Spain on Where in the World is Kat Kong?

Virgin Voyages: Malaga Heights & Madeira Green - October 19-21, 2022

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation - October 8-9, 2022

Part 6: Prague: Arrival, The Augustine & Old Town - October 9-10, 2022

Part 7: Prague Castle, Cold War History, & Musical Evenings - October 11-14, 2022

Part 8: Barcelona: From the Vltava to the Mediterranean - October 14-15, 2022

Part 9: Embarking Valiant Lady, Ibiza & Day at Sea - October 16-18, 2022

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Malaga Heights & Madeira Green - October 19-21, 2022

Part 11: Virgin Voyages: Crossing the Atlantic & Miami Arrival - October 22-30, 2022 (Coming Soon)

Malaga: The King’s Little Path

When Valiant Lady arrived in Malaga, Kaleb and I had a specific adventure in mind: the Caminito del Rey. Because this hike starts at one entrance (North) and ends at another (South), and is located about an hour’s drive into the mountains, we decided a ship-organized excursion was the most practical choice. Even though the ship was docked overnight, the logistics of an independent trip were just too complicated to arrange on our own.

Walking the Cliffs

Our excursion started on our second day in Malaga. After the bus ride, guests were dropped off near the North entrance. We still had a bit of a trek to get to the official start, including a walk through a very low-clearance rock tunnel.

Before beginning the 3km hike, everyone was fitted with hard hats to protect against falling rock and—for sanitary reasons—hair nets to wear underneath. It wasn’t our most stylish moment, but safety comes first!

The Caminito was once known as the “world’s most dangerous walkway,” though today it feels very secure. The path is built into the sheer sides of limestone cliffs and was originally constructed to allow workers to maintain the hydroelectric plants in the chasm below.

The scenery is stunning, winding through narrow chasms and past heavily textured rock walls. At one point, we even spotted ancient fossils embedded in the stone.

For those who don’t mind heights, there is a transparent glass ledge that offers a direct look at the drop below…certainly a thrill! There was also a suspension bridge ahead with a grid floor so you can see all the way down to the river.

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What a unique way to see the Malaga mountainside!

Exploring Malaga Town

After the hike, the bus dropped us off in the center of Malaga. We spent the rest of the day exploring the pedestrian-friendly streets and striking architecture of the town center. The shopping area was expansive, and the mix of historic and modern design made for a great walk.

On our walk back to the port, we passed by the local beach area—it was quiet in October, but it clearly would be a fantastic spot during the summer months.

Dinner & Sea Days

Gunbae: Korean BBQ at Sea

Tonight’s dinner was at Gunbae, the ship’s high-energy Korean BBQ venue. Every meal here starts with a drinking game involving complimentary soju. I actually won the game tonight, and my prize was…another shot of soju! lol.

When we ate here on the Scarlet Lady, we felt the meats were a little underseasoned, but Virgin clearly listened to guest feedback. The food this time was delicious and marinated nicely. One of the best things about Gunbae is that the server handles the actual grilling at the table, so everyone can relax and eat without worrying about burning the food.

In addition to the standard soft-serve dessert, Kaleb and I were surprised with a special anniversary dessert (a little early, but very much appreciated!).

A Day of Relaxation & Italian Dining

The following day was spent at sea as we cruised toward Madeira. We kept things low-key until our dinner at Extra Virgin, the ship’s Italian restaurant.

Extra Virgin was just as good as we remembered, offering fantastic fresh pasta and great wine. We particularly enjoyed the affogato cart at the end of the meal, where they prepare the dessert right at your table.

We finished the evening by attending a magic show in the Red Room—a perfect end to our transition from Spain toward the Atlantic islands.

Funchal: Misty Levadas and Hidden Waterfalls

The next morning, the Valiant Lady arrived in the lush, mountainous port of Funchal, Madeira. We had booked an independent hiking excursion to Pico Arieiro through Shore Excursions Group, but as any seasoned traveler knows, sometimes you have to go with the flow.

The Great Hiking Swap

We were supposed to meet our guide at 8:15 AM, but by the time the clock ticked past our meeting time, no one had appeared. After a quick call to the tour company, we learned that the Pico Arieiro hike was cancelled due to poor weather. Apparently, we were rebooked on a different hike that would pick up shortly…we just hadn’t received the notification. I doubt that Shore Excursions Group would have forwarded anything.

