Serenity, Spanish Serenade ex Monte Carlo to Lisbon

12 Night Cruise sailing from Monte Carlo to Lisbon aboard Crystal Serenity.

At 68,000 tons and capable of serving 1,080 guests, Crystal Serenity-is the largest ship in the fleet. However, like her sister ships, she still maintains one of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea, so you'll neverfeel crowded. Featuring many of the same popular public spaces as Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity also serves up innovation in the form of new dining venues like Tastes, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar, The Studio, and 85% of staterooms with private verandahs.

Monte Carlo
Monaco is an ancient principality steeped in rich and colorful history. Its proud monarchy is presided over by Prince Albert, who assumed the throne after his famed father Prince Rainier died in 2005.

Today when gazing on its modern skyline, it is hard to imagine that Monaco endured a turbulent past. Once a Greek settlement conquered by the Romans, it was bought from the Genoese in 1309 by the Grimaldis, who still rule as the world's oldest monarchy.

Monaco covers less than one square mile and is known primarily for its Grand Casino.

Marseille
The queen of the Côte d'Azur, Marseille is France's oldest city and one of the Mediterranean's premier ports. Amid the big-city bustle, the old port is a quaint landscape of historic charm: colorful fishing boats sail past the imposing Fort Saint-Jean, narrow streets wander among ancient churches and cobbled squares, while the venerable Basilica overlooks the scene from the hilltop above.

Barcelona
Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is a celebration of history and heir to Greek, Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Gothic and Arab cultural legacies. Since it is nearly as close to Rome, Geneva and Munich as it is to Madrid, Barcelona has long been the Spanish link to Western Europe. It was the home of Picasso, Miró, Dali, Casals and Gaudí and has been described as a Mediterranean Manhattan, a cosmopolitan experimental center for political ideas and artistic movements. In addition to its abundance of artistic and architectural treasures, Barcelona serves as the gateway to one of the world's most impressive mountainside enclaves at Montserrat. Discover the secret legends of the Black Virgin and the alluring chants of monastic life high atop the Catalonian plains. Barcelona's ancient city walls and the narrow crooked streets of the town's old section are laid out for your discovery. You will find that Barcelona has something for everybody.

Valencia
One of the largest cities of Spain, Valencia is also one of the country's most dynamic. 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.

Malaga
Prosperous Málaga lies along the beautiful Costa del Sol, approximately 70 miles inside the Strait of Gibraltar. Its wealth of historical sites includes a 16th-century cathedral and the Moorish Alcazaba Fortress. This modern-looking provincial capital was founded by the Phoenicians and later became culturally and economically important as the port of Granada. Sightseeing opportunities abound from Málaga. The charming mountain village of Mijas and the impressive Alhambra are attractions you won't want to miss.

Gibraltar
Like a crouching lion, the Rock of Gibraltar's imposing presence supports the legend that it is one of the two Pillars of Hercules. Dramatically soaring to almost 1,400 feet, it boasts one of the world's most recognizable silhouettes. Over 140 caves have been discovered within its limestone mass. Although linked by land to Spain, the self-governing British colony of Gibraltar maintains a strong allegiance to Britain. Shop the compact commercial center for tax-free treats, or perch atop the summit for thrilling views encompassing Europe and Africa.

Cadiz
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.

Lisbon
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.

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