Fado to Fjords - Lisbon to Oslo Cruise

Day 1 - Lisbon

Arrive: Thu 13 June 2024 / Depart: Thu 13 June 2024 at 18:00

Visit the ornate Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery and stroll the narrow, winding streets of the charming Alfama district. Enjoy marvelous old Sintra, a royal country retreat, and Cascais, a beautiful seaside resort. Explore medieval Obidos or make a pilgrimage to Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared repeatedly to three shepherd children in 1917.

Day 2 - Oporto(Porto), Portugal

Arrive: Fri 14 June 2024 at 09:00 / Depart: Fri 14 June 2024 at 18:00

Explore picturesque, historic Oporto and the Vila Nova de Gaia quarter, home of its famed port wine industry. Or discover Portugal's scenic countryside and visit Guimaraes with its impressive medieval castle and beautiful Braga with its Bom Jesus Shrine and superb cathedral.

Day 3 - La Coruna, Spain

Arrive: Sat 15 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 15 June 2024 at 18:00

See the famed Tower of Hercules, the still working 2nd century Roman lighthouse, and wander through this historic town of fine churches, old palaces, cobbled streets and unique fishermen's houses. Or spend the day in beautiful Santiago de Compostela, an important pilgrimage site renowned for its magnificent cathedral and superb architectural and cultural heritage.

Day 4 - Bilbao

Arrive: Sun 16 June 2024 at 09:00 / Depart: Sun 16 June 2024 at 14:00

Bilbao is a charming city both modern and dynamic while at the same time, with its 700 years of history, it is quite traditional as well. Enjoy a walk around the Old Quarter, the most popular area of the city. Here you will see the Teatro Arriaga; el Arenal, the old stevedoring port and today one of the favorite promenades of the citizens of Bilbao; the San Nicholas Church; and the Cathedral of Santiago along with its cloister, Plaza Nueva. No visit to Bilbao would be complete without a visit to the architecturally stunning Guggenheim Museum, which is in and of itself a work of art.

Day 5 - Bordeaux

Arrive: Mon 17 June 2024 at 05:00

Enjoy the city's visual feast of wonderful ornate buildings, broad avenues, marvelous squares and the Cathedral of St. André, where Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII. Stroll through Old Bordeaux. Then visit the area's fabulous vineyards and magnificent châteaux and delight in tasting their superb wines.

Day 6 - Bordeaux

Depart: Tue 18 June 2024 at 15:00

Enjoy the city's visual feast of wonderful ornate buildings, broad avenues, marvelous squares and the Cathedral of St. André, where Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII. Stroll through Old Bordeaux. Then visit the area's fabulous vineyards and magnificent châteaux and delight in tasting their superb wines.

Day 7 - Lorient

Arrive: Wed 19 June 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 19 June 2024 at 18:00

Lying on an immense natural harbor formed by three rivers that flow into the Atlantic, Lorient nestles along the beautiful southern coast of Brittany. Once a base for French colonialism, Lorient boasts the Musée de la Compagnie des Indes, a museum displaying artifacts from 1660 to the end of the 18th century. Still, Lorient has a modern appearance, as it was thoroughly rebuilt after World War II. For a unique perspective of that time, visit the massive German submarine base.

Day 8 - St Malo

Arrive: Thu 20 June 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Thu 20 June 2024 at 19:00

Explore this fascinating fortified town or discover the lovely medieval town of Dinan with its impressive clock tower and picturesque half-timbered houses. Drive along the rugged Brittany coast and savor the stunning view of mystical Mont St. Michel before wandering through its steep, winding streets and the mazelike abbey passages.

Day 9 - Paris

Arrive: Fri 21 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 21 June 2024 at 19:00

Enjoy the scenic trip through the rolling French countryside to Paris and spend the day savoring it's gardens, museums and historic sites. Visit the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Take a boat ride along the Seine and a stroll along the Champs Elysee. Or visit historic Rouen or the battlefields of Normandy.

Day 10 - Tilbury

Arrive: Sat 22 June 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Sat 22 June 2024 at 21:00

Take a trip up to London and get a bird's eye view of the city from the London Eye. See sights like Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Piccadilly. Stroll along Lower Regent Street or visit the British Museum.

Day 11 - Zeebrugge

Arrive: Sun 23 June 2024 at 09:00 / Depart: Sun 23 June 2024 at 19:00

Step back in time to the 14th century as you meander along the narrow streets of this medieval gem past gabled buildings and through the bustling market. Take a boat ride along the city's canals. Or spend the day exploring Brussels and its famed Grand Place or Antwerp, home of Rubens and Bruegel, seeing the verdant countryside along the way.

Day 12 - Amsterdam

Arrive: Mon 24 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Mon 24 June 2024 at 18:00

Take a boat ride along Amsterdam's charming canals past sturdy old houses and under quaint bridges. Visit one of the city's superb museums housing many of the Dutch Masters' most outstanding works, or learn about Anne Frank and the city's Jewish heritage. Journey into the countryside and see historic windmills and the fascinating porcelain works in Delft.

