The Park and National Palace of Pena in Sintra, Portugal is a national treasure. King Ferdinand II contributed to erecting this grand palace and incorporated styles of 19th-century romanticism and has Manueline and Moorish styles of architecture that is evident in the archways, towers, and domes.
Read MorePart of the Park and National Palace of Pena, stumbling upon the Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla is like stumbling upon a dream. This yellow cottage in the woods is surrounded by trees and beautiful blooming flowers. It is designated a Property of Public Interest as of 1993 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site as of 1995. Nearby there are gardens and a horse stables.
Read MoreA stroll through Seville’s winding streets, with narrow walkways and high walls makes the average tourist feel like a rat stuck in a maze. Every turn leads to a new plaza and new visual delights and sometimes dead ends with gorgeous entryways. Like most older European cities, the streets are narrow but pedestrians can access most anywhere.
Read MoreThe Cathedral de Sevilla (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) or Seville Cathedral is considered by UNESCO to be a world heritage site and is considered the largest cathedral in the world. This cathedral has held services for the royals of Spain since its completion in the early 16th century.
Read MoreLas Setas de Sevilla or The Metropol Parasol, also known as Mushrooms of the Incarnation, is a wooden structure held up by two concrete columns located in the central Plaza de la Encarnación. With layers of depth and wonders to discover, this plaza is one of the most unique in Seville. A mix of modernity with the preservation of its storied past.
Read MoreShaped in a half-moon, the Plaza de España (Spain Square) is breathtakingly intricate with a canal, forty-eight alcoves with benches, murals, and maps for each province of Spain, a fountain, and four bridges for the four ancient kingdoms of Spain.
Read MoreThe fishing village of Mahahual is where the tourists came before the cruise port was built. A more authentic experience of coastal Mexico than the disneyfied cruise port, this strip includes restaurants, cafe, a boardwalk, gift shops, and hotels.
Read MoreThe Costa Maya cruise port is really built to be just that. A disneyfied version of Mexico with shops, restaurants, a free pool and complimentary beach chairs to lounge on, and more. There are experiences like Aviarius, Kakaw (chocolate tour), mayan healing rituals, and discovering tequila. It is built to accommodate three ships so it can get crowded at times, but a lot of your fellow cruisers might have opted for an excursion away from the port.
Read MoreThe ship docks at a pier, perhaps ten to fifteen minutes from the heart of Harvest Caye. A small island off Belize, it is owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines and has the same glossy feel as the cruise ship. There are restaurants, shops, a beautiful beach, a small wildlife exhibit, a lighthouse, ziplining, snorkeling, and more. This destination is accessible only via Norwegian Cruise Lines and caters to the cruise liner’s guests.
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