Western Mediterranean Explorer

Nice is the fifth most populous city in France and the second largest on the Mediterranean coast. The city's famous seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais ('the Walkway of the English') owes its name to the earliest settlers to this seaside resort. For over a quarter century, the picturesque Nicean surroundings have attracted not only those in search of relaxation but also those seeking inspiration. SeaDream docks in the small port and offers several land adventure options as well as private arrangements and transfers.

Sanary-sur-Mer is a Provencal village located in the Var department in the Provences-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur region of France. Most visitors fall in love with the town shortly after they arrive. The harbor has several traditional wooden boats called “pointus” that are used by the fisherman daily. They sell their catch each morning on the harbor front. Market day is always a special treat so plan accordingly. The nearby village of Bandol has some of the oldest vineyards in France. It’s an easy bike ride down the coast from Sanary-sur-Mer. Other options include a land adventure to the nearby town of Castellet a typical hilltop village where you can explore and have a nice wine tasting. Golf at De La Fregate as well as water sports are also on option here.

Collioure is one of the most picturesque coastal resorts on the Mediterranean coast of southwest France. With the backdrop of the Pyrenees mountains tumbling into the sea, discover its Old Harbor, impressive castle, narrow cobblestone streets, bijou boutiques, a special art trail, and secluded beachess. Collioure was first settled by the Phoenicians and Greeks as a trading port and over time has been occupied by Romans, Arabs, Spaniards, and the French. The Knights Templars built Collioure’s Chateau-Royal in the twelfth century, later used as a residence for the kings of Mallorca. Collioure has long been considered the birthplace of Fauvism, an expressionistic style of painting created by Henry Matisse and André Derain in 1905. Collioure is known for its salted anchovies, which are exported throughout France.

At the mouth of the Francoli River, on a hillside rising from the Mediterranean Sea, sits Tarragona, one of Spain’s most flourishing resort towns. In cultured Tarragona, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Roman history mingles with gorgeous sun-kissed beaches and a gastronomic setting that fills its boardwalks with unimaginable culinary aromas. Perhaps its biggest allures are the ruins of a seaside amphitheater and a mosaic-decorated museum, boasting one of the best collections of fourth- and fifth-century Christian documents in Spain, historical emblems made for inquisitive exploring. The Necropolis features Roman tombs and traces of the Forum stand among the alleys of the walled, medieval Old Town. Stroll the Old Town and visit the towering Romanesque Cathedral and one of its lively bistros. A walkway along the ramparts, the Passeig Arqueològic, leads to sweeping views of the surrounding community.

Palma de Majorca enchants visitors with its cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that presides over the destination. Visit the Old Town and admire the Royal Palace of Almudaina, before strolling along the promenade and dining on tapas and imbibing on sangria. Valdemossa, a beautiful mountain village in the Tramuntana Mountain valley outside of Palma, is steeped in old-world charm and a rich blend of olive and almond trees. It includes such notable gems as a thirteenth-century monastery where musician Frederic Chopin drew inspiration.

Seaside Alicante sits along Spain’s Costa Blanca, the Mediterranean coastline that runs along the Alicante province on the southeastern coast of Spain. A holiday resort town known mostly to travel insiders, Alicante’s picturesque harbor and stunning golden-sand beaches complement its signature Explanada de España, a marble promenade lined with more than six million mosaic tiles. Alicante’s Old Town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, is your pathway to the medieval Castillo de Santa Bárbara, one of Spain’s largest medieval fortresses, set on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Mediterranean.

Cartagena was founded in the 3rd century BC and has been a major naval station. It is located in the Region of Murcia, southeastern Spain. Thanks to its strategic position on the Mediterranean, Cartagena has been inhabited by many different cultures which have left their mark on its rich cultural heritage during a glorious and turbulent history. It’s a very pleasant and relaxing city to walk around. SeaDream makes it easy is the yacht docks in the center of town. Guests have an option of a walking discovery adventure as well as resort golf at La Manga. Some guests also enjoy independent usage of the mountain bikes.

Malaga, together with adjacent towns and municipalities such as Rincon de la Victoria, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Alhaurin de la Torre, Mijas, and Marbella, forms the Malaga Metropolitan area. The important cultural infrastructure and the rich artistic heritage have culminated in the nomination of Malaga as a candidate for the 2016 European Capital of Culture. The internationally acclaimed painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso and actor Antonio Banderas were both born in Malaga. SeaDream calls to Malaga both as an embarkation point as well as a typical port of call. Kindly check on the land adventures tab to see all of the activities and options. Should you need embarkation information, it’s also available there.