Iberian Vignettes Expedition adventure
The journey begins with Atlas Ocean Voyages!
19th April 2025
We had an overnight stay at the Ibis Manchester ready for our early start to Lisbon, busy hotel due to Easter weekend travellers, but easy access to Terminal 2 (around a 20-minute walk over to Terminal 1)
20th April 2025
After a lovely relaxing start to the day in the Escape Lounge our Atlas adventure begins – all on time and arrival into Lisbon as planned.
The weather is a little overcast and the town is not too busy as it is Easter Sunday meaning we could delve deeper into the culture, cuisine and more in peace.
30-minute transfer brings us to Lisbon Cruise Terminal.
We arrive and board ready for the trip of a lifetime.
21st April – Portimao
Located along the Southern Coast of Portugal this is a very pretty port in the Algarve region.
The sun was shining and the weather was much better than expected, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Portimao was once a thriving fishing and shipbuilding centre but has not evolved into a lively port town. We turned right off the ship, and went to the charming Old Quarter and to the left was Praia da Rocha Beach. We walked to a pretty old Quarter along a level promenade adjoining the River which was a great picture opportunity.
22-23 April – Seville
Home to Europe’s oldest Royal Palace which is still in use. ‘The Alcazar’ also served as a filming location for the Game of Thrones.
Seville also has a beautiful Cathedral and is the largest gothic cathedral in the world.
Famous for Flamenco dancing, horses and of course the Seville oranges, which aren’t for snacking but used to make marmalade (which was delicious).
Seville for me was a highlight of this cruise, and did not disappoint, it is a very pretty town with hidden plazas, lots of parks and green areas, lots of tapas bars, great shops but is generally just a very beautiful / clean and lovely town full of Andalusian Charm.
World Navigator being a small ship meant we were able to sail up the Guadalquivir River right into the heart of this city.
It is extremely easy to see Seville by foot, as it is generally flat, but there are a lot of other options, hop on / off buses, horse and cart options everywhere, trams and of course pre-arranged tours.
Every corner you turn there is history and the most gorgeous architectural buildings, you have Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance influences and they all blend seamlessly together. Seville really is delightful and I would definitely recommend.
We were unable to book any of the tours in Seville as they were all full. We joined the queue for the Palace but only so many people are allowed in each day and within 1 hour the tickets for the day were all sold out, so we were unable see inside – my advice is to definitely book this in advance, and to pay the extra to fast track especially if you only In Seville for one day.
GIBRALTAR – 24TH APRIL 2025
Just 2.6 sq miles in size Gibraltar sits at the crossroads of Europe and Africa and is crowned by the Legendary Rock. This British Overseas Territory is rich in History and full of surprises.
English Pubs blend with Mediterranean Cuisine, and the main shopping area has brand shops you recognise like Marks & Spencer’s meaning there really is something for everyone.
The main areas of interest are a must, and you can either hop onto the cable car up to the National Park or do a tour with a guide which is what we did.
Our Minibus held 8 passengers and our guide was brilliant. We learnt so many facts and history about Gibraltar. He was great fun and really made this tour entertaining and educational in equal measures.
Our First Stop
Pillars of Hercules
The first stop on entry to the Nature reserve, and a great indicator of things to come. The Pillars of Hercules are our representation of Gibraltar’s ties to Greek mythology – namely the 12 labours of Hercules.
From this platform you can see out to our sister pillar Jebel Musa, the story surrounding both is one of truly epic feats. According to legend, Hercules passed through here to take the cattle of Geryon – his tenth labour – and opened the strait, creating the pillars which received his name.
Our second stop
St Michael’s Cave
This cave is long believed to be bottomless. This probably gave birth to the story that the Rock of Gibraltar was linked to Africa by a subterranean passage under the Strait of Gibraltar. The famous macaques were said to have come to Gibraltar through this subterranean passage. Pomponious Mela, one of the earliest geographers who lived about the beginning of the Christian era, spoke about the cave in his writings.
It was at one time believed that in 1704 Spanish troops spent a night in the cave after climbing the precipitous east face of the Rock. Another story about the cave recounts how a Colonel Mitchell and another officer were said to have descended into the cave at some unspecified date before 1840 and were never seen again. During WWII the cave was prepared as an emergency hospital but was never used as such. The cave is open to visitors and makes a unique auditorium for concerts, ballet and drama.
