Name: Historic Ports of the Western Seaboard
Brand: Swan Hellenic
SKU: D1925073111

Itinerary

Amsterdam is a gorgeous Dutch city where a boat cruise along the canals gets to the heart of things. Yet, the magic also unfolds while strolling through narrow streets and crossing the hundreds of bridges. It houses a treasure trove of fabulous art museums, including the Rijksmuseum, adorned with Dutch Masters, conveniently located near the Van Gogh Museum. To the south, picturesque stretches of countryside with windmills line the canals.

Once a retreat for European nobility, Oostende's charm lies in its sandy beaches, boardwalk, racetrack, 19th-century Belle Époque architecture, beachfront cafés and a harbour with seafood stalls. The Atlantikwall, a network of WWI and WWII bunkers, is now an open-air museum. Other museums include the Ensor Museum with James Ensor's maritime artworks, the Mercator aboard a 1930s three-masted ship, and Mu.ZEE, displaying Belgian art from the 1830s.

Honfleur in Normandy has attracted artists for centuries, including Impressionist Claude Monet, with many works on display at The Eugène Boudin Museum. Set on the Seine estuary in the department of Calvados (known for apple brandy), this picturesque harbour town has cobbled streets and colourful 16th- to 18th-century townhouses around the Vieux Bassin (old harbour). The 15th-century St. Catherine's Church is built entirely of wood by shipwrights.

Walking Honfleur

Included

03 h 15 m

Enjoy a guided walk through Honfleur's cobblestone streets, flanked by charming timber-framed houses, while discovering the village's rich history
Pause at the expansive salt warehouses, a historically significant site in the city
Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore the city centre at your own pace

The Landing Beaches of Normandy

Optional

08 h 00 m

Discover the historic D-Day landing sites and beaches of the Normandy coast
Visit the new D-Day Landing Museum in Arromanches built on the site of the British Mulberry artificial port, which commemorates D-Day and the Battle of Normandy
Pay tribute to 10,000 fallen US soldiers at Colleville-St-Laurent American cemetery and at Omaha Beach

Charming Etretat

Optional

04 h 30 m

Witness the breathtaking natural beauty of Étretat with dramatic chalk cliffs, majestic sea arches, and a pristine pebble beach
Learn the history of how this village became a popular seaside resort at the turn of the 20th century and admire its Belle Époque villas
Step back in time at the heart of Étretat's most traditional quarter with quaint medieval half-timbered houses on market square

Hiking Etretat

Optional

04 h 30 m

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Etretat's coastline, renowned for its towering cliffs and crashing waves
Marvel at the natural chalk cliffs and arches of Manneport and Porte d'Aval, as well as the towering Falaise d'Aval needle
Unwind in the charming village of Etretat, home of the writer Maurice Leblanc, creator of the gentleman burglar, Arsène Lupin

The medieval coastal city of Saint-Malo is a labyrinth of streets. Dating back to the 12th century, Saint-Malo was once a haven for pirates and a stopping point for merchant ships. Today, colourful shops sit alongside aromatic markets, cafes and restaurants serving oysters, crêpes and cider. Intra-Muros, the ancient walled town, forms the heart of Saint-Malo, where the striking Gothic and Romanesque Cathédrale de St Malo dominates the skyline.

Mystical Mont Saint Michel, a UNESCO Site

Included

07 h 30 m

Visit the Mount that was once described by Victor Hugo as being “…to the ocean what the Pyramid of Cheops is to the desert.”
Explore the monastery founded by the 10th century which now welcomes modern pilgrims following the old traditions
Enjoy a guided tour of the abbey and marvel at the achievements of the passionate builders who contributed to its construction

Emerald Coast & Oyster Tasting

Optional

04 h 00 m

Visit the renowned oyster beds of Cancale on the Emerald Coast
Get your fill of oyster farming knowledge by seeing the washing and conditioning process in the Ferme Marine workshop and visit the Shell Museum
Sample the Tsar's favourite Tsarskaya oyster, the most prestigious of all oysters

Hiking Cape Frehel

Optional

03 h 30 m

Witness the shale and pink sandstone cliffs of Cape Frehel offering one of the most beautiful views of Brittany
See the heathland, covered with a wide variety of heather and gorse species that create a symphony of colours changing with the seasons
Enjoy a one-hour walk along the coastal guard’s path and hear stories of the two lighthouses from your knowledgeable guide

The charming French port of Roscoff sits on a peninsula at Brittany's tip. Despite a history of privateers and smugglers, the little city is known for its richly decorated merchants' houses. Near the port, a local hotelier created an exotic garden growing more than 3,500 species of plants from the Southern Hemisphere. Roscoff is also the origin of Onion Johnnies, Breton farmers who crossed to England to sell Roscoff pink onions on their bikes.

