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Old World Gateways to the Atlantic
V1324051410
Dates
05/14/24 - 05/24/24
Ship
SH Vega
Duration
10 Nights
Guests
2 Guest
Price From
$ 7,528
Per Person
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Trip Details

Experience Europe’s maritime history as we travel to lesser-known ports and cities along the Portuguese, Spanish, and French Atlantic coasts before exploring the rugged beauty of Brittany and finally landing in the historic Naval town of Portsmouth. Take in all the sights, sounds, and flavors during our Western Europe cruise as you savor local specialties from port to cider to Rioja wine and be tempted by Portuguese cakes, Breton butter biscuits, and crepes. This maritime odyssey takes you from Lisbon, one of Europe’s oldest cities, to Portsmouth, one of the world's best-known ports whose history can be traced to Roman times. Along the way, discover old towns and medieval walled cities with steep, narrow streets and ramparts, fisherman’s quarters, long stretches of sand, and exotic gardens. Journey with us on our boutique expedition ship and enjoy everything this little slice of Western Europe offers.

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Trip Highlights
Explore the old streets of Gijon’s fisherman’s quarter, Cimadevilla
Admire the striking ship-shaped Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Wander the steep cobbled streets of the medieval hamlet and holy island of Mont St Michel
Explore one of Brittany’s most beautiful port cities: Concarneau
Vist the town of Santiago de Compostela, an important pilgrimage centre
Itinerary Map
Itinerary
Lisbon Day 1

One of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon’s technicoloured past is evident just about everywhere. The medina-like streets of Alfama still bear Moorish influences. Baroque architecture surrounds you in Baixa and scars of the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 can still be found throughout the city. It’s estimated that over 100,000 people died in what became one of history’s deadliest earthquakes. Today Lisbon is a delightful mix of colourful neighbourhoods, all brimming with history, culture and tradition. Baixa is where you’ll find the hustle and bustle, set below São Jorge Castle. Nearby Chiado is one of Lisbon’s trendiest neighbourhoods with its historic cafes and designer shops.

Leixoes (Oporto) Day 2

Portugal’s second city, Oporto is a city of two halves, known for stately bridges over the river Douro. On the left bank is Gaia, best-known for its port houses such as Graham’s and Taylor’s where you can enjoy a cellar tour or port tasting. Ribeira, on the right bank, has rows of colourful old houses that line the riverfront and narrow streets. Head to the top of the hill to admire blue azulejo tile murals in Igreja de Carmo church or take a ride on a vintage tram to the Foz district.

Shore Excursion
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Oporto and Wine Tasting
  • Duration: 03 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Get a taste of architectural design with a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neo-Classical styles
  • Enjoy panoramic scenes as you make your way towards the colourful Ribeira Quarter passing by the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace)
  • Take free time to stroll by the Gothic São Francisco Church, home to some of the most exuberant gilded wood carvings in Portugal
Antique & Charming City of Braga
  • Duration: 04 h 15 m
  • Optional
  • Enjoy the scenic drive in the Minho province.
  • Visit the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary , developed over a period of more than 600 years. It’s a Baroque vision of granite details, whitewashed walls, and perspective views.
  • Visit the city of Braga with its splendid 18th century houses and beautiful parks, gardens and its Baroque, Roman and Gothic Cathedral.
Vigo Day 3

Gateway to the Atlantic, the Spanish Atlantic city of Vigo is one of Europe’s major fishing ports, known for its freezing and canning industry. Wander around the steep narrow streets and picturesque squares of Casco Vello, the old town towards the fish market. Hike to the top of Monte O Castro hill encompassing an old fortress and the 3rd-century BC archaeological site of Castro. Outlying Cies Islands are part of the Atlantic Islands National Park, renowned for its birdlife. Inland Santiago de Compostela, an important pilgrimage centre, is a short bus ride away.

Shore Excursion
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Tui and wine tasting
  • Duration: 03 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Journey to the south of Pontevedra province to reach the immaculate riverside city of Tui
  • Get to know the local culture by indulging in a variety of delicacies
  • Learn about the cathedral’s storied past and how it was once converted into a fortress
Discover Santiago de Compostela
  • Duration: 08 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Take in the exceptional presence of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
  • View the Town Hall and Pazo with grand buildings and towering pillars
  • Connect with the city’s story as you’re guided through the yards of the illustrious Hotel of the Reyes Catholicos
Ferrol Day 4

Ferrol is a city in the province of A Coruña in Galicia, Spain. It is on the Atlantic coast and has a rich history and culture. You can enjoy exploring the city’s many historic sites and museums, including the Ferrol Naval Museum, the San Felipe Castle, and the Jofre Theater. The city is also known for its beautiful beaches and natural scenery. Some popular attractions include the Playa de Doniños, the Playa de San Xurxo, and the Parque Reina Sofía.

