MS Europa Departures by Date

MS Europa Departures

Indulgence: Gourment Cruise through Europe - Bilbao to Hamburg
MS Europa -  June 9-21, 2012

Sights such as the mediaeval monastery mountain Mont Saint-Michel or the spectacular cliffs of the Channel Island Guernsey charm the eye. A wine tasting in Bordeaux, a crepe in Brittany or a calvados in Normandy please the palate and allow you to experience France in culinary terms. The zenith of indulgence awaits you in Antwerp: EUROPA's Best, the gourmet festival aboard The World's Most Beautiful Yacht. This voyage is simply a delectable experience.

Highlights of this Cruise
• UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites: the historic centres of
  Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion* as well as Mont Saint-Michel*
• Excursion in an antique car via Cowes*
• Gourmet festival EUROPA's Best on board
• La Soirée Parisienne - French revue on board
• Débussy and Ravel - French chamber music on board
• Golf & Cruise voyage with comprehensive golf package*
* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price.
   Subject to changes.

Bilbao/Spain
Fancy architecture and modern art will captivate your attention at the Guggenheim Museum - discover Bilbao and the Basque Country with our pre-cruise programme*.

Bordeaux/France
Via the Garonne, the EUROPA reaches the famous wine metropolis, and you have plenty of time to explore one of the most beautiful cities in all of France. Premium-quality wines have been an important trade good in Bordeaux* for centuries, and the proud town houses in the historic centre feature in the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. Visiting a vineyard* in the surrounding area and tasting some of the first-class produce is a genuine experience for connoisseurs. The romantic little wine town Saint-Émilion* is also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and will charm you with its mediaeval alleys, squares and churches.

St. Malo/France
From the mighty defensive wall of the former home town of the corsairs, you will enjoy wonderful views across the surroundings and the play of low and high tide, which is particularly distinct here. The "Wonder of the Western World", the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site Mont Saint-Michel*, is perched on a rock between the tides, too. Stroll across the monastery mountain and look forward to a visit to Cancale*, Brittany's oyster capital. Dinan's* stunningly beautiful half-timbered houses date back to the 15th to 17th century. Roam the pretty mediaeval alleys and treat yourself to a typical Breton crepe.

Saint Peter Port/Guernsey/Channel Islands/Great Britain
Between steep coasts and broad beaches, French savoir-vivre and British lifestyle, the second biggest of the Channel Islands proves to be a very pleasant host. Its idyllic countryside, small cottages and pretty bays will captivate you on the island tour*, the destinations of which include the Little Chapel, the smallest church in the world. The cliff paths* on the south coast of the island are a genuine experience. With fantastic views across the sea, you will hike through a gorgeous landscape along the steep rocks faces here.

Cowes/Isle of Wight/England/Great Britain
The little island off the south coast of Great Britain with the impressive chalk cliffs already attracted Queen Victoria. Her country estate, the royal Osbourne House*, offers authentic insights into her life - a lot has been preserved in its original state here. Alternatively, you can take a seat in stylish antique cars* from different eras today and let yourself be chauffeured across the island by their owners.

Honfleur/France
One of the most appealing towns in Normandy is considered the cradle of Impressionism. Painters like Monet and Renoir roamed the narrow alleys of Honfleur*, the enchanting historic district of which together with the old port is a piece of art in itself. Saint-Catherine's Church was erected by the town's shipbuilders after the Hundred Years' War - as a token of gratitude for the withdrawal of the English. Deauville* is one of the largest and most popular seaside resorts in the region. Stroll along the beach promenade and enjoy a glass of cider as well as the view across the Côte Fleurie. A tour of discovery through the Pays d'Auge* takes you right to the heart of a world of limestone rocks, old half-timbered houses, apple plantations and pastures - this is the home of calvados. At a distillery, you will find out how the apple brandy is produced and how it tastes.

Antwerp/Belgium
In the morning, you will awake outside the home city of the Baroque painter Rubens. Set out from here to romantic Bruges* and stroll to the impressive "Grote Markt", the city hall dating back to the 14th century and the Church of Our Lady with a Madonna by Michelangelo. Beyond this, you should not miss out on visiting one of the numerous chocolate stores in this city of canals. Belgian waffles - the allure of Ghent*. In the latter's Saint Bavo Cathedral, you can admire the impressive Ghent altarpiece with a painting created by the van Eyck brothers in 1432. Back on board, a feast for the senses awaits you - on the occasion of the gourmet festival EUROPA's Best on The World's Most Beautiful Yacht, chefs, fromagers, chocolatiers, patissiers, affineurs and winegrowers will serve you exquisite treats for the palate.

Amsterdam/Netherlands
The EUROPA reaches the beautiful Dutch metropolis and stays for the night. Explore the historic Amsterdam* on a canal tour past the typical gabled houses and delight in the wealth of colours at the flower market. The Rembrandt Monument pays tribute to the famous painter who worked in the city as of 1631. The blue Delft tiles* are also known well beyond the boundaries of the Netherlands. In the city of the same name, you have the opportunity to visit a faience production facility and attempt the art of painting tiles yourself.

Hamburg
Leave the ship in the Hanseatic city - and discover Hamburg individually* with some shopping in the city centre or a visit to the art gallery.