DETAILS
Explore the storied legacies and dynamic cultures of coastal Portugal, Spain, France, and England and commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day on this 8-night cruise itinerary. Discover Portugal’s renowned wine country, walk in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela, visit Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim Museum, and see UNESCO-inscribed Mont-Saint-Michel’s impressive abbey. Meet guest speaker Dwight David Eisenhower II, grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as he joins us on a special anniversary tour of the hallowed Normandy beaches. Complementary alcoholic & nonalcoholic beverages & Wi-Fi are included throughout the cruise!
- Pricing from
- $6,295
Reserve by Dec. 1 & SAVE up to $3,640 per cabin!
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Ocean & Sea Voyages
- Departure Dates
-
May 12, 2024 - May 21, 2024
Lisbon Pre-Program Option – May 8 to May 13, 2024 (Tour Begins: May 11)
Experience the cinematic streetscapes, medieval passageways, and timeless rituals of Lisbon—one of Europe’s most visually appealing capitals that was famously known as the “city of spies” during World War II. Discover the best of the city on a walking tour, followed by an afternoon at leisure and an authentic Fado dinner experience. Savor breathtaking views on a scenic drive to Sintra, immortalized in English poetry by Lord Byron and noted for its natural beauty and resplendent palaces. Accommodations are for two nights in the 5-star Lisbon Sofitel.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $820
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $1,095
London Post-Program Option – May 21 to 23, 2024 (Tour Ends: May 23)
Explore the storied history and vibrant modernity of London, a compelling city that continues to rewrite its narrative and make each visit more enjoyable than the last. See the legendary Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, on a city tour. Step into Churchill’s Cabinet War Room—a secret World War II bunker where the Prime Minister and his staff charted a course to victory. Spend two nights in the
5-star InterContinental London Park Lane, ideally located near Buckingham Palace.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $1,095
Price per person, based on single occupancy: $1,645
Airport transfers and luggage handling abroad are only included if air arrangements are booked through Gohagan & Company. If travelers make their own air arrangements, transfers and luggage handling are not included; transfers can be organized through Gohagan & Company and purchased by the traveler.
A non-refundable administrative fee of $300 per person will apply for all cancellations received more than 7 days after booking and before other fees take effect at 120 days:
120 days $300 per person admin fee after 7-day grace period from booking
120 – 91 days 25% of full invoice fare
90 – 61 days 50% of full invoice fare
60 – 31 days 75% of full invoice fare
30 – 0 days 100% of full invoice fare
Separate airfare Terms & Conditions apply
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
-
day 1 & 2
Home City/ Lisbon, Portugal
Depart your home city and arrive the next day in Lisbon, Portugal’s enigmatic capital city, replete with world-class architecture, and embark the ship.
-
day 3
Leixões for Oporto
Dock in Leixões and transfer to Oporto, a former Celtic hamlet, then Roman outpost and center of the port wine trade since the 13th century. The cultural legacy of the Moors—who occupied Spain and Portugal from A.D. 711 to 1492—finds expression in Oporto’s rich architectural details, including famed azulejos with Moorish geometric and floral motifs. The city is indelibly influenced by Greek and Roman heritages, the Moorish period and a coalescence of faiths, creating a culture of tolerance in which the disciplines of mathematics, medicine, optics, horticulture, art and architecture flourished. Fall under the spell of Ribeira, Oporto’s historical center, declared a UNESCO world Heritage site for its extraordinary architectural timeline and living history status. For 2,000 years, the cultural and commercial growth of Portus Cale (so named by the Romans) has been inextricably linked to the sea. Experience daily rituals unfolding along a tangle of medieval alleyways where splendid spires, Baroque domes and Neoclassical mansions form a timeless silhouette. Visit the Gothic Igreja de São Francisco, hailed for its lavish gold‑plated Baroque interior, and the Neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa, where the swirling arabesques and ornate stained glass of the gilded Arabian Hall were inspired by the Alhambra in Granada. Attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening.
-
day 4
A Coruña, Spain, for Santiago de Compostela
Visit Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stroll along medieval stone streets to the Praza do Obradoiro flanked by the glorious Romanesque cathedral. As a pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages, the cathedral enshrines the tomb of Saint James and is recognized for its intricately carved Baroque façade, original medieval portico, and glittering Churrigueresque altar.
-
day 5
Bilbao
Frank Gehry’s titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum hailed Bilbao’s cultural renaissance as modernist marvels from Santiago Calatrava and Philippe Starck redefined the post‑industrial skyline. An afternoon excursion in
the city will give you two options for included activities. Choose between touring the Guggenheim’s renowned art collection or enjoy a Basque cooking demonstration and a panoramic tour of Bilbao. Conclude the day with a guided visit to the old quarter, followed by time at leisure. (b,l,d) -
day 6
Cruising the Bay of Biscay
Enjoy a lecture by Professor Eisenhower on the ship this evening while cruising.
-
day 7
St. Malo for Mont-St-Michel, France
Rising from a tidal plain that appears to be suspended above the sea, the UNESCO World Heritage‑designated Mont‑Saint‑Michel is a sight of soaring spires isolated beyond a stretch of saltwater marsh. This fortified village began as a humble oratory and became a renowned medieval center of learning. Cobblestone streets weave through the village, culminating in the Abbaye du Mont‑Saint‑Michel, a three‑story Gothic masterpiece. Admire the serene cloisters, barrel-roofed réfectoire, and Gothic Salle des Hôtes of the 13th‑century La Merveille and the magnificent Église Abbatiale.
-
day 8
Caen for Normandy Beaches
Dock in Caen and make the solemn pilgrimage with David Eisenhower to the historic Normandy beaches, site of the largest seaborne invasion in history. Following lunch, opt to continue to Arromanches to see the remnants of the Mulberry “A” harbor that was taken across the English Channel to support Allied landings on the Normandy beaches or choose to see the 230-foot‑long Bayeux Tapestry, which chronicles the Norman Conquest of 1066, or continue to explore the region at leisure.
-
day 9
Cruising the English Channel/River Thames/ London, England (Tower Bridge)
This morning, attend an insightful lecture from Professor Eisenhower on board the ship. Cruise the English Channel across the Strait of Dover and continue up the River Thames, a memorable passage possible only by small ship. See Britain’s history revealed as you pass the towering skyline of Canary Wharf and take in monumental views of Greenwich’s Observation Tower, the Tower of London, Norman Foster’s emerald‑hued Gherkin and Renzo Piano’s sky‑piercing Shard. Dock alongside HMS Belfast—whose guns fired some of the first shots on D-Day—in view of Tower Bridge. Attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception this evening.
-
day 10
London/Disembark ship/ Return to the U.S.
Following breakfast, disembark and continue on the London’s Enduring History Post‑Program Option or transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
Save this information for later by downloading the full tour brochure.
Be prepared with the National Trust Travel Plan
Since 1973, USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services has served travelers just like you, to help protect their travel plans