading to the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David, an enduring symbol of the Florentine Republic.
Cannes offers an incredible introduction to the French Riviera. Arriving early in the morning, perhaps you’ll spend the first half of the day walking along the palm-lined Promenade de la Croissette, lining the city’s coast. In the afternoon you can journey up Suquet Hill to take in tremendous views of the ocean-flanked city below.
Today, your cruise comes to an end upon return to Rome. Disembark after breakfast and make your own way to Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) for your onward journey.