CRUISING SOUTHERN SPAIN & PORTUGAL
October 17 – 24, 2026
Overview:
Set sail aboard Le Boréal on an exceptional 8-day itinerary that will take you along the Portuguese and Spanish coasts, from Barcelona to Lisbon.
Your voyage begins in Barcelona, a city in perpetual movement, where you may choose to arrive early and fall under the spell of the famous architectural works of Antoni Gaudí, including the UNESCO World Heritage Basílica de la Sagrada Família.
Your ship will head first to Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands. Stop at the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, one of only a handful of circular castles in Europe, or board a vintage train through the orange and olive groves, almond and locust-bean trees, lush villages, and pine-covered mountains that create the island landscape.
Your call in captivating Valencia offers the opportunity to view the city’s architectural wonders, from the UNESCO World Heritage La Lonja de la Seda, a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture originally used for trading silk, to the City of Arts and Sciences, a complex designed by native architect Santiago Calatrava.
You will then sail to the rich cultural landscape of Andalusia, where you will discover enchanting Málaga. This call will allow for a visit to the magnificent Alhambra of Grenada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Next discover Cádiz, one of the country’s oldest cities. This call will allow for a visit to the superb palace of the Alcázar in Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or stay in town to attend a performance of flamenco at a local tavern.
Lagos, near the southwestern tip of Portugal, is your gateway to the natural beauty, history, and culture of the Algarve. Tour the Old Town, visit the stunning rock formations and caves of Ponta da Piedade, and enjoy a tasting of Algarve wines. Or travel the short distance to Sagres on Cape St. Vincent, from where Prince Henry the Navigator directed the expeditions that led to the discovery of Madeira and the Azores.
Your voyage will end in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital. Lisbon boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. Choose to extend your stay and enjoy strolling through the streets of this city of seven hills, soaking up the local zest for life.
Interested in more information? To learn more about this tour operated by Ponant in Collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys, please contact Expedition Easy by calling 1-800-617-2319 or click here to e-mail the Expedition Easy Team.
CRUISING SOUTHERN SPAIN & PORTUGAL
October 17 – 24, 2026
Day-by-day Itinerary:
Day 1 | Barcelona, Spain
Embarkation 4:00PM to 5:00PM
Located on the seashore between the mountains of Montjuïc and Tibidabo, Barcelona offers its many visitors a perfect blend of tradition and modernism. Truly an open-air museum, the “prodigious town” reveals an astonishing range of artistic treasures and museums, combining Roman ruins, medieval districts and a number of avant-garde elements from the 20th Century. Over the years, it has been marked by some of the greatest artists, such as Picasso, Miró or Gaudí, most of whose work has been listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Take the time to stroll along the Ramblas and enjoy the gentle, typically Mediterranean lifestyle of the capital of Catalonia.
Day 2 | Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands
Palma de Mallorca will reveal its many treasures: idyllic coves, majestic limestone cliffs that plunge into the clear sapphire- and turquoise-coloured waters of the Mediterranean, and vast plains planted with almond trees, olive trees and vineyards. When your ship calls at the capital of the Balearic Islands, take a walk to discover its emblematic monuments, such as its famous cathedral, and amble through its old streets. Here, like a painting, the island’s historical heritage forms a backdrop to the lively and warm cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Mediterranean.
Day 3 | Valencia
Valencia – the city of Art and Sciences. Two hearts beat in this Spanish city: one is modern, avantgarde and almost futuristic; the other is more provincial, more traditional and nostalgic. Valencia has the temperament of a great Mediterranean city whose wide avenues form a border around the old town. The city has an abundance of architectural styles that coexist harmoniously, but above all it resolutely embraces the 21st Century with the futuristic structures of its Agora congress centre and City of Arts and Sciences, emerging from a crystal blue pool.
