Flavours of France, Spain and Portugal

Embark Spirit of Adventure.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0915. Depart 1700.

The imposing walled city of St Malo stands on Brittany’s Emerald Coast. Named after a Welsh monk who established a settlement in the 6th century, St Malo is best known for the fierce French Corsairs who plundered the ocean waves from here ten centuries later. Mile-long 20-foot-thick ramparts protect the historic centre. It encompasses a Romanesque cathedral, Château de St-Malo castle and the timber-framed houses of cobblestone Pelicot Street. The city’s most famous son, writer and politician Chateaubriand is buried on a nearby island which can be reached at low tide. Mont St Michel, a tidal island with towering fortifications, can also be visited from St Malo.

Included excursion

An included excursion offers an introduction to the local area.

Optional excursion

Built on an inhospitable tidal island over several centuries, the ancient pilgrimage site of Mont St Michel embodies the technical mastery of several generations of builders who created the abbey and fortress you see today.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Arrive 0930. Depart 2000.

Set in a natural harbour on Brittany’s Finistere Peninsula, the naval port of Brest is a modern city with a strong seafaring past. Under German occupation the port was a major U-boat base and whilst many of the city’s older buildings did not survive the war, the Château de Brest still dominates the mouth of River Penfeld. The medieval tower of Tour Tanguy stands opposite the Chateau while modern sights include the Pont de I’lroise cable bridge and the sprawling Oceanopolis aquarium. From here, visit medieval Locronan, an attractive little town brimming with character and charm.

Included excursion

Visit medieval Locronan on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Discover the half-timbered houses and twin spires of the Gothic Cathedral in medieval Quimper.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

A jewel on Spain’s verdant ‘Green Coast’, Santander has long been a popular seaside resort thanks to its white-sand beaches. Discover Santander’s mix of old and new. Of special note are the Palacio de la Magdalena, the royal summer palace built in the early 1900s which houses an interesting art collection, the 13th-century Cathedral de la Asuncion, the unusual capsule-shaped Centro Botin art museum, and the Paseo de Pereda y Calle Castellar promenade park, which is lined with Baroque-inspired houses.

Included excursion

An included excursion offers an introduction to the city.

Optional excursion

Visit the iconic Magdalena palace for a guided tour.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

In the historic maritime city of La Coruña, sights worthy of your attention include the medieval lanes and plazas of the old town, Riazor Beach and the UNESCO-listed Tower of Hercules. The latter is the oldest operational Roman lighthouse and can found 13 kilometres away at the end of a coastal promenade.

Included excursion

See some of the city’s main attractions on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Experience the ecclesiastical capital of Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Vigo is a major fishing port, set in the wine-growing region of Rias Baixas on Spain’s Galician coast. This modern city has a historic quarter, Casco Vello, whose central square is the arcaded Plaza de la Constitución.

Included excursion

Explore your surroundings on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Take the opportunity to explore the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela at your own pace.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

From Leixoes, visit the ancient city of Oporto. It is set beside the Douro River which has served as the lifeblood of the city for centuries. On one bank lies Villa Nova de Gaia’s port wine lodges, which produce the city’s famous fortified wine, while on the other is the UNESCO-listed Ribeira old town. Cobbled streets climb the steep hillside which is crammed with historic buildings, including the 12th-century cathedral, neoclassical Stock Exchange and Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara. The wooden Rabelo cargo boats, which once ferried barrels of port now carry sightseers along the river – the Ponte Dom Luis I bridge offers a good vantage point from which to appreciate the entire riverscape.

Included excursion

See some of the highlights of Oporto’s surroundings on an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Head to Oporto and explore the city by Tuk Tuk or see the sights from the water aboard a Rabelo boat.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0700. Depart 1800.

This unspoilt archipelago of over 140 islands is fringed by sandy beaches, lapped by crystal clear waters. These low-lying islands have a unique beauty, and are a haven for wildlife. Tresco is known for its outstanding collection of subtropical flora at the Tresco Abbey Garden which you will visit during an included excursion. Alternatively, discover St Mary’s, the largest of the Isles of Scilly.

Included excursion

An included excursion visits the sub-tropical gardens of Tresco Abbey, which were established by Augustus Smith in the 19th century in the ruins of a Benedictine Abbey.

Optional excursion

Capture the delights of St Mary’s on a walking tour.

⚓ Land by launch or tender.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.