Amsterdam is a gorgeous Dutch city where a boat cruise along the canals gets to the heart of things. Yet, the magic also unfolds while strolling through narrow streets and crossing the hundreds of bridges. It houses a treasure trove of fabulous art museums, including the Rijksmuseum, adorned with Dutch Masters, conveniently located near the Van Gogh Museum. To the south, picturesque stretches of countryside with windmills line the canals.

Zeebrugge is a picturesque seaside resort and Belgium's primary port. The marina is home to Seafront, a maritime theme park situated in the historic fish auction house. The Baudouin Canal seamlessly links Zeebrugge to the captivating city of Bruges, often referred to as the Venice of the North due to its enchanting canals. Bruges is celebrated for its medieval architecture, lacemaking, exquisite Belgian beer and mouthwatering chocolate.

Romantic Bruges

Included

04 h 00 m

Visit Burg Square, the focal point of ancient Bruges and home to wonderfully ornate buildings with impeccable statues
Catch a glimpse of the incredibly intricate Chapel of the Holy Blood, a sacred site that emanates a sense of mystery and reverence
Make one last stop the the romantic Lake of Love before returning to the coach

Honfleur in Normandy has attracted artists for centuries, including Impressionist Claude Monet. Set on the Seine estuary, in the department of Calvados (known for apple brandy), this picturesque harbour town has cobbled streets and colourful 16th- to 18th-century townhouses around the Vieux Bassin (old harbour). An hour away is Bayeux, home of the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 70m-long embroidery depicting the Norman conquest and Battle of Hastings.

Charming Etretat

Included

04 h 30 m

Take in the natural beauty of the scenery with the dramatic chalk cliffs, sea arches and the beach
Learn the story of how this village became a popular seaside resort at the start of the 20th century and admire manificient villas from the "Belle Epoque"
See the most traditional part and the quaint medieval half-timbered houses on market square

The medieval coastal city of Saint-Malo is a labyrinth of streets. Dating back to the 12th century, Saint-Malo was once a haven for pirates and a stopping point for merchant ships. Today, colourful shops sit alongside aromatic markets, cafes and restaurants serving oysters, crêpes and cider. Intra-Muros, the ancient walled town, forms the heart of Saint-Malo, where the striking Gothic and Romanesque Cathédrale de St Malo dominates the skyline.

Emerald Coast & Oyster Tasting

Included

04 h 00 m

Visit the renowned “bancs d’huîtres” (oyster beds) of Cancale
Experience the cultural delights that give the Emerald Coast its unique identity. Taste the famous Tsarskaya oyster, the most prestigious one
Get your fill of oyster farming knowledge by seeing the washing and conditioning process in the workshop and with a visit to the Shell Museum

Mystical Mont Saint Michel, a UNESCO Site

Optional

07 h 30 m

Visit the Mount that was once described by Victor Hugo as being “…to the ocean what the Pyramid of Cheops is to the desert.”
The monastery founded by the 10th century now welcomes you as modern pilgrims following the old traditions
Enjoy a guided tour of the inside of the abbey to marvel at the achievements of all the passionate builders who contributed to its construction before wandering the medieval streets at your own pace

The picturesque French port city of Concarneau is in the Finistère department of Brittany. On a tiny islet, Its medieval walled city has narrow alleys and ramparts. Nearby, the artist village of Pont Aven, discovered in the 1860s by American painters, became a popular stop for French artist Paul Gauguin who set up the École de Pont-Aven art movement known as synthetism. The local speciality, galettes are melt-in-the-mouth Breton butter biscuits.

Quimper & Pont Aven

Included

04 h 15 m

Stand beneath the sky-scraping twin spires of the Cathedral Saint Corentin, built between the 13th and 15th century
Listen as your guide tells the story behind the enigmatic Santig Du

Bilbao, the de facto capital of the Basque region, is an industrial city renowned for its culture, skyscrapers and the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which sparked the city's revitalisation. The city’s many pintxo bars are a mainstay of the culinary scene, while the lively La Ribera Market dates back to the 14th century. Spain’s famous La Rioja wine region is a full-day trip from the port.

