Reflections
of Northern Europe

Portugal’s capital Lisbon comes alive with a rich history seen in every nook and cranny of the city. From the resting place of famous explorer Vasco de Gama at Jeronimos Monastery to the impressive turrets of São Jorge Castle dating all the way back to second century B.C.E., Lisbon offers a deep dive into the past to satiate the most curious travelers. While Western Europe’s oldest city boasts an array of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, that does not mean it has remained stuck in the past. On the contrary, the colorful culture and vibrant life that runs throughout the city’s restaurants, shops, and rooftop bars make it buzz with infectious energy. Taking a tuk tuk through its hard-to-reach passages allows you to experience Lisbon as the locals do.

Along the Douro River in the north of Portugal lies Porto, the country’s second-largest city. It may be renowned for its port wine - the Ferreira Caves being one such famed cellar and one of the oldest port wine cellars in Portugal - but the city contains so much more for the explorer spirit to discover. Starting in the port of Leixões, your journey takes you to the Dom Luis I bridge, a direct link to Ribeira, Porto’s oldest district. One of Porto’s most significant sites, the Livraria Lello, is filled with historical, architectural, and literary importance, containing a world of books that any bibliophile traveler will find exciting.

A province of Galicia, La Coruña (also known as A Coruña) holds a great deal of history that attracts the intellectual traveler. Home of the Spanish Armada and second-biggest port town in the country, it’s a city that invites explorer spirts to rediscover all its lost secrets and hidden gems.

About an hour away lies Santiago de Compostela, a beautiful cathedral to which many make a pilgrimage spanning 500 miles across the top of Spain. If you seek the beauty of nature within the splendor of historic architecture, La Coruña offers the Garden of San Carlos and the Gardens of Mendez Nuñez with verdant patches of bushes and palm trees sprinkled throughout paved paths amid cultural landmarks.

On the northern edge of the Iberian Peninsula lies Bilbao, a city with historical ties to Basque country. Its best-known museum, The Guggenheim, stands as a shining example of some of the most innovative 20th-century design from renowned architect Frank Gehry. Strolling through the central neighborhood, Indautxu, you’ll come across the picturesque Doña Casilda Iturrizar Park. This English-style garden, with its enchanting pond, verdant trees and decorative fountains adds a touch of refinement and romance. From the Arenal Gardens, the gateway to Casco Viejo (the Old Quarter), to Miguel de Unamuno Square, where a statue of the famed writer stands sentinel, Bilbao’s everyday life holds an extraordinary magic.

Port Médoc is where red wine is king. Bordered to the east by the Gironde estuary and to the west by the vast pine forest that separates it from the Atlantic Ocean, the soil of Port Médoc is where France’s most coveted grapes are grown. As the gateway to the Bordeaux Wine Route, you can reach the town of Blanquefort to Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, near the Pointe de Grave, and indulge in samplings of renowned wines along the way. There is also quite a bit of French history to be appreciated here as you witness three of the 12 Fortifications of Vauban.

About a 5.5-hour trip from Paris, Belle-Île has long been the secret summer getaway for Parisians and it’s easy to see why. Its jagged coastline rises out of the Bay of Biscay and has everything experienced travelers could want on an island, from beautiful beaches to a placid pastoral interior. The first landmark you may spot on your entrance to Le Palais, the capital of Belle-Île, is the imposing 17th-century Citadel Vauban. Sunworshippers and beachcombers can find a spot on the sand at Plage des Grands Sables, while surfers may prefer to catch waves at Plage du Donnant on the west side of the island.

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Located along the southern bank of the Seine River, the charming port city of Honfleur is characterized by its picturesque houses with slate-covered facades, a captivating aesthetic that has been many the subject and inspiration for painters through history. While France is world-renowned for its cuisine, Normandy stands out as a foodie destination. Local Camembert, Livarot and Neufchatel cheeses are delicious enough to entice travelers to stay, but a trip to Normandy is not complete without sampling the tripes à la mode de Caen, a French stew combining tripe with ox feet, vegetables, herbs and spices, cider and apple brandy. From Honfleur, you could choose to make a trek to the City of Lights, Paris, the fashion capital of the world. Iconic tourist attractions like the Louvre, Versailles and the Eiffel Tower make it easy to see how the city has enjoyed such lasting power in the minds of wanderers and locals alike, but its smaller neighborhoods like Montmartre and Le Marais are where everyday life truly shine.

London is a fascinating city with storied landmarks, iconic attractions and countless hidden gems. As we navigate the famous River Thames, we pass renowned sights like Greenwich, the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and historic locales that have made cinematic history. Our small yacht allows us to dock near the Tower Bridge, sailing under its impressive span, and come closer to the HMS Belfast, a historic ship known worldwide with a story that sparks your curiosity. Photographers often want to head toward central London near the Westminster Bridge. With Big Ben and Westminster Palace on one side and the London Eye on the other side of the river, it’s the best spot for the ultimate picture of the English capital. Among the lesser-known highlights of London is the British Library, where you may see a scribbled page of Beatles songwriting or a Leonardo da Vinci notebook. There are some stunning illuminated scripts and landmark-scientific items too. If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens.

