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Day by Day Summary and Map
Cruise Segment of Itinerary
Saturday - Sep 28, 2024
Day 1
Hamburg, Germany
Explore Hamburg's delights before setting sail. There's so much to see and do in Hamburg - the so-called 'Venice of the North' due to its picturesque canals. If you have time, you'll find most of the city's attractions in the Altstadt, like St. Nicholas Church and Deichstrasse historic street. 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. Your comfortable expedition ship MS Spitsbergen will be ready and waiting for you in the port. Pre-Program: Add an extra night in Hamburg before your expedition cruise and explore the maritime spirit of this culture-rich Hanseatic city. ... Read More
Sunday - Sep 29, 2024
Day 2
Harlingen, Netherlands
Scenic harbors, canals and warehouses - soak up the nautical heritage of this lively port town. Located on the southern shore of the Wadden Sea - a UNESCO World Heritage Area - Harlingen has a strong nautical heritage. Go Dutch and cycle to some of the city's highlights on a rented bike - there's a beautiful center with canals, pretty harbors, and historic warehouses. In the Old Town, visit the 18th-century City Hall, Hannemahuis Museum, and De Blauwe Hand - the city's oldest warehouse. The delightful Harlingen Earthenware Museum is a must-see if you're interested in the area's famed blue-and-white ceramics. ... Read More
Monday - Sep 30, 2024
Day 3
Ostende, Belgium
Bus Travel
Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium
Bus Travel
Ostende, Belgium
Gaze upon rich medieval architecture as you step back through the ages of Europe. First a fishing village, then a medieval city, and later a royal seaside resort - the strategic port of Oostende is steeped in European history. Yet, despite the ravages of war and time, plenty of fascinating sights survive to keep you busy exploring. Oostende is an excellent from which base to visit Brugge - aka Bruges - a beautifully preserved medieval town. Here, you can lose yourself in the 14th century, and explore winding streets, picturesque canals, and many fine buildings of great artistic extravagance. ... Read More
Tuesday - Oct 1, 2024
Day 4
Ouistreham, France
Bus Travel
Caen, France
Bus Travel
Ouistreham, France
Discover historic beaches, visit pretty Caen, and see moving WWII memorials. Normandy's history, from the Viking invasion to the D-Day landings in 1944, makes it a fascinating region. In Ouistreham, you'll learn more about the Operation Overlord landings at the Musee de Debarquement No 4 Commando. See the German fortifications at Le Grand Bunker - Musee du Mur de l'Atlantique, and visit the war cemetery at Hermanville-sur-Mer. Stroll along the beautiful Riva Bella Beach and stop at the 12th-century St Samson Church and 1905 lighthouse. Afterwards, we'll explore the pretty town of Caen. The 11th-century Romanesque Church of Saint-Etienne, the Memorial de Caen museum, and the Musee des Beaux-Arts are highlights not to be missed. ... Read More
Wednesday - Oct 2, 2024
Day 5
Saint-Malo, France, France
Majestic Saint-Malo, a beautiful 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. Or head out on your own and take a tour of the House of the Privateers to learn about the feared corsairs and the town's pirate heritage. You can also follow the historical trail within the old city walls through a maze of cobbled streets. The Gothic-style Saint Vincent Cathedral and the Chateau de la Duchesse Anne are worth a visit. At low tide, you can walk to the fortified island, Le Grand Be, where the renowned local writer Chateaubriand is buried. ... Read More
Thursday - Oct 3, 2024
Day 6
Douarnenez, France
See what inspired painters around the historic harbors of Finistere. In the picturesque seaside town of Douarnenez, you'll find the colorful 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, nearby Brest is a fascinating maritime city with many medieval fortifications. Here, you'll discover the National Naval Museum - inside the military fortress of Chateau de Brest. Brest is a modern city too, with lively quays and docks that are perfect for a scenic stroll. ... Read More
Friday - Oct 4, 2024
Day 7
Cruising the Bay of Biscay
Relax into a leisurely time at sea with cetacean spotting and onboard activities. Take the opportunity to relax on deck with your binoculars and look out for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. This is one of the few places in the world where beaked whales can be seen - if you're lucky - as they're drawn to the nutrient rich waters of the bay. You can also learn about the marine biology of the seas along our cruise, with hands-on demonstrations and in-depth lectures about the history, geography, and environment of the destinations to come. And don't forget the leisure facilities onboard - why not try out the panoramic sauna? ... Read More
