Circling The Bay: No-fly France and Spain

Today, you'll head to Southampton, Britain’s largest cruise port. Embark Vista and settle into your stateroom, before spending the evening getting to know the ship. In addition to its country club ambiance and personalised service, Vista offers multiple dining venues no surcharge. Visit the casino or one of the ship's many bars for a nightcap, after watching the sunset over the ocean on the open deck.

Stay: Vista

Today, explore the fascinating fortified town of Saint-Malo, or visit the lovely medieval town of Dinan, with its picture-perfect clock tower and picturesque half-timbered houses. Drive along the rugged Brittany coast and savour stunning views of mystical Mont St. Michel before wandering through its steep, winding streets and maze-like abbey passages. This evening, dine in one of the many venues onboard, perhaps reserving a special table for the La Reserve by Wine Spectator – the six-course Dom Pérignon Experience is an incredible Champagne pairing dinner blending Dom Pérignon vintages with unique dishes such as Sakura Tea “Geisha Flower” Ice Cream and Lemon Caviar.

Stay: Vista

Today is spent at leisure as you head back towards Southampton. Enjoy breakfast in your suite with views across the ocean, before taking in a lecture or visiting the spa for a treatment. Perhaps enjoy Afternoon Tea with a classical string quartet, or simply relax by the pool with a cocktail in hand. Tonight, enjoy a gourmet dinner and live entertainment before retiring to your stateroom for a final night's rest.

Stay: Marina

Today you'll arrive into Bordeaux, world-renowned for its remarkable wines. Enjoy the city's visual feast of wonderful ornate buildings, broad avenues, marvellous squares and the breathtaking Cathedral of St. André. Take a stroll through Old Bordeaux, then visit the local vineyards and châteaux, and delight in tasting their superb wines. Alternatively, add on a food and wine tour, or perhaps visit nearby Saint-Emilion, and discover its medieval architecture. Back onboard, perhaps head to the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center for an indulgent treatment before enjoying some evening entertainment in the theatre. The following day, you'll remain in Bordeaux, with more time to explore or take an optional excursion.

Stay: Vista

Uncover the joys of San Sebastián, a decidedly French-influenced and yet unmistakably Basque city seductively wrapped around the crescent Bay of La Concha. Strolling the elegant streets, you’ll understand why Queen Regent María Christina chose San Sebastián as the holiday playground of the 19th-century European élite. Discover the regal 1889 Palace and Gardens of Miramar and the gracious Town Hall, once the city’s Grand Casino. Travelling along the scenic coast, you’ll find the charismatic village of Hondarribia, famed for its typically Basque wrought-iron balconies. 

Stay: Vista

While tourists and locals alike flock to the beautiful beaches of Gijón, there is plenty to do in and around the city as well. There are several uniquely themed museums, including the Campo Valdés Roman Baths, considered one of the most important Roman remains in northern Spain. Visit the aquarium, the botanical gardens or simply stroll through the streets of Cimavilla, the oldest part of Gijón.

Stay: Vista

See the famed Tower of Hercules, the still working 2nd century Roman lighthouse, and wander through this historic town of fine churches, old palaces, cobbled streets and unique fishermen's houses. Or spend the day in beautiful Santiago de Compostela, an important pilgrimage site renowned for its magnificent cathedral and superb architectural and cultural heritage.

Stay: Vista

Experience slick modernity alongside nearly 700 years of history in Bilbao. Take a walk around the Old Quarter, the most popular area of the city, and see the Teatro Arriaga, el Arenal – the old stevedoring port, the San Nicholas Church and the Cathedral of Santiago, along with its cloister, Plaza Nueva. And, of course, no visit to Bilbao would be complete without a visit to the architecturally stunning Guggenheim Museum, which is itself a work of art. There are plenty of excursions available here, from Shepherd School with a local farmer to a visit to the vineyards of the Rioja wine region.

Stay: Vista

La Rochelle features a bustling Vieux Port (Old Harbor) with exceptional shops and restaurants. Three medieval towers once protected the port and are now symbols of the waterfront. The imposing Four Sergeants Tower was formerly a prison, and you can see where the corsairs scrawled graffiti on the walls. The city aquarium holds thousands of species living in re-creations of their natural habitats. You will also appreciate La Rochelle's pedestrian-friendly streets, especially in the city center, which is graced by 17th and 18th century architecture.

Stay: Vista

Strategically located near the western tip of the Breton Peninsula, this naval port has a rich military history. Among its landmarks are the heavily fortified Chateau de Brest and the rotund 14th century Tour Tanguy tower. It contains a fascinating museum with dioramas depicting Brest on the eve of World War II. The city's Oceanopolis, one of Europe's largest marine complexes, presents more than 1,000 different species. Brest is also known for its National Botanical Reserve, which focuses on endangered plants rarely found elsewhere.

Stay: Vista

From Le Havre you can enjoy a scenic trip through the rolling French countryside to Paris and spend the day savouring it's gardens, museums and historic sites. Visits to the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower never disappoint. Or take a boat ride along the Seine and a stroll along the Champs Elysee. Or visit historic Rouen or the battlefields of Normandy.  Or even stay local and enjoy tasting the seafood, cheeses and Calvados that the region is justly famous for.

Stay: Vista