Lisbon to London (Tower Bridge) Cruise

Day 1 - Lisbon

Arrive: Sun 19 May 2024 / Depart: Sun 19 May 2024 at 17:00

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a city open to the sea and carefully planned with 18th-century elegance. Its founder is said to be the legendary Ulysses, but the theory of an original Phoenician settlement is probably more realistic. Known in Portugal as Lisboa, the city was inhabited by the Romans, Visigoths and, beginning in the 8th century, the Moors. Much of the 16th century was a period of great prosperity and overseas expansion for Portugal. Tragedy struck on All Saints' Day in 1755 with a devastating earthquake that killed about 40,000 people. The destruction of Lisbon shocked the continent. As a result, the Baixa (lower city) emerged in a single phase of building, carried out in less than a decade by the royal minister, the Marques de Pombal. His carefully planned layout of a perfect neo-classical grid survived to this day and remains the heart of the city. Evidence of pre-quake Lisbon can still be seen in the Belém suburb and the old Moorish section of the Alfama that sprawls below the Castle of St. George. Lisbon is a compact city on the banks of the Tagus River. Visitors find it easy to get around as many places of interest are in the vicinity of the central downtown area. There is a convenient bus and tram system and taxis are plentiful. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon since medieval times, is an ideal place to start exploring. After a fire destroyed parts of the historic neighborhood behind Rossio in 1988, many of the restored buildings emerged with modern interiors behind the original façades. The city boasts a good many monuments and museums, such as the Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belém, the Royal Coach Museum and the Gulbenkian Museum. High above the Baixa is the Bairro Alto (upper city) with its teeming nightlife. The easiest way to connect between the two areas is via the public elevator designed by Gustave Eiffel. Cruising up the Tagus River to the ship's berth, you can already spot three of Lisbon's famous landmarks: the Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Belém and the Statue of Christ, which welcomes visitors from its hilltop location high above Europe's longest suspension bridge.

Day 2 - Leixoes, Portugal

Arrive: Mon 20 May 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 20 May 2024 at 19:30

Lively, commercial Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon. Also called Porto for short, the word easily brings to mind the city's most famous product - port wine. Oporto’s strategic location on the north bank of the Douro River has accounted for the town’s importance since ancient times. The Romans built a fort here where their trading route crossed the Douro, and the Moors brought their own culture to the area. Oporto profited from provisioning crusaders en route to the Holy Land and enjoyed the riches from Portuguese maritime discoveries during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Day 3 - Vigo

Arrive: Tue 21 May 2024 at 05:30 / Depart: Tue 21 May 2024 at 18:30

Located in in Galicia, in the northwest of Spain on the Portuguese border, Vigo is perhaps the country’s most underrated destination. Considered by many as “just’ an industrial fishing port (meaning the seafood rarely travels further than a mile to your plate), Vigo seduces everyone with its cuisine, landscape and warm Spanish welcomes. Like many of Galicia’s coastal towns, life in Vigo has been dictated by the ocean. View less The city dates back to Roman times and Romanesque architecture such as the churches of Santa María de Castrelos, Santiago de Bembrive, San Salvador de Coruxo can be found all over the city. From the 16th-18th centuries it became alive with commercial trade and buccaneers looking for sunken treasure. The town still enjoys its status as having sunken treasure in its waters, and debates about who would own this if ever discovered periodically colour local conversations. The old town and fishermen’s quarter are worth exploring, although unfortunately with the port’s rapid expansion in the 20th century, many of the original fishermen’s houses were demolished. However, remnants of the city’s Medieval past are still visible and a trip along the Spanish-Portuguese border will reward you with the beautiful walled Medieval city of Tui and the Velansa Fortress. The 13th century fortress offers a splendid view of the fortified Cathedral of Tui on the opposite side of the River Miño. Mount Castro, a castle fortress actually in the city, commands a magnificent view of Vigo and the bay.

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - Belle-Ile-en–Mer, France

Arrive: Thu 23 May 2024 at 06:30 / Depart: Thu 23 May 2024 at 14:00

Belle-Île is an island off the coast of Brittany in northwest France. In the main town La Palais, Citadelle Vauban is a star-shaped fortress. The fort at Pointe des Poulains, the island's northern tip, houses a museum dedicated to 19th-century actress Sarah Bernhardt.

Day 6 - Concarneau

Arrive: Fri 24 May 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 24 May 2024 at 11:30

Concarneau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in north-western France. Concarneau is bordered to the west by the Baie de La Forêt. The town has two distinct areas: the modern town on the mainland and the medieval Ville Close, a walled town on a long island in the centre of the harbour.

Day 6 - Glenan Islands

Arrive: Fri 24 May 2024 at 14:30 / Depart: Fri 24 May 2024 at 19:00

Day 7 - Roscoff

Arrive: Sat 25 May 2024 at 07:30 / Depart: Sat 25 May 2024 at 18:00

Roscoff is a commune in the Finistère département of Brittany in northwestern France. Roscoff is renowned for its picturesque architecture, labelled petite cité de caractère de Bretagne since 2009. Roscoff is also a traditional departure point for Onion Johnnies.

