Explore the Iberian and Gascon Shores: Cruise from Lisbon to Bordeaux

Spread over seven hills with São Jorge Castle views, bustling Lisbon is one of the world's oldest cities. Elegant Baixa, hilltop Alfama with its yellow tram, and scenic Graça overviewing pastel buildings, are top areas. The Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is a World Heritage Gothic site. The classic Portuguese pastel de nata custard tarts are a local treat. Europe’s longest suspension bridge, the Ponte 25 de Abril, crosses the river Tagus.

Vilagarcía de Arousa serves as the natural gateway to Santiago de Compostela, where a sweeping seafront promenade buzzes with waterfront cafés and restaurants offering fresh Galician seafood. Inland lies the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Santiago de Compostela, where the soaring spires of its legendary cathedral welcome thousands of pilgrims completing their transformative journey along the ancient Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

With a rich seafaring history and scenic beaches, Ferrol, in A Coruña, Galicia, on the Atlantic coast, champions the Ferrol Naval Museum and the 16th-century San Felipe Castle. Nearby, La Coruña, dubbed the Crystal City for its glass-fronted buildings, showcases the 1st-century Hercules Tower, a UNESCO landmark. Santiago de Compostela, a famed pilgrimage centre, houses the cathedral believed to hold the remains of St. James the Great.

The Asturian port city Gijon with colourful old houses is surrounded by green hills and is home to the Atlantic Botanical Gardens with over 2,000 plants. The monumental sculpture "Eulogy to the Horizon" by Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida overlooks the sea. In the fisherman’s old quarter, Cimadevilla, the Campo Valdés Roman Baths date from around 100 AD. Local ciders are a speciality, best enjoyed in a traditional sideria.

Santander, known for its beaches, unveils tales of a bygone era through medieval alleyways and ancient architecture. The Paseo de Pereda is a lush haven of gardens and sculptures. The city's history, dating back to Roman times, is marked by landmarks like the 13th-century Gothic cathedral, Catedral de la Asunción, and the Palacio de la Magdalena, a former royal summer residence. Santander is also renowned for traditional Basque cuisine.

Set on the stunning Bay of Biscay, the culinary powerhouse of San Sebastián blends big-city style with Basque tradition. Renowned for innovative chefs and Michelin stars, its cobblestone old town, Parte Vieja, buzzes with lively pintxo bars where world-renowned bite-sized specialities are paired with local wines. The town’s Belle Epoque elegance is framed by two beaches, Playas de la Concha and de Ondarreta, both lined with a scenic promenade.

The small port town of Pauillac is a cornerstone of the Médoc wine region, on the Gironde estuary north of Bordeaux. Highly regarded by wine enthusiasts, it is home to three of the five Bordeaux First-Growth wines: the prestigious Châteaux of Mouton-Rothschild, Latour, and Lafite-Rothschild. Renowned for Cabernet Sauvignon, these wines boast rich tannins and age beautifully. Pauillac also has a unique history with a WWI US Navy seaplane base.

Bordeaux, a key port city in southwestern France, is the heart of the French wine industry. The Cité du Vin, an interactive wine museum, and the UNESCO-listed 18th-century old city highlight its cultural and architectural significance. Surrounded by famed wine regions like Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux blends rich history with world-class gastronomy and markets like Capucins and Chartrons.

Itineraries are subject to change.