20 nights · Sao Paulo, Brazil · Departs Santos (Brazil) · Visiting Rio de Janeiro, Buzios, Salvador de Bahia, Maceio, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tangier, Barcelona, La Goulette-Tunis, Palermo · Aboard MSC Cruises on the MSC Virtuosa
Image courtesy of MSC Cruises ©
| Cruise line | MSC Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Virtuosa |
| Duration | 20 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $1,679 per person |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 6334 |
| Cabins | 2421 |
| Crew | 1704 |
| Length | 331 m |
| Beam | 43 m |
| Cruising speed | 23.0 kn |
Often the gateway to São Paulo, Santos rewards a closer look before you head inland. Brazil’s busiest port has shaped national trade for generations, especially through coffee. Its story unfolds at the grand former Bolsa do Café. Along the waterfront, a long garden-lined promenade frames broad beaches and everyday city life. The historic center offers churches and old commercial streets, while nearby São Vicente recalls Brazil’s earliest colonial years.
Granite peaks rise above Guanabara Bay; the city reaches toward the Atlantic. From the port, the landmarks are unmistakable: Sugarloaf Mountain guards the bay, and Christ the Redeemer watches from Corcovado. Balance the grand views with street-level pleasures: Copacabana, Ipanema, and the leafy avenues of the South Zone. Choose one or two sights, then leave room for a long lunch and the city’s beach culture.
Búzios is a peninsula on Brazil’s Costa do Sol, about 170 kilometres east of Rio de Janeiro. Once a fishing village, it drew international attention after Brigitte Bardot visited in 1964. Today, more than 20 beaches offer calm coves, broad sands and Atlantic surf. Stroll Rua das Pedras for boutiques and seafood, then take a schooner or water taxi between shores. Each beach has its own character; distances make choosing a base worthwhile.
Salvador rewards curious travellers with Brazil’s strongest blend of African heritage, Portuguese architecture and Atlantic spirit. In Pelourinho, within the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre, pastel façades and baroque churches line steep cobbled streets. Ride the Elevador Lacerda from the upper city to the waterfront, where views open across Baía de Todos-os-Santos. Try acarajé, crisp black-eyed-pea fritters sold by baianas in traditional dress. Music carries traditions shaped by Candomblé and samba.
Maceió, capital of Alagoas, sits between the Atlantic and Mundaú Lagoon, with turquoise water close at hand. At Pajuçara, traditional jangadas carry visitors to offshore natural pools at low tide. Nearby Ponta Verde pairs a beachfront promenade with cafés and seafood restaurants. Explore the historic center’s colonial-era churches, or visit the Museu Théo Brandão, whose collection celebrates Alagoas’s folk culture. Then return to the shore for grilled fish and sunset over the water.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is more than an island gateway. This Atlantic capital rewards a closer look. Browse the stalls at Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, then follow the old streets towards Plaza de España. Its broad avenues, shaded plazas and market cafés make wandering pleasantly straightforward. Modern landmarks include the sculptural Auditorio de Tenerife, while palm-lined parks offer a welcome pause. Mount Teide rises inland; the golden sands of Las Teresitas lie within reach.
Tangier faces Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Walk its medina’s steep lanes past whitewashed houses and shops selling leather, ceramics, and spices. At the Kasbah, find sea views and the former sultan’s palace, now a museum. Beyond the old walls, cafés and boulevards recall the city’s international past. Visit the American Legation, the first U.S. diplomatic property abroad. Or drive to Cap Spartel, where Atlantic and Mediterranean waters meet.
Barcelona is a Mediterranean port city built on Roman foundations, with Gothic lanes and striking modernist architecture. La Rambla runs from Plaça de Catalunya towards the waterfront and the old town. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell show the city at its most distinctive. Set aside time for a market lunch and a walk through El Born, where medieval streets meet lively cafés. Barcelona’s beaches offer a welcome pause between visits.
La Goulette is Tunisia’s principal cruise gateway, set on the Mediterranean just northeast of Tunis. The capital’s old medina, Carthage’s ruins and Sidi Bou Said’s white-and-blue lanes are all within reach. Choose Roman history, Ottoman-era streets or cafés overlooking the sea. Plan around traffic: these sights lie in different directions, and each merits an unhurried visit.
Palermo rewards curious travellers with a vivid mix of Arab-Norman architecture, lively markets and Sicilian cooking. Start at the cathedral, where Norman, Gothic and Baroque details reflect the city’s layered past. Then walk through the Capo market or visit the Palatine Chapel, famed for its Byzantine mosaics. Leave time for pasta con le sarde or arancini; Palermo’s strongest impressions often arrive at the table.
Published September 12, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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