From port wine houses in Oporto, Portugal, to the chocolate-makers of Bayonne, France, this voyage is sure to satisfy your appetite for the cuisine and culture of the upper Iberian coast. Explore the splendor of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, tour a Galician mansion, meander through the villages of A Coruña and Bilbao, and hike the beautiful Basque coastline. Visit the Tower of Hercules and the Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum; thrill to the melodies of the gaitas and trikitixas; and savor a Basque-style dinner in San Sebastian, Spain. Compare and contrast French and Spanish Basque cultures, and learn about the Celtic influence on the region as well.
NOTE: This tour is no longer available. Visit the Lindblad site to see the latest itineraries.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
Arrive in Lisbon, and board the NG Orion. After lunch, relax on the ship or explore on shore. We set sail and navigate the Tagus River at sunset, drinks in hand.
Arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Oporto in the late morning. The birthplace of port wine, Oporto straddles a gorge on the Douro River, linked by numerous bridges and filled with medieval architecture. See the famous azulejo tiles of the region and take in the views from the iron masterpiece Ponte Dom Luís. Later, learn the secrets of port-making during a tasting at a riverside port house.
Explore the city by vintage tram, auto, tuk-tuk or on foot.
Anchor in Vilagarcía de Arousa and drive to Santiago de Compostela. Visit a historic mansion with impressive gardens, and listen to the melodies of a gaita, a Galician bagpipe. Enjoy lunch with a vibrant musical performance at the adjacent Hostal de los Reyes Católicos.
In the afternoon, join fishermen along an estuary as they collect mussels, which our chef will prepare. Or walk in the pilgrims' path to the magnificent cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. You can also raft down the Ríos de Galicia, should you want an adventure.
Cruise into A Coruña, passing the impressive Tower of Hercules in the morning light. Pay a visit to the tower, the only working Roman lighthouse in the world, visit the local market, and learn about the architectural phenomenon that earned the town the nickname “The Glass City.” Take a late-morning stroll or a bicycle ride around the area’s picturesque coastal villages before we sail east.
Arrive in Bilbao after lunch. Explore the titanium curves of the iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, learn how it has transformed the city, and have a guided tour of the interior in small groups. Wander through Bilbao’s old quarter, or go for a scenic hike along the coast. After dinner on the ship, enjoy a free evening to experience the city at night.
We have arranged for a private performance by famous Basque musician Kepa Junkera so you can experience the music of this region.
Explore both the French and Spanish Basque cultures today. At a market excursion in the village of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, get an introduction to French Basque culture and cuisine, followed by a journey to the French Basque countryside for a wine and tapas tasting. In Spain’s Basque capital of San Sebastian, discover the connection to the Celts and hear the bouncing rhythms of a trikitixa, a traditional accordion.
Cider houses rule in Basque Spain, and we’ve planned a special Basque dinner and cultural event in San Sebastian. Grab a glass and do as the locals do: sit at the long farm tables and sidle up to the barrel tap for a cider refill.
Walk through the picturesque old port town of Bayonne and learn about the rich chocolate industry for which this area is so well known. On an excursion to the former imperial retreat of Biarritz, stroll along the coast to the Rock of the Virgin, once used by Napoleon III as an anchoring point.
Chocolate lovers may attend a demonstration at a small, private French chocolate house.
Disembark in Bordeaux and transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. Or, remain in Bordeaux for an added stay.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
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