In Transit: International flights depart the USA to Lisbon, Portugal

Arrive To: Arrivals at Lisbon International Airport. Transfer to program hotel. Check in to your room.

Afternoon: Meet your fellow Road Scholar participants and Group Leader at Orientation in the late afternoon.

Dinner: Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Mundial

Meals Included: Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the home of your group leader for this morning's lecture focused on Portuguese civilization. Learn about the Moorish conquest, the Christian re-conquest and the origins of modern Portugal. Discuss Prince Henry the Navigator and the contribution of the New World discoveries to Portuguese colonial expansion and overseas territories. After the lecture transfer to Sintra for a group exploration of the "Palacio Nacional da ViIla." The main building dates from the 14th century, and the wings were added in the 16th century. The interior contains remarkable decorations with 16th and 17th century tiles.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch you will have some free time to explore the old village of Sintra and its narrow streets. Returning to Lisbon we stop at "Cabo da Roca," the westernmost point of mainland Europe.

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Lodging: Hotel Mundial

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship

Morning: This morning's field trip will take you on a panoramic look at the the city of Lisbon, followed by a visit to the Queluz National Palace, one of the last Rococo buildings constructed in Europe.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Transfer to board the ship in Lisbon and take some time to settle into your cabin.

Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet onboard the ship.

Morning: As the ship sails to Portimao, join your study leader for a lecture entitled "The Iberian and Christian Civilizations"

Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship.

Afternoon: This afternoon disembark the ship for a field trip in Portimao, Portugal. The city of Portimao, the beach resort Praia da Rocha, and the nature reserve Ria de Alvor are the most well known places of an Algarve region quite unique in its diversity. Explore the countless shopping opportunities, visiting historical sites, strolling along the river boulevard or just sipping a drink in a garden bar. Warm seawaters and gorgeous rock formations make the beaches particularly alluring.

Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet onboard the ship.

Morning: In the morning join your Study Leader for a lecture entitled: "The Islamic Civilization."

Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship.

Afternoon: Take the old road to Jerez de la Frontera, whose climate makes it possible to cultivate the different types of grapes that produce the three main sherry varieties. Enjoy a short walk through the narrow streets with a stop at a local cellar for a wine tasting. Next, visit a farm known for raising quality livestock and learn about the horse-breeding business. See the facilities and stables, carriages, colts and clinical labs. An indoor arena allows a view of the animals.

Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship.

Morning: Explore the city of Tangier and its rich heritage. The architecture and the culture of Tangier is a reflection of its eclectic past borrowing elements from the Moroccan, Spanish and French cultures. Throughout its history, Tangier was the home of many famous western writers and intellectuals who were fascinated by the charm and the richness of the city. Paul Bowles, the famous American novelist and composer, William Burroughs, Edith Wharton and others made Tangier their home where they crafted some of their best pieces. When Edith Wharton first visited Tangier, she wrote, “it was a sensation to rouse the hunger of the repletest sight-seer.” Visit the local souq, a daily farmers market where locals sell their fresh produce, fish and spices. Afterwards, head to the Tangier American Legation building in the medina. It is a thriving cultural center, museum, conference center and library in the heart of the old medina in Tangier and it is housed in the only historic landmark of the United States located abroad. It commemorates the historic cultural and diplomatic relations between the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco, which was the first country in the world to recognize the independence of the United States. Tangier American Legation Museum (TALM) has been listed on the Secretary of State's Register of Culturally Significant Property, a listing of State Department properties around the world that have particular cultural or historical significance. On display in the building are some rare documents and letters of correspondence between the kings of Morocco and American presidents in 19th century.

Lunch: Light lunch of Moroccan couscous.

Afternoon: On the way to the Kasbah Museum, visit the Kasbah, the original old city of Tangier. It is on the highest point of Tangier and is isolated from the rest of the Medina by its walls. The gate opens to the courtyard which leads to the Kasbah Museum, also known as palace museum, which is devoted to Moroccan art. The palace was built in the 17th century and enlarged later by sultans. The carved wooden ceilings and a marble courtyard enhance the beauty of this palace. The former sultan's palace deserves to be seen not only for its collection of artifacts from the Phoenician to modern times, but also for the exquisite architecture and gorgeous garden.

Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship.

Morning: Discovering Gibraltar: Led by a local guide discover this strategic link between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean ruled by the Spanish, British and Moors. It is said that as long as the Barbary Apes remain, the British will rule Gibraltar this has held for 350 years. Ride to the top of the Rock for great views over the Strait of Gibraltar. On a clear day you can see Africa.

Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship or on shore.

Afternoon: Join your Study Leader for a lecture entitled "History of the Relations between the Iberian nations and Morocco."

Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship.

Morning: In the morning as the ship sails towards Motril, Spain, join your Study Leader for a lecture entitled "The European Union and the Islamic World."

Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship.

Afternoon: Explore Granada and the Alhambra. The Alhambra—a sprawling palace-citadel that comprised royal residential quarters, court complexes flanked by official chambers, a bath, and a mosque—was begun in the 13th century by Ibn al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty and was continued by his successors in the 14th century. Its most celebrated portions—a series of courtyards surrounded by rooms—present a varied repertoire of Moorish arched, columnar, and domical forms. The romantic imagination of centuries of visitors has been captivated by the special combination of the slender columnar arcades, fountains, and light-reflecting water basins found in those courtyards—the Lion Court in particular; this combination is understood from inscriptions to be a physical realization of descriptions of Paradise in Islamic poetry. The Generalife -- The Generalife was the country estate of the king of Granada. When the king felt the need to get away from the life at court, he could retreat here to relax and reflect.

Dinner: Dinner onboard the ship.

Lodging: Star Flyer

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Walking exploration in Seville is approximately 2 hours and covers 2 miles.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship, before disembarking.

Morning: Explore La Alcazaba: Situated in the Old Town district of Malaga, La Alcazaba was originally a Muslim palace / fortress dating back to the early 9th century. Highlights here include Roman excavations, scenic gardens and a small museum.

Lunch: Lunch en route to Seville.

Afternoon: After checking in to your hotel, set out to explore Seville on foot with a local expert.

Dinner: Tapas dinner near the hotel.

Lodging: Hotel Catalonia Giralda

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: Exploration of Seville for about 2.5 miles in about 2 hours.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Explore Seville on foot: Start the morning walking cobblestone streets of the oldest neighborhood of Seville - the Barrio Santa Cruz/Jewish quarter ending the morning exploring the Alcázar Royal Palace and gardens.

Lunch: Lunch on your own in Seville to explore local flavor.

Afternoon: We end our exploration at the Seville Cathedral. The Cathedral of Seville (Catedral de Sevilla) is an expression in stone of post-Reconquest confidence and wealth. Built on the site of a mosque, it is the third largest church in Europe and the largest Gothic building in Europe. It also boasts the largest altarpiece in the world.

Dinner: Join your study leader for a farewell dinner.

Lodging: Hotel Catalonia Giralda

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the airport for flights returning to North America.

Meals Included: Breakfast