15/11/2021 Southampton

Southampton

Embark Spirit of Adventure.

Depart 1800.

16/11/2021 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

17/11/2021 IJmuiden, Netherlands

IJmuiden (for Amsterdam), Netherlands

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The harbour town of IJmuiden was reshaped by the German Navy during World War II and then redesigned by architect Willem Marinus Dudock from 1945. The town’s most impressive building, the Stadhuis van Velsen, also designed by Dudock houses local government offices. From here you may like to treat yourself to a day in cosmopolitan Amsterdam, where you can visit the house of Rembrandt, or Anne Frank, take in a museum or two, or browse the fleamarket.

Optional excursions

Head to the capital of Amsterdam to explore the cobbled streets and peaceful canals and pay a visit to the famous Rijksmuseum, or the Van Gogh Museum where the artist’s history is traced through his work. Alternatively, seek out the restored windmills at Zaanse Schans and the cobbled streets of Edam, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of the cheese that made the city famous.

18/11/2021 Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Belgium

Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Belgium

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Zeebrugge is a gateway to the Flanders region and from here, an included sightseeing excursion will take you to UNESCO-listed Bruges. Founded by the Vikings, the city flourished during the Dutch ‘Golden Age’ as it evolved into a nexus of continental trade. The historic centre is threaded with canals and cobbled streets overlooked by medieval, Renaissance and Gothic buildings like the town square’s 13th-century Belfry. Chocolatiers, lacemakers trading precious Flemish cloth, and cafes serving Belgium beer and waffles tempt passers-by. There are also fine museums, such as the Groeninge and Memling, that feature defining examples of Dutch primitive art.

Included sightseeing excursion

From Zeebrugge, join an included sightseeing excursion to Bruges.

Optional excursions

Enjoy a visit to the second-largest city in Flanders, Ghent which is blessed with an array of splendid architecture, including the 10th-century Gravensteen moated castle and Gothic St Bavo’s Cathedral.

19/11/2021 Cherbourg, France

Cherbourg, France

Arrive 0900. Depart 2000.

Backed by the green slopes of the Cotentin Peninsula, Cherbourg’s strategic location led to its development as a naval base during the Napoleonic era, resulting in the second-largest artificial harbour in the world. At the end of World War Two, the port was heavily bombarded by retreating German forces. The brave efforts of the soldiers who successfully retook Cherbourg on June 6, 1944 – are honoured in the Liberation Museum, which is housed in a 19th-century fortress. Cherbourg’s maritime history is retold in greater detail at the Cite de la Mar museum which encompasses a submarine and aquarium. Other attractions include Ravelet Castle, the 14th to 15th-century basilica and lush gardens where exotic plants thrive.

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing excursion will help you get your bearings.

Optional excursions

The serenity of the sweeping Normandy coastline belies its bloody World War Two history which you can reflect upon during a tour of the D-Day landing beaches. Alternatively, visit the medieval town of Bayeux where you can study the 70-metre-long Bayeux Tapestry which retells the story leading up to the Norman conquest of England.

20/11/2021 Southampton

Southampton

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.

Please note: Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions, at an additional cost, or by exploring independently.