Coastal delights of France and Green Spain (plus Portugal), September 2025
A few other points besides bridges, trams and monuments would include cranes, public art and historic plaques, cycle lanes, different styles of balcony and another bloody church (ABC). Mostly with very competent local guides, we also walked a fair amount.
Bordeaux and Lisbon are similar ports in being located upstream from the Atlantic which lends itself to a peaceful arrival, worth getting up for, in the morning and departure in the evening – with glorious sun-sets at this time of year. Bordeaux has a horizontal lift-up bridge which seems very lightweight in structure. Once passed the bridge there is a bend in the river Garonne allowing the ship a cool manoeuvre sweeping around 180 degrees and reversing for some time before docking right by the city centre.
Sunday 21 September 2025 La Pallice, France
Charming Île de Ré Island
About three miles from the harbour of La Pallice, Ré Island is one of the jewels of the Atlantic coast. An elegant bridge, nearly two miles long, has linked it to the mainland since the beginning of 1988. As soon as you reach the Island, you will be won over by its atmosphere and brightness, which has inspired numerous painters. This little Atlantic-coast island of sand dunes and forests, fishing ports and cycle paths is a popular holiday destination. Drive past the small fishing port of Rivedoux before reaching the island’s capital, Saint Martin de Ré, with its harbour and ramparts.
After a guided tour of the village and its typical port, you will have time at leisure to explore the port, the narrow streets or simply enjoy a refreshment at one of the numerous café terraces.
Your tour will conclude with the drive back to La Pallice port via the island’s south road.
A completely new area of France for us and a true delight. The charge for the bridge discourages day-visiting vehicles. It was a warm late-summer weekend and a holiday mood prevailed. The tidal range on this coast is high. La Rochele has the largest yacht marina imaginable. There’s even interest in the industrial port of La Pallice with grain silos, piles of sand, stacks of fertiliser, wind turbine masts and many army vehicles in transit.
Monday 22 September 2025 Bordeaux, France
See the sights of Bordeaux on this introductory walking tour. The city became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, recognising the beauty and style of Bordeaux’s architectural heritage, which has developed harmoniously over the centuries and remained well-preserved. Follow your guide on a leisurely walk along the Garonne riverfront and see ‘La Place de la Bourse’, the former Royal square dedicated to Louis XV (1729) and ‘La Place du Parlement’, the former Royal marketplace, facades and fountain.
Next, stroll through the city centre and the shopping area before reaching the 13th-century Cathedral of St Andrew, where Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII, and the Palais Rohan, now the City Hall. As you continue your journey through the Old Bordeaux area, head towards the ‘Place de la Comédie’ to see the exterior of the ‘Grand Theatre’, Bordeaux Opera House, which was built by Victor Louis in 1773.
As you make your way back to the ship, pass the ‘Esplanade des Quiconces’, which features a column commemorating the French Revolution.
Bordeaux’s wide waterfront has car parking below and is topped by formal gardens and separation for pedestrians, cycles, trams and other vehicles. A large rectangular water feature, with a depth of about 1cm, provides magnificent reflections and an opportunity for board-gliding.
See this fast-motion video of Spirit of Discovery arriving in Bordeaux
“We hope watching the 180 degree turn doesn’t make you travel sick! This is Spirit of Discovery arriving in Bordeaux, France. The designated driver was Staff Captain Kirill and cadet Trinity filmed it all for us to share. Enjoy. In real time it was very smooth sailing!”
https://www.facebook.com/reel/780675241390758
Wednesday 24 September Santander, Spain
This introductory walking tour will take you on a stroll around Santander.
The walk begins passing by the Pereda Gardens, named after local 19th-century writer José María de Pereda, whose literary legacy is depicted in a bronze and stone statue. Just a short walk away, you’ll see one of Santander’s most iconic buildings: the Bank of Santander’s original headquarters, built in 1875. Its grand neoclassical façade is crowned with statues that represent the city’s deep ties to the arts, commerce and culture. Continue your walk to the nearby Church of St. Lucía built in 1968.
As you loop back toward the port through the Pereda Gardens, pause for an exterior view of the Centro Botín building – Santander’s modern art museum.
The fish market was fairly gross with all sorts of sea creatures and whole tuna. There’s a great deal of construction in progress including a conversion of a large bank building into a modern art gallery.
Friday 26 September 2025 Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon Vintage Tram and Port Wine
If you want to take in the sights and absorb the atmosphere of Lisbon at a relaxed pace, finishing with a taste of the local tipple, then this tour is for you. Lisbon’s vintage trams are among the city’s icons, and this tour includes a ride on one of these historical vehicles.
