fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Normandy, Brittany and the Basque Country

Normandy, Brittany and the Basque Country

From €4,365 EUR

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

Honfleur, paradise for painters
With its colourful fishing boats and soaring timbered houses, Honfleur offers visitors a truly picturesque setting. The enchanting little port is considered the cradle of impressionism – Eugène Boudin, Monet, Renoir and Cézanne met here to paint. In addition to enjoying the abounding art, don’t miss out on Normandy’s culinary masterpieces: cider, calvados and camembert.

Saint-Malo and the Mont St Michel
Strong fortified walls and heavy canons still bear witness to what life was like in Saint-Malo in the 18th century. From here, the corsairs started their raids, adding considerably to the wealth of the town. At the other end of the bay, the Mont St Michel also presents itself well-fortified: like a mighty bastion, the monastery fortress rises from the tidal flats.

A jewel in the Atlantic: Belle-Île-en-Mer
It is easy to imagine that this island was the birthplace of summer; as soon as the sun rises over this Breton isle, the cafés and squares are instantly filled with the friendly chatter of locals, accordion players and women selling their wares in the market. With its serene atmosphere, the port of Le Palais is the perfect place for individual discovery.

Trip Name
Normandy, Brittany and the Basque Country
Days
10
Overview
Vessel Type: Tall Ship (Sailing) Length: 105 metres Passenger Capacity: 96 Built: 2001 Launched in 2001, Sea Cloud II is a stunning vessel, built along traditional lines, but offering deluxe accommodation. She combines timeless elegance of sailing ships of the past with the highest safety standards and the luxurious comfort of modern cruise ships. Just like her legendary sister ship Sea Cloud, the 29,600 square feet of sails is set by hand which is a truly magical sight. Built to accommodate 96 passengers in five star luxury, she offers a range of beautifully appointed suites and cabins which are furnished with great style. All accommodations have outside views and the bathrooms, in light marble, are unusually spacious and extremely comfortable. The finest, carefully chosen fabrics, combined with leather, rattan and other materials, brass and gold, precious woods and marble together create an impressive ensemble. No expense has been spared to create a sympathetic ambience in both the accommodations and public areas and this is reflected throughout the vessel. Public areas include an elegant lounge, library, fitness centre, boutique, lido bar and hospital. The single sitting dining room is airy and modern and the quality of the cuisine and service will be to the highest of standards, as one would expect on a Sea Cloud cruise. Relax on the Lido deck and experience the natural grandeur of travelling under sail, rekindling memories of a bygone age. Please note deck and suite plans are indicative only and may vary slightly.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Portsmouth
This coastal strip in southern Hampshire, blessed by the Gulf Stream, has always been an easily defensible natural harbour. Indeed Henry VII made it his Royal Dockyard at the end of the 15th century. Still an important Royal Navy base, the vast port of Portsmouth is situated on the peaceful west coast of Portsea Island, a spit of land that stretches far out to sea. In the old harbour, historic ships with grandiose names proclaim the city's glorious past and several museums are devoted to the navy and seafaring. Where once adventurers and admirals set sail to re-write the English history books, countless yachts now rock gently in numerous marinas. The lavishly renovated quayside with its looming, futuristic Spinnaker Tower and the long seafront at Southsea are now the beating heart of modern life in the city.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Honfleur
Many famous impressionists caught the quaint atmosphere of this town at the mouth of the Seine on canvas in the 19th century. This small town in Calvados is still one of the most charming places in Normandy. Tall and narrow slate-clad buildings crowd around the quayside, the exquisite Vieux Bassin and the old 17th century dock. Honfleur honours its famous sons, painter Eugène Boudin and composer Eric Satie, in a museum. East of Honfleur, the breathtaking Pont de Normandie spans the Seine estuary and links Honfleur with Le Havre, an engineering masterpiece and one of the longest bridges in Europe.
Day 3 - Day 3 - St. Peter Port/Guernsey
