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
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 135 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 135 reviews on
8 hours ago
The agent had great response to questions and coordinated well to create an itinerary that met our expectations.
Bob Sunshine
1 day ago
Very responsive to all questions
Teresa Cardoso
2 days ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!
Scott Gibson
2 days ago
Adventure Life is definitely a first-class safari tour company, and our representative was Franny Friesz. First of all, she responded immediately after we contacted Adventure Life. We told Franny that we had never been on a safari, and she was more than eager to offer a mountain of information about the trip. She informed us fully about all the ups, downs, and all arounds! She even prepared a number of packages for us to review -- even after we made changes to the areas we wanted to explore. Friendly, helpful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable -- these words describe Franny, and what a wonderful trip she prepared! We couldn't have asked for better service than Franny of Adventure Life. We HIGHLY recommend her and her outstanding company! Bon Voyage!
Prima Burke
3 days ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.