Silversea
Delve into the delights of France, the Balearics and Spain’s historical cities with this magical Mediterranean voyage onboard the next-generation Silver Ray. Your journey begins with a three night stay exploring Barcelona before setting sail to Marseille followed by the sepia-toned beauty of Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza. The Balearic beaches soothe the soul, before traveling through time to some of Spain’s most historical cities where you can soak up the Moorish palaces, Roman theaters, and surreal Gaudí masterpieces.
Silversea provide guests with one of the most complete cruise All Inclusive experiences available with one of the highest space-to-guest ratios on any cruise. Onboard Silver Ray you can indulge onboard with ten luxury dining options, world-famous service standards and a comforting home-away-from-home feel and as one of the most spacious ships ever built, this allows plenty of room to relax and unwind and meet like-minded friends on this unforgettable Mediterranean adventure.
Day 1 - 4
Arrive in Barcelona and transfer to Mandarin Oriental Hotel where you will stay for three nights allowing you to explore this fascinating city. Barcelona is a prime example of where the old meets the new with narrow alleyways contrasting with grand boulevards, and modern cuisine meets homemade tapas. Be sure to visit the magnificent basilica Sagrada Familia, wander the city’s most famous street La Rambla, marvel at the incredible views from Gaudí’s Park Güell, or relax at Barcelona’s beautiful beaches before setting sail on Silver Ray on day 4.
Day 5
France's second-biggest city, Marseille is a fantastic hub of museums, creativity, and colour. The Le Panier district is a vivid illustration of this - with its faded streets revitalized by overflowing flowerpots and pretty naturally distressed doorways. Look down to the yacht-crammed port - where fishermen still unload fresh catches - from the viewpoint at the spectacular Notre-Dame de la Garde - a true crowning glory. Standing over walled fortifications - and capped by an elegant dome - the soaring golden statue of Madonna and Child rises high into the air and is visible all over the city.
Day 6
Spend the day at sea giving you the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and enjoy the onboard facilities. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale-watching, catching up on your reading, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shoreside.
Day 7
The next stop on this incredible cruising adventure is Palma de Mallorca, the capital and largest city of the Balearic Islands in Spain. This beautiful city features honey-coloured stone buildings and an abundance of galleries, restaurants, bars and craft studios. Stroll through the cobbled streets of the charming old town, visit Bellver Castle which sits on a hill overlooking the city, watch street performers on the piazza around the church, or cross the island to the beautiful Sóller. An attraction not to be missed is the cultural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the main attractions Palma Cathedral.
Day 8
Ibiza is a mystical island of rustic beauty, featuring long stretches of sandy beaches, hidden coves, and sunsets that ladle flourishes of reds and pinks across the skies. The White Isle is so much more than just its thudding summer party scene - and an island of culture, fine dining, and sophisticated elegance awaits. Ibiza Town's 16th-century old town is a maze of wide cobbled streets, lined with a crowd of outdoor bars and energetic restaurants serving up heavy platters of delicious fresh seafood.
Day 9
Spend the day relaxing and indulging at sea as you enjoy the amenities onboard Silver Ray.
Day 10
A curious slice of Britain in southern Spain, Gibraltar is a unique and historic peninsula, crowned by the iconic Rock of Gibraltar mountain. Bright red phone boxes gleam, Union Jacks flutter in the breeze, and cones of fish and chips are scoffed in the sun in this most British of outposts. Gibraltar packs a lot into this two-and-a-half square miles of territory, which has fallen under British jurisdiction since 1713. Gibraltar's cathedral-like Rock towers 400 meters above the waves and the stark limestone mountain watches out across a narrow, strategic strait between the European and African continents.
Day 11 - 12
Bathing in the Sunshine Coast's stunning subtropical climate, and laying out on the endless spectacular beaches, it's no surprise that Malaga is one of Spain's most popular cities. Nearby, you can recline on the renowned beaches of the Costa del Sol, or venture inland to discover the Moorish treasures of Granada and Cordoba. La Malagueta beach is Malaga's spacious urban beach, perfect for a sunbathe and a dip in the warm water, before enjoying seaside cocktails or seafood tapas in the restaurants nearby. Malaga and the Costa del Sol may be best known for glorious weather and beaches, but Malaga can now stake a genuine claim as an artistic powerhouse too thanks to the Picasso museum and the colourful paintings in the colourful Soho district.
Day 13
On the crossroads of mighty cultures, this Murcian port has endless ancient stories to share. A valuable natural harbour attracted many civilizations to this sun-bathed, south-easterly setting following its foundation by the Carthaginians in 227 BC. Cartagena is crowned by the soaring Castillo de la Concepcion - rise to the stout castle aboard a panoramic lift. Inside, look through reams of archaeological treasures, or admire the rolling views down over the port and across the waters. A you explore the historical sights, settle to enjoy the joys of tapas in lively bars - sampling crisped paella, squid and honeyed-eggplant.
Day 14
Valencia is a proud city that represents the essence of contemporary Spain's daring design and architecture along with experimental cuisine - but remains deeply conservative and proud of its traditions. Though it faces the Mediterranean, Valencia's history and geography have been defined most significantly by the River Turia and the fertile floodplain (huerta) that surrounds it.
Day 15
Return to Barcelona as you disembark Silver Ray following your unforgettable voyage and return to the UK.