Road Scholar : Home
Exploration, Conquest, Culture: Iberia and Morocco by Sea

Program Number: 19327RJ
Start and End Dates:
11/25/2013 - 12/9/2013;
Duration: 14 nights
Location: Portugal/Spain/Morocco
Price starting at: $6,905.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; Ocean Cruises
Meals: 37; 12 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Throughout history, ships have carried people and goods across Mediterranean waters, creating a fascinating blending of cultures (sometimes intended, sometimes not). In Portugal, Spain, Morocco and the Canary Islands, examine the architectural, artistic, religious and political evidence left behind by centuries of trade and exploration.




Activity Particulars

Programs with Crystal Cruises are designed for the independent traveler. These programs offer a lower activity level and the ability to choose your own shore excursion based on your preferences and physical ability. Road Scholar will provide one exclusive shore excursion and private onboard lectures with our own Study Leader.

Minimum physical requirements include the ability to handle one’s own luggage, get on and off a motor coach, walk a few blocks at a time and climb a small flight of stairs.



Programs with Crystal Cruises are designed for the independent traveler. These programs offer a lower activity level and the ability to choose your own shore excursion based on your preferences and physical ability. Road Scholar will provide one exclusive shore excursion and private onboard lectures with our own Group Leader and lecturer.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

Lisbon, 1 night, Aboard Crystal Serenity, 12 nights;



Day 1:
Overnight flight from the U.S.A.




Days 2-4:
Arrival Lisbon (Portugal) / embark Crystal Serenity:

Enjoy a walking tour of Old Lisbon and explore the oldest part of the city.



Days 5-6:
At Sea / Madeira / Funchal (Portugal):

Visit the vineyards and wine cellars of Barbeito to learn about Madeira wine, then visit the Fort of Sao Tiago, home of the town's Contemporary Art Museum.



Day 7:
Santa Cruz de tenerife (Canary Islands):

Continue to the island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, and learn about its history as a producer of bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, tobacco and even oil.



Day 8:
Arecife (Spain):

Explore this one-time fishing harbor named after its the black volcanic reefs and islets that make up its shoreline, or sit around the San Gines Lagoon (El Charco) in the city center.



Days 9-10:
Agadir / Casablanca (Morocco):

Awaiting your discovery in Casablanca is a timeless blend of Arabic culture and French sophistication, seen in buzzing souks and imposing colonial buildings. Learn about the Moroccan culture during an onboard presentation.



Days 11-12:
Cadiz (Spain) / At Sea:

Discover Cádiz independently or select from an array of shore excursion options to experience its bustling modern section and its romantic, historic old section.



Days 13-14:
Valencia / Barcelona (Spain):

An expert-led field trip showcases the unique Modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí. An exploration at the Picasso museum examine its collections.



Day 15:
Departure

Flights home.



Crystal Serenity

At 820 feet long, this elegant ocean liner offers its 1,080 passengers plenty of space, unsparing amenities including the high-tech Computer University@Sea and several restaurants, including one by acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Complimentary fine wines and premium spirits available throughout voyage.
Meals and Lodgings
   Hotel Mundial
  Lisbon, Portugal 1 night
   Crystal Serenity
  Lisbon, Portugal
At Sea, At Sea
Barcelona, Spain		 12 nights
 Hotel Mundial
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The Mundial hotel is located right in the heart of Lisbon, in the Baixa Pombalina district, with the São Jorge castle as backdrop and a stone's throw away from Praça do Rossio square, an area with easy and quick access to the main sights of the city.
  Contact info: Rua Dom Duarte, 4
1100 Lisbon,   Portugal
phone: +351 21 884 20 00
  Room amenities: Equipped with direct dial telephone, air conditioning, heating, individual safe, hairdryer, mini-bar, bathrobe, radio, satellite TV.
  Facility amenities: Laundry Service, 24 Hours Room Service, Handicapped Rooms Available
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: TBD Contact program provider for special rates and reservations.
  Check in time: 2:00 PM

