Lisbon is located on the banks of the Tagus, only a few kilometers from the Atlantic coast. Portugal’s capital city is a city of exceptionally rich cultural diversity: at the mouth of the river harbor are two UNESCO World Heritage monuments, Jeronimos monastery, and Belem tower. Sample the local delicacies such as the pasteis de nata—delicious creamy bakery flans. On the Alfama hillside, as you explore the Moorish streets, you may well hear sounds of fado drifting from the bars. Along Chiado’s elegant streets, big fashion labels entice travelers for a bit of luxury shopping.

Located at the mouth of the Douro River, the port of Leixões lies less than 10 kilometers from Porto. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic center of Porto is worth a visit for its famous Ribeira district, the metallic silhouette of the Dom-Luis bridge looming over its ancient houses, its richly decorated Baroque churches, and its national Soares dos Reis museum. The Sao Bentostation is also interesting for its typically Portuguese decoration, using Azulejos, blue square ceramic tiles decorated with geometric patterns or figurative scenes.

Optional excursions such as the Porto City Tour & Wine Tasting, Tram tour of Porto and Porto Through Your Camera are available for additional fees.

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

Bilbao, capital of the Spanish Basque country, is one of the most avant-garde cities in Europe. Its architectural audacity, as well as its ancient-built heritage, will take you on a journey between traditions and innovations. An unusual cable car will allow you to reach the magnificent Guggenheim Museum, a unique construction of stone, glass, and titanium, designed by the architect Frank Gehry and home to a collection of modern art and contemporary monumental sculpture.  The narrow streets of the old city and the unmissable Ensanche district are also worthy of a visit, as is the Vizcaya Bridge, the world’s first-ever transporter bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Optional excursions such as the Oenology Between Modernity & Traditions and Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum are available for additional fees.
 

Discover Pauillac, a town in southwestern France located a few kilometers away from Bordeaux, stretching along the Gironde. The undisputed capital of Médoc, Pauillac will open up its magical universe for you, from culture and heritage to vineyards and chateaux. This stop will be a voyage of myriad flavors, particularly during the tasting of the region’s wines, revealing their soft ruby colors and reflections turning amber with time. Enjoy both a sensory adventure and an adventure into the heart of the town. Don’t miss a visit to Saint Martin’s Church or the mysterious grotto of Artigues, dominated by a statue of the Virgin Mary. As for the Aspic Tower, it is topped with a dome from which the harvesters’ work used to be overseen.

Bordeaux stretches along the banks of the Garonne river, in South-West France. Its rich wine tradition makes it the world capital of wine. You can uncover this city’s secrets in the Bordeaux Wine and Trade museum as well as in the bars housed in the historical wine cellars of the old city center. Let yourself be carried away by the history of the city, known for its prestigious classical architecture. On the famous Place de la Bourse, the past and the present unite: here you can observe the majestic old buildings reflected in the contemporary Miroir d'eau creation.

A small crescent of land, 3 kilometers long, the Île d’Aix is a fragile area listed as an outstanding natural site. The use of cars here is restricted, thereby enabling nature to reign supreme. Set off to discover the treasures of the island by using the “sentier des douaniers” (Customs officer path). Between marshes, vines, creeks, and cliffs, you will quickly become aware of this stretch of land’s exceptional heritage. This enchanting place invites you to visit its village and its museums, the Napoleon Museum or the African Museum. A fine diversity of landscapes of small pastel-colored houses adorned with multi-colored shutters and hollyhocks… It’s just like a postcard.

Rebuilt after the bombings of the Second World War, Lorient is known as the town of five ports: the military port (the Keroman submarine base is designed to hold twenty or so submarines and their crew), a pleasure port, a fishing port which is the second-largest in France, a commercial port and a passenger port. There are two unmissable visits: the museum space dedicated to submarines, home to a submarine named Flore and located in the former German military base, and the Cite de la Voile Eric Tabarly, an interactive sailing museum about yachting and the great sea races.  Let yourself fall under the charm of the view from the Port-Louis citadel and the quays, evoking the prosperous past of this Breton town, colored with silks and spices.