Portugal’s capital is an 18th-century city - elegant, open to the sea and carefully planned. Most places of interest are within easy walking distance. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon since medieval times, is an ideal place to start exploring. Many rebuilt houses with original façades provide stores and restaurants with modern interiors. High above Baixa is Bairro Alto - with its teeming nightlife. There are many monuments and museums, such as San Jeronimos Monastery, Royal Coach Museum and Gulbenkian Museum. Two well-known landmarks are the Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belem. A statue of Christ looms above Europe’s longest suspension bridge. Madragoa, Bica and Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s older sections, offer a variety of sights: the Church of Sao Roque, with its beautiful tiles; St. George Castle, which offers a splendid view from its location above the Alfama quarter; the botanical gardens, featuring an unusual, cold greenhouse; and the cathedral, stunning with its Moorish design. Renowned Gulbenkian Museum is the cultural center of Portugal.
National Geographic Explorer is the world’s ultimate expedition ship. Her design and equipment is the result of almost 200 years of collective expedition experience. Originally built for service along Norway’s coast as part of the famed Hurtigruten, or Coastal Express, her excellent maneuverability and just-right size made her a natural choice for addition to the fleet. Drawing on nearly 50 years of pioneering expedition history and expertise, the cruise completely redesigned and rebuilt her. Explorer is uniquely equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; a roster of tools for exploration; and a well-appointed interior with vast expanses of glass for an unprecedented connection to the regions that explores. She provides a peerless expedition cruise trip.
Apr 14, 2027 - Lisbon
Portugal’s capital is an 18th-century city - elegant, open to the sea and carefully planned. Most places of interest are within easy walking distance. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon since medieval times, is an ideal place to start exploring. Many rebuilt houses with original façades provide stores and restaurants with modern interiors. High above Baixa is Bairro Alto - with its teeming nightlife. There are many monuments and museums, such as San Jeronimos Monastery, Royal Coach Museum and Gulbenkian Museum. Two well-known landmarks are the Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belem. A statue of Christ looms above Europe’s longest suspension bridge. Madragoa, Bica and Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s older sections, offer a variety of sights: the Church of Sao Roque, with its beautiful tiles; St. George Castle, which offers a splendid view from its location above the Alfama quarter; the botanical gardens, featuring an unusual, cold greenhouse; and the cathedral, stunning with its Moorish design. Renowned Gulbenkian Museum is the cultural center of Portugal.
Apr 15, 2027 - Porto (Oporto)
Porto (Oporto), Portugal's second largest city, is full of interest, and the district it heads offers the visitor plenty to see. Along the coast, there are resorts like the cosmopolitan beach of Espinho, busy ports like Matosinhos, with splendid seafood, or traditional fishing towns like Póvoa de Varzim, and there is also an animated casino. Charming Amarante has 17th century mansions overlooking the river and is famous for a sweet egg pastries called "papos de anjo" (angel bellies). In Vila Nova de Gaia, there are lodges where Port wine is blended and aged and where tasting are offered, or visitors may take a river cruise along the Douro. The whole district is filled with prosperous towns, but there are also many calm roads with wonderful views over the river and a rugged and still unspoilt coastline.
Apr 16, 2027 - La Coruna, Spain
La Coruna is the largest city in Spain's Galicia region and among the country's busiest ports. Today the city's significant expansion is evident in its three distinct quarters: the Ciudad (City), and town center located along the isthmus; the business and commercial center with wide avenues and shopping streets; and the Ensanche to the South, built up with industry. La Coruna's beautiful main square, Plaza Maria Pita, has many buildings in the old section which feature characteristic glazed facades, which have earned La Coruna the name City of Crystals. Santiago de Compostela is located only 37 miles from La Coruna. The City is the original town with narrow, cobbled streets and quaint squares. Avenida de la Marina, running parallel to the waterfront, is lined by typical tall houses with glazed balconies at every floor. Mendez Nunez Gardens lie between the harbor and Los Cantones in a bustling quarter of the city. Once used as a prison, San Anton Castle now houses the Military and Archaeological Museum. The Roman lighthouse Hercules Tower is said to be the oldest in Europe.
Apr 17, 2027 - At Sea
Apr 18, 2027 - Brittany (Bretagne)
Spellbinding, wild, genuine, natural, Brittany (Bretagne) vibrates in the light of its wide open spaces. With a coastline stretching over 700 miles (1,100 km), the sea is the main element of Brittany, an elemental force to be treated with respect. The region's timelessness is nowhere more evident that in the Carnac region where one can witness the evolution ofhuman life from 450 000 years BC to the end of the Roman era.
Apr 19, 2027 - Guernsey
Guernsey is the second largest island and its capital, St. Peter Port, was truly put on the map in 1855 when Victor Hugo was exiled from France and made his home at Hauteville House where he wrote Les Miserables. Renoir also painted a number of his masterpieces here. Today, Guernsey is a wonderfully cosmopolitan destination particularly loved by beach and watersport enthusiasts.
Apr 20, 2027 - Portsmouth, UK
Portsmouth is the United Kingdom's only island city and is located on Portsea Island in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England.
Apr 21, 2027 - At Sea
Apr 22, 2027 - Northumberland
Apr 23, 2027 - Edinburgh
Dominated by the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, this picturesque city offers shopping on Princes Street, the grandeur of the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral and historic Palace of Holyrood House, where Queen Mary lived and many Scottish kings were wed. Or venture across the moors to marvel at the scenic Highlands.