Third Stop
Ape’s Den
Perhaps Gibraltar's most important tourist attraction, the Barbary Macaques are normally found in North Africa, but their presence in Gibraltar probably dates from the early days of the British garrison when it is presumed that they were imported, inevitably finding the rough limestone cliffs and scrub vegetation a congenial habitat. In fact, many legends have grown up around them. One is that they travelled from their native Morocco via a subterranean tunnel starting at St Michael's Cave leading down underneath the Strait of Gibraltar.
Another legend claims that, should the macaques ever disappear, the British will leave Gibraltar. During the last war, natural causes had diminished the macaque numbers alarmingly. Fortunately, Sir Winston Churchill took a personal interest, and additional animals were imported from Morocco. Today, in addition to the pack resident at Apes’ Den, there are other packs living wild on the steep slopes of the Rock. Gibraltar does not wish to lessen ‘the monkey experience’ but experts have warned that too much human interaction is harmful to these wild animals.
We also made some extra stops to take in the views and see the runway and we were even lucky enough to see a plane land - the runway it tiny, and only Military aircraft and flights from the UK come in and out of Gibraltar.
A Military Night Affair
We had a spectacular end to our day with the WWII Tunnels experience.
We visited the famous Siege Tunnels
During World War II, Gibraltar became a crucial stronghold. Beneath its surface, an extensive network of tunnels was carved into the limestone, creating an underground city. These tunnels stored essential resources, maintained military equipment, and housed a garrison of soldiers prepared for a prolonged siege. They also provided a strategic advantage, allowing for surveillance of enemy movements in the Strait of Gibraltar and beyond.
The Spitfire Hall – Stand beneath a suspended replica Spitfire and explore original wartime artifacts, videos detailing Spitfire assembly in Gibraltar, and the aircraft’s role in the war. This former REME chamber has been prepared as an events space.
The Strategy Room – Learn about the lead-up to World War II with original news reports, historic footage, and a recreated wartime radio playing period music. Learn about Gibraltar’s role in key military operations.
Tunnelling Operations – Discover the engineering feats behind Gibraltar’s tunnel system, with original artifacts and historical footage showcasing the work of City Council Engineers, the Royal Engineers and Canadian Royal Engineers.
The Sappers’ Suite – Dedicated to the contributions of the Royal Engineers and Canadian Royal Engineers, highlighting their pivotal role in expanding Gibraltar’s underground defences.
The Hallway of Heroes – Walk through a tribute to the individuals who played a significant role in Gibraltar’s wartime history.
The Evacuation Room – Experience the untold story of Gibraltar’s civilian evacuation and their resilience during the war.
The Espionage Room – Step into the world of wartime intelligence. Try your hand at Morse code, memory challenges, and spy message cranks, and even uncover your own secret spy name.
The Tunneller’s Rest – A fully operational 1940s-style bar inspired by an officers’ mess, offering a unique setting to relax and reflect on history.
We were then treated to a musical performance from local British Gibraltarians – and Orchestra performance in the Spitfire Hall playing some classic wartime favourites.
Back to the Ship where late – night indulgence was waiting with an array of sandwiches and deserts all served Al-Fresco at Porto Restaurant
TANGIER – 25th April 2025
After leaving Gibraltar at 0500 we arrived at Tangier at 0900.
Tangier sits at the Northern tip of Morocco.
Like almost every city in Morocco, Tangier is split into a new town and an old town (medina). The old town, encircled by a medieval wall, has colorful markets; twisty, hilly streets; and the Kasbah, with its palace and mosque. The Grand Socco, a big, noisy square, is the link between the old and new parts of town.
Moroccan / Portuguese / Spanish and French are evident, and the views are amazing.
We strolled the streets and the small alleyways and around a corner you would then find a beautiful park / gardens. We had a lot of fun, bartering for some gits, and souvenirs.
Again, another city steeped in History but brimming with North African flair.
Back to the Ship for a 1900 departure and to get ready for the World Navigator Crew Talent Show – which was amusing!!
Day at Sea on the 26 the April with some high winds and a rocky ride back to Lisbon, for our departure home ward bound on the 27th of April.