Day 13 - Antwerp

Arrive: Tue 25 June 2024 at 10:00

The two most recurring sights in Antwerp are the works of local sculptor Peter Paul Rubens and hands, which adorn everything from the town flag to the local Belgiam chocolates. The hands' symbolism is explained at Brabo Fountain in Grote Markt square, which depicts the soldier that severed the hand of a mythical giant who bullied the townspeople by taking tolls. Antwerp is also known for its beautifully preserved Gothic and Baroque architecture, which includes the Cathedral of Our Lady, a masterpiece of lace work in stone on Groenplaats public square.

Day 14 - Antwerp

Depart: Wed 26 June 2024 at 14:00

The two most recurring sights in Antwerp are the works of local sculptor Peter Paul Rubens and hands, which adorn everything from the town flag to the local Belgiam chocolates. The hands' symbolism is explained at Brabo Fountain in Grote Markt square, which depicts the soldier that severed the hand of a mythical giant who bullied the townspeople by taking tolls. Antwerp is also known for its beautifully preserved Gothic and Baroque architecture, which includes the Cathedral of Our Lady, a masterpiece of lace work in stone on Groenplaats public square.

Day 15 - Paris

Arrive: Thu 27 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Thu 27 June 2024 at 22:00

Enjoy the scenic trip through the rolling French countryside to Paris and spend the day savoring it's gardens, museums and historic sites. Visit the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Take a boat ride along the Seine and a stroll along the Champs Elysee. Or visit historic Rouen or the battlefields of Normandy.

Day 16 - Portsmouth, UK

Arrive: Fri 28 June 2024 at 06:00 / Depart: Fri 28 June 2024 at 19:00

Day 17 - St. Peter Port, Guernsey

Arrive: Sat 29 June 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 29 June 2024 at 16:00

Enjoy this charming port, its beautiful harbor, architecture and imposing castle. See the rugged countryside and take a walk along the extraordinary cliffs and down to the sea, where Renoir once admired the view. Or savor the landscape in a drive around the island past grazing Guernsey cows in rich pastures. Then visit artisans working with silver and gold. Learn about the German occupation during WWII, or tour Victor Hugo's house and absorb the spectacular view. Stroll through the lovely Candie Gardens on this island known for its flowers.

Day 18 - Cork, Ireland

Arrive: Sun 30 June 2024 at 10:00 / Depart: Sun 30 June 2024 at 20:00

Cheerful Cork sprawls about the River Lee in one of Ireland's most stunning settings. Bridges crisscross the city leading to landmarks like St. Anne's Church and the Old City Gaol, where you'll see the 19th century prisoners' graffiti. Make time to kiss the Blarney Stone in Blarney Castle.

Day 19 - Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Arrive: Mon 01 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 01 July 2024 at 19:00

The coastal suburb of Dún Laoghaire is popular for strolls on the East Pier, and locally caught fish and chips. The National Maritime Museum of Ireland has nautical art and artefacts inside a 19th-century sailors’ church, while the harbour is a busy hub for fishing, water sports and cruises. Nearby Sandycove is home to the James Joyce Tower and Museum, as well as the sheltered beach and bathing spot at Forty Foot.

Day 20 - Greenock

Arrive: Tue 02 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 02 July 2024 at 18:00

Offering some of the finest Victorian architecture in the UK, Glasgow is a major center of commerce and culture. Glasgow Cathedral is one of the only cathedrals in Scotland to have survived the Reformation in tact and houses a celebrated collection of stained glass windows. The Burrell Collection showcases a range of work by major artists such as Rodin, Degas and Cézanne, as well as examples of late medieval, Chinese and Islamic art. When exploring Scotland’s culinary culture, be sure to taste some of the famed single malt whiskies.

Day 21 - Cruising the North Sea

Day 22 - Stavanger, Norway

Arrive: Thu 04 July 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Thu 04 July 2024 at 20:00

Chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2008, oil-rich Stavanger lies in southwestern Norway's stunning fjord region. Old Stavanger has been meticulously preserved with many of its wooden cottages converted into art galleries and boutiques. But it's the museums that set this cosmopolitan city apart. The Stavanger Museum alone consists of eight buildings exhibiting collections that include maritime, medical and printing artifacts. Outdoor enthusiasts may enjoy walking the nature trails along the banks of nearby Lysefjorden, a classic fjord, or beholding the amazing view of the countryside from Pulpit Rock.

Day 23 - Arendal, Norway

Arrive: Fri 05 July 2024 at 09:00 / Depart: Fri 05 July 2024 at 19:00

Day 24 - Oslo

Arrive: Sat 06 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 06 July 2024

Overlooking a gorgeous fjord, Norway's capital and largest city simply radiates with natural beauty and sophistication. Oslo's rich seafaring history is on display at the Viking Ships Museum, rivaled only by the Kon-Tiki Museum, which holds the balsawood raft that Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl used to sail from Peru to Polynesia. History aside, Oslo exudes a love of the outdoors in city parks like Vigeland, which is adorned with over 200 life-size sculptures by artist Gustav Vigeland. Much of Oslo is heavily forested with pines, making it one of Europe's greenest cities.