North African Coast - Algeria & Tunisia | Lisbon to Palermo 11 Day Expedition Cruise

One of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon’s technicoloured past is evident just about everywhere. The medina-like streets of Alfama still bear Moorish influences. Baroque architecture surrounds you in Baixa and scars of the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 can still be found throughout the city. It’s estimated that over 100,000 people died in what became one of history’s deadliest earthquakes. Today Lisbon is a delightful mix of colourful neighbourhoods, all brimming with history, culture and tradition. Baixa is where you’ll find the hustle and bustle, set below São Jorge Castle. Nearby Chiado is one of Lisbon’s trendiest neighbourhoods with its historic cafes and designer shops.

The Algarve’s second-most populous city dates back to the time of the Phoenicians. With golden sand beaches set beneath dramatic cliffs and the aroma of freshly cooked sardines drifting through the streets, Portimao is a wonderful spot for some downtime. Venture further into town for Praia da Rocha, one of the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches. Or head to Praia Grande, another stunning local beach - this one has its own 16th-century castle. Get your culture fix at the award-winning Museum de Portico. Housed in a 19th-century fish cannery, the museum displays local archaeological artefacts and intriguing underwater finds. There is also an interesting recreation of the former fish cannery.

Lagos & Sagres

Included

04 h 50 m

Take photos at Ponta da Piedade of the beautiful sweeping bay views
Get close to nature with Sagres’ frothing ocean and sea-carved cliffs
Visit Cape of St. Vincent and discover a combination of nature, culture and myth

Discover the Algarvian Coast By Rib Boat

Optional

02 h 30 m

Enjoy speeding along on a small rib boat
Marvel at the stunning Benagil sea cave
Take a refeshing dip in the ocean at the end of your trip

A city renowned for passion, culture and flamenco, Seville’s intoxicating atmosphere will infuse even the weariest traveller with a celebratory spirit. Dating back to Roman times, Seville has witnessed Muslim and subsequent Christian occupation. The magnificent Catedral de Sevilla lords over the historic centre, just a short distance from the Alcázar (palace), a royal complex of rooms and gardens hidden behind modest terracotta walls. Explore the birthplace of flamenco in the courtyards of the riverside district of Triana. Wander through the winding medieval lanes of the Santa Cruz Quarter, sampling the tapas bars as you go. Or simply watch the cheerful crowds over a drink in the buzzing plaza.

Exclusive Alcazar

Included

02 h 30 m

Learn about this jewel in the crown of Spanish cultural treasures on an exclusive tour
Explore one of the best preserved examples of Moorish architecture in Spain
Stroll through the beautiful Alcazar gardens

Seville and Casa Pilatos

Included

04 h 30 m

Discover the main sites of the Old Quarter of Seville.
Visit the magnificent Cathedral, known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the See, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third Christian temple.
Visit Casa de Pilatos, an Andalusian palace incorporating both Italian Renaissance and Spanish mudejar architectural styles.

The Amazing Roman Village of Italica

Optional

04 h 30 m

Find out how Italica became one of the most advances cities of the Roman Empire
Delve into the history of the historic monastery
Experience San Isidoro del Campo’s range of different architectural styles, including Mudéjar, baroque and gothic

Founded by the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago, Tangier has a long, complex history thanks to its ideal trading position. Consequentially it has been fought over and occupied by many nations and civilisations. Today Tangier is a modern Moroccan city, however, until the mid-20th century, it was poorly governed by an international committee. The city fell into neglect and transformed into a haven for counterculture artists, musicians and writers including Henri Matisse, Paul Bowles, Jack Kerouac and the Rolling Stones. Contemporary Tangier has distanced itself from its dissonant past, now just another interesting aspect of its incredible history. Today the white city gleams with pride, with its buzzing café culture and modern port.

