Spain & France

Make your own way to the port for your 12 night cruise

The port city of Bordeaux sits on the Garonne Rive in south-western France, at the heart one of the country's wine-growing regions. Take a stroll around the UNESCO listed Old Town and climb the 229 steps of Pey-Berland Tower at Gothic Cathedrale Saint-Andre. Stop by Place de la Bourse – home to the Miroir d'Eau reflecting pool and the Three Graces fountain. Escape to the tranquil surroundings of Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux or admire the artworks at Musee des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux. Discover all things wine-related at La Cite du Vin cultural centre, before following one of the six wine routes through Bordeaux Wine Country.

Discover the cosmopolitan Basque city and lively port of Bilbao. Surrounded by verdant green mountains, this city in northern Spain is home to the breathtaking modern and contemporary art at the Guggenheim Museum. Sample authentic tapas dishes in the family-run restaurants that line Casco Viejo, Bilbao's vibrant old quarter, and shop for handmade souvenirs at quirky independent boutiques. The modern transport links provide easy access to the two other capitals of the Basque Country — Vitoria and San Sebastián.

France's capital, Paris, is a global centre for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture. Its most famous landmark is the Eiffel Tower with steps and elevators leading to observation decks and offering spectacular citywide views. The Louvre Museum is packed with huge art collections, Roman sculptures, and is home to the iconic Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The huge Gothic Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris features flying buttresses and gargoyles. Pay a visit to the impressive Sacre Coeur and then meander through the cobblestone streets of Montmartre. The famous Arc de Triomphe commemorates Napoleon's victories and the adjoining Avenue des Champs-Elysees is lined with elegant restaurants, bars, and boutiques. The Palace of Versailles is an 18th-century palace filled with extraordinary apartments and the acclaimed Hall of Mirrors. No trip to Paris would be complete without taking an evening bateau-mouche cruise along the River Seine to see the city's famous sights illuminated against the night sky.

Disembark and make your own way home