Discover the Channel Islands, Brittany, and the Basque Country on this incredible 11-day summer cruise through the most distinctive landscapes of Europe. Stroll around Bruges past ramparts, windmills and romantic canals. Enjoy the jewel of the Atlantic, Belle-Île-en-Me - as soon as the sun rises over this Breton isle, the cafés and squares are instantly filled with the friendly chatter of locals, accordion players, and women selling their wares in the market. With its serene atmosphere, the port of Le Palais is the perfect place to relax and walk around. Delight yourself at the gourmet and culture capital - San Sebastián. In the exuberant old town, your taste buds are in for a treat thanks to the countless cozy little bars, where the culinary diversity of the city is proudly presented.
Highlights
Catch charming harbor views of the little villages along the Elbe River
Stroll along the Ostende beach with its creamy sand and medieval atmosphere
Visit San Sebastián, a mecca for food lovers
Join optional cycling tours in Hamburg, Bruges, St Peter Port and Bilbao
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
King Leopold II built the white palace and the long, wonderfully shady galleries on the beach. Like the casino and kursaal, they hark back to the Belle Époque when Ostende was the favorite summer resort of the aristocracy on the Flemish North Sea coast and was one of the most chic seaside towns in Europe. Although both world wars took their toll on the king's 'queen of seaside resorts', people still come in droves to stroll along the wide beach with its creamy sand and the long promenade. The lively old Hanseatic city of Bruges is captivating and its medieval atmosphere enchants you. A rich historical heritage has been preserved inside its vast ramparts and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Optional cycling excursion package: Head for the jewel of Flanders: Bruges. From Ostende cycle along small canals to Bruges. Bruges was once a prolific cloth-making and trading city that was on a par with the magnificent Italian cities of Florence and Venice. See the most beautiful spots in the city during a guided tour before heading back to the ship. Cycling distance: 26 km (16 miles).
'A piece of France fallen into the sea and grabbed up by the English' is how Victor Hugo described his place of exile in the Bay of St. Malo, which is closer to the northern coast of France than the south coast of England. Guernsey, the second largest British Channel Island, later inspired Auguste Renoir to produce a whole series of paintings. Narrow, meandering roads bordered by hedges and embankments wind through the interior of the island, which boasts luscious vegetation courtesy of the mild Gulf Stream climate, while in the south, green hills give way to rocky cliffs on the sea's edge. Here, spectacular crags, bays and sandy beaches have been shaped by the vast tidal range pummelling the rock. The pretty island capital of St. Peter Port overlooking the large sheltered harbor and castle boasts a fascinating mixture of styles in a tangle of terraces and stepped gardens.
Optional cycling excursion package: Follow in the footsteps of Victor Hugo. The Sea Cloud II docks in the charming capital of St. Peter Port. Here enjoy a light stroll along the wild, rocky coastline with views over steep headlands and picturesque bays. Walking distance: 5 km (3 miles).
The Breton harbor on the confluence of the river Scorff has always played an important role in the town's history. Its name is derived from the word 'orient' since Lorient was once home to the French East India Company and marked the center of a vast trading network. It is a passenger port, a bustling marina, France's second largest fishing port, a busy commercial port, and a naval base. In 2006, a state-of-the-art interactive sailing museum was built in honor of Éric Tabarly, the ocean yachtsman par excellence and trailblazing designer of regatta yachts. This modern town was completely rebuilt and is now considered to be a hub for 20th-century art and history.
Optional cycling excursion package: The approach to this fortress city is truly spectacular and popular with sailors. You have the chance to cycle along white sandy beaches and idyllic bays in one of the most gorgeous sections of Brittany’s coastline. Cycling distance: 36 km (22 miles)
At 54 square miles, Belle-Île-en-Mer is the largest of Brittany's islands. For a few weeks every summer, the storms and crashing waves subside and the island takes on a laid-back holiday atmosphere, with lots of bicycles, beach towels, and music. On the west coast, the waves break on the rocks causing white crests to dance on the water. Small, idyllic bays and beaches nestle in deep inlets on the rocky coastline, sometimes only accessible from the sea. The island's capital is the port of Le Palais with its imposing citadel and countless street cafés along the harbor and in the Place de la République. Claude Monet spent two and a half months on the island, producing 39 paintings of the wild Côte Sauvage.
Optional cycling excursion package: This cycle route starts at the Le Palais harbor and ends on the other side of the island, following in the tracks of Claude Monet, who was so fascinated by the beauty of the island that he created 39 paintings here in just 75 days. Cycling distance: 30 km (19 miles).
The Vieux Port dock and the beautiful front, which teems with cafés, form the center of the picturesque old town. Two imposing towers once served as lookout posts for the harbor and town, and are now the symbol of La Rochelle. The medieval town walls, town hall, churches, and shipowners' offices bear testament to its former glory. Today, the Les Minimes marina is one of the largest examples of its kind in Europe. A bridge spans the 3km gap between the mainland and the Ile-de-Ré. With its enchanting beaches and dunes, little villages, cottages with green shutters, and alleyways lined with hollyhocks, the 'White Isle' is a paradise for cyclists.
Optional cycling excursion package: After breakfast, get back on your bike and travel across the impressively long bridge that leads to the Île de Ré. You can stop off at bistros in peaceful little port villages, see a wide variety of birds in the salt marshes, and explore some Mediterranean forests. Cycling distance: 34 km (21 miles).
Optional cycling excursion package: Explore the pearl of the Cantabrian Sea. You can visit the old town and see the town hall, before cycling along the stunning beach promenade and a coastal road with a breathtaking view of the green countryside. Cycling distance: 35 km (22 miles).
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.
$7,545
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Category F
Two portholes, chair, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category E
Two portholes, sofa, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category D
Two portholes, two chairs, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category C
Panorama windows, two chairs, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category B
Panorama window, sofa, table, chair, decorative fireplace, console with TV/DVD and mini-bar, dressing table, walk-in closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
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Category A
Panorama window, sofa, table, chair, desk, decorative fireplace, TV and DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, four closets, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
Notes
Rates are based on double occupancy. A limited number of cabins can be booked for individual use for an additional charge.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx. 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 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours 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
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.