Day 8 - St Helier

Arrive: Sun 26 May 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 26 May 2024 at 19:00

St. Helier is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands in the English Channel. St. Helier has a population of about 37,540 – roughly one-third of the total population of Jersey – and is the capital of the island. The town of St. Helier is the largest settlement and only town of Jersey.

Day 8 - Batz Island

Day 9 - St Malo

Arrive: Mon 27 May 2024 at 08:30 / Depart: Mon 27 May 2024 at 18:30

Ship sails flutter in the breeze, at the natural port of Saint-Malo - a historic and resilient walled city, which watches out over golden sands and island fortresses. Strung tenuously to the mainland, Saint Malo was the historic home of a rowdy mix of skilled sailors and new world explorers - as well as the plunderers who earned the place its 'Pirate City' title. Some of history's great voyages have launched from here - including Jacques Cartier's, which led to the settlement of New France and modern-day Quebec. View less Founded by a Welsh monk, who made his way here in the 6th century, Saint Malo's castle is forged from sheer granite, and its steep defensive ramparts arise defiantly. The atmospheric walled town turns its back to the mainland and gazes out longingly into the sea. Explore streets that breathe with maritime tales and medieval charm - restored from the intense damage sustained during the Second World War. Cathédrale de St Malo rises above the tight paths, offering views of the peppered islands and fortifications. Boatloads of fresh oysters and scallops are heaved ashore - savour them or grab savoury crepes galettes, stuffed with cheese and ham. Wash Saint Malo's foods down with a Brittany cider, which challenges wine as the indulgence of choice in these parts. A highly tidal region, the pocket-sized islands of Petit Bé and Grand Bé join the mainland, and you can explore at leisure as the tide recedes. The incredible island of Mont Saint Michel also looms in the estuary of the Couesnon River nearby, hovering like a cinematic mirage above high tide’s waters. Elsewhere, Cap Fréhel's lush green peninsula juts out from the emerald coast towards Jersey, tempting with rich coastal hiking trails.

Day 10 - Paris

Arrive: Tue 28 May 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 28 May 2024 at 23:00

Le Havre, founded by King Francis I of France in 1517, is located inUpper Normandy on the north bank of the mouth of the River Seine, which isconsidered the most frequented waterway in the world. Its port is ranked thesecond largest in France. The city was originally built on marshland andmudflats that were drained in the 1500’s. During WWII most of Le Havre wasdestroyed by Allied bombing raids. Post war rebuilding of the city followed thedevelopment plans of the well-known Belgian architect Auguste Perre.

Day 11 - At Sea

Day 12 - London Tower Bridge

Arrive: Thu 30 May 2024 at 08:30

London is undoubtedly one of the world's greatest cities. With a population of nearly eight million, it is by far the largest city in Europe, spreading over an area of more than 620 square miles. In addition to numerous monuments from its past as a world empire, London is equally known for its pageantry and tradition. Though the city was heavily damaged during the Blitz of World War II, a surprising number of monuments were miraculously spared from destruction. Soon after the end of the war, England's capital began to prosper as never before. London has something for everyone - wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Large expanses of greenery, such as Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James Park, are all within a few minutes' walk of the West End shops.The museums and galleries are as varied and rich as you will find anywhere. Monuments run the gamut from Roman ruins to sumptuous castles and opulent public buildings, representing the architecture of the triumphal British Empire. Many of these buildings were constructed in the 18th century and during the reign of Queen Victoria to reflect the city's status as the financial and administrative hub of a great empire. Today, London wears its 2,000 years of history with dignity. Alongside modern skyscrapers are remnants of the city's Roman wall. Norman London is evident in one of London's best-known landmarks, the Tower of London, whose origins date back to William the Conqueror.The city's oldest pub, a few medieval churches and the timbered Elizabethan façade of Staple Inn recall London before the Great Fire of 1666. Stately Georgian squares from the 18th century are preserved in the fashionable West End.

Day 13 - London Tower Bridge

Depart: Fri 31 May 2024

London is undoubtedly one of the world's greatest cities. With a population of nearly eight million, it is by far the largest city in Europe, spreading over an area of more than 620 square miles. In addition to numerous monuments from its past as a world empire, London is equally known for its pageantry and tradition. Though the city was heavily damaged during the Blitz of World War II, a surprising number of monuments were miraculously spared from destruction. Soon after the end of the war, England's capital began to prosper as never before. London has something for everyone - wide boulevards buzzing with excitement far into the night, quiet squares and explorable alleyways. Large expanses of greenery, such as Hyde Park, Green Park and St. James Park, are all within a few minutes' walk of the West End shops.The museums and galleries are as varied and rich as you will find anywhere. Monuments run the gamut from Roman ruins to sumptuous castles and opulent public buildings, representing the architecture of the triumphal British Empire. Many of these buildings were constructed in the 18th century and during the reign of Queen Victoria to reflect the city's status as the financial and administrative hub of a great empire. Today, London wears its 2,000 years of history with dignity. Alongside modern skyscrapers are remnants of the city's Roman wall. Norman London is evident in one of London's best-known landmarks, the Tower of London, whose origins date back to William the Conqueror.The city's oldest pub, a few medieval churches and the timbered Elizabethan façade of Staple Inn recall London before the Great Fire of 1666. Stately Georgian squares from the 18th century are preserved in the fashionable West End.