Cruise description

27 Night Cruise sailing from Tilbury to Lisbon aboard Aegean Odyssey. Hotel stays pre-cruise in London and post-cruise in Lisbon.

27 Night Cruise sailing from Tilbury to Lisbon aboard Aegean Odyssey. Hotel stays pre-cruise in London and post-cruise in Lisbon.

From the dramatic landscapes of Iceland, to Portugal, France and Spain, this grand cruise is a journey of contrasts, beginning with the volcanic island of Heimaey in the Westmann archipelago, followed by a trip around Iceland’s famous Golden Circle from the capital of Reykjavik.

Visit the maritime museum of Isafjordur and the lava craters of Akureyri. Husavik is world renowned for whale watching, then explore Scottish castles, Viking settlements and the Neolithic mysteries of the Orkneys on your way south to France for a maiden cruise of three great rivers, starting with the romantic Seine.

Sail inland to Rouen, the capital of Normandy, for an opportunity to enjoy a day out in Paris. Stroll through Honfleur and cruise the Loire to Nantes, for a scenic ride into the heart of Chateaux Country. Follow the trail of the Gironde to the world capital of wine, Bordeaux.

In the Spanish province of Galicia, explore the pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela, and in Portuguese Oporto, visit the cathedral or one of the nearby wine estates. Then spend two nights in the capital of Lisbon, giving you the opportunity to fully experience this captivating city.

Highlights of this cruise:

Tilbury
Tilbury is located on the north bank of the River Thames, in the borough of Thurrock in England, at the point where the river suddenly narrows to about 740 metres in width. Tilbury is a modern town, which is home to one of Europe’s largest container ports, together with a international cruise terminal.

To the west of Tilbury is the popular Lakeside shopping complex, and the Queen Elizabeth II bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in Europe.To the East is St. Catherine’s Church which is possibly on the site of one of the first Christian monasteries developed in the 7th C. Henry VIII built riverside block houses at East and West Tilbury, these later becoming Coalhouse and Tilbury Forts.

Reykjavik
Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, directly east of Greenland, Iceland is Europe's westernmost country and the second largest island in the North-Atlantic ocean. Its capital, Reykjavik holds practically half of Iceland’s entire population, perhaps not surprising considering how little of the country is actually habitable. As such it is the country’s unrivalled cultural and economic centre surrounded by a vast wilderness of mountains and glaciers.

The city’s highlights are mostly found in central Reykjavik: lining Old Town and Lake Tjornin are attractive tin houses, some of the more historical buildings, and many of its restaurants and nighttime hotspots. Its nightlife is legendary, with all-night street parties in summer and a huge club scene year-round. The nearby surrounding wilderness offers walking trails at Videy Island or the lava area at Heidmork, is definitely worth a visit. At "Smoky Bay" you can see geothermal steam rising from the ground. Harnessed to heat the city, these smoke signals can be seen along with any number of natural wonders, half an hour out of town.

Torshavn
Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands. It is located in the southern part on the east coast of Streymoy, Denmark. To the north west of the town lies the 347-metre (1,140 ft) high mountain Húsareyn, and to the southwest, the 350-metre (1,100 ft) high Kirkjubøreyn.

The town is a charming blend of old and new. In the area around the harbour lies Tinganes where the ‘old town’ of Tórshavn is located. The small colorful houses are an attraction in the town, as is Skansin, an old fortress built over the harbour. Five minutes walk from the harbour is the city-centre Vaglið. Here is also Løgtingið, the Faeroese parliament. Nearby are shops, restaurants, hotels and a cinema.

Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city in the south west of France. It is the capital city of the Aquitaine region and is famous for its many varieties of wine, which are considered among the best in the world.

Bordeaux is a historical city with many tourist attractions. The city itself boasts elegant neoclassical architecture, wide avenues, and attractive public squares and parks. The centre of town lies between Place Gambetta and the Garonne River. There are many fascinating museums and art galleries, excellent shopping and beautiful gardens to enjoy.

Bordeaux also offers a great selection of cafes and restaurants in the Place de la Victoire, the Place du Parlement or the Rue de Parlement Sainte Catherine. Sample some of Bordeaux’s lively nightlife by checking out the city’s late night dance venues on the Quai de Paludate.

La Coruna
Beautiful city attractions include Ciudad Vieja (Old Town), which was once protected by walls on three sides and by the sea on the other. In addition, the city offers a variety of modern museums, devoted to fine arts, science, anthropology, and even old clocks! La Coruna is a maritime city and enjoys cool, pleasant summer weather. It offers excellent beaches and superior regional cuisine, in a friendly, hospitable environment.

Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. a lively and multicultural place. Pre World War I wooden trams clank up steep gradients, past mosaic pavements and Art Nouveau cafés, and the medieval, village-like quarter of Alfama hangs below the city's castle.

Modern Lisbon has kept an easy-going pace and boasts a vibrant, cosmopolitan identity from large communities of Africans and Asians. In 1994, Lisbon was European City of Culture, while in 1998 the city hosted the last great Expo of the millennium.

There are few monuments and little art in Lisbon, largely due to the 1755 earthquake. There is one building from Portugal's golden age – the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos at Belém – that is the equal of any monument in the country. More modern developments include the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian museum complex and the Tómas Taveira's amazing postmodernist shopping centre at Amoreiras.