London is a fascinating city with storied landmarks, iconic attractions and countless hidden gems. As we navigate the famous River Thames, we pass renowned sights like Greenwich, the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and historic locales that have made cinematic history. Our small yacht allows us to dock near the Tower Bridge, sailing under its impressive span, and come closer to the HMS Belfast, a historic ship known worldwide with a story that sparks your curiosity. Photographers often want to head toward central London near the Westminster Bridge. With Big Ben and Westminster Palace on one side and the London Eye on the other side of the river, it’s the best spot for the ultimate picture of the English capital. Among the lesser-known highlights of London is the British Library, where you may see a scribbled page of Beatles songwriting or a Leonardo da Vinci notebook. There are some stunning illuminated scripts and landmark-scientific items too. If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens.

London is a fascinating city with storied landmarks, iconic attractions and countless hidden gems. As we navigate the famous River Thames, we pass renowned sights like Greenwich, the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and historic locales that have made cinematic history. Our small yacht allows us to dock near the Tower Bridge, sailing under its impressive span, and come closer to the HMS Belfast, a historic ship known worldwide with a story that sparks your curiosity. Photographers often want to head toward central London near the Westminster Bridge. With Big Ben and Westminster Palace on one side and the London Eye on the other side of the river, it’s the best spot for the ultimate picture of the English capital. Among the lesser-known highlights of London is the British Library, where you may see a scribbled page of Beatles songwriting or a Leonardo da Vinci notebook. There are some stunning illuminated scripts and landmark-scientific items too. If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens.

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Legend has it that the enchanted land of St. Peter Port was invaded by fairies once upon a time. For proof, head west to the edge of the island to find a mysterious Fairy Ring known as Pleinmont, walk around it three times and make a wish. Aside from local lore, Guernsey is charmed as the second largest of the Channel Islands ideally situated in the bay of St. Malo, a mere 30 miles from the coast of France and 80 miles from the coast of England. Speaking of England, while Guernsey is considered part of the British Isles, it is not a part of the United Kingdom, as it constitutionally owes allegiance to the English Crown, but has its own separate legislature.

While you might think you’ve landed in the Caribbean, the gorgeous oasis of St. Mary’s is very much in England. The Isles of Scilly enjoy a climate that is among the mildest, warmest, and sunniest in the United Kingdom. And very few ships visit, making it an ideal remote getaway. Among the smattering of islands strung off the tip of Cornwall is the thoroughly enchanting St. Mary’s with a population of almost 1,800 and covering an area of about three-square miles, the largest island of the five and the gateway to the rest of the archipelago. While St. Mary’s is laid back, you’ll find you can still enjoy an active day, whether you rent a boat or go paddle boarding. Hugh Town, St. Mary’s central hub, holds plenty of shops, restaurants, galleries and cafés to spend a leisurely afternoon. Nearby lie three beaches – Porthmellon, Town Beach and Porthcressa – for a relaxing beach day.

The wondrous County Cork is a destination filled with rich heritage. From here, the famed Blarney Castle and its equally renowned stone beckon you for a kiss in exchange for the gift of gab. Whiskey lovers rejoice as Cork is the site of the Old Jameson Distillery, a beautifully restored and self-contained industrial complex taking you to the heart of the cherished whiskey-making tradition. Traverse the bridges arching over the River Lee, taking in the many cathedrals and their ornate gargoyles as you make your way to a typical Irish pub for a taste of the iconic Guinness stout. Near Cork lies the picturesque sailing town of Kinsale with vibrant streetscapes and delicious restaurants. Affectionately known as Ireland’s "real capital" by its proud locals, this city is speckled with bridges that lend it a distinctive European flair and landmarks like St. Fin Barr’s Cathedral that add to its rich tapestry.

From the charming architecture of St. Cybi’s Church to the monolithic structures of Trefignath Burial Chamber, the city of Holyhead in Wales contains a spectrum of landmarks that invite you to explore. Take the South Stack Lighthouse tour for breathtaking views along the rocky coast. Sitting within the RSPB Reserve, the surrounding heathland filled with wildflowers, various species of birds and grazing sheep creates a bucolic scene to stir a sense of awe. Along the coast at Breakwater Country Park, discover scenic paths with audio trails, themed walks and even a gallery in the old brick shed. With plenty of restaurants and pubs near the port, it’s easy to dive into authentic Welsh cuisines, such as Conwy mussels or Welsh rarebit.

Between Ireland and Great Britain in the Irish Sea, there’s a small dot of land called the Isle of Man. Douglas is the capital and your gateway to the incredible treasures that this lesser-known Crown Dependency holds. Not only is Isle of Man culturally and historically different from its surrounding islands, but also linguistically diverse, among the many languages Manx, a Gaelic language similar to some types of Irish Gaelic, but unique to the island. Douglas’ lovely seafront can be traversed by horse-drawn trams, but if you prefer speed, this town also delivers with winding roads made for a thrilling motorcycle adventure. After all, this is the home of the International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race.

Ireland’s capital, Dublin, is bustling, cosmopolitan, ancient, and young at heart all at once. It is one of Europe’s liveliest cities, where medieval and 17th-century buildings stand comfortably amid all the trappings of a 21st-century community. Marvels like the incredible Book of Kells, one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts in the world, call out to the curious. A gentle and relaxing cruise along the River Liffey immerses you in the capital’s colorful history, from the first arrival of the Vikings to the rapid development of the city during the 18th and 19th centuries. When in Dublin, the Guinness Storehouse, located in the heart of St. James’ Gate Brewery, invites you to raise a glass at the Gravity Bar with a 360-degree view of the city skyline.