Western Europe's Coasts in Best Springtime Spirits - MS COLUMBUS - COL0908

Wed., 13 May
Individual travel arrangements to cruise starting point
Nice/France, departure 7:00 pm

Thurs., 14 May
Relaxation at sea

Fri., 15 May
Cartagena/Spain, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Construction work on the magnificent cathedral of Murcia* continued for many centuries. But the historical city has much more to offer: the classical facade of the casino or the monastery La Fuensanta also provoke exclamations of wonder.

Sat., 16 May
Gibraltar/Great Britain, 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
Free-roaming Barbary macaques in a British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain? Welcome to "The Gib" with its famous animal inhabitants.
Tangier/Morocco, 3:00 to 7:00 pm
The "Gateway to Africa" is only a few nautical miles away from Europe. A city tour* will take you to the rocky Atlantic coast with the Hercules Grotto as well as to the twisting narrow streets of the medina.

Sun., 17 May
Cadiz/Spain, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
A small Spanish beauty rules over the Gulf of Cadiz: stroll through the picturesque Old Town of Cadiz or explore Seville*, the fiery capital of Andalusia. The idylls of the white villages and the taste of the delicious sherry point the way to Arcos and Jerez*.

Mon., 18 May - Tue., 19 May
Lisbon/Portugal, arrival Mo 12:00 noon, departure Tu, 6:00 am
The Tejo once carried the explorers' ships back to the capital from the Atlantic, and even today the 35-metre-high "Torre de Belem" is witness to the former power of this impressive seafaring metropolis. During a city tour* you will "lose" yourself in the magic of the Old Town Alfama with its twisting narrow streets. Alternatively, you can give into the romantic charms of Sintra and Queluz* before the city's gates.

Wed., 20 May
La Coruña/Spain, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Spend a pleasant day in the Galician capital with a walk and tapas*. The famous Way of St. James is impressively crowned at the end of a 850-kilometre-long journey on foot by the pilgrims: marvel alternatively at the mighty cathedral and the Old Town of Santiago de Compostela*.

Thurs., 21 May
Relaxation at sea

Fri., 22 May
St. Malo/France, 6:30 am to 4:00 pm
In 708, Saint Aubert began construction of a work which is regarded today as the "Christian rock amongst the waves": the towering Benedictine monastery on the island Mont St. Michel*. You will be treated to pleasures for the palate on this excursion: enjoy Cancale with an oyster tasting*.

Sat., 23 May
Zeebrugge/Belgium, 1:30 to 6:30 pm
King Leopold II himself promenaded along the boardwalks of this city, and you can take the day to explore the Flemish "Queen of the Sea Resorts" on your own. Or choose between these two appealing destinations: medieval Gent* or Bruges* with an historical city centre which is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sun., 24 May
Ijmuiden (Amsterdam)/Netherlands, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm
The many bridges and canals are what give Amsterdam* its very special atmosphere – and so you will also glide along the famous canals during a panorama trip. Gouda and The Hague* offer another attractive excursion: visit the city of cheese with the oldest Gothic town hall in the country and the seat of the Dutch government.

Mon., 25 May
Cuxhaven, arrival 8:00 am
Individual departure

* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. The shore activities listed here are in the planning stage. Subject to change.