Legendary Lisbon

One of southern Europe's most enchanting cities

The Portuguese capital is rich in history and culture. Take a stroll through the classical districts of Baixa and Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Alfama, the old Islamic quarter, where there are remains of a Roman theatre and Moorish fortress. 

A bit outside the city centre, you can visit the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery before you set sail. Afterwards, you’ll board MS Fridtjof Nansen and begin your adventure at sea.  

Pre-Programme  

To give yourself time to explore the city, why not extend your stay an extra night or join our optional Lisbon Pre-Programme for a sightseeing tour of the city and surrounding areas.

Charming Porto 

Explore the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Porto 

Our first stop is Leixões, Portugal. From here, you can see the lighthouse of Leça, the Boa Nova Chapel, and the beautiful beach of Praia Azul.    

You can take a shuttle bus to Porto – famed for its port wine and UNESCO-listed historic centre. An undulating city made for walking, you'll fall in love with the pastel houses, colourful tiled façades, street art, ornate churches and panoramic views across the Douro River.   

Here, you can stroll along the bustling promenade by the Ribeira docks, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge, snack on delicious petiscos, and enjoy wine tastings at the port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Galician highlights

See Galicia's heritage in Ferrol

Ferrol is one of the best-preserved 18th century port cities. Criss-cross Barrio de la Magdalena's grid of streets and explore maritime museums. Or why not venture northwest to Costa Artabra, with its spectacular coastal landscapes.  

Sample local dishes like pulpo á feira, octopus with potatoes and paprika, in eateries along the beaches of Playa de Doniños and Playa de San Xurxo. 

El Camino Inglés, one of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, starts in Ferrol.  You can also go visit Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one the most important Christian sites in the world.

Gijón’s golden sands

Savour a different cultural flavour in Asturias

Enjoying a prime position on the Bay of Biscay, Gijón, the cultural heart of Asturias, has grown from a small fishing village settled by the Romans into a prominent port city. 

You can experience its old town charm on a stroll through the Cimadevilla and Barrio del Carmen districts, exploring beautiful Baroque churches and the Plaza del Marqués. Or consider hiking the hilly peninsula of Cimadevilla, Gijón’s historic centre.  

Then you can relax on the golden sands of the beach at Playa de San Lorenzo, enjoy a coastal walk, or savour freshly caught fish and other Asturian delicacies, accompanied by a glass of refreshing local cider.

Explore San Sebastián

Discover the jewel of the Basque Country

Your expedition cruise continues to the Basque region. You'll love the energy of San Sebastián – which offers something for everyone – including food lovers, culture buffs and surfers. 

Visit the historic district of Parte Vieja, featuring a Gothic church, Baroque façades and beautiful squares. You can relax on the beach of La Concha or take a cable car to Monte Igueldo. The steep ascent up Monte Urgull will reward you with fantastic bay views from its fortifications.  

Make sure you find time to sample some traditional Basque cuisine. The delicious pintxos are perfect small bites to snack on as you tour the city.

Bordeaux, ‘City of Wine’

Raise a glass in Bordeaux

Bordeaux's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bursting with culture and craft at every turn. From the famous water mirror at Place de la Bourse, to the Gothic St André Cathedral and the Musée des Beaux-Arts Bordeaux, if you love art and architecture, you're spoilt for choice. 

But it's wine that's the true soul of Bordeaux. With over 8,500 châteaux and producers in the region, and vineyards just a short tram ride from town, you can taste and compare some of the 60 appellations, from the stellar red Bordeaux Supérieur to sweet Sauternes.

Laid-back in Île-d’Yeu

Explore the many charms of Île-d’Yeu

What Île-d’Yeu lacks in size, it more than makes up for in diversity of landscapes. This pretty little island is home to rocky shores, dunes, pine forest and lush meadows.  

Inhabited over 5,000 years ago by farmers of the Neolithic period, the island has many historical sites, ranging from superbly preserved dolmens and menhirs to medieval castles, lighthouses, beacons, small natural ports and tiny villages. Rent a bike or discover the island’s treasures on foot. 

Ports in Île-d’Yeu are too small for our ship, so if the weather is favourable, we’ll anchor off the island and use our small expedition boats to take you ashore.

Wild Beauty in Brittany

Experience Brittany's wild Morbihan coastline

Immerse yourself in Breton culture as we spend the day exploring the region of Morbihan. It's home to Brittany's finest natural scenery and sights, like the craggy cliffs of Côte Sauvage, the medieval city of Vannes, and the Carnac Stones that rival Stonehenge. 

We may anchor on Quiberon Bay, from where you can visit historic sites. If we anchor at Belle Île, you can explore the formidable 17th century fortress – Citadelle Vauban – in the charming port of Le Palais. Stretch your legs on a coastal walk or relax on the beach at Donnant. You can even visit Les Aiguilles de Port Coton, famously painted by Claude Monet.

Fascinating Finistère

Inspiring coastal scenery and maritime history

We’ll use our small expedition boats to go ashore at the picturesque seaside town of Douarnenez, where you'll find the colourful quaysides, sandy beaches, and steep cliffs that inspired famous painters like Renoir and Boudin. As well as fishermen’s huts and seamen’s chapels, Douarnenez hosts a wonderful maritime museum with boats from around the world.  

If conditions don’t allow a visit to Douarnenez, we’ll head to nearby Brest, a fascinating and historic city with many medieval fortifications. Here, you can visit the National Maritime Museum inside the military fortress of Château de Brest. It is is a modern city too, with lively quays and docks that are perfect for a scenic stroll.

The citadel of Saint-Malo

A beautiful Breton town steeped in history

Viewed from the sea, Saint-Malo is an impressive sight, fringed by fortified bastions and gently sloping beaches.   

A circular walk along the ramparts offers the best views of the town and surrounding islands. Follow the historical trail within the old city walls through a maze of cobbled streets and visit Demeure De Corsaire to learn about the feared corsairs and the town’s pirate heritage.   You can even visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel or walk to Île de Grand Bé at low tide. The island has remains of an ancient fort and where the renowned local writer Chateaubriand is buried.

Cruising the Channel

Reflect and relax on a calming day at sea

Enjoy the day relaxing, while we navigate the waters of the channel that separates continental Europe from the British Isles.  

While the British call it the ‘English Channel’, it’s more commonly known in continental Europe as ‘La Manche’, the sleeve, or derivations of that. The Dutch may have the most diplomatic name for it, they simply call it ‘Het Kanaal’, or ‘the Channel’.  

Whatever the name, a quarter of the world's maritime trade navigates through this passage. Our expert Expedition Team will be happy to share their knowledge about these historic waters with you.

Harlingen's rich heritage

Experience the Frisian port city of Harlingen

You can walk or bike around Harlingen, a city of canals and pretty harbours, and home to the last traditional pottery factory in the Netherlands. Harlingen lies on the shores of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

You'll find traditional sailing ships and historic warehouses around the old harbours of Noorderhaven and Zuiderhaven. Don’t miss the Harlingen Aardewerkmuseum to admire displays of distinctive Frisian pottery.

Germany’s Hanseatic treasure

End your cruise in Germany’s second-largest city

Your expedition cruise comes to an end as we arrive in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany, which has one of the greenest urban areas in Europe 

There’s much to see and do in Hamburg – sometimes called the 'Venice of the North' due to its picturesque canals. If you have time, you should visit some of the attractions in the old town, like St Nikolai Memorial and the historic street of Deichstraße.   

Hamburg is also home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Chilehaus, and the world's largest historic warehouse complex in Speicherstadt. Art lovers should head to Kunsthalle, the nation’s foremost art museum.