The French are known for their style and taste, and as you make your way from Bordeaux to Brittany, Normandy to Flanders, notice how each new vista appeals to an artist’s eye. Island fortresses exude a fairytale magic – the breathtaking abbey perched on Mont St. Michel, imposing St.-Malo filled with pirate lore, the Ville Close of Concarneau with its romantic drawbridges. Everywhere you look are scenes that beg to be captured on canvas, or perhaps already are – stunning La Rochelle built of luminous white limestone, Quimper’s gargoyle-embellished cathedral, Monet’s fabulous Japanese garden in Giverny, and Versailles, its gardens as magnificent as its gilded interior. History here escapes the books and leads you on a wild scavenger hunt. Bone up on the Norman Conquest in the threads of the 11^th century Bayeux Tapestry. Uncover the hearts and souls of medieval prisoners in the graffiti of La Rochelle’s Old Port towers. Read the story of St. Ronan carved into the wood pulpit of Locronan’s church. Relive the battle before the battle of D-Day in the bullet holes on Pegasus Bridge. Your spring timing is perfect for wandering gardens and flower markets, quaint Old Towns and the shops of Rue de Rennes in Paris. And with three overnight stays and smaller ports of call that are closer to the sights than big ships get, you can spend more time in the places you want to see most.

Bordeaux has long been known as La Belle au Bois Dormant, Sleeping Beauty.  And while the beauty part is undeniable, the sleeping part could be argued. Sure, the region is filled with treasures from long ago, including more than 350 historic monuments and buildings in the city alone. But the capital of Aquitaine is also home to a vibrant culture and, as oenophiles well know, is the gateway to some of France’s most famous vineyards. In this UNESCO World Heritage city, 13th century cathedrals and 18th century palaces are commonplace. Venture beyond the city’s borders to the chateaux of the Médoc region or to Saint-Émilion, a breathtaking medieval village set among the vineyards that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

La Rochelle is said to be the most lovely and unspoiled port city in France, and who are we to argue?  Two 14th century stone towers guard the gateway to the medieval core of the city, the Vieux Port. And this is a city that is focused on ships. You’ll find yachts floating in the Port des Minimes, ships in the stained glass of church windows, maybe even decorating the arcaded walkways that line the streets. Learn the art of brandy making with a visit to the Cognac region and the Hennessy maisson, dating back to 1765. While walking past the aging barrels, inhale the heady aroma—the escaping vapors known as “the angels’ share.”

Welcome to Brest, and to Brittany, where you’ll hear whispers of Cornish and Welsh in the local French dialect. Brittany has a unique culture that still echoes its Celtic past. Travel to Carnac where local legend claims the prehistoric standing stones were a Roman Legion turned to stone by Merlin. Tour Brest Castle, with more than 1,700 years of history, the oldest active military stronghold in the world.

Once notorious as the home of pirates, St.-Malo today is better known for the UNESCO site monastery and town of Mont St. Michel and the famous oysters of nearby Cancale. Walk the city’s ramparts, or pass the time at a seaside boulangerie sampling a fresh and buttery croissant. 

From the time you disembark at the Art Deco cruise terminal (notice the signs for Ellis Island are still there), Cherbourg will charm you. Travel through Norman villages to lofty views at Cap de la Hague, or to Bayeux for a look at the famous Bayeux Tapestry, embroidered in the 11th century and listed as a “Memory of the World” by UNESCO. The D-Day beaches of Normandy are an easy drive.

With so much to see and do in London, the well-known sites of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square you’ll want to spend a few extra days  - something that’s easily done with our Hotel Package. Defined by its famous white cliffs, Dover’s other attractions include its Roman lighthouse and Dover Castle.

HARWICK, United Kingdom

The entire city center of Zeebrugge (Bruges) has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with Flemish and Renaissance architecture made all the more beautiful when reflected in the city's many canals. Shop for legendary lace or savor a pint of Belgian beer.

ANTWERP, Belgium

Amsterdam, the Venice of the North, where more than 1,500 bridges arch gracefully over scenic canals. The stately 17^th century homes of Dutch merchants line the canals and museums are everywhere, filled with masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. Most of the sightseeing essentials are conveniently collected in the Canal Ring, the central area of the city which is designated as a UNESCO site. Here you’ll find the Anne Frank House, the Royal Palace, the Red Light District, and most of the museums. Mind all the bicycles!