Day 4 |At Sea
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 5 | Malaga
A historical and festive town, Malaga is located in Andalusia, on the Costa del Sol. Between the marina and the beaches, the seaside promenade of La Farola offers an ideal setting for strolling and relaxing. Set slightly further back, the Malagueta bullring is one of the emblematic sites of the city. From the hill overlooking the old town, one can see Gibralfaro castle and the Alcazaba, two fortified ensembles rising out from the cypresses and maritime pines. To visit Pablo Picasso’s birthplace, you will go first to the courtly plaza de la Merced. A few streets back from here, you can explore the museum dedicated to the artist, in the Buenavista palace.
Day 6 | Cadiz
Andalusia’s Cadiz is located on the Costa de la Luz, in the south-west of Spain. From the beaches of Cortadura, to the flamenco bars of Santa Maria, through the colourful streets of la Viña, you will be amazed by this city, which is both steeped in history and extremely festive. In the medieval El Pópulo district, you will stroll along covered passages in the narrow gaps between houses. You will also be able to mosey around the lush Mina square. The star of the show is the magnificent cathedral and its dome crowned with yellow porcelain, presiding above the Ocean.
Day 7 | Lagos, Portugal
There stands a natural paradise called Lagos, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. With its picturesque and age-old town centre, and the Ponta da Piedade natural site sheltering paradisiacal beaches protected by captivating limestone cliffs in hues of ochre, Lagos enthrals, fascinates and enchants. In this interesting blend between nature and culture, do not miss the chance to stroll along the small paved streets of its historic centre, surrounded by impressive Moorish ramparts and edged with traditional white houses, with decorations sculpted in the stone. In particular, you will be able to admire the Manuelian-style Governor’s Castle, the 17th-century Ponta da Bandeira Fort or the Church of Santo António in Baroque architecture.
Day 8 | Lisbon
Disembarkation 8:00AM
Portugal’s capital city located on the banks of the Tagus, only a few kilometres from the Atlantic coast, is a city of exceptionally rich cultural diversity. At the mouth of the river harbour, impose two UNESCO World Heritage monuments, Jeronimos monastery and Belem tower. The Alfama hillside is also worth visiting: known for its fado bars and its Moorish streets, this district is the oldest one of the city and one of the most typical. Not far from there, Chiado’s elegant streets are home to big fashion labels and are an invitation to a bit of of luxury shopping.
*Please note: This itinerary is subject to change. In the spirit of expedition travel, plans may change slightly to take full advantage of encounters with the destination and its people, culture, and wildlife.
CRUISING SOUTHERN SPAIN & PORTUGAL
October 17 – 24, 2026
Rates:
Superior Stateroom:
Price: $5,680
Deluxe Stateroom:
Price: $6,120
Prestige Stateroom:
Price: $6,750 – $7,450
Deluxe Suite:
Price: $10,220
Prestige Suite:
Price: $13,680 – $14,370
Owner’s Suite:
Price: $23,190
– Rates are per person and are based on shared accommodations
– Rates are approximate until the time of booking
– Rates are quoted in USD and subject to change without prior notice
– Rates are based on availability at the time of booking
International Airfare:
Expedition Easy does not make international air reservations and international air is not included in your quote. However, please do let us know if you would like assistance with booking your international air. We would be happy to put you in touch with our airline partner, Exito Travel to assist you with your international air reservation.
Included:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Barcelona to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Boréal, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Lisbon at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
General Information:
– Medical Evacuation insurance is mandatory for travel with Expedition Easy and proof of purchase is required. Expedition Easy also strongly recommends purchasing a policy that includes trip cancellation /interruption coverage.
Deposit & Payments:
A completed & signed Expedition Easy Reservation Form, along with your 25% trip deposit and full regional and/or domestic air payment (if applicable) is required at the time of booking.
Reservations:
This itinerary is subject to the availability of all services at the time of making a reservation. No space is being held at this time. Please contact Expedition Easy for the full terms and conditions that apply. We are happy to answer questions and discuss your trip.
To reserve space on a trip on the Expedition Easy website, please contact Expedition Easy by calling 1-800-617-2319 or (206) 284-2319. Click here to e-mail the Expedition Easy Team.
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October 17 -24, 2026
Operated by Ponant in Collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys
