Porto (Oporto)
Porto (Oporto) 05/12/2025
Arrive in Porto, where you meet your fellow guests and Expedition Team. This afternoon, board your ship. Later this evening, enjoy a welcome briefing and reception aboard.
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Portugal: Porto Wine Excursion - 4 hours
Highlights
In this tour you’ll discover all about the wines from the city of Porto!
You will start the tour by doing a sightseeing tour from the port (located in Matosinhos) to the city center. After that, you'll visit the first winery with high quality of Douro wines for a Douro red and white wines tasting as an exclusive experience.
Then you'll visit a second Port Wine company (Real Companhia Velha) for another special Port Wine tasting. Real Companhia Velha is simply the oldest Port Wine company in Porto, established by a king in 1756. When this tour is finished you will return to Porto Pier.
What's included?
- Private guided tour (4h)
- Visit and wine tastings
- Transportation
What's not included?
- Meals and drinks not mentioned
- Souvenirs
- Gratuities
-
Highlights of Porto (4 hours)
Highlights:
Take in the attractive surrounding with visit to the opulent Stock Exchange Palace and St Francis Church. Enjoy a port wine tasting at one of the famous riverside lodges in the pretty Riberia district.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Not Included:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
|
05/12/2025 |
05/12/2025 |
Porto (Oporto)
Porto (Oporto) 05/13/2025
Spend the day in the charming-yet-edgy star of the Iberian Peninsula, Porto. Here, explore vibrant Cais da Ribeira, discovering its Stock Exchange Palace and St. Francis Church, followed by a port wine tasting at a famous riverside lodge. Or, see why this region is renowned among foodies the world over as you set out on a culinary tour of Porto’s vibrant central market and beloved backstreet taverns.
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Portugal: Porto Wine Excursion - 4 hours
Highlights
In this tour you’ll discover all about the wines from the city of Porto!
You will start the tour by doing a sightseeing tour from the port (located in Matosinhos) to the city center. After that, you'll visit the first winery with high quality of Douro wines for a Douro red and white wines tasting as an exclusive experience.
Then you'll visit a second Port Wine company (Real Companhia Velha) for another special Port Wine tasting. Real Companhia Velha is simply the oldest Port Wine company in Porto, established by a king in 1756. When this tour is finished you will return to Porto Pier.
What's included?
- Private guided tour (4h)
- Visit and wine tastings
- Transportation
What's not included?
- Meals and drinks not mentioned
- Souvenirs
- Gratuities
-
Highlights of Porto (4 hours)
Highlights:
Take in the attractive surrounding with visit to the opulent Stock Exchange Palace and St Francis Church. Enjoy a port wine tasting at one of the famous riverside lodges in the pretty Riberia district.
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Not Included:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
|
05/13/2025 |
05/13/2025 |
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela 05/14/2025
Today, arrive in Cee and head out to explore the province of A Coruña and the city of Santiago de Compostela, the terminus of the Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrimage routes dating to the ninth century. Choose to explore the city’s cathedral and Old Town, followed by lunch with a Galician folklore dance performance. Alternatively, choose a hike to Cape Finisterre, the last stop on the Camino de Santiago. For another option, explore Santiago’s bustling food market and restaurants, tasting local tapas, empanadas, cheeses and wines. At the end of the day, enjoy a local dinner shoreside before meeting up with your ship in A Coruña.
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Introducing Santiago de Compostela (8 hours)
Highlights:
Explore the arcaded streets and famous cathedral, endpoint for thousands of pilgrims of the centuries. Try the local meat and cheeses and head to Monte de Gozo where pilgrims catch their first glimpse of the cathedral towers.
