Oceania Cruises, French Fascination from Southampton, September 10, 2024

Cruising from: Southampton, England;

Departure Date: 10 September, 2024;

Cruise Line: Oceania Cruises;

Cruise Ship: Marina;

Duration: 12-day cruise;

Ports of Call: Southampton, Bruges, Le Havre, Saint-Malo, Lorient, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Bordeaux, Biarritz, Bilbao, La Coruna, Southampton;

Day 0 Southampton, England

Known as the cruise capital of Europe, the Port of Southampton is a passenger and cargo port located in the central part of the south coast of England. There are four dedicated cruise terminals at Southampton which play host to a wide variety of cruise lines. Southampton is one of the most lively and dynamic cities in the south of England. From bustling shops and marinas to seaside resorts and areas of outstanding natural beauty, the city and region have lots to offer.

Day 1 Bruges, Belgium

Zeebrugge is a Belgian port and seaside resort. It's linked to the city of Bruges by the Baudouin Canal. Located in the Flanders region of northern Belgium, Bruges is the closest thing you're likely to find in the real world to a fairytale city. The focal point of the town is Grote Markt, a large medieval square overlooked by the most perfect belfry you'll ever see. Bruges is also home to a number of fascinating art and history museums, with the Groeninge Museum being one of the best.

Day 2 Le Havre, France

Le Havre is a love letter to modernism, evoking, more than any other French city, France's postwar energy and optimism. Numerous museums and galleries provide cultural interest, and in summer, there are several beaches for the sun-seekers.

Day 3 Saint-Malo, France

Saint-Malo, beautiful city and port in Brittany on the Channel coast, curves out to sea on a stunning natural harbour that has created some of the best sandy beaches on the Emerald Coast. Rising out of the granite rock, St Malo is a maze of medieval streets bursting with history and culture. The legacy of the dastardly pirates of the 19th century and the siege during the Second World War entwines with the bustling array of arty shops and the delicious smells of oysters and crêpes from restaurants and outdoor markets and cafes. Special attraction is Saint-Malo Walls, where every gate, bastion and view has a story to tell.

Day 4 Lorient, France

Cruising to Lorient, France.

Day 5 La Rochelle, France

Known as La Ville Blanche (the White City), La Rochelle is one of France's foremost seaports from the 14th to 17th centuries. The focus of the town is the old harbour, a lovely part of the town and very picturesque with its two monumental towers (St Nicolas Tower and the Tower of the Chain) either side of the port entrance.

Day 6 Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux, hub of the famed wine-growing region, considered amongst the best in the world, is a port city on the Garonne River in southwestern France. Explore Bordeaux's city center, St-Michel, and the Flêche St-Michel tower, one of the tallest medieval stone towers in France.

Day 7 Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux, hub of the famed wine-growing region, considered amongst the best in the world, is a port city on the Garonne River in southwestern France. Explore Bordeaux's city center, St-Michel, and the Flêche St-Michel tower, one of the tallest medieval stone towers in France.

Day 8 Biarritz, France

Biarritz is known for its beaches, therapeutic water and a thriving surf scene. It is popular summer holiday destination because of long beach, fine sand and large amounts of seaweed. Must see places are Grande Plage, lighthouse, Aquarium de Biarritz, Eugenie's summer palace and Musee Asiatica with large collections of artefacts.

Day 9 Bilbao, Spain

No trip to Spain is complete without a visit to Bilbao, a city steeped in fascinating history and beautiful architecture. Many of the city's best known sights can be appreciated on a stroll around the cobbled lanes of Bilbao's Casco Viejo (Old Town). Guggenheim Museum has attracted millions of tourists to the Basque capital to see this truly spectacular monument.

Day 10 La Coruna, Spain

La Coruna is coastal city located on a rocky peninsula in Northwestern Spain, capital of the A Coruna province and is known as one of Galicia's most attractive cities. You can begin your tour to La Coruna following the new promenade along the seashore, one of the longest in Europe, will take you to the beaches, Playa del Orzan and Playa Riazor which can be quite crowded on a sunny day.

Day 11 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 12 Southampton, England

Known as the cruise capital of Europe, the Port of Southampton is a passenger and cargo port located in the central part of the south coast of England. There are four dedicated cruise terminals at Southampton which play host to a wide variety of cruise lines. Southampton is one of the most lively and dynamic cities in the south of England. From bustling shops and marinas to seaside resorts and areas of outstanding natural beauty, the city and region have lots to offer.