14-Day ~ Iberian Adventure Knitting Cruise (Sept 2024)

14-day Iberian Adventure Knitting Cruise with Janette Budge.
September 7-21, 2024

This Iberian Adventure itinerary sails from Amsterdam to Rome on a unique repositioning cruise, visiting many fabulous European cities and sun-drenched shores.

The ports on this itinerary are varied and rich, steeped in history and tradition while appealing to modern sensibilities. This itinerary strongly emphasizes the more off-the-beaten-path ports on the coasts of Spain and Portugal, where the incredible variety of landscapes will delight you. Shop for yarn at charming shops and enjoy stunning scenery. Learn about wine-making and admire architectural treasures, including baroque, medieval, and Roman styles, while savoring local seafood and specialty dishes.

While onboard, enjoy knitting classes with Shetland knitting expert Janette Budge. Janette will teach some of her most popular courses, including How to Use a Knitting Belt, Fair Isle Techniques, How to Adjust Hats to Fit, Fair Isle Yoke Bag, and Steeking. There is something for everyone on this 14-day itinerary. Don't miss it.

14-day Iberian Adventure Knitting Cruise Highlights

• Arrive early to explore the canals of Amsterdam, visit such famous museums as the Anne Frank House, see work by Dutch Masters such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt, and shop for yarn at de Afstap, Amsterdam's oldest yarn shop and Stephen & Penelope, home of Westknits.


• Visit the Portland Lighthouse, which has been guiding ships for centuries, and enjoy stunning views of the English Channel. The area is known for its rugged coastal paths and unique geological formations, including limestone cliffs and quarries.


• Explore Bilbao, a vibrant and culturally rich city in the Basque Country of northern Spain that is a hub of contemporary art, architecture, and gastronomy.


• Enjoy picturesque La Coruña, a vibrant and welcoming city in Northern Spain known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, charming streets, and delicious seafood.


• Admire the quintessential blue and white tiles called azulejos and stunning baroque architecture in Porto, Portugal, a city that retains its old-world charms. Enjoy a glass of local port in a street-side cafe.


• Shop for Portuguese yarn at Ovelha Negra in downtown Porto and see a trunk show by André de Castro.


• Visit Loja da Burel to learn about wool production in Portugal.


• Shop for the highest quality woven wool garments and yarn in Portugal, a country with a long history of sheep herding in its mountainous regions.


• In Lisbon, shop at Retrosaria Rosa Pomar, the best yarn shop in Lisbon, known for advocating and supporting locally sourced wool yarns.


• Have lunch at the Time Out Market in Lisbon, ranked as one of the world's greatest food halls; this market is considered a mandatory stop for all foodies visiting this fascinating city.


• In Cadiz (Seville), visit the Royal Palace Alcazar of Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful in Spain.


• Take a cable car to the top of the "Rock" of Gibraltar, a "bit of Britain in the Mediterranean," and revel in panoramic views and a chance to spot "Barbary apes," a unique species of Macaques monkeys native to Gibraltar.


• In Barcelona, enjoy Las Ramblas, a boulevard full of street performers, cafes, and outdoor shopping, which includes anything from live animals to art. To stroll Las Ramblas is an experience in itself.


• Explore the primary market in Barcelona, La Boqueria, where you will find all kinds of culinary marvels, hand-made sweets, and other goodies to entice your senses.


• Shop for yarn at Barcelona's most popular yarn shop and visit the charming Gothic Quarter with even more great little shops full of treasures.


• Absorb the sights and tastes of Rome and toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, which legends say means you'll return to the Eternal City.