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Tour can operate: Morning/Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 8 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Not Included:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
|
05/14/2025 |
05/14/2025 |
At Sea
At Sea 05/15/2025
Unwind as you cruise eastward through the Bay of Biscay, enjoying the ship’s amenities along the way. En route, the Expedition Team prepares you for tomorrow’s shore excursion to Bilbao with a series of enriching presentations.
|
05/15/2025 |
05/15/2025 |
Bilbao
Bilbao 05/16/2025
Arrive in Bilbao, a medieval city and proud Basque enclave that has transformed itself into a modern cultural mecca. Here, explore Frank Gehry’s spectacular Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Alternately, transfer to Guernica, a historic Basque city inextricably linked to the Spanish Civil War and immortalized in Picasso’s namesake masterpiece, or take a drive through to the quaint fishing town of Bermeo.
|
05/16/2025 |
05/16/2025 |
Bordeaux
Bordeaux 05/17/2025
Bordeaux offers an exciting mix of castles, vineyards, art and urban street life. Here, explore the Old Town, the 13th-century Cathedral of Saint André and the immersive digital art exhibition of the Bassins de Lumières. Alternatively, delve into Bordeaux’s rich wine heritage with a tour and tasting at a local estate. Or, visit the seaside resort town of Arcachon, where you experience its golden beaches, soak in its romantic Belle Époque atmosphere and savor a sampling of fresh local oysters renowned as some of Europe's finest.
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Bordeaux - Gourmet tour - 8 hours
We invite you to enjoy a gourmet guided tour of Bordeaux which has been listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in June 2007.
“The historic centre of Bordeaux forms an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble, created in the Age of Enlightenment, whose values continued up to the first half of the 20th century, with more protected buildings than any other French city, except Paris. It is also recognized for its historic role as a place of exchange of cultural values over more than 2,000 years, particularly since the 12th century due to commercial links with Britain and the Low Countries.
From its medieval quarters to the Classical splendour of the Golden Age in the 18th Century, you will be able to discover a city emerging from a long face lift of over 5 years of work.
Our visit offers to combine historic discovery with regional and typical "delicacies" punctuated by three stops at specialized producers:
•Tasting of ewe cheese with jam of cherries from Pyrenean mountains
•Tasting of “cannelé” a very local sweet specialty at Baillardran,
•And of course a "wine tasting" in a bistro…
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- All entrance fees & tasting
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates : all day , all year
Not available during French Bank Holiday
-
Bordeaux - Cultural tour - 8 hours
“The historic centre of Bordeaux forms an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble, created in the Age of Enlightenment, whose values continued up to the first half of the 20th century, with more protected buildings than any other French city, except Paris. It is also recognized for its historic role as a place of exchange of cultural values over more than 2,000 years, particularly since the 12th century due to commercial links with Britain and the Low Countries.
From its medieval quarters to the Classical splendour of the Golden Age in the 18th Century, you will be able to discover a city emerging from a long face lift of over 5 years of work.
The futuristic tram network established in 2005 is evidence of the dynamism of today’s Bordeaux and the historic heart which has been given back to pedestrians, allow the visitors to discover the principal monuments illustrating the city’s History: the Palais Gallien amphitheatre (4th century), the Saint Seurin Basilica (11th century foundations), the Saint André Cathedral (13th century), the Porte Cailhau and the "Grosse Cloche" ("big bell", 15th century).
The 18th century gave the city its outstanding "Grand Theatre", a national opera house built in 1781, and the Allées de Tourny, as well as the remarkable waterfront buildings and the Place de la Bourse (formerly the Place Royale), a quarter over 4 kilometres in length which serves as the backdrop for the port’s trading activities.
Tour Duration:8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates : all day , all year
Not available on May 1st, January 01st & December 25
-
Bordeaux -Saint Emilion Wine Tour - 8 hours
In the morning, departure with your English speaking driver guide to Saint Emilion.
Surrounded by its vineyards, the city offers ancient ramparts, monuments and narrow streets. The village and the vineyards have been classed as a World Heritage Site by the Unesco in 1999.
“Grape production was introduced into this fertile region of Aquitaine by the Romans and was intensified during the Middle Age. The area of Saint-Émilion benefited from its position on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostella and several churches, monasteries and hospices were built there from the XIth century onwards. It was granted its own jurisdictional status during the period of English rule in the XIIth century. This is an exceptional landscape entirely given over to grape-production and whose towns and villages are home to outstanding historic monuments.” (Unesco Cit.)
