From Fado to the Kasbah: cruise from Lisbon to Casablanca

Spread over seven hills with São Jorge Castle views, bustling Lisbon is one of the world's oldest cities. Elegant Baixa, hilltop Alfama with its yellow tram, and scenic Graça overviewing pastel buildings, are top areas. The Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is a World Heritage Gothic site. The classic Portuguese pastel de nata custard tarts are a local treat. Europe’s longest suspension bridge, the Ponte 25 de Abril, crosses the river Tagus.

The Algarve’s second-most populous city of Portimao is best known for its historic quarter and dates back to the time of the Phoenicians. With the aroma of freshly cooked sardines drifting through the streets, Portimao is a wonderful spot for downtime. The city's Museum de Portico is housed in a 19th century cannery. Further into town, Praia da Rocha is one of the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches.

A city renowned for passion, culture and flamenco, Seville’s intoxicating atmosphere will infuse even the weariest traveller with a celebratory spirit. The capital of Andalusia is revered for the grandeur of its monuments as well as for exquisite tapas dishes. The magnificent Catedral de Sevilla lords over the historic centre a short distance from the Alcázar (palace), a royal complex of rooms and gardens hidden behind modest terracotta walls.

Puerto Banús, a luxury hotspot on the Costa del Sol, is famous for its upscale marina, lined with high-end boutiques, bars and restaurants, drawing the rich and famous. It's also a centre for activities like sailing and dolphin watching. Just 7 km away, Marbella's old town offers a contrast with its Renaissance-era whitewashed buildings, narrow streets and highlights like Plaza de los Naranjos and Salvador Dalí sculptures along Avenida del Mar.

Motril, nestled among the Sierra de Lújar and Sierra Nevada mountains, is the capital of the Tropical Coast. Its mild subtropical climate supports sugarcane cultivation. Known for this "sweet gold," its rich sugar history features a sugar museum, mills and rum distilleries. Motril also provides access to the whitewashed villages in Las Alpujarras valleys and gorges, and Granada, home to the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tangier, Morocco's northern port city, has been a gateway to Africa for centuries. Founded by the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago, Tangier's long, complex history is reflected in its labyrinthine Medina, 15th-century Portuguese fortress and Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Cultures with its mosaic of Venus. Today, Tangier is a contemporary Moroccan city with a buzzing café culture and modern port.

Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, showcases a fusion of French, Moorish, and Art Deco styles in its downtown neo-Mauresque structures. The prominent Hassan II Mosque, finished in 1993, features a towering 210m minaret with laser projections, and the 18th-century medina's lively alleyways provide a glimpse into the city's historical charm. Place Mohammed V, with palm trees and an elaborate fountain, symbolises Casablanca's dynamism.