Coastal Hike

Optional

03 h 00 m

Trek through diverse vegetation to the Saint-Barbe Chapel
Be guided through the seamen’s cemetery while learning about their pasts
Enjoy a well-deserved refuel at a local crêperie

Roscoff Walking Tour

Included

02 h 30 m

Rue Amiral Révèillèr, also known as the Maison de Marie Stuart, is one of the finest streets to spot striking houses with decorative gables
Find more houses that ship owners and privateers built themselves near the church and harbour
See the assortment of lavish boats coast through the shimmering waters surrounding the port

Morlaix & Megaliths

Optional

04 h 15 m

At 230 feet long and 82 feet wide at it western side, the Cairn of Barnenez is an astonishing piece of world history
Take a walk through a fishing town inhabited during Roman times that still shows traces of their prosperous medieval days
Learn of the triumphs and defeats of Morlaix’s 16th century history that led to the construction of the Château du Taureau

The picturesque French port city of Concarneau is in the Finistère department of Brittany. On a tiny islet, Its medieval walled city has narrow alleys and ramparts. Nearby, the artist village of Pont Aven, discovered in the 1860s by American painters, became a popular stop for French artist Paul Gauguin who set up the École de Pont-Aven art movement known as synthetism. The local speciality, galettes are melt-in-the-mouth Breton butter biscuits.

Coastal Walk

Optional

02 h 45 m

Hike along the coast from the pier with views of the bay and sandy beaches
Take a stroll along a section of the famous GR34 coastal path that encircles Brittany
Enjoy a moderate hike where the cliffs provide breathtaking vistas of Concarneau Bay

Sweet Locronan

Optional

04 h 15 m

Find remnants of the Golden Age in the granite houses built during the Renaissance
See the remarkable stone vaulting and stained glass scenes of the local church
Taste the famous Breton speciality kouign amann in true Locronan fashion

Concarneau and Pont Aven

Included

04 h 00 m

Explore the enchanting walled town of Concarneau, nestled within its medieval fortifications
Discover the artistic legacy of Pont-Aven, the town that sparked the creativity of painters like Gauguin
Take a leisurely walk along the riverbank with vibrant flower-decked footbridges

Royan, a French Atlantic coastal gem, features five beaches nestled between dunes and pine forests at the broad mouth of the Gironde. La Grande Conche, a 2 km stretch of golden sands, lures sun-seekers. Royan endured significant damage during an allied bombing on January 5, 1945. The town's charm continues to shine through its blend of belle époque villas and vibrant postwar architecture, including the distinctive Notre-Dame de Royan church.

Bilbao, the de facto capital of the Basque region, is an industrial city renowned for its culture, skyscrapers and the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which sparked the city's revitalisation. The city’s many pintxo bars are a mainstay of the culinary scene, while the lively La Ribera Market dates back to the 14th century. Spain’s famous La Rioja wine region is a full-day trip from the port.

Contrasts of Bilbao, the Guggenheim museum and Old Quarter

Included

04 h 30 m

Have time to marvel at the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Ghery and its extensive collection of contemporary art
Walk the narrow streets of the Old Quarter lined with Renaissance, Baroque and Modernist buildings
Spot the Cathedral of Santiago and The Bridge and Church of San Anton

Santander, known for its beaches, unveils tales of a bygone era through medieval alleyways and ancient architecture. The Paseo de Pereda is a lush haven of gardens and sculptures. The city's history, dating back to Roman times, is marked by landmarks like the 13th-century Gothic cathedral, Catedral de la Asunción, and the Palacio de la Magdalena, a former royal summer residence. Santander is also renowned for traditional Basque cuisine.

Santander views and Santillana del Mar

Included

04 h 00 m

See one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval villages, dubbed "the prettiest village in Spain"
Visit the Romantic Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, the patron saint of the village, where you visit its interesting cloister
Tour the highlights of Santander on a panoramic city tour

With a rich seafaring history and scenic beaches, Ferrol, in A Coruña, Galicia, on the Atlantic coast, champions the Ferrol Naval Museum and the 16th-century San Felipe Castle. Nearby, La Coruña, dubbed the Crystal City for its glass-fronted buildings, showcases the 1st-century Hercules Tower, a UNESCO landmark. Santiago de Compostela, a famed pilgrimage centre, houses the cathedral believed to hold the remains of St. James the Great.

