Springtime in France, Spain and Portugal

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1700.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

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.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1830.

A former German U-Boat base, the Brittany town of Lorient played a huge role in World War Two and was a primary target for Allied bombing raids. Today’s rebuilt city is awash with post 1950’s architecture, with a number of museums and galleries, including the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly, a museum dedicated to the world of ocean racing. Nearby, the Carnac Megaliths, a collection of over 3,000 standing stones erected in the Neolithic period offer an insight into the rich history of the area.

Included excursion

Enjoy an introduction to Lorient on an included excursion.

Optional excursion

Visit the medieval town of Josselin and its castle, explore the picturesque village of Pont-Aven, or step back in time at the Carnac stones, an ancient megalithic site.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1900.

Gijon is a city of old and new where historic buildings are complemented by modern sculptures. This port can trace its roots back to the Romans although it flourished as a result of the 19th-century steel trade. The atmospheric streets of the historic fisherman’s quarter, Cimadevilla, feature plazas, churches and museums which lead up Santa Catalina hill. Beyond lie sandy beaches, the 19th to 20th-century city centre and wooded parks.

Included excursion

An included excursion offers an introduction to the local area.

Optional excursions

Sightseeing tours reveal the colonnaded streets of seaside Aviles and medieval Oviedo, the capital of the Asturias region.

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. It is the last stop on the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route that concludes at the 12th-century cathedral where St James is allegedly enshrined.

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

Set on hills overlooking the river, Leixoes is known for its narrow streets, granite church towers and Baroque architecture. Leixoes makes a great starting place from which to visit nearby Oporto where the cobbled streets of the old town are crammed with historic buildings, including the 12th-century cathedral, neoclassical Stock Exchange and Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara.

Included excursion

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

Optional excursions

Go sightseeing in Oporto and enjoy a cruise along the Douro on board a rabelo boat – replicas of the traditional vessels once used to carry port wine barrels from the Douro Valley.

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

The sprawling city of Lisbon is spread across seven hills. It boasts two UNESCO-listed sites: Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama is entombed and Bélem Tower, built in his honour. Close by is the charming town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of its 19th-century romantic architecture.

Included excursion

See more of Lisbon on a choice of included excursion.

Optional excursion

Capture Arrabida Natural Park and visit the Azeitao Winery.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0900. Depart 2300.

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

Travel along the coast to the charming village of Comillas and see the El Capricho de Gaudí, one of the three buildings Gaudí designed outside of Catalonia.

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Founded in 1300, Bilbao developed into a shipbuilding centre during the 19th century. Contrast the Renaissance, Baroque and modernist architecture of the historic centre with newer additions to the cityscape. The most striking of these is the riverside Guggenheim Museum, a contorted wave-like structure clad in titanium plates that reflect the surrounding art district. Other highlights include the funicular which offers panoramic views on its way to the summit of Artxanda and the sweeping parkland of Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park, the city’s largest green space.

Included excursion

Discover the sights of Bilbao on an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Visit the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, and browse the contemporary collection of artwork or join a hiking excursion on Mount Ermua.

Spend the day at sea.

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.