Fifteen minutes later, a small bus arrived, and we were off. Even if it wasn’t the peak we planned for, a day of Madeira’s “green” sounded perfect. Before leaving the port, we spotted some cool cruise ship “graffiti” painted on the harbor walls, a tradition similar to what you see in Skagway, Alaska.

Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains

Our new destination was the Rabaçal trail, also known as the 25 Fountains (25 Fontes) hike.

During the hour-long drive into the mountains, we stopped at a local market. I couldn’t resist picking up a couple pastel de nata (a traditional Portuguese egg tart). It’s remarkably similar to Chinese-style egg tarts.

The trailhead was cloudy and misty, providing that quintessential “mystical” Madeira atmosphere.

The trail followed a levada, one of Madeira’s historic irrigation channels that snake through the landscape.

The path was a varied mix of rock stairs and flat stretches through the dense foliage. Because of the wet climate, waterfalls were everywhere, spilling over mossy rocks and into the basins below.

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By lunchtime, it was finally time to unpack that egg tart.

One of the more unique parts of the trek was a massive 800-meter tunnel near the end of the hike. It was pitch black inside, so we had to use our phone flashlights to navigate the long, damp corridor. It felt like something out of an adventure movie!

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After finishing the hike, the bus took us to a restaurant called Calheta Green for some well-earned refreshments before dropping us back at the port. Even though it wasn’t the hike we originally booked, the waterfalls and the tunnel adventure made for an unforgettable day.

Evening On Board: Razzle Dazzle

Back on the Valiant Lady, it was time for dinner at Razzle Dazzle. With just five nights on our previous Scarlet Lady cruise, we only managed to try the breakfast there, so I was excited for the full dinner experience.

Razzle Dazzle is known for being “veggie-forward,” which originally gave it some lukewarm reviews from meat-lovers. However, the restaurant has since introduced daily specials that include meat, as well as a “Naughty” side of the menu for those not feeling particularly virtuous.

The food was vibrant and creative. It’s definitely one of the most “fun” dining rooms on the ship with its bold, striped decor and lively atmosphere.

It was a fantastic way to cap off our final day in Europe. We said goodbye to the emerald hills of Funchal as the sun went down.

Now, we prepare for the ultimate test of sea legs: eight straight days at sea as we cross the Atlantic toward Miami…stay tuned!

Barcelona: From the Vltava to the Mediterranean - October 14-15, 2022

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation - October 8-9, 2022

Part 6: Prague: Arrival, The Augustine & Old Town - October 9-10, 2022

Part 7: Prague Castle, Cold War History, & Musical Evenings - October 11-14, 2022

Part 8: Barcelona: From the Vltava to the Mediterranean - October 14-15, 2022

Part 9: Embarking Valiant Lady, Ibiza & Day at Sea - October 16-18, 2022

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Malaga Heights & Madeira Green - October 19-21, 2022

Part 11: Virgin Voyages: Crossing the Atlantic & Miami Arrival - October 22-30, 2022 (Coming Soon)

Leaving Prague

After a final breakfast, we checked out of The Augustine and took a Welcome Pickups transfer to the Prague airport. Our journey to Barcelona would take us through London Heathrow, flying British Airways in their Club Europe class.

Mastercard Lounge (PRG)

After checking in, we headed to the Mastercard Lounge, which we accessed via Priority Pass. The lounge offered a decent array of food and beverage options, providing a comfortable spot to relax before our flight.

British Airways: Club Europe

Flight 1: Prague to London (LHR)

British Airways’ Club Europe is marketed as business class, though the physical “hard product” is a standard three-seat coach row with the middle seat blocked out. Despite being a relatively short two-hour flight, they still provided a full meal service. The beef goulash was surprisingly satisfying and hit the spot.

The Heathrow Connection

Connecting at Heathrow can be a challenge due to the sheer size of the airport. We had less than two hours to traverse the terminals and meet up with my parents, who were joining us for the next leg. Because of the tight window and the distance we had to cover, we didn’t have time to stop at a lounge, but we were relieved that everyone made the connection smoothly.

