From mighty seafaring capitals to sleepy fishing villages, trace the coast of Western Europe on this sweeping journey that highlights the region’s great art, fine food, and important historic sites. Browse local markets for a taste of daily life and stroll along scenic waterfronts that echo with centuries of maritime history. Raise a glass and soak in the charm and atmosphere of the celebrated wine towns of Porto and Bordeaux. Nature hikes on bucolic islands reveal terraced gardens, peaceful pastures, and wild, windswept coastlines. Visit three of the Channel Islands—Guernsey, Sark, and Jersey—to observe an interesting mix of French and British influences. A team of experts and local guides provide rich insights to deepen your understanding of these fascinating ports and their rich history.
Highlights
Explore fascinating medieval UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain & France
Enjoy a wine tasting & vineyard tour in Bordeaux, the world’s wine capital
Visit three of the Channel Islands—Guernsey, Sark, and Jersey
Immerse yourself in World War II history with time in both Brest & Normandy
Search for resident and migrant birds in a variety of coastal habitats
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Tour Lisbon’s architectural highlights, including the Sao Roque Church; the Gothic Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and St. George’s Castle. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before embarking the Ocean Adventurer in the afternoon.
Porto’s historic center was awarded World Heritage status for its varied architecture—from Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance to Baroque, neoclassical, and modern. Stroll through the old town and visit the 13th-century cathedral. Sample port in its birthplace at a special tasting. A cruise along the Douro River offers a unique view of the colorful houses of Porto stacked on the surrounding hills.
Day 4: Vilagarcia, Spain | Santiago de Compostela | La Coruña
Disembark in Vilagarcia and depart overland to Santiago de Compostela, a World Heritage Site with a mélange of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque buildings. The splendid St. James Cathedral is the conclusion of the pilgrimage road that begins in Paris and winds its way through France and across Northern Spain. Enjoy a traditional Spanish lunch, then continue to La Coruña, Galicia’s commercial center. Visit the Tower of Hercules, the world's oldest working lighthouse.
World famous for exquisite wines, Bordeaux also boasts more Monuments Historiques than any French city except Paris. Enjoy a tour of the 18th-century urban area, the largest square in all of Europe, and St. Andre Cathedral. Or, choose to visit the hilltop town for Saint-Emilion. Stroll ancient streets lined with limestone houses and take a tour of its mysterious subterranean church, the largest in Europe. Both tours include lunch at a local restaurant and an afternoon winery tour to sample some local vintages. A third option includes a full-day birding tour at La Teich Bird Reserve to search for white storks, black-winged stilts, nightingales, and Cetti’s warblers.
Known as La Ville Blanche (the White City), La Rochelle’s luminous limestone façades glow in the bright coastal sunlight. Stroll past three 14th-century stone towers and visit the neoclassical cathedral with a magnificent Baroque interior, the always colorful food market, and make a stop at the Cognac House for a tasting.
Or, visit the Poitevin Marsh, and board flat-bottomed punts for a cruise through a labyrinth of man-made channels to search for a variety of waterfowl.
Brest has a long history as a military harbor and is the port where thousands of American soldiers landed from 1917-1918. Take a stroll along the Crozon Peninsula, famous for its dramatic, craggy coastline, or choose to visit the fascinating Maritime Museum and explore a botanical garden. Famed for its crepes, learn about the region’s food culture and sample local delicacies.
Disembark in St. Malo, a lovely walled city fronted by broad beaches. A scenic drive through rolling countryside brings you to medieval Mont Saint-Michel, which inspired Henry Adams and influenced the Gothic revival. Ascend the Mont through twisting alleys and narrow stairways to reach the monastery, where you are rewarded with grand views over the bay and marshes far below.
Nature enthusiasts take a walk through wetlands to search for the ducks, geese, and waders that breed here, as well as warblers and buntings. Those with an interest in history take a tour of several WWII bunkers and the German Occupation Museum. In the afternoon, visit the wide-ranging Jersey Museum which explains the history, traditions, and culture of the island, and the award-winning Maritime Museum.
With no cars—only tractors, bikes, and horse-drawn carriages—Sark is leisurely and relaxed. Join a local for a guided tour of the stunning cliffs and peaceful fields. Continue to La Seigneurie Gardens for a tranquil contrast to the windswept wildness of the rugged coast. After lunch on board, step ashore on Guernsey. An English outpost located off the coast of France, this island is a fascinating mosaic of fishing villages, greenhouses, and fields dotted with the island’s eponymous dairy cows. See remnants of the German occupation during World War II, visit the lovely Candie Gardens, and take a stroll through the photogenic harbor of St. Peter Port, where Victor Hugo lived in exile while he wrote Les Misérables.
Your tour of historic Normandy begins in the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first French city to be liberated by the Allies.Take a drive along the coast, making stops at Arromanches-les-Bains, the site of a temporary harbor established by the Allies immediately after D-Day, as well as Omaha Beach. View exhibits chronicling the campaign at the D-Day Museum, visit the British and American cemeteries, and view the amazing Bayeux Tapestry which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England.
Day 13: Portsmouth, UK | Disembark | London
1 Breakfast
Disembark this morning and travel overland to London for your independent homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$9,980
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Cat 1
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 119-143 sq. ft
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Cat 2
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 117-153 sq. ft.
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Cat 3
Two twin beds, shower, two lower berths, double window, 115-142 sq. ft.
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Cat 4
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 121-161 sq. ft.
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Cat 5
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, double window, 121-161 sq.ft.
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Cat 6
Two lower berths, two twin beds, bath or shower, two windows, 121-161 sq.ft.
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Cat 7
Two lower berths, two twin beds, en suite bathroom, two windows, 160-165 sq. ft.
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Suite
Suite, two lower twin beds, bath with shower, four windows, sitting area, 221 sq. ft.
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Owner's Suite
Owner’s Suite, two lower berth twin beds, shower/ bathtub, four windows, sitting area, 273 sq ft.
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Single Cat 2
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 117-153 sq. ft.
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Single Cat 3
Two twin beds, shower, two lower berths, double window, 115-142 sq. ft.
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Single Cat 4
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 121-161 sq. ft.
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Single Cat 5
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, double window, 121-161 sq.ft.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, a roommate will be assigned to you whenever possible.
- Additional singles may be available at 1.6 times the share rate.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.