Centuries after the Latin poet Ausonius, the hermit Emilion found here peace and tranquility, which were necessary for his meditation. He discovered a grotto watered by a natural spring in the rocky centre of what is now the town bearing his name, where he lived until his death.
Private guided tour of the principal sights of the medieval town: the Emilion Hermitage, the Tour du Roy built in the 13th century by Richard the Lion heart, the collegiate church and its 14th century cloister and, above all, the exceptional monolithic church and its catacombs dug out of the limestone cliff between the 9th and the 11th centuries. Its 38 metre span makes it the largest such church in Europe.
Lunch will take place at a restaurant located in the city.
In the afternoon, visit with wine tasting at a Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion.
Tour Duration:8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light,
Package Includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- All entrance fees & tasting
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates : all day , all year
May 1st - due to French law, cost double and most of the Wine estate are close
-
Bordeaux - A Wine, a Vintage, a Tasting… - 8 hours
A Wine, a Vintage, a Tasting…
Taste and identify the differences between the great Bordeaux wines, according to the vintage…
Wine experts give a great importance to Vintages. Why is it so important? How to recognize the quality of the vintage? How to guess the vintage? Should we agree or is it a matter of taste? Let us taste 4 vintages from the same wine property and comment. The expert guides you and shares his knowledge while you comment and learn tricks of the trade.
Château Grand Vertical Tasting Workshop
The privilege of tasting 6 great vintages dating back as far as 20 years:
• Château de Ferrand 1988 & 1989
• Château de Ferrand 1998 & 1999
• Château de Ferrand 2008 & 2009
This workshop includes a private tour, an initiation into aromas, a tasting of 6 vintages, and a food/wine pairing with our “Assiette Gourmande”.
Schedule:
09:00am - Departure from the harbor of Bordeaux
10:00am - First winery tour such as Château Faugères
11:30am - Discover the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, classified by Unesco in 1999. A luminous, ochre-colored jewel built of limestone and Roman roof tiles, it is perched on a plateau and completely surrounded by a sea of vineyards.
The steep and narrow cobblestone streets are lined with remnants of monasteries and convents dating from the 11th to 18th centuries that tell the story of the village. A Unesco World Heritage-inspired scavenger hunt will bring you face to face with the art, wine and stunning landscapes of Saint-Emilion.
12:30pm to 02:00pm - Time to stroll and have lunch
02:30 pm - Wine tasting at Chateau La Dominique
05:00pm - End of the tour
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light,
Package price includes
- Transportation: Pick up/drop off at the Port
- Day Tour: English speaking driver guide with sedan deluxe car
- 2 winery visits and vertical workshop
-
Bordeaux - About Grape Varietals… - 8 hours
Several possibilities based on the theme of grape varietals, be it wine tastings or, practical activities. The great Bordeaux wines will no longer hold any secrets for you.
It's possible to have this activity in any Bordeaux wine appellation!
Wine tasting: Merlot or Cabernet?
There are 2 major top grape varieties in Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon produces Ch. Mouton Rothschild and Merlot Pétrus. Each grape variety taste very different. The terroir and the work carried out by Man can exalt each grape and create amazing Bordeaux wines. During the blind tasting find out which grape has been used in the wine before or after its oak ageing. Merlot or Cabernet?
Theory put in practice:
Blending is an art
Several grape varieties tasting different are available to the wine maker. He/she is an artist making rational or subjective choices in order to elaborate a great wine. Be the wine maker and create your own cuvée but explain your logic first. Does it match? Each group forms a team.
Wine taster & Expert
Learn how to taste wines like a professional with fun. You also learn about the tricks of the trade. Words like single variety, futures, blended wines, bottled wine and ageing wine will have no more secrets for you. While tasting several wines, you may recognize which wine and term match together.
09:00 am - Departure from the harbor of Bordeaux
10:00 am - First winery tour
12:30pm to 02:00 pm - Time to stroll and have lunch
02:30 pm - Wine tasting separate grapes varieties and then have a blending session
05:00pm - End of the tour
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light,
Package price includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking driver guide with sedan deluxe car
- 2 winery visits
- Blending sessions
-
Bordeaux - Wine Architecture in Saint-Emilion - 8 hours
Modern Temples of Bacchus
To wine lovers everywhere, the grand vintages of the Bordeaux region of France have long been regarded as the true pinnacle of excellence.
