12 Night Discover The Canaries Cruise

The new and the old meet head-on in Bilbao – the unofficial capital of Basque country in Spain's northwest, near southern France. Once an industrial capital, the opening of the Guggenheim in 1997 propelled Bilbao into a hub of outstanding art, architecture and gastronomy. Today, modern trams travel on historic avenues like the Siete Calles ("Seven Streets") of Casco Viejo — Bilbao's medieval quarter, which today is dotted with boutiques, bakeries and outdoor cafes. Meanwhile, futuristic buildings like the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum and the Gran Hotel Domine hang over the Nervion river that runs through the city. There's no other city with such a polarity of scenes in Spain. Get onboard a Spain cruise and see for yourself why Bilbao is the pride and joy of Basque Country.

Lisbon is a quintessential European city, full of natural beauty, historic architecture and culinary pleasures – not to mention one of the best climates on the planet. To get to know Portugal's capital, walk between the captivating miradouros – terrace viewpoints that are scattered on the hilltops, offering stunning vistas from the sea to the castles and beyond. Watch as the light peeks through the clouds and shines down on The City of Seven Hills during your cruise to Lisbon. If you're a history buff, head to Belem or nearby Sintra to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Jeronimos Monastery and Quinta da Regalaira.

Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands, is home to gorgeous aquamarine seas, white-sand beaches and nearly year-round sunshine. From that even arose a series of black-ash vineyards that now produce award-winning wines – not to mention strange, haunting beauty. UNESCO has dubbed the island a biosphere reserve protected site, and its remote, wild beaches are the perfect place for a surfing excursion or a simple afternoon spent relaxing at what feels like the edge of the world.

The Canary Islands sit more than 1,000 miles from mainland Spain – but as your ship docks at the largest island, Tenerife, you'll feel like you've entered another world. Exploring the island's diverse nature will reinforce this: the landscape here ranges from deserts to dense forests to spectacular beaches. Cool off in the Bajamar natural salt-water pools, or go scuba-diving among octopus and barracudas in Tabaiba. When you're tired out from your adventure, head to a seaside restaurant for a glass of sangria and crusty bread slathered with almagrote, a local hard-cheese spread flavored with tomato, garlic and paprika.

Portugal's island of Madeira is an adventure junkie's paradise. Explore this unique island by land, sea or air. Trek the levandas, the island's open canal system, and take in panoramic views of the mountains and the ocean. Dive into the deep blue sea to swim with fish and rare seals with your Madeira cruise. If you're looking for something to spike your adrenaline, soar above the island while hang-gliding or paragliding. In the mood for more low-key exploration? Stop by a local bakery for a slice of queijada, a regional cheescake and walk along the harbour in Funchal, taking in the 17th-century architecture.

Perched on a rocky peninsula in Spain's northwest, La Coruna is brimming with ancient Roman heritage and maritime history. Head to the Crystal City, located right near the harbour, and check out the galerias – the city is famous for these 19th-century enclosed glass balconies that reflect the glittering waters of the Atlantic. Then, walk the Paseo Maritimo: The promenade will take you past ocean views to the Cidade Vella, the city's old town full of remnants of the ancient and medieval past. Walk along the still-standing remnants of the city's Roman Wall and climb the green hill to the Tower of Hercules — a Roman lighthouse that's been in active use since the second century A.D.