- Spain
- Discover Andalucia and Seville
Set off on this eight-day voyage by cruise and coach taking in the highlights of this vibrant region. Follow the Guadalquivir River to the town of Cordoba, which perfectly combines history and modernity. Sail onward to Seville and visit Alcazar palace, an astonishing blend of architectural styles. Enjoy coach tours from the ship, wine tastings, flamenco shows and more on this river adventure.
Important information: This cruise is a combination of cruising and coach tour. Other journeys are taken from the cruise ship by coach.
Dinner
Depart on your scheduled flight to Seville. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your ship. Board your ship and enjoy a welcome cocktail with the crew before dinner. The ship will remain docked in Seville until disembarking on Day 3. Please note that the pool on the ship is closed from October-May.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Disembark for a guided tour of Cordoba, a city whose Moorish roots are evident in its Mezquita-Cathedral - a cathedral built in the heart of a mosque. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Seville.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Discover the treasures of Seville starting in Santa Cruz district, once a Jewish quarter enclosed by ancient walls. Stroll through its narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses before visiting the Alcazar, one of Europe’s oldest royal palaces, and end with the Gothic-style Seville Cathedral, built over the remains of an Almohad mosque.
In the afternoon, we set sail towards Isla Minima, gliding past the UNESCO-listed Doñana National Park and the city of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Upon arrival, enjoy a visit to a traditional Andalusian hacienda on the banks of the Guadalquivir River,
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Start the day with a trip to Jerez de la Frontera to visit a prestigious stud farm known for raising Andalusian horses. Experience an exquisite display of equestrian skills in a show showcasing these magnificent animals' elegance and grace. In the afternoon, join us for a guided walking tour of Cádiz, a city that seems to float on the sea. Surrounded by water and connected to the mainland by a narrow sandbank, Cadiz boasts stunning architecture and a rich maritime history. After the tour, return to the ship as we cruise towards El Puerto de Santa Maria. This evening enjoy an authentic flamenco performance, immersing yourself in the passionate rhythms of Andalusia.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Spend a leisurely day cruising on the Gulf of Cádiz towards Huelva. Tonight enjoy an evening of entertainment onboard.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning departs by coach to explore The Wharf of the Caravels on a guided tour visiting the monasteries and frescos of the Gothic-Mudejar. Enjoy a free afternoon onboard before getting into the festive spirit on your farewell gala dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Depart Seville for a tour of Granada (by coach), including lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the fortress of Alhambra and discover the country estate of Palacio de Generalife. Afterwards, take advantage of a free afternoon to visit the Albayzin district which offers a magnificent view of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada. Return to Seville by coach.
Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark at 9am for your transfer to the airport and your return flight to the UK. If you have a late return flight, you may leave your luggage onboard the ship until 14.00pm and spend your time exploring the city until your return airport transfer.
The Captain and CroisiEurope reserve the right to alter/modify an itinerary at any time, should safety or external circumstances make this necessary, changes are also subject to tides. This also means that included excursions will alter/modify to match the cruise itinerary.
Some of the highlights may only be seen on optional excursions at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £390.14pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is not required for British nationals travelling to Spain. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding passport validity.
It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. To enter Spain your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight.
You will not receive an E-ticket, all you need to do is present your passport and online check-in boarding pass to the staff at the desk.
If you wish to arrange Airport car parking, lounges or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extra Tel. 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313. Your final documentation will include transfer vouchers for your pre-organised return airport transfers and your river cruise boarding passes.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This river cruise is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves getting on and off the cruise vessel managed by gangways and climbing stairs on all decks on board the vessel. On moderate days the level terrain on walking excursions are cobbled streets. This cruise is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Spain, as well as onboard, is the Euro (EUR). We recommend that you exchange currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in most towns and cities to withdraw money in the local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country.
Credit cards are accepted on board ship and throughout all major cities.
This cruise is on an All-Inclusive, so you will only need to take a little extra money with you to cover any premium drinks on board and souvenirs, drinks and snacks purchased when off the ship, as well as any optional excursions you wish to book.
Tipping is at your discretion. There is an envelope in your cabin for this purpose that can be handed to the reception at the end of your cruise. Credit cards are accepted on board ship and throughout Spain.
Your cruise and excursions are not exclusive to Mercury Holidays and will be shared with other international travellers.
An English-speaking Cruise Director will be on board your cruise to help with any queries that you may have. While on excursions included in your itinerary, you will be accompanied by an English-speaking local tour guide. When exploring locally during your leisure time you will not be accompanied by a tour guide.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort, or character. Cruise accommodation is generally rated as a local 4- or 5-star rating, to please note differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Europe destinations.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily are taken onboard the ship. Tables seat 4 and 6 people, so you’ll be able to converse and socialise with new friends, whilst never feeling crowded together. Tea and coffee are available on-board the cruise vessel as well as unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, including a variety of wines and beer, both during meals and at the bar. (Premium brands are available at an extra cost).
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information
You will receive excursion vouchers with your ticket package. In the unlikely event that your cruise does not operate, then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available, should the alternative dates offered be unsuitable.
On your arrival in Seville, you will be met just after the Customs office by a representative from our local transfer agent, CroisiEurope. The Mercury Holidays/ Croisieurope representative will show you to your transfer vehicle and escort, you to your boat.
Embarkation Time: 6pm.
If your arrival is before this time, you will be transferred to the docking area where you will be able to leave your luggage. You are then free to explore the city at your own pace until it is time to board your ship.
Disembarkation Time: 9am
If your return flight is after 9am you will be able to leave your luggage onboard the ship (until 14:00pm) and spend your time exploring the city until your return airport transfer.
Please note - from 9:00 am on day of disembarkation drinks will not be available in the lounge bar and there will be no other cruise services on board.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are as follows:
Phone number (for emergencies only): - MS Belle de Cadix: (0034) 955.124.597.
Representative in Spain: Eric - Mobile phone: (0034) 635.670.552 - Office: (0034) 951.923.314..