Shore Excursion
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Coruna City Tour
  • Duration: 03 h 45 m
  • Included
  • Experience the beauty of La Coruna on a scenic drive through the city
  • Marvel at the stunning Tower of Hercules, the only working lighthouse of its kind in the world
  • Learn about Maria Pita's bravery in leading the fight against the pirate Francis Drake
Gijon Day 5

The Asturian port city of Gijon with colourful old houses is surrounded by rolling green hills, and is home to the Atlantic Botanical Gardens, packed with over 2,000 plants. Wander around the fisherman’s old quarter of Cimedevilla to see the monumental Eulogy to the Horizon sculpture, crafted from cement blocks by Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida in 1990, and the Campo Valdés Roman Baths dating from around 100 AD. Local ciders are a speciality, best enjoyed in a traditional sideria.

Shore Excursion
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Oviedo, Capital of the Kingdom
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Marvel at the impressive San Salvador Gothic Cathedral
  • Explore the beautiful Old Town
  • Enjoy an informative walking tour
Gijon Highlights
  • Duration: 03 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Enjoy incredible views of the city from La Providencia's viewpoint
  • Visit Spain’s tallest building
  • Explore the old city streets
Natural beauty of the Lakes Of Covadogna
  • Duration: 08 h 20 m
  • Optional
  • Relax during the panoramic drive from the coast line to the mountains
  • Walk to the lakes and admire the natural beauty of the site
  • Enjoy lunch before getting back to the ship
Santander Day 6

Santander is renowned for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore the city’s many museums and galleries, including the Centro Botín, the Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria, and the Museum of Fine Arts. The city also has many beautiful parks and gardens, including the Jardines de Piquío and the Parque de la Magdalena.

Shore Excursion
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Contrasts of Bilbao, the Guggenheim museum and Old Quarter
  • Duration: 04 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Visit the Old town of Bilbao, learn about the history, admire the Baroque buildings before moving on the discover the modern soul of this incredible place
  • Visit the Guggenheim Museum one of the most iconic museum in whole Spain
Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve
  • Duration: 03 h 15 m
  • Optional
  • Discover the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO in 1984 as world heritage. The Urdaibai Estuary is one of the most richly diverse natural landscapes in the Basque Country.
  • Enjoy the beautiful landscapes during the drive
Day at sea Day 7

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Saint-Malo Day 8

The enchanting coastal city of Saint-Malo is a labyrinth of medieval streets filled with history and culture. Dating back to the 12th century, Saint-Malo was once a haven for pirates and a stopping point for merchant ships. Today you’ll find colourful shops and outdoor alongside aromatic markets, cafes and restaurants. Oysters and crêpes are the local delicacies - definitely sample some whilst here. The ancient walled town of Intra-Muros forms the heart of Saint-Malo. Here the striking Gothic and Romanesque Cathédrale de St Malo dominates the skyline.

Shore Excursion
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Emerald Coast & Oyster Tasting
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Visit the renowned “bancs d’huîtres” (oyster beds) of Cancale
  • Experience the cultural delights that give the Emerald Coast its unique identity while hearing about the thousands of oysters that make it from the sea to gourmet tables
  • 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
Saint Malo Walking Tour
  • Duration: 02 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Learn why they call this historic French port “The Privateers’ City”
  • Tour the ramparts while you hear the story of how they protected the town
  • Stand outside the house of Duchess Anne as your guide takes you through the story of her life
Mystical Mont Saint Michel a UNESCO Site
  • Duration: 07 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Visit the Mont 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
Dinan & Dinard
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Explore ramparts, towers, and timbered houses before visiting the Basilica Saint Saveur
  • Encounter diverse Mediterranean vegetation on a drive along the Rance River
  • Walk around with your guide for an illuminating look at the Place des Merciers and the old clock tower
Cherbourg Day 9

Cherbourg is a port town in the Manche department of Normandy, France. You can explore the city’s many museums and galleries, including the Cité de la Mer, the Musée Thomas Henry, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The city has many beautiful parks and gardens, including the Jardin Public de Cherbourg-Octeville and the Parc Emmanuel Liais. Some popular attractions include the Fort du Roule, the Basilique Sainte-Trinité, and the La Glacerie Golf Course.

