DESTINATIONS CRUISE | SPAIN & PORTUGAL


BEYOND THE port PORTO, PORTUGAL


Encourage clients to admire the blue-and-white tiled Chapel of Souls, stroll past Porto Cathedral towards the


Douro River and sip local wine overlooking Luís I Bridge. Stop for lunch at lively Bolhão Market.


ABOVE: Seabourn Ovation sails around the Greek island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea


display and we tuck in to a comforting mix of panzanella served tableside, sea bass baked in a thyme crust and a layered strawberry coupe dessert. Evening entertainment is a mix of live music,


A CORUÑA, SPAIN See the world’s oldest functioning lighthouse,


meander through the charming squares and medieval churches, or visit nearby Santiago de Compostela,


famous for its Romanesque cathedral and lively plazas.


theatre and comedy, ranging from singer Ricardo Afonso to comedian Jeff Stevenson and musical cast Seabourn Six. Most nights end with cocktails and live melodies from in-house band Fifth Avenue.


LAND OF OPPORTUNITY By the time we reach Bilbao, indulgence has become routine, but I don’t linger for too long over my delicious in-suite breakfast. Soon, we spill ashore to explore Bilbao and I’m surrounded by a sea of Helly Hansen jackets walking past Puppy, the towering floral sculpture outside the Guggenheim Museum. Beyond the futuristic gallery, we follow the


BILBAO, SPAIN


Clients will want to explore the Guggenheim Museum,


historic churches and riverside promenade. Wander through Casco Viejo’s narrow streets, filled with pintxo bars and boutiques, before ending the day with a rich slice of Basque cheesecake.


44 4 JUNE 2026


sycamore-tree-lined banks of the Nervión River towards the Old Town. Tour guide Ava points out Bizkaia Bridge – the world’s oldest transporter bridge, still ferrying passengers via its suspended gondola – and the striking white arches of modern Zubizuri Bridge. From there, we continue towards Plaza Nueva, a neoclassical square filled with bustling pintxo (tapas) bars, before arriving at the Gothic Cathedral Basilica of Saint James, an important stopping point for pilgrims journeying to Santiago de Compostela. At Berton, a pintxo restaurant included in the


excursion, guests share monkfish, prawns and stories from previous voyages. One couple are disembarking in Dover to reunite with friends they met on a sailing, while another pair from Belgium tell me it’s their first time travelling with Seabourn. “They have Duvel


by the bottle, so he’s happy,” she laughs, nodding towards her husband and his love of Belgian beers. Sampling the region’s culinary heritage is central to many of the shore excursions. In Gijón, at Llagar Castañón, owner Marta guides us through her family’s cider-making traditions, theatrically pouring the Asturian cider from above shoulder height – to aerate the drink, she insists – before serving it with local Cabrales cheese. Beyond the brewery, fishing boats and yachts sway gently in Gijón’s marina, the Roman baths tucked beneath the Old Town offer a glimpse into the city’s ancient past, and the nearby Playa de San Lorenzo beach curves around the bay. Back on board, I’m ordering a cappuccino at Seabourn Square coffee bar when I hear the familiar Dallas accent again. I tell him I’m disembarking later that day in Bordeaux after one final highlight: a caviar ‘sail-in’ on deck as we journey along the Garonne River, while cruise director Nick Martland sings Michael Bublé classics. Taking a sip from his coffee, he says: “At least you know the secret now.”


TW BOOK IT


Seabourn has an eight-day Tides & Treasures of The Atlantic Arc sailing from Lisbon to Dover on Seabourn Quest, departing June 11, 2027, priced from £3,144 per person based on two people sharing an Ocean View Suite. Includes dining, premium spirits, Wi-Fi and gratuities. Other sailings include the eight-day Italy, France & Tunisia cruise on Seabourn Ovation, from £4,589 per person based on two sharing a Veranda Suite, departing April 30, 2027. seabourn.co.uk


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock/albertczyzewski; Emma Blackmore


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