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Peregrine Travel Centre

Along the Sunny Coasts of Galicia & Portugal

Along the Sunny Coasts of Galicia & Portugal

From EUR €3,595

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Description

The culinary delights of Northern Spain
Fresh fi sh, delicious seafood, tasty beef and exquisite cheeses – in the four northern provinces Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturia and Galicia, the sea and the mountains offer everything that makes a gourmet’s heart beat faster. In addition to the region’s fantastic cuisine, connoisseurs also enthuse about the fl avourful, top-class wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero.

Medieval gem: Santillana del Mar
Wooden balconies adorned with flowers, gardens hidden behind thick walls, and small Renaissance palaces – there is something to be discovered on every corner of Santillana del Mar’s old town. You should definitely allow time for these two highlights: the Santa Juliana collegiate church that gave the pilgrimage town its name, and the Cave of Altamira with its famous parietal cave paintings.

Santiago de Compostela – a place of pilgrimage
Santiago de Compostela, one of the world’s most famous pilgrimage sites, is the final stop and climax of the Way of St James – a pilgrimage route that has been followed since the 11th century. During this time, the city’s magnificent cathedral was also established as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christianity, alongside Rome and Jerusalem. This building, together with the old town, is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The Islas Cíes Nature Reserve
According to Galician legend, the Cíes archipelago is the place where God rested on the seventh day after he created the world – and it is easy to see why. The site, now a nature reserve, encompasses a substantial area of sea and three islands which, with their steep coasts, sand dunes and small forests, are perfect for individual hikes.

Trip Name
Along the Sunny Coasts of Galicia & Portugal
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing) Length: 105 metres Passenger Capacity: 96 Built: 2001 Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. Just like her legendary sister ship Sea Cloud, the 29,600 square feet of sails is set by hand which is a truly magical sight. Built to accommodate 96 passengers in five star luxury, she offers a range of beautifully appointed suites and cabins which are furnished with great style. All accommodations have outside views and the bathrooms, in light marble, are unusually spacious and extremely comfortable. The finest, carefully chosen fabrics, combined with leather, rattan and other materials, brass and gold, precious woods and marble together create an impressive ensemble. No expense has been spared to create a sympathetic ambience in both the accommodations and public areas and this is reflected throughout the vessel. Public areas include an elegant lounge, library, fitness centre, boutique, lido bar and hospital. The single sitting dining room is airy and modern and the quality of the cuisine and service will be to the highest of standards, as one would expect on a Sea Cloud cruise. Relax on the Lido deck and experience the natural grandeur of travelling under sail, rekindling memories of a bygone age. Please note deck and suite plans are indicative only and may vary slightly.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Bilbao/Spain
Bilbao has always been an important port and industrial city. In 1993, Bilbao was a pilgrimage destination for lovers of modern art and avant-garde architecture. The Guggenheim Museum, with its idiosyncratic and unique design by famous architect Frank O Gehry, showcases everything that is important within its 11,000 square metres 118,403 foot). Steel used to be manufactured in Bilbao and it now plays a major role here, since other renowned architects have also been inspired to give Bilbao an attractive, distinctive look. Cross the futuristic Calatrava Bridge to reach the old town, where you can take a delightful stroll round the lanes and enjoy the art of Basque cuisine.
Day 2 - Day 2 Santander/Spain
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Day 3 - Day 3 At sea
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Day 4 - Day 4 La Coruña/Spain
The old city of La Coruña is set picturesquely on a peninsula and its landmark is the Tower of Hercules, over 2,000 years old, set on the headland in front of the city. Culture, history and art come face to face with traditional Galician lifestyle. Santiago de Compostela, one of the world's most famous pilgrimage sites, is the goal and climax of the Camino de Santiago, a path that has existed since the 11th century. The beautiful cathedral, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom next to Rome and Jerusalem, also dates back to this time. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the old city. A special ritual takes place here - the Botafumeiro, where a huge thurible is swung through the magnificent transept.
Day 5 - Day 5 Islas Cíes/Spain
On the seventh day, when God had created the world, he took a rest from his work on Galicia's Cíes Islands. And you can well understand why. Today the Galician National Park encompasses large parts of the sea and three uninhabited islands which form the archipelago of the Cíes Islands. Walking along beautiful footpaths along impressive cliffs, through dune landscapes and small forests, you can discover the rich array of flora and fauna. Its beautiful beaches are still almost a secret - the Playa de Rodas was even selected by a British newspaper as the world's most beautiful beach.
Day 6 - Day 6 Porto (Leixões)/Portugal
Porto considers itself the country's secret capital. The narrow lanes of the historic old town "Ribeira", a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extend in terraces up the slope overlooking the Douro. The former working class district has blossomed into a beautifully restored trendy neighbourhood. A student of Gustave Eiffel created the bold design for the bridge, which stretches over the river in a wide arc and links the Ribeira with Vila Nova da Geia and its 50 port wineries that lie on the other side. The best way to reach the incredible Douro Valley and the countryside of the Alto Douro wine region, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is by river.
Day 7 - Days 7 - 8 Lisbon/Portugal
The most beautiful approach to the Portuguese capital is to travel up the River Tagus. One of the city's most famous landmarks has been greeting visitors right on the estuary since 1521 - the Torre de Belém. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and transports you back to the glory days when Portugal was a naval power. There are many landmarks, such as the facades of the houses decorated with azulejos tilework and the ancient trams that rattle through the city. But Lisbon has many different sides. Joie de vivre comes face to face with the melancholy of Fado music, winding lanes in the old city meet wide boulevards, while magnificent churches and austere monasteries show the two sides of former religious faith.
Day 8 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
24-08-201931-08-2019EUR €3,595GTY Double Cabin
24-08-201931-08-2019EUR €3,895Category F Upper/Lower Beds
24-08-201931-08-2019EUR €4,455Category E
24-08-201931-08-2019EUR €4,795GTY Single Cabin
24-08-201931-08-2019EUR €4,955Category D
24-08-201931-08-2019EUR €5,255Category C
24-08-201931-08-2019EUR €6,155Category B
24-08-201931-08-2019EUR €6,855Category A

Inclusions

    • The culinary delights of Northern Spain
    • Medieval gem: Santillana del Mar
    • Santiago de Compostela – a place of pilgrimage
    • The Islas Cíes Nature Reserve

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