European Coastal Civilizations

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From $3,795 per person based on double occupancy, air and VAT not included
Operated by Thomas P. Gohagan & Company

View photos from last year's trip

Overview: 

This unique seven-night cruise aboard the exclusively chartered, deluxe small ship M.S. LE BORÉAL captures the historical legacies and the enduring yet dynamic cultures of coastal Portugal, Spain and France. A special component of this offering is the exclusive C’EST BON! CULINARY TRADITIONS™ program, led by our culinary expert and celebrating the cuisines and wines of our ports of call through culinary lectures, demonstrations and tastings. Visit five UNESCO World Heritage sites—Oporto in Portugal’s renowned port wine country; Santiago de Compostela, one of the three most prestigious pilgrimage destinations of medieval European Christendom; Tower of Hercules, a working lighthouse since the Roman times; one of the Fortifications of Vauban on Île de Ré and the legendary
Mont St. Michel. Visit the illustrious Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao; and the spectacular medieval fishing port city of La Rochelle. Enrich your appreciation of these regions’ traditions and flavors with a selection of attractively priced optional culinary shore excursions. Experience more of these remarkable cultures by choosing the Lisbon Pre-Cruise Option and/or the Paris Post-Cruise Option.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Depart from the U.S. or Canada
Day 2 - Lisbon, Portugal/Embark M.S. LE BORÉAL
Day 3 - Oporto (Leixões)
Day 4 - Santiago de Compostela (Muros), Spain/La Coruña
Day 5 - Bilbao (Santander)
Day 6 - La Rochelle, France/Île de Ré
Day 7 - Cruising the Bay of Biscay
Day 8 - Mont St. Michel (St. Malo)
Day 9 - Honfleur, France/Disembark M.S. LE BOREAL/Return to the U.S. or Canada

Activity Level:
Moderately Active

Highlights:

• Cruise for seven nights on this unique program from the old-world sophistication of Portugal to the artistic riches of Spain’s Basque Country and the rugged beauty of France’s coast and Île de Ré.
• Enjoy spacious and deluxe outside accommodations aboard the exclusively chartered deluxe
  M.S. LE BORÉAL, an intimate vessel that set unprecedented standards in elegance and comfort when it launched in 2010.
• Explore the local flavors through the C’EST BON! CULINARY TRADITIONS™ program—optional excursions with an emphasis on fine regional cuisine, informative lectures by a professional culinary expert and cooking demonstrations by a master chef.
• Visit Oporto, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stately architecture and picturesque harbor with distinctive port wine boats.
• Walk in the footsteps of pilgrims on the St. James Way in the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site of Santiago de Compostela.
• Stop at the Tower of Hercules, a working lighthouse from the Roman times, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. 
• See one of the Fortifications of Vauban, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Île de Ré.
• Visit the majestic tidal island of Mont St. Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  
• Walk along the honey colored streets of La Rochelle, a beautiful medieval fishing port city.
• Observe the intriguing balance of age-old traditions and modern touches in Bilbao, with a visit to the illustrious Guggenheim Museum.
• Experience more of these remarkable cultures by choosing the Lisbon Pre-Cruise Option and Paris Post-Cruise Option.
• Explore some of western Europe’s most enchanting treasures on this intriguing travel program at an exceptional value.
• Enjoy complimentary house wine, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, coffee and tea with lunch and dinner on board the M.S. LE BORÉAL.

M.S. LE BORÉAL - STATE-OF-THE-ART DESIGN:

The M.S. LE BORÉAL represents the newest generation of deluxe small ships and features distinctive French sophistication.

SPACIOUS, DELUXE SUITES AND STATEROOMS, MOST WITH BALCONIES:

Ninety-five percent of the large, deluxe, air‑conditioned, outside Staterooms and Suites (from 200 to 484 square feet) feature private balconies. Most accommodations have two twin beds that convert to one queen-size bed; each has a private bathroom with shower (bathtub in limited number of staterooms), and the luxurious amenities of a fine hotel, including: individual climate control, satellite flatscreen television, wireless Internet access, safe, minibar, full-length closet, writing desk/dressing table and plush robes.