'A piece of France fallen into the sea and grabbed up by the English' is how Victor Hugo described his place of exile in the Bay of St. Malo, which is closer to the northern coast of France than the south coast of England. Guernsey, the second largest British Channel Island, later inspired Auguste Renoir to produce a whole series of paintings. Narrow, meandering roads bordered by hedges and embankments wind through the interior of the island, which boasts luscious vegetation courtesy of the mild Gulf Stream climate, while in the south, green hills give way to rocky cliffs on the sea's edge. Here, spectacular crags, bays and sandy beaches have been shaped by the vast tidal range pummelling the rock. The pretty island capital of St. Peter Port overlooking the large sheltered harbour and castle boasts a fascinating mixture of styles in a tangle of terraces and stepped gardens.
Day 4 - Day 4 - St. Malo
This former 'corsaire' town in northern Brittany has always had a close relationship with the sea. Although the buccaneers have left, St. Malo is now the start or end point for many famous sailing regattas. Behind the legendary town defences lies the historic centre, which is surrounded by water on three sides and has always been impregnable. On one side of the town walls you will see the narrow alleyways and tall houses of the old town which bear testament to the prosperity of past traders and sailors. The other side offers exquisite views of the emerald sea, dazzling white sandy beaches, harbour and forts. Tidal variations in the Bay of Saint-Malo provide an impressive natural spectacle with twelve metres difference between high and low tides.
Day 5 - Day 5 - At Sea
a:0:{}
Day 6 - Day 6 - Lorient
The Breton harbour on the confluence of the river Scorff has always played an important role in the town's history. Its name is derived from the word 'orient' since Lorient was once home to the French East India Company and marked the centre of a vast trading network. It is a passenger port, a bustling marina, France's second largest fishing port, a busy commercial port and a naval base. In 2006, a state-of-the-art interactive sailing museum was built in honour of Éric Tabarly, the ocean yachtsman par excellence and trailblazing designer of regatta yachts. This modern town was completely rebuilt and is now considered to be a hub for 20th century art and history.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Le Palais/Belle-Île-en-Mer
At 54 square miles, Belle-Île-en-Mer, south of Lorient is the largest of Brittany's islands. For a few weeks every summer, the storms and crashing waves subside and the island takes on a laid-back holiday atmosphere, with lots of bicycles, beach towels and music. On the west coast, the waves break on the rocks causing white crests to dance on the water. Small, idyllic bays and beaches nestle in deep inlets in the rocky coastline, sometimes only accessible from the sea. The island's capital is the port of Le Palais with its imposing citadel and countless street cafés along the harbour and in the Place de la République. Claude Monet spent two and a half months on the island, producing 39 paintings of the wild Côte Sauvage.
Day 8 - Day 8 - At Sea
a:0:{}
Day 9 - Day 9 - Pasajes (San Sebastian)
a:0:{}
Day 10 - Day 10 - Bilbao
Bilbao has always been an important port and industrial city. In 1993, Bilbao was a pilgrimage destination for lovers of modern art and avant-garde architecture. The Guggenheim Museum, with its idiosyncratic and unique design by famous architect Frank O Gehry, showcases everything that is important within its 11,000 square metres 118,403 foot). Steel used to be manufactured in Bilbao and it now plays a major role here, since other renowned architects have also been inspired to give Bilbao an attractive, distinctive look. Cross the futuristic Calatrava Bridge to reach the old town, where you can take a delightful stroll round the lanes and enjoy the art of Basque cuisine.
Day 11 - Please Note:
Itinerary subject to change!

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
12-08-201821-08-2018€4,755Category F Upper/Lower Beds
12-08-201821-08-2018€5,895GTY Single Cabin
12-08-201821-08-2018€4,365GTY Double Cabin
12-08-201821-08-2018€6,395Category C
12-08-201821-08-2018€5,395Category E
12-08-201821-08-2018€6,055Category D
12-08-201821-08-2018€7,555Category B
12-08-201821-08-2018€8,395Category A

Inclusions

    • Honfleur, paradise for painters
    • Saint-Malo and the Mont St Michel
    • A jewel in the Atlantic: Belle-Île-en-Mer

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Trips