A coach will take you into the heart of the city where you will board a traditional wooden-bodied tram for a scenic one-hour journey through Alfama and Bairro Alto, two of the oldest districts of the city which are characterised by winding alleyways and whitewashed houses with flowers on their balconies. Following your tram journey, you will visit a local establishment to have a glass of white port accompanied by white chocolate; you can then enjoy a glass of ten-year-old Tawny port with a miniature ‘Pastel de Nata’ cake.
The tour would not be complete without a panoramic coach ride through the city, viewing some of Lisbon’s famous landmarks such as the Monument to the Discoveries, Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, the far end of the Edward VII Park, the Rossio district and St George’s Castle.
After a few short visits Lisbon is becoming a favourite European capital city. The 25 April Bridge with road and rail crossing the Tagus is spectacular. It has to be said that the high and dense suburban blocks of flats are less attractive and city centre apartments are very expensive. We loved the tram ride taking us through narrow and winding streets.
Saturday 27 September 2025 Leixoes (for Oporto), Portugal
An unusual stop requiring a half hour drive to Vila Nova de Gaia. Leixoes (pronounced Lay-shows) is a busy fishing and goods port with a modern port terminal called the ‘toilet roll’. The town itself is low-lying, seemed quite smart and and has a large beach front. From Gaia we walked along the quayside and across the low bridge, not the route of the cable car and high level bridge. In Porto we walked up the hill to numerous churches. Old Porto has a mixture of very old buildings, some in need of renovation.
Sunday 28 September 2025 La Coruña, Spain
La Coruna’s Old Quarter Walk
Enjoy an introductory walking tour of La Coruna. The walk begins with a stroll along the promenade to San Carlos Gardens. Here, you will find the tomb of Sir John Moore. Your guide will provide insights into Sir John Moore’s identity and the circumstances of his death in a battle against the French in 1809. During your walk around the old city, you will pass the convent of Santo Domingo, which contains a chapel dedicated to La Coruña’s patron ‘La Virgen del Rosario’. Sitting on the highest part of La Coruña is the church of Santa Maria del Campo, built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Other notable landmarks on your path include the Church of Santiago, Santa Barbara and Azcarraga. You will reach Maria Pita Square, where the town hall stands, and one of the most important names in the city.
After days of fierce fighting against the British Royal Navy, Maria Pita encouraged the inhabitants to fight once again and defeat the invaders. At the end of the walk, you can choose to head back to the ship or remain in town and explore further independently, returning to the ship at your own leisure.
Monday 29 September 2025 Gijon, Spain
A Tale of Two Cities
Enjoy a scenic drive along the coast of Asturias to the seafaring town of Avilés, now a modern city and a major centre for the production and export of iron and steel. The town has preserved its old quarter, which is now considered an area of artistic and historic interest.
A walking tour will show you the pedestrian streets of Galiana and Rivero, the Plaza de España with the City Hall, and the Church of Sabugo. You will also view the modern Óscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre, named after this great Brazilian architect.
Returning to Gijón, your coach will take you to the Labour University, which was built between 1948 and 1957 by architect Luis Moya Blanco. The bell-tower, the tallest stone structure in Spain, is based on the Giralda in Seville, and is 426 feet high. The university was originally founded to provide education for the children of local miners and factory workers who had been killed or injured in industrial accidents.
Leaving the University after a photo stop, the drive continues to Gijon, alight the coach at the drop-off point and head on foot to the old town. You will have some free time to explore on your own before the return walk to your coach for the short drive to the pier.
The Avilés iron and steel works were ugly. The visit to the university was unexpected and the guide explained it was built by the Franco regime, after 31 miners had been killed, to curry favour in the region. On the balcony, the method of pouring cider from a great height is being demonstrated.
On board
Of course, there is more to a cruise than going places. We took the water colour sessions, again without any sign of improved skill, run by Chris Beesley. We enjoyed a cheese tasting session with Sean Wilson who has established a highly successful cheese-making business after twenty years of Coronation Street. The Showcast were brilliant and we enjoyed seeing Just Tina again. I went to the hydrotherapy pool and sauna and we both read an offering from the book club. We saw dolphins in The Channel / La Manche. And did we mention the fabulous Saga Spirit of Discovery food experience…
More photographs
Complete album of photos on Flickr [opens in a new tab]
https://www.flickr.com/photos/angus-willson/albums/72177720329416487
