From Lisbon to Barcelona

At dock in Lisbon

Lisbon was the perfect backdrop for some beautiful pictures as we left port. This was the first time for us to travel on a ship and the weather was perfect! We watched the sunset on Portugal as we sipped wine and had our first dinner with our small group of 8 aboard the Wind Spirit. Wind Star cruise line was repositioning from the Caribbean so the Wind Spirit and the Wind Surf, a slightly larger version of the boat we were on were traveling from Lisbon to Barcelona to begin summer cruising in the Mediterranean.  Our ship can accommodate 148 passengers while the Wind Surf can have double that number. 

Wind Surf photo taken one morning from our cabin as we were coming into port.

The two ships traveled together, leaving port within 30 minutes of each other, so often you could watch the other out at sea which was very cool for us. One evening they sailed out together and side by side raised their sails in unison. It was quite a beautiful sight with the sun high in the sky and a slight breeze on deck!  The unfortunate part is the picture I have is of the other boat, bigger, but just as beautiful as ours. 

Wind Surf

Cadiz

The weather for the entire cruise was perfect. We boarded in the evening and spent the entire next day cruising.  It was a great way to begin our eight-day trip. The third night out we went through the Straits of Gibraltar and after that the nights were a bit smoother. 

Cartagena

Cartagena - Roman Theater

Almeria

The ports of call were on the smaller size and we stopped each day in a different Spanish town where we could spend the day exploring the beautiful squares, cobble-stoned alleys, old fortresses that began with the Moors back in the 10^th century, churches and cathedrals of various sizes and age, and some wonderful parks along the waterfronts. Since we only had a day to spend in port we spent it exploring instead of sunbathing on the beaches. Each time we pulled out of port we had time to relax in the afternoon or evening sun aboard the ship. Favorite port would have to be Malaga where we took a 4-hour bike tour of the city. At every turn there was a special building, garden, or picture perfect street. The guides on the bike tours are usually transplants that just have a love for their new found city which transfers into a fun way to visit a new place for us! We ended at the beach with this sculpture.

Palma de Mallora - Cathedral on the water

The ship, company, and locations were just perfect. We really got a taste of what Southern Spain had to offer. It was so nice not to have to pack and unpack which is what we are usually doing when we are visiting various places in Europe. That was a real treat! I could definitely see us looking into more cruises during our stay. 






We ended the trip in Barcelona. Having been here last spring our day was dedicated to Antoni Gaudi, the famous architect from Catalonia - going up into Park Guell and visiting the magnificent Sagrada Familia and having a tour of the most breathtaking cathedral. It is not yet complete, so I guess we will have to make a trip back again in years to come. It is a must if you go to Bacelona.

Entrance to Park Guell

Inside Sagrada Familia