 Crystal Serenity
Type: Cruise Ship
  Ship Information: 68,000 gross registered tons (approx.) 820 ft. length (250 m) 105.6 ft. width (32.2 m) 24.9 ft. draft (7.6 m) 21.0 knots cruising speed 22.0 knots maximum speed Fin type roll stabilizers Two transverse controllable pitch bow thrusters
  Contact info: 2049 Century Park East
Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90067 USA
phone: 186-644-6662 x5
web: www.crystalcruises.com
  Room amenities: verandahs in 85 % of staterooms; all other staterooms have picture windows Refrigerators hairdryer In-stateroom Internet access Shower, tub, double sink in bathroom Queen or twin-sized beds, depending on preference ship-to-shore phones safe
  Facility amenities: Two-story Crystal Plaza and Crystal Cove, lobby area with atrium, comfortable seating and piano bar, "Avenue of the Stars" shopping arcade with three boutiques offering upscale clothing, jewelry, and specialty items, Casino featuring slot machines, bar poker and slant top poker machines, blackjack tables, craps, a roulette table, baccarat table and the Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Galaxy Lounge, the ship's main entertainment venue Hollywood Theatre for recently released movies, with state-of-the-art audio visual and translation equipment that may be used for meetings and/or conferences; theatre also features audio enhancement for the hearing-impaired, Computer University@Sea® center with a lab for classroom instruction and separate room offering 24-hour Internet and e-mail access, The Studio, a completely new learning center for a variety of creative and educational hands-on classes, a variety of lounges including the Stardust Club for dancing and cabaret, Avenue Saloon cocktail and piano bar, Connoisseur Club, an intimate refined cigar lounge, Palm Court/Sunset Bar observation lounge, and Pulse disco Fantasia children's center and Waves teen center, a library featuring over 3,000 books, videos, DVDs, and books-on-tape, and a Bridge Lounge. This ship also features a spacious, state-of-the-art Fitness Center with panoramic ocean views. Relax the mind, body and soul and indulge in a Pathway to Yoga or mat Pilates class. Challenge yourself at a Tour de Spin indoor cycling classes. Learn to increase your strength, balance and flexibility on revolutionary KinesisTM equipment that comprises double weight stacks, cables and pulleys to allow for more than 250 exercises and 360° movement. Private Kinesis sessions with qualified personal trainers may also be scheduled. There is also a saltwater pool, indoor/outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, space for walking/jogging, regulation paddle tennis courts, table tennis, golf driving ranges and putting greens and shuffleboard courts.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Check out time: 9:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
This program begins on Day 2 in the late afternoon with a program orientation at the hotel. You will be staying at Hotel Mundial that night.
  End of Program:
This program ends on Day 15 after breakfast at the hotel. You will be staying at Crystal Serenity the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. x
  Parking availability:
Driving to program site is not possible.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Taxi's are available from the Barcelona airport.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Lisbon
  Transportation to site: Transfers will be provided from the Lisbon Airport to the program hotel for all participants who arrange their air travel through Road Scholar, and are arriving on Day 2 of the program. There will be one designated group transfer, which Program Only Participants (POP) may join if the flight times coincide with your arrival flights. The group transfer time will be confirmed in your final program materials sent approximately 5 weeks prior to the program. We recommend that all participants arrive by 3:00 pm in order to make it to the ship in time for the program orientation.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Barcelona
  Transportation from site: There will be one group departure transfer from the Crystal Serenity on the morning of Day 15. Participants who arranged their airfare through Road Scholar Travel Services and who are departing on the group date will be provided with a transfer from the ship to the airport in Barcelona. Independent travelers may join the group transfer or take a taxi. We do not recommend booking flights that depart before 12:00 pm. The group transfer time will be confirmed in your final program materials sent approximately 5 weeks prior to the program.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Depart North America for Lisbon
(Monday, November 25)
   
 Depart From: Depart from North America for Lisbon, Portugal

Day 2: Arrival Lisbon/ Transfer to hotel/ Orientation
(Tuesday, November 26)
   
