Legendary Lisbon

One of southern Europe's most enchanting cities

The Portuguese capital is rich in history and culture. Take a stroll through the classical districts of Baixa and Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Alfama, the old Islamic quarter, where there are remains of a Roman theater and a Moorish fortress.

A bit outside the city center, you can visit the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery before you set sail. Then board MS Fridtjof Nansen and begin your adventure at sea.

Pre-Program

To give yourself time to explore the city, extend your stay an extra night or join our optional Lisbon Pre-Program for 6a sightseeing tour of the city and surrounding areas.

Charming Porto 

Explore the UNESCO-listed historic center of Porto.

Our first stop is Leixões, Portugal. From here, you can see the Leça Lighthouse, Boa Nova Chapel, and the beautiful beach of Praia Azul.

You can take a shuttle bus to Porto, famed for its port wine and UNESCO-listed historic center. This city of undulating terrain is perfect for walking. Fall in love with the pastel houses, colorful tiled façades, street art, ornate churches, and panoramic views across the Douro River.

Stroll along the bustling Ribeira Docks promenade, cross the Dom Luís I bridge, snack on delicious petiscos, and enjoy wine tastings at the port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Galician highlights

See Galician heritage in Ferrol

Ferrol is one of the best-preserved 18th-century port cities. Criss-cross Barrio de la Magdalena’s grid of streets and explore maritime museums. You could also venture northwest to Costa Artabra, with its spectacular coastal landscapes.

Sample local dishes like pulpo áfeira, octopus with potatoes and paprika, in eateries along the beaches of Playa de Doniños and Playa de San Xurxo.

El Camino Inglés, one of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes, starts in Ferrol. You can also visit Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one the most important Christian sites in the world.

Gijón’s golden sands

Savor a different cultural flavor in Asturias

Gijón has a prime position on the Bay of Biscay. It is the cultural heart of Asturias and has grown from a small fishing village settled by the Romans into a prominent port city.

Experience its old-town charm on a stroll through the Cimadevilla and Barrio del Carmen districts, exploring beautiful Baroque churches and the Plaza del Marqués. Or hike the hilly Cimadevilla peninsula, Gijón’s historic center.

Then you can relax on the golden sands of the beach at Playa de San Lorenzo, enjoy a coastal walk, or savor fresh fish and other Asturian delicacies, accompanied by a glass of refreshing local cider.

Explore San Sebastián

Discover the jewel of the Basque Country

Your expedition cruise continues to the Basque Country. Enjoy the energy of San Sebastián, which offers something for everyone, including food lovers, culture buffs, and surfers.

Visit the historic district of Parte Vieja, featuring a Gothic church, Baroque façades, and beautiful squares. You can relax on the beach of La Concha or take a cable car to Monte Igueldo. Your reward for the steep ascent up Monte Urgull are fantastic views of the bay from its fortifications.

Make sure you find time to sample some traditional Basque cuisine. The delicious pintxos are perfect small bites to snack on as you tour the city.

Bordeaux, the ‘City of Wine’

Raise a glass in Bordeaux

Bordeaux's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bursting with culture and craft at every turn. If you love art and architecture, you’re spoiled for choice, from the famous water mirror at Place de la Bourse to the Gothic St. André Cathedral and the Musée des Beaux-Arts Bordeaux.

Bordeaux’s soul, though, is its wine. With over 8,500 châteaux and producers in the region, including vineyards just a short tram ride from town, you can taste and compare some of the 60 appellations, from the stellar red Bordeaux Supérieur to sweet Sauternes.

Laid-back in Île-d’Yeu

Explore the many charms of Île-d’Yeu

What Île-d’Yeu lacks in size, it more than makes up for in its range of landscapes. This pretty little island is home to rocky shores, dunes, pine forest, and lush meadows.

Inhabited for more than 5,000 years, first by farmers from the Neolithic period, this island has many historical sites, ranging from superbly preserved dolmens and menhirs to medieval castles, lighthouses, beacons, small natural ports, and tiny villages. Rent a bike or discover the island’s treasures on foot.

Ports in Île-d’Yeu are too small for our ship, so if the weather is favorable, we’ll anchor off the island and use our small boats (RIBs) to take you ashore.

Wild beauty in Brittany

Experience Brittany's wild Morbihan coastline

Immerse yourself in Breton culture as we spend the day exploring the region of Morbihan. It is home to Brittany’s finest natural scenery and sights, like the jagged cliffs of Côte Sauvage, the medieval city of Vannes, and the Carnac Stones, which rival Stonehenge.

We may anchor on Quiberon Bay, from where you can visit historic sites. If we anchor at Belle Île, you can explore the formidable 17th-century fortress of Citadelle Vauban in the charming port of Le Palais. Stretch your legs with a walk along the coast or relax on the beach at Donnant. You can even visit Les Aiguilles de Port Coton, famously painted by Claude Monet.

Fascinating Finistère

Inspiring coastal scenery and maritime history

We’ll use our small boats (RIBs) to go ashore at the picturesque seaside town of Douarnenez, where well find colorful quays, 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, we’ll head to nearby Brest, a fascinating and historic city with medieval fortifications. Here, you can visit the National Maritime Museum inside the military fortress of Château de Brest. It’s also a modern city, with lively quays and docks that are perfect for a scenic stroll.

The citadel of Saint-Malo

A beautiful Breton 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. Follow the historical trail within the old city walls through a maze of cobbled streets and visit Demeure De Corsaire to learn about the feared corsairs and the town’s pirate heritage. You can even visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel or walk to Île de Grand Bé at low tide. The island holds the remains of an ancient fort and where the renowned local writer Chateaubriand is buried.

Cruising the Channel

Reflect and relax on a calming day at sea

Enjoy the day relaxing while we navigate the channel separating continental Europe from the British Isles.

While the British call it the ‘English Channel’, it’s more commonly known on the continent as ‘La Manche’, or derivations of that. The Dutch may have the most diplomatic name for it, as they simply call it ‘Het Kanaal’ (‘the Channel’).

Whatever the name, a quarter of the world’s maritime trade navigates through this passage. Our expert Expedition Team will be happy to share their knowledge about these historic waters with you.

Harlingen’s rich heritage

Experience the Frisian port city of Harlingen.

Walk or bike around Harlingen, a city of canals and pretty harbors, and home to the last traditional pottery factory in the Netherlands. Harlingen lies on the shores of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You’ll find traditional sailing ships and historic warehouses around the old harbors of Noorderhaven and Zuiderhaven. Don’t miss the Harlingen Aardewerkmuseum, where you can admire displays of distinctive Frisian pottery.

Germany’s Hanseatic treasure

Your cruise ends in Germany’s second-largest city.

Your expedition cruise comes to an end in Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany, which has one of the greenest urban areas in Europe.

There’s a lot to see and do in Hamburg, whose picturesque canals have earned it the nickname ‘Venice of the North’. If you have time, visit the attractions in the Altstadt district, like St. Nikolai Memorial and the historic street of Deichstraße.

Hamburg is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Chilehaus, and the world’s largest historic warehouse district in Speicherstadt. Art lovers should head to Kunsthalle, the nation’s foremost art museum.