Canary Islands & Morocco cruise

10 nights

May 1 – 11, 2009
Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas

Sail on one of Royal Caribbean's classic luxury ships Brilliance of the Seas on a cruise to the Canary Islands and Morocco! (10 night cruise departing May 1, 2009)
Pied Piper Travel presents a Canary Islands/Morocco Cruise, sailing from exciting Barcelona, Spain!

Join us on this wonderful sailing with ports of call in Spain and the Canary Islands! The exciting highlight of our cruise will be a visit to exotic Casablanca! And you will sail on this most incredible cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas!

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is located in the northeastern part of the country, 90 miles south of the French border. People from all around the world enjoy visiting this city for its individuality, cultural interest and physical beauty. When Hans Christian Andersen visited in 1862, he remarked that Barcelona was the "Paris of Spain." You're likely to agree. The city is a major cultural center with a fascinating history. Everywhere are archives, libraries, museums and buildings of interest - plus superb examples of modernist and Art Nouveau décor and architecture.

Stroll Las Ramblas, taste tapas, and be wowed by Antonio Gaudi's architectural flights of fancy, including the unfinished masterpiece Sagrada Familia.

Málaga, Spain

A bustling coastal city and the capital of Costa del Sol, Málaga is the second largest port in Spain. One of the most interesting places to explore is the old historic quarter, which dates back nearly 800 years. The birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Málaga boasts miles of beautiful beaches, picturesque gardens and fantastic weather.

At the heart of town is the unusual Cathedral of Málaga, built over two centuries ago on the site of the former main mosque. It features 17th-century carved choir stalls, fine pictures and 103 individually carved saints.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

With its landscapes filled with beaches and more than 300 volcanoes, plus perfect weather all year round, you'll quickly see why Lanzarote is an award-winning tourist destination. The island's dedication to the environment and tourism has even resulted in recognition from the World Tourism Organization as a universal model of sustainable development. In addition, the island has gone to considerable lengths to preserve its own history, culture and heritage.

Visit the César Manrique Foundation to admire works by the world-famous artist as well as his private collection of other artists. The foundation resides in what was once Manrique's house, which has architectural features just as fascinating as the art inside it. Some of the more interesting features are the five lava bubbles that were turned into underground rooms when the house was built.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

The largest of the Canary Archipelago, the island of Tenerife consists of many different regions - each with its own characteristics. There are mountains, lush valleys, a gigantic crater (which is now a national park) and, of course, fabulous beaches. If the beautiful landscapes don't bring a smile to your face, the weather certainly will.

When visiting Tenerife, don't miss its mysterious pyramids. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Santa Cruz and visit Pyramid Park, an area discovered by the world-famous adventurer Thor Heyerdahl. No one knows where the pyramids came from, but no one who sees them can forget these strange formations.

Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca is a cosmopolitan city wrapped in Moroccan mystique. Its whitewashed buildings against the beautiful blue Atlantic make for a striking scene. The center of the city is quite modern, with a lot of energy and busy boulevards. Arabic, African and European influences add an extra layer of mystery, and it's all topped off with architecture that has a definite French flair.

The Mosque of Hassan II is one of the largest religious monuments in the world and was designed by the acclaimed French architect, Michel Pinceau. This magnificent structure features the world's tallest minaret, a glass floor that overlooks the ocean and can accommodate 20,000 worshippers inside and 80,000 in the courtyard.

Seville (Cádiz), Spain

Cádiz may, in fact, be the oldest inhabited city in the western world, with more than 3,000 years of history. Located on the southern coast of Spain, it borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Christopher Columbus departed on two of his voyages to the New World from here and with his discovery of the Americas, Cádiz quickly grew into a major city by importing gold and silver and exporting local specialties like sherry and cork. By the 18th century, Cádiz had become the wealthiest port in Western Europe. Amazingly, this beautiful coastal city has been largely undiscovered by international tourists; however, it is a popular destination for Spaniards in the summer and during Carnival in February and March.

The cathedral in Cádiz is by far its best-known landmark. It was built in the 18th century with gold imported from the New World. There is also a museum with a breathtaking, and priceless, collection of gold, silver and jewels, and the crypt of the great Cádiz-born composer Manuel de Falla.