 Arrive To: Arrive in Lisbon transfer from the airport to the hotel Mundial
 Dinner: Welcome dinner at the Hotel ( roof top restaurant)
 Evening: Program Welcome and Orientation: Review program details with your group leader (private room or the lounge of the hotel)
   
Accommodations: Hotel Mundial
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Lisbon Exploration/Embarkation
(Wednesday, November 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
 Morning: Presentation: Introduction to the City and History of Lisbon. Depart the hotel for a walking tour of Old Lisbon at a leisurely pace we explore the oldest part of the city.(PLEASE NOTE: Walking up to 2 miles over the course of 2 hours)
 Lunch: Check out the Hotel and Luggage in Lobby. Lunch at the Hotel
 Afternoon: Lisbon City overview, as we make our way to the ship enjoy a driving discovery of greater Lisbon, discover all the sites outside of the old town as our expert guide expands on the morning presentation. Transfer to the ship and check in.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Lisbon, Portugal
(Thursday, November 28)

Note: Choose your own field trip from a variety of excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. To book shore excursions please use the Priority Check-In and Planning Center at www.crystalcruises.com (see the end of this booklet for more information)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet onboard the ship.
 Morning: INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Explore Lisbon and the area. We stongly suggest you consider visiting Sintra. It is just outside of the city and is generally one of the offered shore excursions that is offered and can be bought with your ship board credit.
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure aboard the ship or on shore excursion depending on wha tyou selected for a program.
 Afternoon: Continue your independent morning program as planned
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
(Friday, November 29)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet aboard the ship;
 Morning: Lecture 1: On board lecture presented by your study leader
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship
 Afternoon: Lecture 2: On board lecture presented by your study leader
 Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxing afternoon aboard Crystal Serenity. The readers of Condé Nast Traveler consistently vote Crystal Serenity the number one cruise ship in the world. At 68,000 tons and capable of serving 1,070 guests maintains one of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea, so you'll never feel crowded.; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at the Computer University@Sea; deepen your knowledge of European history during a lecture presented by one of Crystal's expert guest speakers; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, or simply relax by one of the ship's tranquil pools.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship (join your Road Scholar group for reserved seating)
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Madeira/Funchal, Portugal
(Saturday, November 30)

Note: Today's Road Scholar field trip is included in your program price at no additional cost. Please do not sign up for a Crystal Shore excursion today.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board ship
 Morning: EXCLUSIVE ROAD SCHOLAR FIELD TRIP: Disembark to attend an exclusive Road Scholar field trip. First visit the vineyards and wine cellars of Barbeito where a winemaker will give a presentation about Madeira wine and its history. Afterwards, depart to Cabo Girao, Europe's highest seacliff. Return to Funchal by Camara de Lobos, a fishing village harboring typical boats mainly dedicated for catching the locally famous black scabbard fish, well-known as the place Sir Winston Churchill used as scenery for painting during his visits to the island.
 Lunch: Group Lunch: Stop for lunch at the restaurant of the Fort of Sao Tiago in the old quarters of the city. Located in the charming Funchal historical centre, in the heart of the astonishing Madeira Island, the São Tiago Fort is a 17th century defensive construction in a irregular star shape, that today houses the town’s Contemporary Art Museum. The Fort was built back in 1614, in order to protect the town and the Island from the Pirate attacks that were becoming more frequent, as the own Island economy was developing and originating prosperity. During lunch enjoy a talk by former journalist or former politician (ex member of regional parliament) about daily life in Madeira, history, politics, culture and local stories.
 Afternoon: GROUP FIELD TRIP MADEIRA CONTINUED: This afternoon enjoy a visit to the Park of Santa Catarina with a statue of Christopher Columbus and story behind him before his departure for the Americas. Then stop at the ?Casa do Turista? a showplace / shop for local artifacts and the Madeira hand embroidery of the good old days. Coach returns to the ship for the all on board. Ship departs Madeira before dinner
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Santa Cruz de tenerife, Canary Islands
(Sunday, December 1)

