From Bordeaux to Lisbon · Mediterranean · 10 nights
Sleek and stylish, Ponant’s wonderful Explorer yachts blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.
Named after six of France’s most famous explorers, Le Champlain,
Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont d’Urville, Le Bellot and
Le Jacques Cartier offer exciting and adventurous itineraries in
the utmost comfort. Technologically advanced, with the latest in
environmentally friendly hardware, the new ships embody Ponant’s
trademark élan and flair, with just 92 spacious rooms and suites, a
stylish pool deck and an intimate, refined onboard ambience.
Bordeaux sits at the centre of the world's most famous wine region, and is home to a beguiling blend of beautiful buildings, sophisticated gastronomy and high culture. What's more, the city has been transformed over the last few years: the grandiose 18th century facades have been scrubbed clean, a shiny new public transport system has been installed, and a wonderful new promenade has been created alongside the river Garonne. We think Bordeaux is a marvellous place to spend some time, whether it's a day sampling wines, an evening at the opera or a night on the tiles.
Pauillac is one of the most important wine producing areas in France, home to prestigious labels including Château Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. The town itself is one of the prettiest in the Médoc, and it’s well worth hiring a bike to explore the idyllic surrounding countryside.
It’s not so long ago that Bilbao was a grim and unappealing place, scarred by heavy industry, but the Basque Country’s biggest city has reinvented itself as a cultural hub since the opening of the shimmering Guggenheim Museum in 1997.
Santander is the largest city on the Cantabrian coast, although perhaps not the prettiest, having lost many of its oldest buildings in a fire in 1941. Nevertheless, pockets of belle époque elegance remain, and the old town has some lively bars and restaurants. The beautiful medieval village of Santillana del Mar is a popular day trip from here.
Avilés is an important industrial centre, known for its steel mill, with a pleasant historic centre and a number of traditional Asturian restaurants. The Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre, designed by the eponymous Brazilian architect, is the city’s most striking modern building.
La Coruña is the largest city in Galicia, a beautiful region of lush green countryside and wild, windswept beaches. Historical sights of note include the Tower of Hercules, a UNESCO-listed Roman lighthouse, and the city is also home to some great seafood restaurants.
Vigo is the biggest city in Galicia, Spain’s verdant northwest corner. The city itself is a busy fishing port with limited tourist appeal, but it’s a great base for striking out into the countryside, visiting the lovely Cíes Islands just offshore or joining the pilgrims in Santiago de Compostela, 60 miles to the north.
Blessed with a dramatic setting on the steep banks of the river Douro, Portugal’s second city is currently enjoying something of a renaissance, and is best known as the home of the country’s most famous export, port wine.
Spread across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo, Lisbon’s colourful cityscape includes Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums. But for many the best times will be had wandering the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets, with their great local food, wine and music.