The Historic Gem of Betanzos and Gardens

Optional

04 h 15 m

Enjoy a panoramic drive around Ferrol and delve into its naval shipbuilding history
Explore Betanzos, the "City of Knights," with its Gothic Church of San Francisco, housing the tomb of medieval knight Fernan Perez de Andrade
Discover the French-style gardens of Galician manor Pazo de Mariñán, in an impressive landscape nestled by the serene River Mandeo

Discover La Coruna

Included

03 h 45 m

Enjoy a scenic drive through La Coruna, taking in the city's architectural and historical beauty
Marvel at the ancient Tower of Hercules, the world's only working Roman lighthouse
Discover the story of Maria Pita's bravery in her fight against the pirate 'Sir' Francis Drake in the 16th century

In the Roman footsteps: Castro de Viladonga and the Walled city of Lugo

Optional

07 h 00 m

Explore the ancient settlement and fortified city of Castro de Viladonga
Visit the museum containing a range of 2,000-year-old everyday objects providing insight into the Galician-Roman age
Discover the only complete Roman city wall left standing in the entire world at Lugo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Famed for its port wine and bridges over the river Douro, Portugal’s second city, Oporto (Porto) is a city of two halves. On the left bank is Gaia's famed port houses such as Graham's and Taylor's. Ribeira, on the right bank, has rows of colourful old houses that line the riverfront, narrow streets that rise up the hill and Igreja de Carmo church whose facade is adorned with blue azulejos (tiles). A vintage tram trundles to the Foz district.

Oporto, Wine Tasting and Cable Car

Optional

04 h 00 m

Get a taste of Porto's architectural history with a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles in the colourful Ribeira Quarter
Explore the Gothic São Francisco Church and be prepared to be dazzled by some of the most exuberant gilded wood carvings in Portugal
Soar to new heights with a thrilling ride on the Gaia Cable Car offering magnificent panoramic views of Porto and the surrounding region

Shuttle Bus to Oporto

Included

07 h 00 m

Discover Porto at your own pace with a convenient shuttle bus service
Stroll the colourful riverside and narrow streets of the Ribeira quarter with azulejo tiled decorations
Head to one of Gaia's famed port houses offering cellar tours and port tastings

Guimaraes: Birthplace of a Nation

Optional

04 h 00 m

Explore the birthplace of Portugal in Guimarães, where King Afonso Henriques was born in 1109
Tour Guimarães Castle, once the king's residence, and delve into royal legends and military history
Visit the Dukes of Braganza Palace, dating back to the 1420s, and admire its opulent rooms and rich decorations

Fado – UNESCO Cultural Heritage

Optional

04 h 00 m

Discover the most authentic tradition of classic Fado, a UNESCO-recognised Intangible Cultural Heritage (since 2011)
Experience the essence of Fado in its purest form: a performance by two talented fado singers accompanied by two skilled Portuguese guitarists
Unwind with a scenic drive through the charming city of Porto (also known as Oporto) on your return journey to the pier

Spread over seven hills with São Jorge Castle views, bustling Lisbon is one of the world's oldest cities. Elegant Baixa, hilltop Alfama with its yellow tram, and scenic Graça overviewing pastel buildings, are top areas. The Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is a World Heritage Gothic site. The classic Portuguese pastel de nata custard tarts are a local treat. Europe’s longest suspension bridge, the Ponte 25 de Abril, crosses the river Tagus.

This itinerary provides general information about each destination. Also, please be aware that some of the venues and highlights mentioned may not be open or accessible on the day we visit. For the most accurate tour program, we recommend contacting your Swan Hellenic agent or travel agent closer to your departure date.

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Oceanview D4

20 m²

Oceanview Staterooms measure 20m²(215ft²) and can accommodate two guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a flame-effect fireplace and a luxurious bathroom.

Oceanview M4

20 m²

Balcony D5

25 m²

Balcony Staterooms measure 25m² (269ft²) – including a 5m² (54ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two or three guests. They feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a flame-effect fireplace and a luxurious bathroom.

Balcony M5

25 m²

Balcony D6

25 m²

Junior Suite

32 m²

Junior Suites measure 32-36m² (344-388ft²) – including a 6m² (65ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two guests. They feature a king size bed, have a separate living room area, and luxurious en-suite bathroom.

Suite

41 m²

Suites measure 41m² (441ft²) – including a 5m² (54ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two or three guests. They feature a king size bed, and have a separate living room, with a flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom with separate bath tub and a walk-in shower.

Premium Suite

41 m²

Premium Suites measure 41m² (441ft²) – including 8m² (86ft²) private balcony – and can accommodate two guests. They feature a king size bed, separate living room, and flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and shower – and a walk-in wardrobe.