Motril, Spain
The town of Motril is located in the Spanish region of Andalucia on the Costa Tropical. It is the biggest town on the Costa with a thriving commercial, fishing and leisure port.
An hour and a half's drive east of Malaga and within easy reach of the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountain range, Motril is an ideal base for exploring the many delights of the Andalucian coastline and its hinterland.
Halfway between the resorts of Malaga to the west and Almeria to the east, nestling in the foothills of the Sierra Lujar mountains, Motril lies at the heart of one of the most fertile and productive agricultural areas of Spain.
The Costa Tropical takes its name from its sub-tropical climate which enables the cultivation of exotic fruits and crops such as sugar cane, oranges, lemons, custard apples, avocadoes, mangoes and bananas.
With warm winters and long hot summers giving an average year-round temperature of 20°C, the area is a magnet for Spanish and foreign visitors alike.
Below are examples of excursions that have previously been offered from this port of call. A fully detailed programme of the included and optional tours available during your cruise will be sent shortly before your departure.
Caves of Nerja
Today, travel some 35 miles west along the subtropical coast where sugar cane, avocado and custard apple trees grow to arrive at Nerja – a popular retirement destination for many Britons.
The town suddenly came to prominence in 1959 when its fascinating cave network was discovered. Officially recognised as an historical and artistic monument, Nerja Caves are one of the most important Prehistoric archaeological sites on the western Mediterranean.
Dating back some five million years, they are notable for the large chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and the immense length, over 4,000 metres. The caves, which go deep into the bowels of the earth, boast the largest stalagmite columns in the world at 224 feet tall.
The great height of this cave gives the impression of standing on a sort of gothic cathedral of the Palaeolithic period.
Included excursion
Duration: 4½ hours
Granada and Alhambra Palace
Your tour begins with an hour transfer to the city centre of Granada, where upon arrival, you will discover the Alhambra, the dramatic highlight of historic Granada.
The city is beautiful in its own right but nothing in all of Spain compares to the wealth of architectural art to be found in the city's Muslim-Hispano complex - the 14th-century Alhambra. This breathtaking example of architecture, with its detailed mosaics, prism-style cupolas and stone-cast lattice work is completely encircled by walls and towers.
Palaces, military buildings, a fortress and the administrative centres of a bygone era all lie protected within. The nearby Generalife was the residence of kings in need of refuge and is in contrast to the Palace commissioned by Carlos V, built in the purest Renaissance style of the 16th century.
Then enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, before stopping for a late lunch. After this, you will have a photo stop at the San Cristobal Mirador before your coach returns to the port.
Included excursion
Duration: 8½ hours
Las Alpujarras Mountains
This full-day tour takes you from Motril to Las Alpujarras, one of Spain’s most spectacular regions where ancient villages cling to mountainsides on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
The Alpujarra is famous throughout Spain because of its unique mini-ecology; its terraced farmlands are constantly watered by the melting snow from above, creating a high-altitude oasis of greenery standing in dramatic contrast to the arid foothills below.
The cultural interest of the region lies in its old villages, which were the last stronghold of Spanish Muslims, or Moors. Before arriving at Pampaneira Village, approximately 5,000 feet above sea level, there will be a photo stop at the huge dam of Presa de Rules and your coach will pass by the village of Orgiva.
The unique village of Pampaneira has retained its traditional Berber architecture of terraced clusters of grey-white box-shaped houses with flat clay roofs.
Lunch will be served at a local hotel, after which you will drive to the village of Capileira, at the top of the valley.
Here, you will see that the rocky streets, overhanging passageways and sagging stone houses have not been remodelled or prettified for contemporary living.
Optional excursion
Duration: 8 hours