Andalusia of CroisiEurope: tradition, gastronomy and flamenco /

Once upon a time, conquistadors sailed from Seville down the Guadalquivir River out into the Atlantic Ocean and into the New World. Latin American silver flowed back upstream, bringing a wealth of art, culture and architecture to Andalusia. For seven nights and eight days, La Belle de Cadiz, with 176 beds from CroisiEurope, is the base for exploring Andalusia.

It is the only river cruiser to sail through the rich heritage of the Guadalquivir empires: Roman, Moorish and Habsburg. As you sail south, you can see the marshes, shifting sand dunes and the migratory birds of Doñana National Park. Unusually for a river cruiser, although it is four times longer than Columbus’s flagship that sailed to the New World, La Belle de Cadix also briefly crosses the Atlantic: it emerges from the river to dock in Cadiz.

For all its significance in Spanish history, there is more to Andalusia than can be seen from the Guadalquivir alone. Since the stretch of river from Seville to Cordoba is no longer navigable, buses are used for further exploration.

The welcome

Smiling crew greets buses and taxis at the wharf taking luggage to cabins. Guests are welcomed on board with a chilled drink, names quickly checked off and key cards issued. Then the guests are guided to their cabins. Separate welcomes will be given later, accompanied by the cocktail of the day, in English, French and Spanish.

The cabin

Our upper deck cabin has a large panoramic window. Our first amusement is the kayakers, paddle boarders and rowers gliding by as the sun sets behind the Guadalquivir. Each cabin has its own discreet air conditioning system, even in spring and autumn the nights are warm. Furniture is light wood colored.

Two adjoining single beds, each with their own bedding, are in the center of the cream colored cabin. Under the bed there is space to slide luggage out of sight. A wall-mounted screen broadcasts cruise information and a small selection of television channels. CroisiEurope toiletries are provided for the en suite shower room.

The facilities

Since a hot sun often roasts the upper deck, a partial awning provides much-needed shade. Nearby there is a small swimming pool for a cooling dip and plenty of lounge chairs for relaxing. On La Belle de Cadix it is always possible to find a quiet place to relax.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

If you are reading this article anywhere other than A Luxury Travel Blog, chances are this content has been stolen without permission.

Please note the web address above and contact A Luxury Travel Blog to notify them of this issue.

Thank you for helping us fight content theft.

In addition to the large main bar, at the back of the upper deck, the more intimate Panorama Bar has a small library and spectacular views over the Guadalquivir.

Field trips

It’s an early start for the bus trip to Cordoba, with a stop for the highway on the way. The way to enter Córdoba is via the 8th century bridge over the Guadalquivir and then through the large arched gate made by the Romans. In the 10th century, the caliphate of Cordoba grew into a city with 500,000 inhabitants.

Stretched three times for more than 40,000 Muslims to prey on their knees, the Mesquita became the world’s largest mosque with its forest of red brick and cream-coloured stone pillars. After the 1236 reconquest, they showed practical tolerance, instead of reducing the mosque to rubble, the Christians colonized the Mesquita, creating more than 50 chapels and a cathedral with a Latin cross at its heart.

A morning stroll through Seville begins by passing the country pavilions of the 1929 expo, appropriately the Argentinian pavilion transformed into a dance academy.

Since the cathedral is closed for today, we will visit the Alcazar instead. From the thick walls of the castle, the grandees had led sea expeditions. Columbus’ coat of arms, featuring a lion and a ship, adorns the walls of a Renaissance palace. Although Seville had been reconquered from the Moors in the 13th century, Moorish architecture left a legacy of courtyards lined with orange trees, intricate geometric carvings, and summer rooms near cooling fountains. Bitter oranges are picked from the shady palm-lined gardens for the royal marmalade at Buckingham Palace.

En route to the Atlantic Ocean, the ship moors at Isla Minima for a visit to a Latin American hacienda. Dressage meets flamenco as a horse and a dancer come together in a remarkably precise equestrian ballet. He’s just a preview of a performance at Carmelo’s riding school the next morning in Sanlucar.

After walking around Cadiz and sampling a trio of Osborne’s sherries at El Puerta de Santa Maria, La Belle de Cadix returns to Seville for a big day trip to Granada.

The city is home to the Alhambra, the Muslim’s red hilltop fortress that is now one of Spain’s most romantic destinations. Finally, guests have a day to further explore the grand imperial city of Seville.

Other nice keys

Flamenco comes on board with an evening of foot stomping, hand clapping, red-clad dance and guitar music. Flamenco was once frowned upon by the upper echelons of Spanish society as a pastime of the lower classes. Now, with more than 50 types of dance, Flamenco has become a proud symbol of Spanish artistic identity.

After an excursion, guests are always welcomed back on deck with a cool drink. For early risers, a selection of coffee, tea and pastries are available before the restaurant opens for breakfast. It is clear that the crew is a happy family. As they present the Spanish theme night and the closing theatrical gala dinner, real joie de vivre is shown.

Costs

The seven nights Andalusia: Tradition, Gastronomy and Flamenco cruise cost from £1,329 per person based on departures 2nd & 9th March 2023.

Price includes all meals and drinks on board, excursions, onboard entertainment, harbor dues and travel assistance and repatriation insurance.

The best bit

This is a gourmet cruise where lunch and dinner are served by the smart waiting crew. Even lunch is a three-course spectacle served with house wines.

At breakfast, a chef cooks eggs to order and waiters rustle around with coffee and milk.

While dinner is sometimes four courses, occasionally in cheese for true Gallic style pud, portion sizes are sensible. A supplier from Cadiz delivers fresh produce three times a week. Even for experienced cruisers, the cooking and presentation are beyond superlatives.

On a Spanish themed day, when sangria is the cocktail, lunch is the regional specialty of bull stew. A seafood paella shines at dinner.

The final verdict

La Belle de Cadix is ​​​​​​the only river cruiser to sail the Guadalquivir, introducing guests to a sun-drenched region that recounts the dramatic and turbulent of so much of Spain’s history. Sailing in spring and autumn and avoiding the hot summer when the province becomes the pan of Spain, CroisiEurope introduces Andalusia. Experts guide guests through the history of the Romans, Moors, Habsburgs and the restored royal family of Spain.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by CroisiEurope.