13-Day Seabourn Spain and France Cruise

• Explore historic castles, scenic fjords, renowned UNESCO sites, and small-ship ports & boutique ports found off the beaten path
• Linger longer in port with itineraries featuring extended stays and overnights in marquee ports
• Bucket-list culinary shore excursion offerings from sampling hákarl, to touring whiskey distilleries in Northern Ireland
• Seek out iconic regional wildlife including minke whales, puffins, and more
• Itineraries curated to make the most of the Midnight Sun and highlight seasonal events like Midsummer, solar eclipses, and more

Barcelona, Spain:
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is said to have been founded by the Phoenicians, and was once the rival of the powerful states of Venice and Genoa for control of the Mediterranean trade. Today, it is Spain's second largest city and has long rivaled, even surpassed Madrid in industry and commerce. The medieval atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter and the elegant boulevards combine to make the city one of Europe's most beautiful. Barcelona's active cultural life and heritage brought forth such greats as the architect Antonio Gaudi, the painter Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso, who spent his formative years here. Other famous native Catalan artists include cellist Pau Casals, surrealist Salvador Dali, and opera singers Montserrat Caballe and Josep Carreras.

Malaga, Spain:
Often little more than a gateway to the Costa del Sol for sun-seeking vacationers, Malaga is a most interesting city in its own right. First settled by the Phoenicians, Malaga was held by virtually every ruling power in the Mediterranean at one time or another. Two Moorish fortresses, the 11th-century Alcazaba and the 14th-century Castillo de Gibralfaro still stand sentry above the harbor. Malaga was the birthplace of Pablo Picasso as well as the Malaguena style of flamenco. During your time here, you may wish to sample some of the sweet Malaga wine and excellent tapas for which the city is noted.

Seville, Spain:
Huelva on the Bay of Cadiz in Andalucia is close to a pair of attractions, one historical and one natural. The town f Palos de la Frontera is the place from which Christopher Columbus began his first voyage of discovery in 1492. In the town is the Church of Saint George where the crew and their families prayed before sailing. Nearby is the Santa Maria de La Rábida Monastery, where Columbus begged the Franciscan monks for assistance, and they directed him to the Pinzon brothers, who captained the Niña and the Pinta. Replicas of those two ships are located there. The natural wonder is the vast wetland reserve of Doñana National Park, on the estuary of the Guadalquivir River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its abundant populations of wading- and water-birds. But for many visitors, the port is a gateway to the UNESCO-inscribed Moorish splendors of Seville, its spectacular Gothic cathedral and Giralda Tower, the sublime palace of the Alcázar and the newer, though still resplendent architectural confections of Maria Luisa Park. The riverside city is one of Spain’s most popular cities for visitors and residents alike, a handsome, eminently livable place to spend a day or a lifetime.

Gijon, Spain:
This ancient port city on the green Atlantic coast of Spain has a history of some 3,000 years. From its humble beginnings the city has grown to become an important port city in Spain. Its old historic fishing village Cimadevilla with its picturesque cobble stoned streets and old-world architecture remains today its main tourist attraction.

St. Malo, France:
The towering monastery of Mont Saint Michel rises from the tidal flats, cut off twice a day by the sea. Ascend the spiral street to see the spare monastic chambers.

Dunkirk (Lille), France:
Dunkirk is France’s third-largest port. Located on the low-lying area of French Flanders near the Belgian border. It is perhaps most famous as the site of the “Dunkirk Miracle” evacuation of nearly 400,000 troops from under the guns of the German forces during WWII in May of 1940. By order of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and fleet of over 900 ships and boats was dispatched across the English Channel and retrieved the British and French troops trapped there to safety in England.

Greenwich (London), England:
Mooring near the Greenwich Naval Observatory provides a perfect location on a broad meander of the River Thames south-east of central London. There is easy access to both Greenwich and the city of London, one of the world's premier cities. The Royal Borough of Greenwich is part of Greater London, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its maritime history as well as its connection to the Royal Family. The Palace of Placentia has stood on a hill here since the 15th Century. It was the birthplace of both Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I. The buildings were later incorporated into the Old Royal Naval College. Visitors can explore the College, the Royal Observatory (site of the Prime Meridian) and the National Maritime Museum. On the riverfront, the 19th century clipper Cutty Sark, Sir Francis Chichester’s yacht Gypsy Moth IV and a Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender are museum ships. The modern structures of the O2 entertainment complex stand on the peninsula nearby.