See Galicia's heritage in Ferrol, Lugo, and A Coruna. Our first stop on the rugged Galician coast of Spain is Ferrol. Once a small fishing hamlet, for the past three centuries it's been Spain's main naval base. There are more forts, citadels, and barracks here than any other harbor in the country. Your included walking tour will reveal its many historic highlights. You can also enjoy an optional excursion here to the old town of Lugo, famed for its Roman walls. You'll then sail to neighboring A Coruna and dock for the night. Here, you'll see the Torre de Hercules, the world's oldest functioning lighthouse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ... Read More
Plenty to see, do, and drink. If you didn't manage to see the Tower of Hercules yesterday evening, be sure to do so today. Call in at one of the many bars or restaurants and sample the unique gallego cuisine. Ask for a selection of tapas and sample a glass of famous Galician cider - traditionally poured into the mouth from a height. Galicia is a region of Spain that's culturally distinct - and Galicians are proud of their Celtic roots. A branch of the pilgrimage route to Santiago starts here, called the Camino Ingles - or English Way, and a visit to Santiago de Compostela is available as an optional excursion. ... Read More
The beautiful city of Vigo in the heart of Galicia. Our cruise continues to Vigo, once the gateway to the Americas. Protected by the beautiful Cies Islands, Vigo has one of the best natural harbors in Galicia and became its main trading and fishing port. As you'd expect, that makes it a perfect place to try some of the seafood this area is famous for. On your way to the old town is Rua da Pescaderia. It's the best place in town to sample the delicious Galician cuisine. Visit the bustling Rua do Principe with its eclectic and ornate buildings in Neoclassical and Art Nouveau styles. From Parque Monte del Castro, you'll see ruins of Celtic settlements dating back to 200 BCE. ... Read More
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center of Porto. Arriving in Portugal, we dock at Leixoes. From here, you can see the Lighthouse of Leca, the Chapel of Boa Nova, and the beautiful Praia Azul beach. Included today is a walking tour of nearby Porto - famed for its port wine and UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center. Its undulating streets are made for strolling, with pastel houses, colorful tiled facades, street art, ornate churches, and panoramic views across the Douro. Stroll along the bustling Ribeira Docks promenade, cross the Dom Luis I Bridge, snack on delicious petiscos, and enjoy wine tastings at the port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. ... Read More
End your cruise in one of southern Europe's most enchanting cities. Your expedition draws to a close as we arrive at the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. A tour of Lisbon's classical districts is essential - almost everything of historic interest is here. Start your exploration at the Praca do Comercio in Baixa and walk towards the narrow streets of Bairro Alto. From there, you'll arrive at Alfama and the old Islamic quarter, the remains of the Roman amphitheater and the Moorish fortress. If you've time, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Torre de Belem and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, where you'll also find the delicious pasteis de Belem. Post-Program: If you would like to explore Lisbon and its surroundings before you return home, joining an optional Post-Program is highly recommended. Not only will you see Lisbon's fascinating historic districts, you'll also explore the royal resorts outside the city, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Sintra, Monserrate Palace, and the beaches of Cascais city during a guided excursion. Afterwards, you'll return to Lisbon for an overnight stay. ... Read More
Cruise and Land Value Offers that combine with this sailing.
Pricing Terms and Conditions
Unless otherwise indicated above, all cruise rates are per person, double occupancy, cruise-only without airfare, do not include government taxes and fees and quoted in in U.S. dollars. Ponant Cruises rates are based on foreign currencies that are converted to USD based on today's exchange rates. Rates are subject to availability, can vary by ship and sailing date, and for new bookings only. Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change without notice. Port charges are included. Prices do not include additional service charges; Travel Insurance; and applicable government taxes & fees unless otherwise specified in the offer. Surcharges and fees implemented by a travel supplier, even after the reservation is made, will be the sole responsibility of each traveler and is due and payable in full prior to departure. Certain promotions which may include amenities like shipboard credits, pre-paid gratuities, drink packages or other packages may be available by category, room type or fare code and may not be combinable with other promotions. For any questions, please consult one of our cruise specialists for applicability and verification. All prices, inclusions & promotions listed on the web-site are current at the time they we published and are subject to change without advance notice. Arrivia, Inc., its subsidiaries, and partners are not responsible for last minute changes to price or itinerary by cruise lines, or for any errors or omissions in the content of this website.
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