Join the Sea Cloud Spirit for 9-days exploring the beauty of Normandy, Brittany, and the Basque country. After embarking in Bilbao, Spain, sail to the picturesque old town of La Rochelle and visit patrician houses from the Renaissance. Enjoy spectacular views of the isle’s wild coast during the Belle-Île island tour. Visit the famous monument at Saint-Malo, France. Spend a day in Cherbourg. Finally, reach Honfleur, where you will disembark.
Highlights
Explore the bustling marina in Lorient
Visit old timber frame homes and walk the charming lanes of La Rochelle
Discover Belle-Île's timeless beauty
View the many famous sailing regattas in Saint-Malo
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Bilbao and embark on the Sea Cloud Spirit.
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.
The Vieux Port dock and the beautiful front, which teems with cafés, form the centre of the picturesque old town. Two imposing towers once served as lookout posts for the harbour 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.
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 harbour 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 Breton harbour 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 centre 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 honour 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.
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.
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 honours 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.
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Superior Single Stateroom
Superior Single Cabins (approx. 140 sq. ft.) are equipped with a built-in single bed, closet
chair, and dressing table. The bathroom is equipped with a shower and golden fixtures. These are located on the Cabin Deck.
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Superior
Superior stateroom (approx. 183 sq. ft.) is equipped with a California king bed (2 mattresses), seating with table, closet, seating with table, and dressing table. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a shower and golden fixtures. These cabins have portholes and are located on the Cabin Deck.
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Deluxe Stateroom
Deluxe Cabins (approx. 215 sq ft) are equipped with a California king bed, 71 in. x 79 in. (2 mattresses), a small comfortable sitting corner with a chair or couch and a table as well as a dressing table, bureau and wardrobe. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a sink, shower and WC. These cabins have portholes and are located on the Cabin Deck.
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Grand Stateroom
Grand Stateroom (approx. 194 sq. ft.) is equipped with a double bed (two single beds), closet, chair with table, dressing table, WiFi, TV, telephone, hair dryer, minibar, coffee machine, and safe. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a shower and golden fixtures. These cabins are located on the Lido Deck.
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Junior Veranda Suite
Junior Veranda (approx. 237 sq. ft.to 65 sq. ft. including balcony) is located on the Veranda deck and offers a private balcony and twin arched windows. The cabins include a California king bed, walk-in closet, sofa, chair with table, dressing table, WiFi, TV, telephone, hair dryer, minibar, coffee machine, and safe. The bathroom is equipped with a shower, bathtub, and golden fixtures.
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Veranda Suite
Veranda Suites are located on the Veranda Deck, approximately 301 sq. ft. of luxury living space with an 86 sq. ft. balcony. Features include a marble bathroom with shower, bathtub, and golden fixtures, along with a California king bed, walk-in closet, L-shaped sofa with full-sized fold-out bed, dressing table, WiFi, TV, telephone, hair dryer, minibar, coffee machine, and safe.
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 20%, 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 Wire Transfer. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
8 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
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)
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
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