Flight 2: London to Barcelona (BCN)

The second flight was also marketed as British Airways, though it was operated by an Iberia aircraft. The configuration remained the same as the previous leg.

The meal for this flight was a lovely “afternoon tea” setup, complete with sandwiches, scones, and clotted cream.

Arrival in Barcelona

After landing, clearing immigration, and retrieving our luggage, we took another Welcome Pickups transfer to the Hilton Barcelona. By the time we checked in, it was already 9:00 PM local time. Exhausted from the travel day, we opted for the most convenient dinner option available—the McDonald’s located right next door to the hotel. It wasn’t exactly high Spanish cuisine, but it was exactly what we needed before heading to bed.

A Barcelona Morning

Breakfast at the Hilton

We started our first morning in Spain with a complimentary buffet breakfast, a perk of my Hilton Honors Diamond status. Although the benefit is technically only guaranteed for the member’s room, the hotel was generous enough to extend it to the other room I booked.

The buffet had a nice selection including cold cuts, breads and pastries.

La Sagrada Familia: Inside the Masterpiece

After breakfast, we took an Uber to La Sagrada Familia. Having learned from our last visit to Barcelona—where we couldn’t get in because tickets were gone—I made sure to book our timed entry through the official website way in advance.

It was absolutely worth it to see the interior. Pictures don’t do it justice. While the exterior of the basilica has a famously rough, lumpy, and organic texture, the stonework inside is surprisingly smooth and shapely. The way the stained glass windows fill the space with a literal rainbow of light is something photos can hardly capture.

The Tower Climb

Our admission also included a climb up one of the towers. While there is an elevator, it only goes up (you must walk back down the stairs) and often has a massive queue. We joined the majority of visitors “huffing it” up the tight, spiral stone staircase.

During the ascent, I spotted a tiny sign indicating an exit to a small balcony. It was very easy to miss, but my curiosity paid off. We were treated to a stunning panoramic view of Barcelona and some incredible close-up views of the quirky architectural details on the basilica’s exterior.

The journey back down was via another spiral staircase—this one looked down into a dizzying central void that definitely tested my lack of vertigo!

A Proper Spanish Lunch

For lunch, we found a restaurant just a few blocks away from the basilica. It currently goes by the name Hunger Station, though it may have been under different ownership or a different name during our visit, as the menu has shifted since.

We ordered a pitcher of sangria to share, which paired perfectly with our spread of traditional paella and gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). The place even offered dumplings.

Park Güell: The Whimsy of Gaudí

After lunch, we took a thirty-minute walk through tree-lined streets toward Park Güell.

Back in 2014, we hadn’t realized that the public areas of the park were free to explore, that only the most iconic features required a ticket, so we didn’t go in. Having missed out then, we decided to buy tickets at the gate to explore the entire grounds and not miss a detail. Even though the tickets had a later entrance time on them, the staff told us to go in.

As another Gaudí masterpiece, the park is filled with his signature organic textures, colorful mosaics, and whimsical structures. While it was certainly interesting to see the “gingerbread” houses and the famous lizard, I have to admit I was far more impressed by the sheer scale and light of the Sagrada Familia.

Evening at the Hilton

We took an Uber back to the Hilton to rest our feet and enjoyed a pre-dinner beverage in the executive lounge. It’s always a nice perk of Diamond status to have a quiet home base to regroup between excursions.

For dinner, we walked to a nearby mall to eat at Ribera Manero (which has since moved locations slightly). We enjoyed a fantastic seafood meal, but the absolute star of the show was the tallarines (wedge clams). They were so good that we ordered them twice—and I was so busy eating them that I completely forgot to take a photo!

On the walk back, we ducked into a local supermarket. It’s always interesting to see the cultural differences in grocery stores—in Spain, that meant seeing entire cured pork legs (Jamón) for sale as a standard item.

That wrapped up our brief stay in Barcelona. While I would have loved more time to dive into the tapas scene, this visit was really about positioning ourselves for the next big leg of the trip. Finally seeing the interior of the Sagrada Familia was the perfect send-off.

Tomorrow, we head to the cruise terminal to board the ship for our 14-night transatlantic journey on the Valiant Lady…stay tuned!