Contrasts of Bilbao, the Guggenheim museum and Old Quarter

Included

04 h 30 m

Have time to marvel at the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Ghery and its extensive collection of contemporary art
Walk the narrow streets of the Old Quarter lined with Renaissance, Baroque and Modernist buildings
Spot the Cathedral of Santiago and The Bridge and Church of San Anton

The Asturian port city Gijon with colourful old houses is surrounded by green hills and is home to the Atlantic Botanical Gardens with over 2,000 plants. The monumental sculpture "Eulogy to the Horizon" by Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida overlooks the sea. In the fisherman’s old quarter, Cimadevilla, the Campo Valdés Roman Baths date from around 100 AD. Local ciders are a speciality, best enjoyed in a traditional sideria.

Upgraded Tour - Gijon Highlights & Aviles

Included

05 h 00 m

Visit the historic quarter of Aviles that has been declared a zone of artistic monumental interest thanks to the many buildings, palaces, arcades and churches
Some of the famous landmarks you will see in Aviles include the pedestrian streets of Galiana and Rivero as well as Plaza de España with its City Hall and the modern Santo Tomás de Canterbury Church
In Gijon, stop at the University of Labor, built between 1946 and 1956 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and discover the old city

Finisterre lies at the westernmost point of Spain, otherwise known as Land’s End. This is literally the end of the road (finis terrae in Roman), and for pilgrims visiting Santiago de Compostela. Its rugged landscape, steeped in myths and legends, provides a sanctuary for reflection and renewal amidst the raw power of nature. A pilgrimage to Finisterre is a journey of self-discovery, where the end of the road becomes a beginning.

Discover Santiago de Compostela

Included

07 h 15 m

Take in the exceptional presence of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Visit the Town Hall and Pazo with grand buildings and towering pillars
Connect with the city’s story as you’re guided through the illustrious Hotel of the Reyes Catholicos

Gateway to the Atlantic, Vigo is a major fishing port with a freezing and canning industry. Casco Vello, the old town with steep narrow streets and picturesque squares, leads to the fish market. Monte O Castro hill offers an old fortress and a 3rd-century BC archaeological site. Outlying Cies Islands, part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, are known for birdlife. Santiago de Compostela, a pilgrimage centre, is a short bus ride away.

The Galician town of Tui and wine tasting

Optional

03 h 30 m

Journey to the south of Pontevedra province to reach the immaculate riverside city of Tui
Get to know the local culture by indulging in delicacies and wines
Learn about the cathedral’s storied past and how it was once converted into a fortress

The oldest resort on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, Figueira da Foz, or Figueira, has a sandy, two-mile-long beach, the longest in Portugal. Once a centre for shipbuilding and deep sea fishing, the town became a popular tourist hotspot in the 1920s. Visitors come for walks along the promenade, stop at the beachfront cafes or wander north for seafood restaurants in Buarcos, a fortified town that’s known for its fisherman’s huts and for surfing.

Montemor-o-velho Castle & Salt Museum in Figueira da Foz

Included

03 h 30 m

Take in the stunning sights of sweeping rice fields from Cabo Mondego Viewpoint
Talk with experts about the Salt Ponds and their nature conservation efforts
Contribute to the preservation of a traditional activity that boosts local development

Spread over seven hills with São Jorge Castle views, bustling Lisbon is one of the world's oldest cities. Elegant Baixa, hilltop Alfama with its yellow tram, and scenic Graça overviewing pastel buildings, are top areas. The Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is a World Heritage Gothic site. The classic Portuguese pastel de nata custard tarts are a local treat. Europe’s longest suspension bridge, the Ponte 25 de Abril, crosses the river Tagus.

Historic Ports of the Western Seaboard

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