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Captivating Cornwall and Cotswolds with Coastal France and the Iberian Peninsula

Captivating Cornwall and Cotswolds with Coastal France and the Iberian Peninsula

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Description

Captivating Cornwall and Cotswolds with Coastal France and the Iberian Peninsula – 21 day Small Ship Cruise from London to Lisbon aboard Caledonian Sky.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Give your holiday a personal touch with a choice of included sightseeing or dining options

Trip Name
Captivating Cornwall and Cotswolds with Coastal France and the Iberian Peninsula
Days
21
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 114 (in 57 suites) Built: 1991 / refurbished 2012 The MS Caledonian Sky accommodates a maximum of 114 passengers in 57 spacious outside suites. Many have walk-in wardrobes and some feature tub baths. There will be seven categories of suites and sixteen suites will have private balconies. For those familiar with the MS Island Sky she will feel like a second home, although there are some differences. The dining room, lounge, Lido Deck and bar are all similar. However, the ‘Club’ on the MS Caledonian Sky has been transported to the very top deck. Here, there is a library and bar which leads out on to a lovely forward deck. The ‘Club’ has wonderful views with ceiling to floor windows. If you like the MS Island Sky, we are sure you will also approve of her sister. And, of course it is important that we offer the very best of facilities. However, equally as important are the staff on board whether they are the vessel’s crew or our own expedition staff. Noble Caledonia’s reputation has been built on providing the very best in all areas. Their crew of 74 not only offer an excellent service they are also noted for their kindness and attention to detail. A well run ship with a warm atmosphere is what we are known for, and it is because most of our crew have been with us for many years that we are able to engender such an atmosphere. Your Suite Onboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. The passenger accommodation is arranged over four decks and all suites have outside views. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring a country style wash basin, hot towel rack and vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower and/or bath tub. Facilities in the suites also include walk-in or spacious wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool or desk, mini-fridge, flat screen television, telephone, programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries, air-conditioning and heating. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort. Your space The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. In addition there is the Club Lounge on the Panoramic Deck which features a bar. The onboard travel library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. Outside there is a rear Lido deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade. On the top deck there is a further observation and sun deck with bar service and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. There is also a small gymnasium onboard and hairdressers with appointments made on request. Your dining With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the quality of cuisine will be of a consistent superior quality. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, our accomplished chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is à la carte. When weather permits, breakfast, a buffet-style lunch and dinner are also served on deck. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. With sufficient notice, most diets can be catered for on board. For your comfort, safety and security The vessel is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilisers to minimise the ship’s motion. The Captain and officers operate an open-bridge policy that allows passengers onto the bridge at most times with the exception of arrival and departure from port and during times of complicated navigation. Here you can check the ship’s progress by charts and learn more from the officers about your journey. There is also a dedicated channel on your television in your suite showing the routing of the vessel along with technical information and estimated times of arrival and departure from port. On board you will also find a clinic and doctor and a lift that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to outside decks only. Gratuities Unlike many other cruise vessels, onboard the MS Caledonian Sky you do not need to worry about tipping staff as we have included them in your holiday price. In addition we tip all their guides and drivers along the way, thereby taking away the hassle of always having to remember to have some small change with you.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Arrive London
Arrive in London, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, come together for a welcome reception.Stay: London, The May Fair Hotel
Day 2 - Day 2 London, Oxford, Minster Lovell
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™Perhaps take an Oxford movie tour or delve into the scientific discoveries that put Oxford on the map.Travel to Oxford, where you’ll be treated to a special behind-the-scenes tour of its famous university. After, choose your activity. Later, arrive in Minster Lovell within the Cotswold region, where you’ll stay in a quintessential country estate.Stay: Two Nights, Minster Lovell, Minster Mill Hotel
Day 3 - Day 3 Minster Lovell, The Cotswolds
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEAs part of your discovery of the Cotswolds, enjoy a traditional English lunch in your guide’s quaint private cottage.Today is all about discovering the Cotswolds in depth. You’ll see old stone mansions, thatched cottages and churches in this region which has been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. A local guide will take you to the hidden gems of this picturesque region. We have left the remainder of the day free for you to explore at your leisure.
Day 4 - Day 4 Minster Lovell, Sandy Lane, Bath, Cornwall
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEStep back in time during a visit to see the thatched cottages and church in the village of Sandy Lane.This morning, take in the southern Cotswolds, before a Signature Experience. Afterwards, continue to the historic spa town of Bath, known for its Roman Baths and sweeping crescents of terraced houses. You’ll have free time to explore before heading further south for the county of Cornwall, where you’ll enter a world of immense cliffs, vibrant surf and pure white sands. Later, arrive at your hotel, which offers outstanding sea views.Stay: Two Nights, Cornwall, Carlyon Bay Hotel, in a Sea Facing Room
Day 5 - Day 5 Cornwall, Porthcurno