Moroccan Tea & Bread Experience

Optional

03 h 00 m

Follow a traditional bread recipe, helped by an experienced chef
Cook with a communal wood-burning oven for an authentic Moroccan experience
Enjoy handmade Moroccan cookies, along with your bread and tea

Tangier History and Natural Wonders Tour

Included

04 h 00 m

Discover the history of Tangier from prehistoric times to the 19th century
Enjoy a trip to the Kasbah Museum, housed in the former sultan's palace of Dar El Makhzen
Explore Tangier's medina (Old Town) area with your knowledgeable guide

Steeped in history, the port city of Oran, nicknamed ‘the radiant’, is Algeria’s second-largest city. Founded by Andalusian explorers, the Oran has since been influenced by Islamic, Haussmann and Spanish occupants. This complex legacy can be explored in The Palace of Culture, which houses exhibits detailing the city’s artistic and cultural past. A visit to Rosalcazar, a Spanish fortress perched above the city, offers an interesting insight into Oran’s succession of influences. The city’s church of Saint-Louis d’Oran is a fitting testament to its convoluted past. Since its construction, it has been a mosque, synagogue, church and cathedral.

Oran City Highlights Tour

Included

02 h 30 m

Learn about Oran’s turbulent history during the medieval period that has made it unlike any other Algerian city today
Witness the fascinating fusion of styles, from the imposing Western military structures to the buildings adorned with Arab and Ottoman motifs, alongside buildings dating back to the French colonial period
Drive to Mount Aidour for sweeping aerial views of Oran from the incredible Belvedere of Santa Cruz

Stroll in the Busy souq of la Bastille

Optional

02 h 30 m

Browse the tables filled with fresh produce, traditional desserts, homemade breads and local snacks in the cultural hub of Le Marché
Enjoy a brief stop at the old Pasha Mosque while wandering through Sidi El Houari
Visit Ibn Badis Park, formerly called Promenade de Letang, for a delightful picnic with an enchanting backdrop

Algeria’s fascinating capital city is simultaneously battle-worn, beautiful and impressive. Founded by seafaring Phoenicians around the 4th century, the city later became a thriving Roman port. Ottoman rule arrived in the early 16th century followed by French occupation in 1830. Algeria gained its independence in 1962, and the influence of its many rulers and residents can be seen in the city’s rich and complex architecture. The Grande Poste is particularly impressive. Commissioned by the French in 1910, the neo-Moorish building features graceful arches and an elegant marble staircase. Standing in contrast to the historical architecture is the modern Martyrs Monument. The monument opened in 1982 and commemorates Algeria’s war of independence.

Inspirational Tipasa & the mysterious Royal Mausoleum

Optional

05 h 30 m

Stop by the must-see Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania, with its stepped truncated roof covering, while your guide unveils its many secrets
Visit this city considered to be the most significant to the study of the contacts made between indigenous civilizations and the different waves of colonization from the 6th century B.C. to the 6th century A.D.
Be introduced to the city’s Roman period in 3rd to the 4th centuries marked by the religious buildings decorated with mosaics and geometric patterns illustrating scenes from daily life

Panoramic Algiers & Casbah

Included

03 h 45 m

Get acquainted with the Berber, Arabic and French heritage that live on through the city’s preserved monuments
Drive through the city centre to see La Grande Poste, built by the French in 1920
Finish your tour at Martyrs’ Square where you can see three Mosques including the recently restored Ketchaoua Mosque

Located on Algeria’s Mediterranean coastline, the city of Béjaïa is home to one of the largest Berber speaking populations in Algeria. The city was first founded by Numidian Berbers and was subsequently occupied by numerous conquering forces and empires including the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and the French before gaining its independence along with the rest of Algeria. The city’s tumultuous past can be explored in the fascinating Béjaïa Museum, and relics of its history remain throughout Béjaïa. Outside of the city, nature is beautiful and abundant. This can be appreciated in the nearby Gouraya National Park. Several protected species can be found here, including the endangered Barbary ape, wild cat and Algerian hedgehog.

