European Coastal Cruise: Portugal, Spain & France

At once moody and magnificent, Porto is a city of brutish good looks, set on the steep terraced banks of the Douro River. There are soaring bell towers, tiled train stations and baroque churches with gleaming gilded interiors that sparkle like the surface of the Douro.

Explore vibrant Cais da Ribeira, discovering its Stock Exchange Palace and St. Francis Church, followed by a port wine tasting at a famous riverside lodge. Or, see why this region is renowned among foodies the world over as you set out on a culinary tour of Porto’s vibrant central market and beloved backstreet taverns.

Santiago de Compostela is one of Christendom’s most important places of pilgrimage — the terminus of the hallowed Camino de Santiago, a network of pilgrimage routes dating to the ninth century. Marked by narrow streets, majestic stone architecture and grand plazas paved with granite flagstones, Santiago de Compostela reflects a millennium’s worth of journeys. Explore the city’s cathedral and Old Town, followed by lunch with a Galician folklore dance performance. Alternatively, choose a hike to Cape Finisterre, the last stop on the Camino de Santiago. For another option, explore Santiago’s bustling food market and restaurants, tasting local tapas, empanadas, cheeses and wines.

Unwind as you cruise eastward through the Bay of Biscay, enjoying the ship’s amenities along the way. En route, the Expedition Team prepares you for tomorrow’s shore excursion to Bilbao with a series of enriching presentations.

Arrive in Bilbao, a medieval city and proud Basque enclave that has transformed itself into a modern cultural crucible. Bilbao’s skyscraper-filled downtown mixes in dashes of Gothic, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic and contemporary architecture. Most notable, though, is the curvaceous, titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry. Explore the museum’s contemporary collections and outdoor installations to experience Bilbao’s creative renaissance firsthand. Alternately, transfer to Guernica, a historic Basque city inextricably linked to the Spanish Civil War as immortalized in Picasso’s namesake masterpiece, or take a drive through to the quaint fishing town of Bermeo.

Not all Bordeaux’s pleasures come by the glass: a deal with a Chartrons antique dealer, the taste of a rum-sweet canelé, the 18th-century grandeur of the Place de la Bourse. But Bordeaux’s rich, full-bodied heritage is hard to resist, be it on a bar’s cobbled terrace or in any number of the region’s world-beating vineyards. Explore Bordeaux’s Old Town, the 13th-century Cathedral of Saint André and the immersive digital art exhibition of the Bassins de Lumières. Alternatively, delve into Bordeaux’s rich wine heritage with a tour and tasting at a local estate. Or, visit the seaside resort town of Arcachon, where you experience its golden beaches, soak in its romantic Belle Époque atmosphere and savor a sampling of fresh local oysters renowned as some of Europe’s finest.

Relish a day of relaxation aboard, perhaps enjoying some time in the spa or conversing with newfound friends. Your Expedition Team shares insights into your next destinations, Saint-Malo and Mont Saint-Michel.

Arrive in Saint-Malo, a historic fortified port renowned for its walled battlements, idyllic beaches and regional gastronomy. Once ashore, explore the city’s market, 15th-century buildings and Fort National. Alternatively, you might visit Mont Saint-Michel, a stunning village perched atop a tidal island. Here, wander its steep cobblestone streets and climb over 350 steps to reach its famed abbey. Or, visit Dinan, a walled Breton town renowned for its 14th century castle.

Arrive in Honfleur, a quaint Norman port town with a rich maritime heritage dating to the 16th century. Stroll the narrow streets, taking in St. Catherine’s Church and the Old Port. Or, you might travel to the D-Day landing site of Omaha Beach, as well as the Normandy American Cemetery and Visitors Center at Colleville-sur-Mer. Alternatively, embark on a culinary adventure in the countryside, sampling local cheeses, hard cider and Calvados.

Disembark in Portsmouth and head to London for your return flight.