Portugal & Spain Transatlantic

Fort Lauderdale lies along the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the New River, 25 miles north of Miami. Its warm tropical weather attracts many people throughout the year. For sun-worshippers, the city has six miles of beaches. There are also many recreational waterways with extensive boating facilities, access to every conceivable watersport, a variety of fascinating museums and trendy restaurants, and an array of entertainment venues.

The largest Canary Island is dominated by 12,198-foot Mount Teide. The cuisine features locally grown fruits (banana, mango, and papaya) and fresh fish. Clean, sandy beaches offer chances for windsurfing, surfing, snorkeling and diving. You’ll find everything from lush vegetation to water parks and interesting shopping.

You might know the well-known ports of call on European cruises in beautiful Italy and along the Mediterranean, but you may not be familiar with Madeira, the tiny archipelago of four islands off the coast of Africa and Portugal. Stop in the capital city, Funchal, to experience its restaurants and nightlife, or take a more outdoorsy approach to Madeira by hiking its dramatic cliffs and waterfalls.

You could take it easy while in port on a Madeira cruise, exploring Zona Velha in Funchal or enjoying a relaxing wine tour while sampling the region’s signature grapes. You could spend an afternoon at the Farmer’s Market pretending to be a local, or catch a panorama of the island from the rugged cliffs on Cabo Girão or Pico do Arieiro. Much of Madeira is connected by cable car, so you won’t have trouble finding great views. Madeira is meant to be enjoyed, and after all, isn’t that what modern luxury is all about?

Málaga is the gateway to the Andalusian countryside and the Costa del Sol, some of the region’s most impressive beaches. It also is home to a number of magnificent palaces, including the Moorish Alcabaza and Gibralfaro.

Formerly a sleepy Spanish city, Barcelona has recently been reborn as an eclectic fusion of the modern and medieval. Seek inspiration from the creations of its modernist architect, Antonio Gaudí, or the Picasso Museum. Or, take in the breathtaking cathedrals in the Gothic Quarter.