Note: Choose your own field trip from a variety of excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. To book shore excursions please use the Priority Check-In and Planning Center at www.crystalcruises.com (see the end of this booklet for more information)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship.
 Morning: INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: The largest and most populated island of the seven which make up the Canary Archipelago, Tenerife lies northwest of the African continent. Its shape is triangular and was formed as a result of the massive volcanic eruptions, which once dominated the area. The island's original economy was based on agriculture, including the harvesting of bananas, potatoes and tomatoes. However, new industrial products and activities, such as oil, tobacco and paper mills, have slowly emerged. Nonetheless, tourism remains the main industry of Tenerife.
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship or on shore excursion depending on what you selected for a program
 Afternoon: Continue your independent morning program as planned
 Dinner: Dinner on board ship
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Arrecife, Lanzarote
(Monday, December 2)

Note: Choose your own field trip from a variety of excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. To book shore excursions please use the Priority Check-In and Planning Center at www.crystalcruises.com (see the end of this booklet for more information)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet aboard the ship
 Morning: INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: The capital city of Arrecife, which means "reef" in Spanish, was named after the many volcanic rock reefs and islets along the coast that form the city's magnificent seafront promenade. While it originated in the 15th century as a small fishing harbor, the city is now an urban metropolis, as well as the island's main commercial center. Ship arrives in Arrecife. The primary pedestrian shopping street, Calle y Castillo, hosts a wide range of shops and cafes, and the city's hub is concentrated around El Charco de San Gines, a lagoon surrounded by fishermen's houses.
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship or on shore excursion depending on what you selected for a program
 Afternoon: Continue your independent morning program as planned
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship (join your Road Scholar group for reserved seating). Ship departs Arrecife.
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Agadir, Morocco
(Tuesday, December 3)

Note: Choose your own field trip from a variety of excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. To book shore excursions please use the Priority Check-In and Planning Center at www.crystalcruises.com (see the end of this booklet for more information)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship
 Morning: INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: A popular destination for sun-worshippers, Agadir is the center of the Barbary Coast's chic resort area and enjoys a lovely warm temperature year-round. A modern city, Agadir was completely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake struck in 1960. In sharp contrast, the nearby antique city of Taroudant makes a pleasant destination for explorers.
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship or on shore excursion depending on what you selected for a program
 Afternoon: Continue your independent morning program as planned
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship (join your Road Scholar group for reserved seating)
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Casablanca, Morroco
(Wednesday, December 4)

Note: Choose your own field trip from a variety of excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. To book shore excursions please use the Priority Check-In and Planning Center at www.crystalcruises.com (see the end of this booklet for more information)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board ship
 Morning: INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Centuries-old Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and principal port, lies on the Atlantic coast of North Africa. Awaiting your discovery is a timeless blend of Arabic culture and French sophistication, as seen by the imposing administrative buildings that recall years of colonial influence. Although the spirits of Bergman and Bogart still linger in the narrow alleyways of the old Medina, this gleaming white city has a firm grasp on the 21st century. Today, it encompasses broad palm-lined boulevards, attractive public parks and soaring high-rises. Bargain-filled souks are reminders of mysterious Africa and shopping aficionados will delight in scouring narrow alleyways for great buys in leatherwork, pottery, carved woodwork and Moroccan rugs.
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship or on shore excursion depending on what you selected for a program
 Afternoon: Continue your independent morning program as planned
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship (join your Road Scholar group for reserved seating). Ship departs Casablanca after dinnner.
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Cadiz/Seville, Spain
(Thursday, December 5)

