- 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.
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.
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!
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!
