Crossroads of Cultures Canary Islands, Morocco & Iberia Aboard Sea Spirit April 17–30, 2020 MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE
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MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE Crossroads of Cultures Canary Islands, Morocco & Iberia Aboard Sea Spirit April 17–30, 2020 MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE Dear Travelers and Friends, Please join the Museum Travel Alliance and the Montclair Art Museum on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise aboard the intimate, luxurious Sea Spirit. We will sail from the Canary Islands and Madeira to Morocco, Spain, and Portugal— fascinating lands whose fortunes and histories have been intertwined for centuries. Experts from a number of fine institutions will travel with us and deepen our appreciation of the astonishing cultural heritage of this region. This 13-day tour is specially designed to showcase a dazzling array of traditions, art, and architecture. We will admire the Spanish colonial treasures and cathedrals of the Canaries. On Portuguese Madeira, we will wander historic Funchal and savor a glass of the island’s eponymous wine. In Morocco, stunning highlights include the splendid Dar El Bacha, the vibrantly decorated former palace of Marrakesh’s last pasha, and the imposing Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. We will stand on deck as we breeze through the Strait of Gibraltar to arrive on the magnificent rock, home to a vast underground fortress. From Spain’s Cádiz, we will transfer to Seville, where we will explore the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. Ashore in Portugal, the Algarve towns of Sagres and Lagos will offer intriguing historic sites and dramatic ocean vistas. An optional postlude in beautiful Lisbon is available to discover its exceptional Tile Museum and ancient Alfama district. We look forward to welcoming you on this gorgeous voyage, in the company of members of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The National Trust for Historic Preservation and alumni of Harvard, Vanderbilt, and Yale. Sincerely, HIGHLIGHTS Lora Urbanelli ENJOY exclusive access to Dar El Bacha, the Director, Montclair Art Museum former palace of the last pasha of Marrakesh which is normally closed to the public, and view its extraordinary painted ceilings, exquisite hand-cut zellige tiles, and art collections Lisbon SPAIN MARVEL at the pastel-colored mansions in La PORTUGAL Sagres Seville Laguna, a UNESCO-listed historic quarter in the Lagos Cádiz Canary Islands, and discuss the preservation of Portimão Gibraltar centuries-old Spanish colonial homes with an expert Atlantic Strait of Ocean Gibraltar TOUR Gran Canaria’s architecturally lavish 15th-century Old Town, with a private visit to the Rabat beautifully restored Teatro Pérez Galdós, an ornate Madeira Islands Casablanca concert hall originally built in the 19th century Funchal Safi MOROCCO SAIL through the “Pillars of Hercules” to arrive Marrakesh at the Rock of Gibraltar, and step ashore to tour the territory’s World War II tunnels and view the famous Barbary macaques Canary Islands Arrecife EXPLORE the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, Tenerife a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Seville, which Las Palmas de Gran Canaria houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus Crossroads of Cultures Canary Islands, Morocco & Iberia Aboard Sea Spirit April 17–30, 2020 TUESDAY, APRIL 21: ARRECIFE, LANZAROTE Step ashore this morning in Arrecife to view legendary artist and activist César Manrique’s landscape projects, home, and extensive art collection at the César Manrique Foundation, built into an old lava flow. Enjoy lunch at Casa Museo del Campesino, also designed by Manrique. Then attend a musical performance at Los Jameos del Agua, a series of lava caves containing an artist's workshop and gallery. In the afternoon, continue to the volcanic park of Timanfaya, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Marvel at the park’s raw lunar landscapes and panoramic vistas. This evening, return to the ship and César Manrique Foundation, Lanzarote cruise to the port of Funchal. B,L,D WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22: AT SEA FRIDAY, APRIL 17: DEPARTURE Attend lectures and enjoy the amenities of Sea Spirit as Depart on an overnight flight to Tenerife. she cruises to Madeira B,L,D SATURDAY, APRIL 18: TENERIFE, CANARY THURSDAY, APRIL 23: FUNCHAL, MADEIRA, ISLANDS, SPAIN PORTUGAL Arrive in Tenerife and transfer to the hotel to enjoy a buffet On a morning walking tour, discover the narrow streets of lunch. Next, choose to explore the nearby Botanical Funchal’s Old Town and the farmers’ market (Mercado dos Garden or spend a relaxing afternoon at the hotel. Later, Lavradores), featuring Madeira's freshest fruits, vegetables, gather at the Hotel Botánico for a cocktail reception in and flowers. Explore the gardens of Quinta do Palheiro the garden, followed by a festive welcome dinner. L,R,D Ferreiro, which are famous for their variety of plants growing among beautiful hills, or opt to tour the Sacred SUNDAY, APRIL 19: TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS Art Museum of Funchal. Before