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Savoir Vivre in France - Hamburg to Bilbao
MS Europa Voyage 1324 - October 9-21, 2013
5% early booking
discount if booked before February 16,
2013!
The Eiffel Tower proudly dominates
the Paris skyline whilst a monastic island, built long ago at the behest of an angel,
occupies an exalted position on the coast of Normandy – enjoy the art of cruising around
the “Grande Nation” on board the EUROPA. Your route takes you to picturesque small towns
and idyllic villages in Brittany as far as the country’s most beautiful river. In
Bordeaux, fine wines tantalise your palate and the taste of oysters indulges your senses.
“Bienvenue” to a spectacular few days.
Highlights of this cruise
- UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites – Mont Saint-Michel*, the city centre of Bordeaux
* and the wine-growing region of St. Émilion*
- A day in Paris*
- Sampling oysters in the Bay of Arcachon*
- La soirée parisienne – French revue on board
- Golf & Cruise voyage with comprehensive golf package*
These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. Subject to changes.
| Date |
Destination |
| Wed,
09-Oct-2013 |
Hamburg, departure 18.00 hrs |
| Visit the art gallery
“Kunsthalle” or take a stroll through the HafenCity – start out by exploring
Hamburg individually*. |
| Thu,
10-Oct-2013 |
Relaxation at sea |
| Fri,
11-Oct-2013 |
Rouen/France, arrival 9.30
hrs |
| The EUROPA reaches the
historic capital of Normandy via the Seine and will remain here overnight. You
can enjoy a tremendous panoramic view of the “city of 100 bells” from St.
Catherine’s Hill. In the mediaeval district*, one of the country’s largest
consecrated buildings dominates the skyline – the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral,
which featured in more than 30 paintings by Claude Monet. The artist also loved
the picturesque alleys of the small town of Honfleur*, one of the most
delightful places in Normandy and regarded as the cradle of impressionism. The
French capital’s many magnificent attractions beckon – the Arc de Triomphe, the
Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde, the church La Madeleine – immerse
yourself in the magic of Paris*. |
| Sat,
12-Oct-2013 |
Rouen, departure 21.30 hrs |
| Sun,
13-Oct-2013 |
St. Helier, 12.30 – 19.00 hrs - St. Malo, arrival 23.30
hrs |
| St.
Helier/Jersey/Channel Islands/Great Britain - The most hours of sunshine in the
British Isles are recorded on the largest of the Channel Islands. Impressions
of Jersey* include the jagged rocky cliffs as well as the sandy beaches and
lofty Mont Orgueil Castle in Gorey on the east coast. The murals in the small
Fisherman’s Chapel were only rediscovered in the 20th
century. |
| St. Malo/France - The
EUROPA reaches the ancient corsair city on the coast of Brittany late in the
evening. The next day one of the most impressive examples of mediaeval French
architecture rises before you - visit the “Wonder of the Western World”, the
monastic island of Mont Saint-Michel*. The idyllic fishing village of Cancale*
has been famous for its excellent oysters since the 17th
century. |
| Mon,
14-Oct-2013 |
St. Malo, departure 17.00 hrs |
| Tue,
15-Oct-2013 |
Brest/France 12.00 – 19.00
hrs |
| A charming little town
in Brittany awaits you - in the Middle Ages, Locronan* was famous for its
sailcloth. What captivates people today is its wonderfully preserved townscape
with old granite houses and the Church of St. Ronan. Spectacular cliffs and
magnificent panoramic views will delight you on a hike on the Crozon
Peninsula*. |
| Wed,
16-Oct-2013 |
Lorient/France 8.30 – 17.30
hrs |
| Setting out from the
former home port of the French East India Company, you can retrace history back
to the Neolithic Age - the myriad megalithic standing stones of Carnac* were
erected some 3,000 years before Christ, yet what they signify is still a
mystery to this day. Other gems of Brittany include the walled historic
district of Concarneau* and scenically located Pont Aven*, which attracted Paul
Gauguin and other artists in the 19th century. |
| Thu,
17-Oct-2013 |
Nantes/France, 6.00 – 18.00
hrs |
| The EUROPA reaches the
capital of the former Duchy of Brittany via the Loire. The ducal castle, the
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul or the Théâtre Graslin provide insights into
Nantes’ history*. You can subsequently enjoy a leisurely boat trip* on the
Erdre, “France’s most beautiful river”. Francis I, the Roi Chevalier, bestowed
this title on the river on account of the fantastic chateaux and parks along
its banks. You can actively explore the Erdre on a canoe
trip*. |
| Fri,
18-Oct-2013 |
La Pallice (La Rochelle)/France, 8.00 – 18.00
hrs |
| The pretty Île de Ré*
with its small fishing villages and long sandy beaches is located off the coast
of this once Huguenot city. Many artists are attracted to the island, and its
scenic beauty is likely to inspire you to visit it, too. |
| Sat,
19-Oct-2013 |
Bordeaux/France, 8.50 – 19.30
hrs |
| Welcome to this
enchanting wine metropolis on the banks of the Garonne; its historic district
has been a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site for several years. The
surrounding region is also well-known – even the Romans cultivated vines in the
picturesque little wine-growing town of St. Émilion*. The vineyards of the
Medoc* are world-famous, and you will get the opportunity to sample some of
these fine wines. Dining on oysters in Le Canon – this is the highlight of a
boat trip in the idyllic Bay of Arcachon*. |
| Sun,
20-Oct-2013 |
St.-Jean-de-Luz/France, 12.00 – 18.00
hrs |
| You will be delighted
by the Basque Country* with its beautiful villages such as Ainhoa and local
specialities like cidre and cheese, which you will be able to sample on your
travels through this green region. Biarritz* with its Grande Plage and the
venerable Hotel de Palais is regarded as the queen of seaside resorts - enjoy a
stroll through the beautiful alleys. |
| Mon,
21-Oct-2013 |
Bilbao/Spain, arrival 6.00 hrs -
Disembarkation. |
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