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Sheep walking on the road in the British countryside.

North Atlantic: Portsmouth to Bilbao

Example 10 Day Cruise aboard Sea Cloud II
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Start this wonderful 10-day sailing adventure in the important Royal Navy city of Portsmouth, situated on the peaceful west coast of Portsea Island where historic ships with grandiose names proclaim the city's glorious past and several museums are devoted to the navy and seafaring. Across green hills, rocky cliffs on the sea's edge, spectacular crags, bays, and sandy beaches make your way to Bilbao, an important port and industrial city with an attractive, distinctive look. Cross the futuristic Calatrava Bridge to reach the old town, where you can take a delightful stroll around the lanes and enjoy the art of Basque cuisine.
Idyllic islands line the coastEnjoying gelato with friendsBoats on the Mediterranean The colorful streets of SpainSheep walking on the road in the British countryside.
Highlights
  • Explore Honfleur, one of the most charming places in Normandy
  • Discover St. Malo, the start or end point for many famous sailing regattas
  • Enjoy the spectacular island of Belle-Île-en-Mer
  • Admire the futuristic Calatrava Bridge on the way to Bilbao's old town
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Portsmouth, United Kingdom | Embark

This coastal strip in southern Hampshire, blessed by the Gulf Stream, has always been an easily defensible natural harbor. Indeed Henry VII made it his Royal Dockyard at the end of the 15th century. Still an important Royal Navy base, the vast port of Portsmouth is situated on the peaceful west coast of Portsea Island, a spit of land that stretches far out to sea. In the old harbor, historic ships with grandiose names proclaim the city's glorious past and several museums are devoted to the navy and seafaring. Where once adventurers and admirals set sail to re-write the English history books, countless yachts now rock gently in numerous marinas. The lavishly renovated quayside with its looming, futuristic Spinnaker Tower, and the long seafront at Southsea are now the beating heart of modern life in the city.

Day 2: Honfleur, France

Many famous impressionists caught the quaint atmosphere of this town at the mouth of the Seine on canvas in the 19th century. This small town in Calvados is still one of the most charming places in Normandy. Tall and narrow slate-clad buildings crowd around the quayside, the exquisite Vieux Bassin, and the old 17th-century dock. Honfleur honors its famous sons, painter Eugène Boudin and composer Eric Satie, in a museum. East of Honfleur, the breathtaking Pont de Normandie spans the Seine estuary and links Honfleur with Le Havre, an engineering masterpiece and one of the longest bridges in Europe.

Day 3: St. Peter Port, Guernsey, UK

'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 pummeling 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.

Day 4: Saint Malo, France

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 defenses lies the historic center, which is surrounded by water on three sides and has always been impregnable. On one side of the town walls you can 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, harbor, and forts. Tidal variations in the Bay of Saint-Malo provide an impressive natural spectacle with twelve meters difference between high and low tides.

Day 5: At Sea

Day 6: Lorient, France

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.

Day 7: Le Palais, Belle-Île-en-Mer

At 54 square miles, Belle-Île-en-Mer, south of Lorient 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 in 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.

Day 8: At Sea

Day 9: Pasajes, San Sebastian, Spain

Day 10: Bilbao, Spain | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
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 meters (118,403 feet). 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 around the lanes and enjoy the art of Basque cuisine. Disembark and return home individually.

Ship/Hotel

Sea Cloud II

Lounge area on the Sea Cloud II

Dates & Prices

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Category F cabin
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Category F
Two portholes, chair, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
Category E cabins
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Category E
Two portholes, sofa, table, TV with DVD player, mini-bar, dressing table, closet, safe, individually adjustable A/C.
Category D cabins
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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.
Category C cabins
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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.
Category B cabins
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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.
Category A cabins
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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.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits are available aboard the ship. Additionally, a selection of super premium wines and liquors is offered for purchase.
  • Crew gratuities
  • Gratuities
  • Port Fees
  • Welcome and Farewell Cocktails   
  • Welcome champagne in the suite/stateroom
  • Daily fresh fruit basket in suite/stateroom
  • All coffee, tea specialties and soft drinks
  • Bottled water on the excursions
  • Fine wines from renowned winemakers
  • Open bar (except premium brands)
  • Beach barbecues in select destinations
  • Marina platform with use of water sports equipment such as snorkel gear, stand-up paddleboards, and towable tube (weather permitting)
  • Laundry service in suites
  • Curated moments
  • All meals including nightly 4-course menu and a 5-course gala dinner
  • WIFI: You can use your own laptop to access the Internet with an access code (WI-FI). Data volume of 10 GB is free of charge; additional data volume can be obtained from the reception desk at a charge.
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

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