Western Europe: Hamburg to Bilbao

Arrive in Hamburg and board the Sea Cloud Spirit. Settle in to your cabin and attend a welcome dinner as the ship sets sail.

Enjoy this day offshore, relaxing and taking in the smell of the fresh ocean breeze up on deck.

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.

This former 'corsaire' town in northern Brittany has always had a close relationship with the sea. Although the buccaneers have left, St. Malo is now the start or end point for many famous sailing regattas. Behind the legendary town defences lies the historic centre, which is surrounded by water on three sides and has always been impregnable. On one side of the town walls you will see the narrow alleyways and tall houses of the old town which bear testament to the prosperity of past traders and sailors. The other side offers exquisite views of the emerald sea, dazzling white sandy beaches, harbour and forts. Tidal variations in the Bay of Saint-Malo provide an impressive natural spectacle with twelve metres difference between high and low tides.

'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.

Enjoy the ship's luxurious amenities as it sails to France.

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.

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.

Less than 10 kilometers separate Pasajes (Pasaia in Basque), a tiny fishing community that seems like it belongs in a fairytale, from San Sebastian. Pasajes has it all: charming little squares, delectable cuisine, vibrant medieval architecture.

San Pedro and San Juan (Donibane in Basque), the two most well-known villages, are located on either side of the bay, directly by the Pasajes port, and make up the town's four distinct districts. A tiny motorboat that travels back and forth between the two communities all day long connects them.

Arrive in Bilbao and disembark after breakfast for your continued independent journeys.

Bilbao has always been an important port and industrial city. In 1993, Bilbao was a pilgrimage destination for lovers of modern art and avant-garde architecture. The Guggenheim Museum, with its idiosyncratic and unique design by famous architect Frank O Gehry, showcases everything that is important within its 11,000 square metres 118,403 foot). Steel used to be manufactured in Bilbao and it now plays a major role here, since other renowned architects have also been inspired to give Bilbao an attractive, distinctive look. Cross the futuristic Calatrava Bridge to reach the old town, where you can take a delightful stroll round the lanes and enjoy the art of Basque cuisine.