Tastes & Treasures of France, Spain & Portugal

• Day 1 Tilbury (UK)

  Just 22 nautical miles down river from the Tower Bridge in London, Tilbury is a popular turnaround port for cruises visiting Baltic and Northern European destinations.

• Day 2 At Sea
• Day 3 Saint Mary's (Isles of Scilly)

  St Mary’s is the Isle of Scilly’s largest island with a population of 1800 residents and an area of 6.58 square Kilometres; this is the gateway to the rest of the magnificent islands. Hugh town -a beautiful Old town with its own beach, nature reserve and church is the main attractions of St Mary’s, with tiny streets brimming with shops to pick up the perfect souvenir. St Mary’s is a hidden gem, with long stretches of white sandy beaches and a breath-taking untouched landscape. The coastline holds many archaeological sites along with miles of splendid walks along the coastal and country paths.

• Day 4 Brest (France)

  Located on the briny coast of Brittany, the French port of Brest offers a seafaring spirit and countless maritime attractions. Stroll along quaysides, discover historic fortifications, and enjoy some unique Breton cuisine.

• Day 5 At Sea
• Day 6 Le Verdon-sur-Mer

  Le Verdon, France is a coastal town on the doorstep of Bordeaux's famous wine country. Explore historic harbours like Port-Medoc, visit coastal viewpoints such as Pointe de Grave, and take time to enjoy local flavours along the Gironde Estuary.

• Day 7 Getxo (Spain)

  Stretching along Spain's Basque coast is historic Getxo. Blending cultural richness with seaside charm, Getxo offers gorgeous promenade walks and the chance to indulge in traditional Basque cuisine in the town's famous Old Port.

• Day 8 Santander

  Though much of ancient Santander, Spain was lost to fire in the 1940s, the city is popular with tourists due to its bustling beaches, historic landmarks like the Cathedral of Santander, and rich local seafood from oceanside restaurants and market stalls.

• Day 9 Gijón

  The Campo Valdés baths, dating back to the 1st century AD, and other reminders of Gijón's time as an ancient Roman port remain visible downtown. Gijón was almost destroyed in a 14th-century struggle over the Castilian throne, but by the 19th century it was a thriving port and industrial city. The modern-day city is part fishing port, part summer resort, and part university town, packed with cafés, restaurants, and sidrerías.

• Day 10 Ferrol

  El Ferrol has been inextricably linked to the sea for more than two millennia, being a major shipbuilding centre for most of its history. From its beginnings as a tiny fishing port in the 1st century BC, it endured conquests by Vandals, Suebis, Arabs and Christians. With the arrival of the Bourbons in the 18th century, Ferrol became a leading maritime centre, largely due to its large natural harbour on the Ferrol Inlet, an arm of the Atlantic. Now a large commercial port, Ferrol is also the gateway to the northern Spanish province of Galicia, a region noted for its green mountains, deep gorges and fast-flowing rivers. It is also well placed for visiting the medieval holy city of Santiago de Compostela. Interestingly, Ferrol's city centre is modelled on Lisbon in Portugal, a country with which it has strong historical and linguistic ties. The layout comprises of a rectangle lined with six parallel streets, with two squares on each side. These squares have the city's best shops, restaurants and bars.

• Day 11 At Sea
• Day 12 Lisbon (Portugal)

  Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.

• Day 13 Leixões

  Near the city of Porto, Leixoes is one of Portugal's major seaports and is widely associated with the exporting of port wine. Day trips to Porto are a popular activity, but there are also quayside beaches and cafes to enjoy on either side of the Douro River.

• Day 14 - 15 At Sea
• Day 16 Tilbury (UK)

  London Tilbury, a key entry point to the UK capital, is nestled along the River Thames in Essex. Discover waterfront attractions like Tilbury Fort, which offers a window into the rich maritime history of this quintessential port town on the Thames Estuary.

Tastes & Treasures of France, Spain & Portugal Itinerary