Day 1 - Saturday - May 11, 2024
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city's Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the Neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call, and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square's perimeter.
Day 2 - Sunday - May 12, 2024
Barcelona is steeped in history, with stunning architecture and a rich culture. Mediterranean breezes grace the shore and Catalonia's capital is a feast for the senses. Long strolls on wide boulevards-such as Las Ramblas, the mile-long leafy pedestrian way, and the Passeig de Gracia, lined with some of Europe's most elegant buildings-set the tone for a city that moves to its own tempo. Native son and famed architect Antoni Gaudi adorned his city with whimsy, whether along fantastical city blocks or with his colossal masterpiece, the towering La Sagrada Familia cathedral.
Day 3 - Monday - May 13, 2024
The charms of Murcia lie in its embrace of its rural pleasures. Surrounded by farmland and fertile huertas, Murcianos are never at a loss for produce freshly plucked from "Europe's orchard". They, in turn, live by the patient cycle of the harvest, going about their days at a leisurely pace. The Moors founded the city in 825 and introduced a vast irrigation network for crops and for city use. They were expelled by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1243. Murcia province remained a vassal kingdom until 1812 and became an autonomous region of Spain in 1982.
Day 4 - Tuesday - May 14, 2024
Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs. The grand Granada Cathedral is a soaring celebration of that victory; its Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the celebrated pair who oversaw the triumph. Their magnificent fortress-palace, the Alhambra, was long the stronghold of Moors, and so offers a magnificent blend of Islamic and Christian detail.
Day 5 - Wednesday - May 15, 2024
| Cruising the Atlantic Ocean |
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Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas, and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. Renew your body, mind, and spirit in the Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto, or take a dip in the heated pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.
Day 6 - Thursday - May 16, 2024
Porto holds a place of great traditional importance. The town lends its name to the Port wine produced in the region and throughout the nation. Located along a rocky embankment, the city boasts picturesque neighborhoods, fashionable restaurants, and lively markets. Like Lisbon, Porto has a rich past; its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow cobblestone streets brimming with romantic buildings spanning the centuries and a Romanesque cathedral. At the riverside, small barcos rabelos, boats once used to transport casks of wine, paint a charming scene.
Day 7 - Friday - May 17, 2024
| Cruising the Atlantic Ocean |
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Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed "there be dragons" beyond the ocean's horizon. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine onboard. Choose from variety of international flavors at the World Cafe, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.
Day 8 - Saturday - May 18, 2024
Gateway to the picturesque county of Cornwall, Falmouth is home to one of the world's most celebrated harbors. The deepest in Western Europe, it aided in the launch of D-Day fleets and has been the starting point for voyages around the world. A popular tourist resort among Britons for its seaside charm, it has been a scenic backdrop of countless films and television series. Distinctive gray granite architecture climbs its hillsides from the harbor, culminating at the hilltop college. Nearby, the picturesque landscapes of Cornwall unfold in rugged coastal splendor.
Day 9 - Sunday - May 19, 2024
| Portsmouth, United Kingdom |
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Portsmouth has been a naval port for centuries and is home to such historic vessels as Henry VIII's Mary Rose and Lord Nelson's HMS Victory. The only island-city in the United Kingdom, Portsmouth has been settled since before the days of the Roman Empire. It grew into a medieval port town; more recently, this was an embarkation port for the D-Day landings and served as headquarters for Dwight D. Eisenhower. The stunning citadel walls of Napoleonic forts greet ships as they approach through the Solent Strait.
Day 10 - Monday - May 20, 2024
Le Havre is France's second-largest port. Its central city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its Museum of Modern Art holds one of France's largest impressionist collections. The waters of the Seine River have flowed from Paris, one of the world's most celebrated cities, whose cultural and historic significance is impossible to overstate. Priceless artwork adorns palatial museums here, from the Louvre to the Musee d'Orsay. The iconic Eiffel Tower watches over Parisians and visitors as they take romantic strolls along the Seine and linger in bistros over cafe au lait.
Day 11 - Tuesday - May 21, 2024
| Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium |
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Zeebrugge is a gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Bruges, beloved by historians for its splendid old architecture and tranquil canals. One of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in Europe, its lovely houses were built by wealthy merchants, and are a testament to its former prominence as an English wool and Flemish textile trade center. The cobblestone streets and tranquil canals are a pleasure to explore, along with the 14th-century Stadhuis (Town Hall), the Belfry of Bruges, and the city's quaint boutiques, offering handmade lace.
Day 12 - Wednesday - May 22, 2024
A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums, and abundant bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the lush paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, the country's grand repository of art and cultural history. Discovering Amsterdam is a pleasure best pursued on foot; visitors line the tranquil canals and linger over Dutch pancakes, or take a stroopwafel to go.
Day 13 - Thursday - May 23, 2024
Cross the North Sea, where Vikings sailed as they established colonies on Scottish islands, coastal France, and beyond. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.
Day 14 - Friday - May 24, 2024
Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League's only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vagen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafes where freshly prepared smorbrod, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.
Day 15 - Saturday - May 25, 2024
Bergen, an ancient city with deep Viking roots, is nestled between gargantuan snowcapped mountains, magnificent fjords, and one of Europe's largest glaciers. Founded in 1070 on what was a Viking settlement, Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway. Not to be missed is a stroll through the Fisketorget, where the fresh catch of the sea awaits-from cod and prawns to local caviar and icy oysters. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.