CHIC AND CASUAL DINING:

International and regional cuisine is served in the stylish, spacious La Licorne dining room in single, unassigned seatings, alfresco in the casual indoor-outdoor La Boussole restaurant or from 24‑hour room service. Continental and buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and a four‑course dinner are served daily. Complimentary wine and beer are served with lunch and dinner.

SPACIOUS PUBLIC AREAS/WORLD-CLASS SERVICE AND FACILITIES:

Inviting and spacious public areas accommodate all passengers comfortably. Enjoy views from the Panoramic Lounge; nightly entertainment in the Main Lounge and lectures, cultural performances and film screenings in the state‑of‑the-art theater. There is a library, Internet salon, Sun Deck, swimming pool, beauty salon, spa, Turkish bath‑style steam room, full range of fitness equipment and two elevators. The infirmary is staffed with a doctor and nurse. The highly trained and personable English-speaking international crew provides attentive service.

RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT:

The state-of-the-art propulsion system provides an exceptionally smooth, quiet and comfortable voyage by creating little vibration and significantly reduced engine noise. The ship is designed to prevent contact with environmentally sensitive seabeds and meets the latest “Clean Ship” standards. The ship has two tenders.

INCLUDED FEATURES - ON BOARD THE DELUXE M.S. LE BORÉAL:

• Seven-night cruise from Lisbon, Portugal, to Honfleur, France, with port calls at Leixões (Oporto), Portugal; Muros (Santiago de Compostela) and Bilbao, Spain; and La Rochelle (Île de Ré) and St. Malo (Mont St. Michel), France.
• Spacious deluxe outside accommodations with private bathroom and individual climate control.
• Captain’s welcome and farewell receptions.
• All meals—continental breakfast, buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, afternoon tea and dinner—throughout the cruise, featuring fine international and regional cuisine, served at single, unassigned seatings.
• Complimentary wine and beer are served with lunch and dinner.
• Three exclusive C’EST BON! CULINARY TRADITIONS™ lectures by expert Kristine Kidd.
• Exclusive C’EST BON! CULINARY TRADITIONS™ food demonstration by the M.S. LE BORÉAL master chef.
• Excursion to Oporto, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Full-day excursion to Santiago de Compostela and La Coruña featuring visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, including lunch.
• Visit Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum.
• Tours of La Rochelle and Île de Ré to see its UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the  Fortifications of Vauban.
• Walking tour of Mont St. Michel and a visit to the abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

ENHANCED TRAVEL SERVICES:

• All transfers and luggage handling abroad for all participants who have purchased their international air tickets through Gohagan & Company and whose arrival(s)/departure(s) coincide with the scheduled group transfer(s).
• All excursions and visits led by experienced, English-speaking local guides.
• A program of attractively priced C’EST BON! CULINARY TRADITIONS™ options, accompanied by a culinary expert, available at additional cost.
• Gratuities for local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
• Experienced Travel Director to accompany you throughout the travel program.
• Hospitality desk on board the ship.
• Travel document wallet, name badge and pre-departure information.
• Automatic $250,000 flight insurance policy for each participant ticketed on flights by Gohagan & Company.

LISBON PRE-PROGRAM OPTION:

Portugal’s intimate, welcoming capital, Lisbon is the ideal prelude to your cruise. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Jerónimos Monastery, a magnificent 16th-century monument, and the sleepy village of Sintra featuring a visit to the Sintra National Palace, a former Moorish fort and the last remaining medieval royal palace in Portugal. Accommodations for this two-night stay are in the deluxe DOM PEDRO PALACE HOTEL, located near the 18th‑century Basilica da Estrela.

PARIS POST-PROGRAM OPTION:

Normandy and Paris are a natural combination and conclusion to your cruise. Visit the D-Day Beaches, the American Cemetery and Memorial to the soldiers of World War II, an exceptional experience. In Paris, tour the private, 19th‑century mansion and art collection of the Musée Jacquemart‑André and see Paris’ most famous landmarks. Enjoy a two‑night stay in the deluxe INTERCONTINENTAL PARIS LE GRAND, located near the Louvre.