Shore Excursion
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Val de Saire Panorama
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Enjoy a panoramic tour in the bucolic Saire Valley, stopping in fishing villages with medieval origins
  • Stop at Barfleur where William the Conqueror started his voyage to England in 1066
  • See Saint Vaast La Hougue and its picturesque seaside fortress
D-Day landing beaches in Cotentin Peninsula
  • Duration: 05 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Discover some D-Day landings sites and broden your knowledge about WWII Overlord Operation
  • See the Azeville Battery, a WWII German artillery battery and one of the first constructions that would form later the Atlantic Wall
  • Visit Sainte Mere Eglise, a village that became the scene of the greatest exploits in military history during the Overlord Operation
Medieval Bayeux and the Bayeux Tapestry
  • Duration: 06 h 15 m
  • Optional
  • Visit Bayeux, a lovely Normandy town with a medieval heart and its impressive Norman-Romanesque Cathedral
  • See the town's treasure, the 230-foot Bayeux tapestry, a wool and linen embroidery from 1092 that tells the story of the events surrounding the conquest of England by the Duke of Normandy, soon to become known as William the Conqueror
Honfleur Day 10

Your port of call today is Honfleur, Normandy’s most charming port town. If it looks familiar, that’s because Honfleur was a favourite subject of Monet and many other artists too, including Boudin, Corot, Courbet, Dubourg, Sisley, Bazille and Daubigny. Thanks to landscapes by these masters, the town’s timber-framed houses and the appealing Vieux Bassin (Old Harbour) are part of our collective consciousness. Before the city became a refuge for 19th-century artists escaping Paris, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Honfleur was one of France’s most important ports. It was from here that, in 1608, Samuel de Champlain set sail to found Québec. Some of the city’s unmissable attractions include Les Maisons Satie Musée d’Ethnographie et d’Art Populaire Normand, Musée de la Marine and Musée Eugène Boudin. The Eglise Ste-Catherine is an extraordinary wooden church. Constructed in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, it contains maritime motifs.

Shore Excursion
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Walking Honfleur
  • Duration: 03 h 15 m
  • Optional
  • Follow your guide along the cobblestone streets lined with timber-framed houses as you learn the significance of this fascinating fishing village
  • Stop by the vast salt warehouses for a glimpse into one of the most historically important sites in the city
  • Enjoy time to walk the city centre at your leisure
Charming Etretat
  • Duration: 04 h 30 m
  • Included
  • See some of the most historically significant structures in the area like the old Market Hall on the Place Foch
  • Take in the natural beauty of the scenery with towering cliffs and a pebble beach
  • Learn the story of how this village became a popular seaside resort at the start of the 20th century
The Landing Beaches of Normandy
  • Duration: 08 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Discover the landing sites of Normandy
  • Pay a tribute to the fallen soldiers at the American cemetery and at Omaha Beach
  • Lunch in Castle La Chenevière
Portsmouth, England Day 11

Your cruise end in the UK’s only island city and the world’s oldest dry dock. With easy access by rail and road from airports in London and Southampton, Portsmouth has a long and proud naval heritage. Boarding your boutique ship, you’ll be following in the footsteps of the likes of Admiral Nelson and Henry VIII as you settle in for your voyage. If time permits, the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is definitely worth a visit. The attraction is home to a wonderful collection of famous historical ships including Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory, Queen Victoria’s HMS Warrior and the only surviving ship from the First World War’s Gallipoli campaign, the HMS M.33. A very fitting way to begin your sea faring adventure.

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Rates Include
Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (ONLY available for Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia, Arctic cruises starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
All meals onboard
Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
24-hour room service
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
Standard WiFi
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
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Itinerary Map

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK
Stateroom
Number of Guests
Oceanview D4
19 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 4 at the centre of the ship. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Oceanview M4
19 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 4 at the bow. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the bow and aft, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony M5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the centre of the ship, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D6
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 6, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 panoramic balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Suite
44 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 5 and 6 at the centre of the ship, our spacious Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are a favorite with discerning guests, and those that prefer a little more space and comfort.
Price From
$ 0
Premium Suite
49 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 6 at the aft, our Premium Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are the most luxurious accommodation on board. A favorite for those who want nothing but the best.
Price From
$ 0

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK