Cruising to the Heart of Seville and Bordeaux

Day 1 Southampton Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to Southampton, where our staff will greet you and assist with embarking Braemar (3T+) in preparation for a late evening sailing. Day 2 At sea A day at sea, giving you time to relax and familiarise yourself with the extensive facilities on board. Day 3 Avilés, Spain Avilés may have turned away from its roots as a maritime and farming town, and focused on steel and iron industries, but this scenic city still holds onto its heritage from centuries past. Head into the largely pedestrianised Old Town to roam amongst the historic squares and plazas, home of architectural gems including the Palacio de Valdecarzana, a 14th century Gothic merchant house, and Camposagrado Palace, the baroque-style home of the Marquises of Camposagrado until it became a military barracks in the 19th century. Day 4 Vigo Vigo boasts a beautiful natural port, which has played an essential part in Spain’s maritime history. Many of the city’s attractions reflect the influence of the sea, from the narrow streets of Cidade Vella, lined with old fishing houses, to large fish markets, a statue of inspiring adventure novelist Jules Verne, an imposing sculpture called El Sireno (The Merman) and the Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria, a neoclassical cathedral built on the site of a grand Gothic church that was burnt down by Sir Francis Drake. Maybe stroll through the flourishing old town, or savour the many green parks. Day 5 At sea Relax aboard as we sail around the coast of Portugal towards the Guadalquivir River. Day 6-7 Seville (overnight) Early this morning we dock in the heart of Seville, a Roman city boasting three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Docking here overnight and departing late in the evening of day 7 allows you plenty of time to absorb this glorious city. This Roman port is best known as a powerful city of the Moors Empire. As you explore the town, you will find reminders of this, although many buildings have been remodelled with Renaissance and Mudéjar styles. Alcázares Reales, one of the oldest European Royal Palaces still in use, is just one of the UNESCO-listed attractions here, noted for the harmonic amalgamation of influences through the centuries. The city’s famous cathedral is also recognised by UNESCO for its historical and cultural importance. The world’s biggest Gothic building contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus and some wonderful works of art. You may like to visit the spectacular Royal Tobacco Factory, setting of the opera Carmen by Bizet, or stroll through beautiful Parque de Maria Luisa, filled with hundreds of exotic trees, flower beds, ponds and grand pavilions. Day 8 Cádiz Cádiz is considered Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city, founded around 1100 BC. As you may expect, there is plenty to see here, but be sure to spend time ambling in the jumble of streets that form the ancient centre. Cádiz is all but cut off from the mainland, and has a coastline of eroded sea walls and lovely beaches, plus two controversially restored castles. The city also had 160 watchtowers, 129 of which still stand. In the 18th century, every merchant added a tower to his house as a sign of prosperity. Torre Tavira was Cádiz’s official watchtower when it was constructed in 1778, and today makes a wonderful viewing platform to look out over the city’s rooftops, including the castles and the orange cupola of the impressive cathedral, a baroque-neoclassical treasure well worth visiting. Day 9-10 At sea Day 11 Bordeaux, France (overnight) Stretched along the banks of the rivers of Aquitaine is Bordeaux, a ‘City of Art and History’. A large portion of the elegant city centre is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site and an ‘outstanding urban and architectural ensemble’, with 362 historic monuments to discover, including some dating to Roman times. We arrive early this morning and remain overnight, to allow time to enjoy the art museums and the lofty views from the gargoyled belfry of Pey Berland or the flamboyant, freestanding Gothic belltower of the Basilica of St Michael. The city is most famous for wine, and a visit to Musée du Vin et du Négoce or La Cité du Vin celebrates every aspect of wine production with exhibitions on grape varieties and cultivation, ancient wine trade and, of course, the opportunity to try a glass. Day 12 Bordeaux - Cruising Gironde and Garonne Rivers Our cruise continues mid-morning, with beautiful views of the French countryside as we cruise along the Gironde and Garonne rivers. Day 13 At sea Take time to relax on your return voyage to the UK. Day 14 Southampton We disembark after breakfast and you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.