Bejaia Vistas

Included

03 h 00 m

Take in the astonishing views from the impressive Pic des Singes (Monkey Peak), one of the many wonders of Gouraya Park
Walk through a 65-ft tunnel dug into the mountainside to see the lighthouse, perched on a rocky outcrop 820 ft above sea level, and witness the breathtaking panoramas that surround you
Drive past Spanish points of interest including the Spanish-era military complex of Fort Abdelkader and Sarazzin Gate, a carefully preserved stone arch

Roman Ruins of Djemila

Optional

10 h 00 m

Visit this exceptional testimony to a past civilization and one of the world’s most beautiful UNESCO-inscribed Roman ruins
Spend time in the Djemila Museum for the incredible sight of 18,300 sq ft of extraordinary mosaics extracted from the ruins covering the museum walls and floors
See the imposing Arch of Caracalla, the forum, senate, theatre, basilica and temples set amid the mountains

Known as Bône during the French occupation, modern-day Is Annaba is Algeria’s third-largest city. Located less than 100 kilometres from the Tunisian border, the port town exhibits a particularly European ambience, thanks to its strong French heritage. From the Parsian-esque nightlife along the Cours de la Revolution to the striking Basilica of Augustine, reminiscent of Paris’ Sacre Coeur, French influence is alive and well here. The nearby War Cemetery is an important memorial to the British Empire’s soldiers and airmen who fought in the region during World War II. And further afield El Kala National Park, a recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is home to an impressive population of endemic flora and fauna.

Roman Ruins Of Hippo Regius

Included

03 h 00 m

Once a thriving Tyrian colony on the west coast of the bay that shares its name, Hippo Regius has a rich history dating back to the Phoenicians in the 12th century B.C.
Visit the Baths, the Theatre, the Christian quarters with its large Basilica and the wealthy quarter located at what used to be the water's edge, now covered with alluvial deposits
Drive along the coast to to Cap de Garde, commonly known as "Ras El Hamra", a lighthouse located in the north-west of the port of Annaba and built 1850

Bridges to Cultures - Afternoon Departure

Optional

02 h 30 m

Discover Annaba, which was known as Hippo Regius during Roman times and was also the centre of early Christianity
Visit the Basilica of St. Augustine, perched on a hill overlooking Annaba, which still holds a relic of Bishop St. Augustines wrist bone
Take a photo stop near the Saleh Bey Mosque before a guided walk through the city centre known as “le Cours de la Révolution”

La Goulette port is the gateway to Tunisia’s capital city and cultural hub, Tunis. Tunis is said to date back as far as the second millennium BC. The city has been subject to many occupying influences over the years which is evident in its modern-day society. Parisian style café culture dominates the main boulevard whilst in the Medina of Tunis, many continue their ancestor’s traditional way of life. Just beyond Tunis lies the ancient city of Carthage. This once-powerful city lay at the centre of the Phoenician trade network. It grew to be the richest city in the Mediterranean before being burned to the ground by the Roman Empire in the wake of the Punic Wars. Julius Caesar later re-established Carthage as a Roman colony, and after several decades it became one of Rome’s most important colonies. The ruins can be explored on a visit to UNESCO-listed Carthage Archaeological Park.

Carthage & Sidi Bou Said

Included

04 h 00 m

Learn the story of how Carthage was destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C. and founded again by Julius Caesar, eventually becoming the Empire’s second largest city outside Rome
Marvel at the imposing Baths of Antonius Pius, a testament to the engineering prowess of the ancient Romans, as well as the amphitheatre, the Punic ports and the Carthage Museum
Your scenic walk through the village of Sidi Bou Said will take you past colourful arched doorways that open onto small courtyards filled with gorgeous arrangements of geraniums and bougainvillea

A feast for the senses, Sicily’s capital is an intoxicating and chaotic melting pot. Bustling street markets, ancient buildings, opulent palaces, and millennia of history await those ready to embrace Palermo for all that it offers. Palermo’s history is complex, to say the least. Middle Eastern, Northern African, and European influences are all melded together here. The Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, Arabs, Goths, and Vandals have come and gone through the ages, leaving countless treasures in their wake. The 12th-century Arab-Norman cathedral, built over a 9th-century mosque, houses the tombs of the Norman rulers and is a fitting manifestation of the city’s convoluted past. The opulent Palazzo de Normanni, once the seat of power for the kings of Sicily during Norman rule, is a dazzling display of the opulence that the city’s rulers once enjoyed.

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Mysteries of Carthage and the Moors

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Trip Highlights