The methods and philosophies used in their production have by and large remained true to the old traditions; modern technology however has undeniably played an ever-more important role in recent years.
To add even more significance to this glorious culture of the grape, if that was possible, the past decade has seen some of Europe’s most highly-acclaimed and imaginative architects taking time off from their ground-breaking and spectacular major urban projects to contribute their innovative designs to the cellars and vat rooms of some of the region’s top châteaux.
Discover Architectures / Understand Classification/Discover techniques of wine making and appreciate wine tastings!
09:00 am - Departure from the harbor of Bordeaux
10:00 am - First winery tour such as Château Faugères
11:30 am - Discover the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, classified by Unesco in 1999. A luminous, ochre-colored jewel built of limestone and Roman roof tiles, it’s perched on a plateau and completely surrounded by a sea of vineyards.
The steep and narrow cobblestone streets are lined with remnants of monasteries and convents dating from the 11th to 18th centuries that tell the story of the village. A Unesco World Heritage-inspired scavenger hunt will bring you face to face with the art, wine and stunning landscapes of Saint-Emilion.
12:30pm to 02:00 pm - Time to stroll and have lunch
02:30 pm - Wine tasting Chateau La Dominique
05:00pm - End of the tour
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: no
Physical Activity Level: Light,
Package price includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking driver guide with sedan deluxe car
- 2 winery visits
- Monument tour in Saint-Emilion
|
05/17/2025 |
05/17/2025 |
At Sea
At Sea 05/18/2025
Relish a day of relaxation aboard, perhaps enjoying some time in the spa or conversing with newfound friends. Your Expedition Team shares insights into your next destinations, Saint-Malo and Mont Saint-Michel.
|
05/18/2025 |
05/18/2025 |
St. Malo
St. Malo 05/19/2025
Arrive in Saint-Malo, a historic fortified port renowned for its walled battlements, idyllic beaches and regional gastronomy. Once ashore, explore the city’s market, 15th-century buildings and Fort National. Alternatively, you might visit Mont Saint-Michel, a stunning village perched atop a tidal island. Here, wander its steep cobblestone streets and climb over 350 steps to reach its famed abbey. Or, visit Dinan, a walled Breton town renowned for its 14th-century castle. For yet another option, travel to the D-Day landing site of Omaha Beach, as well as the Normandy American Cemetery and Visitors Center at Colleville-sur-Mer.
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Saint Malo Shore Excursion - Brittany Coast and Saint Malo - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of Saint Malo
HIGHLIGHTS
- St Malo: Walled and built with the same grey granite stone as Mont St Michel, ST-MALO was originally in the Middle Ages a fortified island at the mouth of the Rance, controlling not only the estuary but the open sea beyond. In later centuries it became notorious as the home of a fierce breed of pirate-mariners, who were never quite under anybody's control but their own; for four years from 1590, St-Malo even declared itself to be an independent republic. The corsaires of St-Malo not only forced English ships passing up the Channel to pay tribute, but also brought wealth from further afield.
- Britanny Coastal Road
- End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates : all day , all year
May 1st - due to French law, cost double
|
05/19/2025 |
05/19/2025 |
Ouistreham
Ouistreham 05/20/2025
Arrive in Ouistreham, a historic and charming seaside town that serves as Caen’s main port. Here, you might opt to stroll the sprawling seafront promenade from Lion-sur-Mer to Hermanville-sur-Mer. Or, visit the World War II memorial at Pegasus Bridge and the No 4 Commando Museum commemorating the 177 French servicemen who landed on Normandy’s Sword Beach. Alternatively, you may opt to explore the local beachfront or market.
|
05/20/2025 |
05/20/2025 |
London (Dover)
London (Dover) 05/21/2025
Disembark in Dover and continue on your post-tour extension to the Cotswolds, or transfer to London airport for your return flight.
|
05/21/2025 |
05/21/2025 |
The Signature Collection – Exclusive Amenities
