Vintage Europe

Day 1 Lisbon, Portugal

Embark the Prince Albert II this evening and depart on your exciting expedition – Vintage Europe. You will be introduced to your Expedition Team. Tonight we invite you to attend a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party.

Day 2 Leixoes (Oporto), Portugal

Oporto is located near the mouth of the Douro River and the second largest city in Portugal. During your afternoon visit to the city center (a World Heritage site), see the Castelo Queijo and the impressive 14th-century St Francis Church with its magnificent 18th-century gold-encrusted interior. Proceed to Ribeira, its picturesque riverfront quarter made up of narrow, twisting streets lined with brightly tiled or pastel-painted façades. Your day in Oporto would not be complete without a visit to a well-known wine cellar for a taste of some world-famous port wine. The history of port wine dates from the 17th century when British merchants doctored the wine with brandy to prevent it from turning sour while in transit. It was found that the stronger and sweeter the wine, the better flavour it acquired. Learn how over the years, methods of maturing and blending were refined and continue today in the port wine lodges.

Day 3 La Coruna, Spain

Today visit Santiago de Compostela. It has attracted Christian pilgrims from all parts of Europe since the Middle Ages and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings, the Old Town of Santiago exudes an air that is at once ancient, mystical and lively. The oldest monuments are grouped around the tomb of St James and the magnificent 12th-century cathedral, which contains the medieval Pórtico de la Gloria erected in 1188.

Following this visit, meet at the Parador hotel next to the Cathedral for a cocktail reception accompanied by a musical performance. Dating from 1499, the Parador is one of the oldest hotels in the world. Take time to stroll the beautiful cloisters and elegant public rooms.

Day 4 At Sea

Gather in the theater to hear fascinating tales by Bruce Hunter, our expert guest speaker. Other onboard diversions may also include photographic workshops, spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences.

Day 5 Bilbao, Spain

A noble city, Bilbao was founded in 1300 and delights visitors with its contrasts of historic and modern. Within the old quarter, find the Cathedral of Santiago, the church and bridge of San Antón, the Ribera Marquet, the Museum of Basque Archaeology, and the Plaza Nueva. In the modern part of Bilbao, see the Gardens of Albia, the Church of San Vicente and the Palace of Chavarri. The amazing architectural design of the famous Guggenheim Museum invites us to step inside to explore its impressive exhibits of contemporary art. Your lunch today includes a chance to taste some of Spain’s fine wines.

Alternatively, visit Santillana del Mar, sited 35 Km from Santander, one of the most interesting and beautifully preserved towns in Spain. The whole of Santillana’s medieval village can only be visited on foot, and your walking tour will take you to see from its fortified house of Borja and the House of the Eagle, to Merinos Tower and the impressive, Romanesque-style Collegiate Church and cloister. After your walking tour, stop for a refreshing drink and some local snacks.

Upon your return to Santander, visit the Palace of Magdalena, the summer residence of King Alfonso XIII and now the city’s most emblematic building. Here have the opportunity to visit part the building and conclude your outing with a cocktail at this beautiful spot.

Day 6 Bordeaux, France (Overnight)

Following your late morning arrival, disembark for a guided tour of the city of Bordeaux, which has recently been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. View the Chartrons riverfront where the wine trade started, the massive WWII German submarine base, and the beautiful Grand Theatre, built by Victor Louis in 1773. Your guided walk through the old Bordeaux district leads towards Parlement and Bourse squares. Continuing with your panoramic drive, your guide will point out the Place de la Bourse, Cailhau Gate, Big Bell and Palais Rohan, stopping at the 13th-century Cathedral of St Andrew where Alienor d'Aquitaine married Louis VII. Following your guided tour of the cathedral, begin your return journey to the ship.

Alternatively, visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saint Emilion. This region and village is the heartland of the Merlot grape, which produces popular, rich, round wines. The vines on the "hill with a thousand châteaux" reach right up to Saint Emilion’s 13th-century town walls and surrounding moat, dug out of solid rock. Visit the main monuments of the town: the Collegiate Church and its magnificent cloister from the 12th century, the ramparts, the market place, and the monolithic (or underground) church from the 9th and 12th centuries. The catacombs include a number of sepulchres from the 11th and 12th centuries. The Hermitage was constructed by transforming a natural grotto in which, during the 8th century, a holy man, who gave his name to the town, used to live. During your walking tour, you will also see the Cadene Gate and the King's Tower. Time permitting, enjoy an hour at leisure for shopping and independent exploration.

