West Coast of Europe

This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception followed by dinner.

After a visit to the Belém Tower, departure point for many Portuguese explorers, drive to the outskirts of the city for a tour of Fronteira Palace, famous for its extraordinary Portuguese azulejos (tiles). Return to the center of Lisbon for lunch and a tour of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, which houses one of Europe’s finest private collections of art from various cultures and historical periods. Later this afternoon, we transfer to the pier to embark Le Lapérouse.

From the port of Leixoes, travel to Quinta da Aveleda, a family-owned estate nestled in the heart of Portugal’s verdant Vinho Verde region. For more than three centuries, the Guedes family has cultivated vineyards here, producing the crisp, refreshing wines for which the region is famous. Stroll through the gardens dotted with centuries-old trees, whimsical follies, and hidden grottoes before enjoying a tasting of the estate’s celebrated wines.

Disembark in Vigo for our visit to the seaside town of Cambados, a center of Galicia’s seafood industry. Board a catamaran for a cruise to the mouth of the Ria de Arousa, where we see mussel, oyster, and scallop farms floating on wooden platforms and learn how Galicia has come to be recognized as the source of some of the best shellfish in Europe. Continue to nearby Combarro, a picturesque fishing village, for a walk through along the waterfront lined with stone granaries and granite houses. Conclude our visit with a wine-tasting lunch, paired with Galician tapas.

During this day at sea, attend lectures and discussions and enjoy some of the ship’s many amenities.

From Santander, travel east along the Cantabrian coast to the fishing town of Santoña, our gateway to the Santoña Marshes Natural Park. Board a catamaran to cruise through this estuary of the Ason River that serves as a haven for herons, egrets, and several species of migratory birds. Back on shore, tour one of Santoña’s anchovy factories to see the artisanal methods that have made these anchovies famous throughout Spain and beyond—and to enjoy a tasting that pairs the fish with local bread, olive oil, and Cantabrian wine.

Situated on the Gironde Estuary of the Garonne River, Bordeaux has flourished as a center of trade and wine production for more than two thousand years. In the 18th century, its participation in the lucrative trade with the West Indies and the Americas created a golden age of prosperity that is still evident in the city’s elegant neoclassical architecture. Bordeaux is also, of course, La Cité du Vin, and our two days here includes forays into the wine regions of both Bordeaux and Médoc.

Lying to the south of Brittany and the largest of the Ponant Islands, Belle-Ile owes its reputation to its wild and rugged coastline of pristine moors and dunes and sheltered bays with sand and pebble beaches. Today, we get a glimpse into the way of life of a local small business—the Jardin Eden du Voyageur (Eden Garden), a meticulously tended garden of aromatic and medicinal plants, vegetables, and flowers from around the globe. Meet with the owner, who guides our tour of the grounds.

From Saint-Malo, journey to Mont-Saint-Michel, a small island located about a thousand yards off the coast of Normandy that has served as a fortress, a monastery, a pilgrimage site, and a prison at various periods during its long history. Walk through the narrow cobblestone streets of the village, where most of the houses have been converted to shops and cafés, and make our way to the Abbey, a marvelous concoction of different styles of medieval architecture.

Today’s excursion focuses on Guernsey’s leadership in the fields of conservation and sustainability. We begin with an introduction to the island’s 10,000-year history of harnessing seaweed for uses ranging from food and fertilizer to cosmetics and fashion. Led by a local guide, join in foraging seaweed from the beach, tasting different varieties along the way, and distributing the harvest to local businesses. During a stop at La Société Guernesiaise, dedicated to preserving Guernsey’s natural environment and traditional farming methods, learn about the world-famous breed of cattle and about the local dairy industry. Conclude with a seaweed-themed lunch of local produce.

After breakfast aboard, disembark and transfer to the Honfleur airport for flights homeward.