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCETuck into a fresh seafood lunch at Rick Stein’s Café.Follow the craggy Cornish coastline on a scenic drive to Porthcurno. Located at the southernmost tip of Cornwall, this quaint village is also home to one of the best beaches in the county. It’s then time for a culinary-themed Signature Experience.
Day 6 - Day 6 Cornwall, Dartmoor National Park
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEEnjoy a very special lunch at Emily Scott’s St Tudy Inn.Explore St Nectan’s Kieve, a stunning waterfall tucked away in a woodland area stretching along the banks of the Trevillet River. After a Signature Experience, explore the world’s largest indoor rainforest at the Eden Project. A collection of tropical biomes that houses an extensive global garden within a crater the size of 30 football pitches.Stay: Two Nights, Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle
Day 7 - Day 7 Dartmoor National Park, Cornwall
This morning is dedicated to discovering Cornwall’s spectacular north coast before enjoying an afternoon at leisure.
Day 8 - Day 8 Dartmoor National Park, Plymouth, Embark Ship
Today, travel to your ship in the port city of Plymouth. You’ll be welcomed aboard to enjoy time settling into your spacious suite. This evening, gather with crew and fellow travellers to celebrate the journey ahead during a welcome dinner.Stay: 13 Nights, MS Caledonian Sky
Day 9 - Day 9 Normandy Beaches
Today, visit the Normandy D-Day beaches of World War II. Stop at Omaha Beach Memorial and drive via Juno and Gold beaches. Pause at the American Cemetery and the Caen Memorial Museum. From your guide, learn of Allied soldiers’ sacrifices and the French citizens they liberated.
Day 10 - Day 10 St Peter Port, Guernsey
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™Visit the German Occupation Museum to learn of Guernsey’s civilian life after the island’s Word War II invasion by Germany, or head for St Peter Port’s harbour fortifications, including Castle Coronet.Enjoy a full day exploring St Peter Port on the tiny Channel Isle of Guernsey. Join a guided walk via cobbled laneways. Then, embark on your chosen activity. After lunch on board, the rest of the day is yours, with an overnight stay here.
Day 11 - Day 11 Sark, St Helier, Jersey
Arriving by Zodiac, step foot onto the miniature isle of Sark. Enjoy a guided walk and feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Transport is on foot, by tractor or horse-drawn carriage, ensuring an unspoilt island paradise. After lunch back aboard, head for St Helier, the capital of Jersey, the largest Channel Island. Join a guided city discovery before enjoying free time this afternoon. With its distinctive French flavour, perhaps explore St Helier’s history or its array of boutique shops.
Day 12 - Day 12 Saint-Malo
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™Perhaps set off for the medieval island commune of Mont-Saint-Michel. Explore its abbey and shop for Mont-Saint-Michel’s distinctive buttery cookies. Then continue to France’s oyster capital, Cancale, to visit an oyster farm and sample the freshest of French seafood. If you’d prefer a stroll around Saint-Malo with a guide, the city’s Old Town is a fascinating time-warp dating back to the 6th century.Waking in the port of Saint-Malo, you can choose today’s activity.
Day 13 - Day 13 Douarnenez, Quimper
From Douarnenez, head to Quimper, to discover a long tradition of pottery making before continuing to see the 13th-century Cathedral of Saint-Corentin. Later, join a walking tour in the medieval village of Locronan.
Day 14 - Day 14 Le Palais, Belle-Île
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™Perhaps take a drive via the island’s largest lighthouse, the ‘Grand Phare’, before stopping at the Pointe des Poulain. Or, join a guide to walk through Belle-Île’s largest city, Le Palais, and visit its ancient citadel before some free time.Today, arrive in Le Palais on Belle-Île, the largest of the Breton Islands. Here, choose your activity.
Day 15 - Day 15 Bordeaux
Arrive in the heart of World Heritage-listed Bordeaux. On a walking tour, see the city’s neoclassical neighbourhoods around the Place des Quinconces. Visit the 18th-century Grand Théâtre, the reflecting pond in front of Place de la Bourse and wander the narrow lanes of the Saint-Pierre district. After lunch back on board see more of Bordeaux with an overnight stay, docked in the city centre. Tonight, perhaps dine at a local restaurant.
Day 16 - Day 16 Bordeaux, Le Verdon-sur-Mer
Farewell Bordeaux and set sail for the coastal city of Le Verdon-sur-Mer, tucked onto an estuary facing out to the Atlantic. After a morning’s exploration and lunch, head to the wine-growing region of Médoc to sample the local wine for which the region is famous. Médoc is home to some of the most renowned French chateaux in the world.
Day 17 - Day 17 Pasajes, San Sebastián
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEYou’re in expert hands as a local chef leads you via favourite city eateries and treats you to tapas tastings along the way.En route to Spain’s culinary hotspot San Sebastián, berth up the coast in the fishing village of Pasajes (known as Pasaia in Basque). Meander through the village’s medieval architecture before continuing to San Sebastián. Here, enjoy a Signature Experience. With a late departure this evening, there’s time to fill up on more gourmet experiences before setting sail for Bilbao.
Day 18 - Day 18 Bilbao
Spain’s northerly port city Bilbao is also big on architecture and art. Culture is key on this morning’s guided discovery of a city favoured by architectural giants like Gehry, Calatrava and Starck. This afternoon is dedicated to the pursuit of art in the acclaimed Guggenheim Museum, whose sculptured titanium shell is recognised the world over.
Day 19 - Day 19 At Sea
Today, there’s time to soak up the sun and dine alfresco at your leisure.
Day 20 - Day 20 Porto
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™Perhaps explore the city’s 16th-century Old Town with a cable car ride along the Douro River before sampling the region’s famed fortified wine, Port. You could head to Matosinhos for a cooking demonstration in a traditional restaurant. Or join a guided walk through the medieval streets and the old harbour of Ribeira. Later, join a farewell dinner on board.Which activity will you choose in Porto?
Day 21 - Day 21 Disembark Ship, Depart Lisbon
After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to Lisbon Airport for your onward flight.
Day 22 - Please Note:
Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • See the Cotswolds with a guide, before a traditional English lunch in their cottage
    • Dine on fresh seafood at Rick Stein’s Café
    • Discover the gourmet secrets of San Sebastián with a local chef on a tour

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