Note: Choose your own field trip from a variety of excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. To book shore excursions please use the Priority Check-In and Planning Center at www.crystalcruises.com (see the end of this booklet for more information)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board ship
 Morning: INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: On a low-lying peninsula extending into the crescent-shaped bay stands 3,000-year-old Cádiz, the Western world's oldest continuously inhabited city. Neat houses huddle within high walls, while the surrounding countryside is lush with olive groves. The Puertas de Tierra divides the city in two. Modern Cádiz lies on the isthmus, while the romantic, historical section is located on the other side. The old districts of El Pópulo and Santa Maria, adorned with narrow streets and ancient stone walls, are in sharp contrast to the parks, gardens, wide roads and plazas of the bustling commercial area.
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship or on shore excursion depending on what you selected for a program.
 Afternoon: Continue your independent morning program as planned
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship (join your Road Scholar group for reserved seating)
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Cruising the Mediterranean Sea
(Friday, December 6)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship
 Morning: Lecture 3: On board lecture presented by your Study Leader
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship
 Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxing afternoon aboard Crystal Serenity. The readers of Condé Nast Traveler consistently vote Crystal Serenity the number one cruise ship in the world. At 68,000 tons and capable of serving 1,070 guests maintains one of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea, so you'll never feel crowded.; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at the Computer University@Sea; deepen your knowledge of European history during a lecture presented by one of Crystal's expert guest speakers; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, or simply relax by one of the ship's tranquil pools.
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship (join your Road Scholar group for reserved seating)
 Evening: Lecture 4: On board lecture presented by your Study Leader. Before dinner
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Valencia, Spain
(Saturday, December 7)

Note: Choose your own field trip from a variety of excursions offered by Crystal Cruises. To book shore excursions please use the Priority Check-In and Planning Center at www.crystalcruises.com (see the end of this booklet for more information)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board the ship
 Morning: INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION: Valencia is one of the country's most dynamic cities. Its location on the Mediterranean offers a mild climate, bringing sun worshippers to Valencia's many beaches. Sports aficionados will find activities galore, including golf, diving, cycling and tennis. When the sun goes down, the tempo speeds up as locals and visitors gather in cafes and nightclubs. Given that Valencia was founded by the Romans and has been a witness to, if not directly involved in, the history of the centuries, the city also is a showcase of art and architecture. Old Town boasts a cathedral that is mainly of early gothic style, with Romanesque and baroque additions. In the cathedral's museum are works of Goya and the paintings of the Valencia School, representing art of the 15th to the 17th centuries. Spanning the river are three old bridges, one of which has 15th-century towers that were part of Valencia's fortified walls. Then there is Spain's national hero, El Cid, whose famous battle against the Moors was waged here in Valencia. Cosmopolitan Lisbon was the center of the world's last great colonial empire. Today the city nostalgically reveres its imperial past while adapting to Portugal's role as a member of the European Economic Community. Although located on the Atlantic coast, Lisbon has the soul of a Mediterranean city with Moorish castles, pastel and white buildings, orange-tiled roofs and luminous blue skies. Set amid the hills and valleys of the northern shore of the River Tagus, it is one of the loveliest capitals in the world.
 Lunch: Lunch at leisure on board the ship or on shore excursion depending on what you selected for a program
 Afternoon: Continue your independent morning program as planned
 Dinner: Dinner on board the ship (join your Road Scholar group for reserved seating)
 Evening: Join your Road Scholar Study Leader at leisure for a pre dinner cocktail and a group social. We will go directly from the social to dinner.
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Barcelona, Spain/ Gaudi and Art Nouveau
(Sunday, December 8)

Note: Today's Road Scholar field trip is included in your program price at no additional cost. Please do not sign up for a Crystal Shore excursion today.
   
 Breakfast: Arrange departure transfers for group. Breakfast buffet on board the ship.
 Morning: EXCLUSIVE ROAD SCHOLAR FIELD TRIP: We leave the coach for a Morning driving tour of Barcelona's highlights to learn about the city and explore its sites. Our Theme is Gaudi and our focus are his many Art Nouveau buildings. We have a few opportunities to stop and take photos.
 Lunch: Tapas Lunch in Barcelona
 Afternoon: We visit the Segrada Familia the most famous and grand of Gaudi's work, still incomplete, it is a master piece that will take centuries to complete.
 Dinner: Farewell dinner on board the ship
   
Accommodations: Crystal Serenity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Depart from Barcelona
(Monday, December 9)
   
 Morning: Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.


As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.



Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:


© Road Scholar 2013 | Call toll-free: 1-800-454-5768