departing, enjoy a tasting Drive to Teide National Park, a UNESCO-designated of Madeira’s eponymous wine. B,L,D location famous for its volcanic landscapes, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Or opt for a full-day tour along the cobblestone FRIDAY, APRIL 24: AT SEA streets of La Orotava. Admire its 17th-century heritage Relax aboard Sea Spirit as she cruises east to Morocco. buildings and the Church of Our Lady of Conception, a You may wish to enjoy a special screening of Casablanca Baroque architectural masterpiece. Following lunch, tour in the lounge. B,L,D the UNESCO-listed historic quarter of La Laguna, known SATURDAY, APRIL 25: SAFI / MARRAKESH, MOROCCO for its well-preserved mansions, town hall, and cathedral. From Safi, travel east to Marrakesh. Marvel at the Kutubiyya Before boarding the awaiting Sea Spirit, view the opera minaret in the medina, the old walled section of town, and house designed by Santiago Calatrava. B,L,D take a special tour of the Dar El Bacha Museum, the former MONDAY, APRIL 20: LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA home of the last pasha of Marrakesh. Later, stroll in the Devote the day to the capital city of Las Palmas de Gran colorful Majorelle Gardens within Yves St. Laurent’s former Canaria, Columbus’s last stop before leaving for the home. Tour the YSL Museum and the famous Djemaa el-Fna Americas. On an architectural tour of the Old Town, Square before boarding the ship for Casablanca. B,L,D see Teatro Pérez Galdós on a private visit. Explore the Christopher Columbus Church and House Museum, the *Travelers can opt for a more in-depth exploration of 19th-century Town Hall, and the landmark cathedral. After a Marrakesh with an exclusive tour of Yves St. Laurent’s welcome from a town official, enjoy refreshments and lunch private home Villa Oasis, a luxury overnight stay at La at Gabinete Literario, a 19th-century neoclassical building Mamounia, and on the morning of April 26, a private jet in the Old Town. Celebrate our journey with the captain’s flight to Rabat. View the Marrakesh Jet-Set Excursion welcome reception and dinner tonight on board. B,L,R,D option for more details. Majorelle Gardens Cádiz SUNDAY, APRIL 26: CASABLANCA / RABAT TUESDAY, APRIL 28: CÁDIZ, SPAIN / SEVILLE Arrive this morning in Casablanca and continue to the Ashore in Cádiz, you can opt to explore this ancient city, dramatic Hassan II Mosque. Drive to Rabat for a visit to stopping to view its 18th-century cathedral, the Phoenician the new Mohammed VI Contemporary Art Museum or the ruins at the Gadir archaeological site, and the striking Archaeological Museum. Later explore the Kasbah des Torre Tavira at the highest point in town. Marvel at Oudaïas, in the oldest part of the city, with sweeping views Francisco de Goya's paintings in the Oratorio de la Santa of the ocean, before returning to the ship. B,L,D Cueva. Alternatively, travel to Seville to spend the day admiring its delightful Spanish-Moorish architecture. MONDAY, APRIL 27: GIBRALTAR, UNITED KINGDOM Visit the UNESCO-recognized Gothic cathedral and view Be on deck during lunch as the ship passes through the Giralda Tower. Continue to Seville’s Alcázar, the longtime Strait of Gibraltar. Visit Saint Michael’s Cave within the palace of the Spanish kings, and the nearby Murillo nature reserve, home to Gibraltar’s famed tailless monkeys, Gardens. After lunch, visit Casa de Pilatos. Later, drive to the Barbary macaques. Also, within the Rock of Gibraltar, Jerez de la Frontera to sip sherry and meet the Marquis at visit the World War II tunnels, a vast underground fortress Palacio del Virrey Laserna, an opulent palace dating back built by British royal engineers to provide protection and to the 13th century. B,L,D storage for soldiers and civilians during the conflict. Tonight, Sea Spirit sails to Spain. B,L,D WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29: PORTIMÃO / SAGRES / LAGOS, PORTUGAL Disembark in Portimão and drive to Sagres, home of Prince Seville Henry the Navigator and his famous school of navigation. Following lunch, continue to Lagos, the last port from which the caravelas set off for their voyages. Visit the Church of San Antonio and the evocative Slaves’ Market. Before returning to the ship, visit the award-winning Museu de Portimão, a visually stunning museum housed in a former 19th-century sardine canning factory. B,L,D THURSDAY, APRIL 30: LISBON, PORTUGAL / DISEMBARK Disembark early this morning and transfer to the airport for flights home. B An optional postlude in Lisbon is offered from April 30 to May 1, 2020. DISCLAIMER: This itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the Montclair Art Museum and Museum Travel Alliance. For complete details, please carefully read the terms and conditions at www.museumtravelalliance.com/terms. SEA SPIRIT SUN DECK 605 603 601 600 606 604 602 ELEVATOR SPORTS DECK OUTDOOR BRIDGE BISTRO GYM 511 509 507 505 HOT TUB WC 508510512 506 ELEVATOR CLUB DECK LIBRA CLUB 427 425 423 421 419 417 415 LOUNGE RY 414416418420422424426428 ELEVATOR OCEAN DECK WC 339341343345347 331333335 OCEANUS LOUNGE 348 346 344 342 340 338 336 334 332 330 ELEVATOR RECEPTION MAIN DECK INFIRMARY 259261 257 255 RESTAURANT 262 260 258 254 252 250 WC ELEVATOR Built in 1991, the intimate M.V.