Pintxos, Poetry And Pretty Port Gems

Dining

Wi-Fi

from£5,339pp

08000 086 677 Enquire Now

Voyage Code: HAPAGEUR2816

13 nights

MS EUROPA

29 Jul '28

Cruise overview

Join the EUROPA on a cruise from the Basque Country into a midsummer night’s dream: on the most beautiful coastlines of Western Europe, Spanish temperament, French lifestyle and British traditions combine to create unforgettable experiences.

Leixões

Vigo

Bilbao

Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Concarneau

Fowey

Dartmouth

Saint Peter Port

Saint Hélier

Cowes, Isle of Wight

Hamburg

Itinerary

Day 1

Leixões

Ever since the Romans constructed a fort here and began using it as a trading post, Oporto has been a prosperous commercial centre. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city benefited from the wealth generated by Portugal’s maritime discoveries, and later, the establishment of a lucrative wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade. Today, Portugal’s second-largest city is a thriving, cosmopolitan place and is famous for its production of the fortified, sweet ‘port’ wine. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city was also awarded the status of European Capital of Culture in 2001. A large sandbar prevents ships from sailing into Oporto itself, so for over a century they have used nearby Leixões instead, a man-made seaport constructed nine miles from the city. Leixões is one of Portugal’s major sea ports and is also home to one of the country’s oldest football clubs, winners of the Taça de Portugal cup in 1961.

Day 2

Vigo

Day 3

at-sea At sea