Star Collector: Seaside Sophistication of Spain and the French & Italian Rivieras
24 nights
Star Explorer
30 Aug '27Cruise overview
And ode to the luxury and sophistication of yachting, this itinerary circumnavigates the Iberian Peninsula and visits some of Europe’s most storied cities and beaches. Explore the architecture and culture of famous ports like Barcelona and Rome, indulge in Portofino’s Ligurian Sea dishes like pasta with mussels and seafood risotto. Soak in the sights and wines of Bordeaux during your three-night stay in this bustling UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore northern Spain’s Basque Country in Bilbao, home to one of most recognized buildings, the whimsical Guggenheim Museum. Meander the promenade of Gijon and sunbathe with locals on Playa de San Lorenzo. Venture to Vigo, your gateway to Galicia and its revered Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, marking the end of Christian pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago. Head to Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto, strolling the cobblestone streets filled with colorful buildings of Ribeira and scenic riverbanks of the Douro River. Ride the famous yellow trams of Lisbon, awash in blue Moorish ceramic-tile masterpieces or "blue azulejos". Spend a night in Seville, the birthplace of flamenco, sampling tapas and Andalusian dishes like gazpacho and fried fish. Add spice to your trip in Tangier, which overlooks the Strait of Gibraltar, Morrocco, savoring Moroccan fare like couscous, tagine and mint tea or exploring the alluring Blue City. Cook paella at a private residence in Malaga or a nearby trip to Cordoba’s Historic Center and the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. Witness the natural beauty France’s Mediterranean shores, from the beaches of Sanary-sur-Mer to the glamourous shores of the Côte d’Azur in Cannes. Pass Portofino’s charming piazzetta as you hike the cliff-hugging route to the idyllic seaside village of Santa Margherita Ligure, meandering through vineyards and olive groves past elegant villas and medieval dwellings along the way.
Itinerary
Bordeaux
Bordeaux as a whole, rather than any particular points within it, is what you’ll want to visit in order to understand why Victor Hugo described it as Versailles plus Antwerp, and why the painter Francisco de Goya, when exiled from his native Spain, chose it as his last home (he died here in 1828). The capital of southwest France and the region’s largest city, Bordeaux remains synonymous with the wine trade: wine shippers have long maintained their headquarters along the banks of the Garonne, while buyers from around the world arrive for the huge biennial Vinexpo show (held in odd-number years).Bordeaux is, admittedly, a less exuberant city than many others in France, but lively and stylish elements are making a dent in its conservative veneer. The cleaned-up riverfront is said by some, after a bottle or two, to exude an elegance reminiscent of St. Petersburg, and that aura of 18th-century élan also permeates the historic downtown sector—“le vieux Bordeaux”—where fine shops invite exploration. To the south of the city center are old docklands undergoing renewal—one train station has now been transformed into a big multiplex movie theater—but the area is still a bit shady. To get a feel for the historic port of Bordeaux, take the 90-minute boat trip that leaves Quai Louis-XVIII every weekday afternoon, or the regular passenger ferry that plies the Garonne between Quai Richelieu and the Pont d’Aquitaine in summer. A nice time to stroll around the city center is the first Sunday of the month, when it’s pedestrian-only and vehicles are banned.
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Bordeaux
Biarritz
Biarritz
Bilbao
Gijón
Vigo
Leixões
Lisbon
Lisbon
Seville
Seville
Tangier
Marbella
Cartagena
Valencia
Barcelona
Palamós
Port-Vendres
Sanary-sur-Mer
Monte-Carlo
Cannes
Portofino
Portoferraio
Rome
Deluxe Suite
DECK | CABIN TYPE: Suite | 288 SQ FT
This 288-square-foot suite welcomes you with spectacular views, courtesy of the sliding glass doors that lead out to your private balcony. The outdoor space adds another 110 square feet, enough to sit outside comfortably and enjoy the breeze. The bedroom features an inviting queen bed and its own sliding glass door with balcony access, while the bathroom includes a luxurious walk-in mosaic glass shower with rain head and body jets.
All Accommodations Feature
- Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens
- Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers
- Interactive TV
- Mini Bar/Refrigerator
- Safe
- Direct Dial Phone
- L’Occitane Bath Amenities
- Fresh Fruit
- Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets
- Wi-Fi Internet Access (various plans available for purchase)
- Mirrored closet with ample drawer space
- Vanity with magnifying mirror and chair
Amenities
- Queen or Twin Configuration
- Vanity Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air Conditioning
- Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
- Mini Bar (Additional Cost)
Ship features
Accomodation
All Accommodations Feature
- Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens
- Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers
- Interactive TV
- Mini Bar/Refrigerator
- Safe
- Direct Dial Phone
- L’Occitane Bath Amenities
- Fresh Fruit
- Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets
- Wi-Fi Internet Access (various plans available for purchase)
- Mirrored closet with ample drawer space
- Vanity with magnifying mirror and chair