The Prince Albert II will be docked in Bordeaux overnight, and the evening is yours to spend as you please.

Day 7 Bordeaux, France

Departing on the high tide, cruise north along the Gironde River. Enjoy the day relaxing on board taking in a lecture or a wine tasting seminar hosted by your Sommelier.

Day 8 Nantes, France

Nantes is the gateway for excursions to Angers – once known as the Athens of Western Europe owing to its importance in the Renaissance period. The old town was built in 1228 by the order of Blanche de Castille, and the Chateau contains the famous tapestry of the Apocalypse, which measures 103 metres long and depicts over 75 scenes.

Day 9 At Sea

Attend a lecture in the theatre or in the comfort of your own accommodation with the interactive television system. Relax on deck or peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library. Enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs in the Connoisseur’s Corner or indulge in any of the other special amenities offered aboard the Prince Albert II. Tonight, before turning in, take a stroll on deck and enjoy the solitude and splendor of the vast sea and sky.

Day 10 St Malo, France

Near the top of any travelers must-see list is a visit to the legendary Mont Saint Michel – a spectacular granite tidal island, its abbey soaring high above the sea, situated on the border between Normandy and Brittany, and one of the first sites to obtain UNESCO World Heritage listing. Upon arrival, observe the natural flora and local fauna before strolling through the narrow streets of the medieval village up to the Abbey. During your guided visit, learn that monastery was found by the 10th century as the result of a dream vision, three centuries later the Abbey was added. Tonight enjoy St Malo at your leisure, perhaps trying one of St Malo’s many fine restaurants.

Day 11 Guernsey, Channel Islands

Today, spend the morning on Guernsey – the Island of Flowers. During the years 1940 to 1945, the Channel Islands were under German occupation, and many of the massive concrete towers, gun emplacements and bunkers remain today. Visit the German Occupation Museum, which includes a life-sized street, bunker rooms, an armory of weapons and communications equipment, as well as files of local propaganda newspapers. Next drive around the winding coastal road to see one of the many WWII gun casements and visit the charming Little Chapel before returning to St Peter Port.

Alternatively, guests may choose to visit Guernsey’s lovely Sausmarez Manor where the Seigneur himself will guide you around his house and subtropical gardens, which are the delightfully informal setting for his enviable collection of over 200 sculptures from over 90 international artists and the largest display of sculptures for sale in Britain.

Day 12 Honfleur, France

The whole town is virtually an outdoor museum, full of half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. In the 19th century, Honfleur attracted a steady stream of Impressionist artists who took their inspiration from the town’s picturesque setting. Museums, shops, cafés and the famous Old Port add to the attraction of this lovely city.

The call at Honfleur allows for a visit to Arromanches and some of the most important locations involved in the historic events of 1944. The D-Day landings, which took place on the beaches of Normandy, involved the largest military operation in history. In the early morning of June 6, swarms of Allied landing craft hit the Normandy beaches and tens of thousands of soldiers invaded the coast of France. The Battle of Normandy that followed led to the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation, but not without severe casualties including 37,000 killed.

Arromanches was the site of the prefabricated Mulberry Harbour, which enabled some 2 ½ million soldiers, to land in France. The remains of the port can still be seen. Visit the Musée du Débarquement (Invasion Museum) in Arromanches and, following lunch, the American Cemetery. The cemetery is located above Omaha beach, which was the site of the heaviest of the American casualties, and known as ‘bloody Omaha’ (the film Saving Private Ryan was based on the Omaha invasion). Here, more than 9,000 white marble crosses and Stars of David stand in perfect alignment on a plateau above the beach. A memorial contains the Tablets of the Missing, and a map outlines the battle sites of the Normandy Beaches. The cemetery is immaculately preserved and has a reflecting pond and chapel for silent prayer. Continuing on to Pointe du Hoc, see the positions the German soldiers held and the remaining observation posts, shelters, trenches and anti-aircraft platforms.

Day 13 Portsmouth, England

Following breakfast, disembark the Prince Albert II.