Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) to Barcelona
Wave goodbye to Amsterdam as we head for Saint Malo, a medieval walled city overlooking the English Channel with a history of piracy. Then we move westwards along the French coast to Brest, with its rich maritime history; the lively fishing town of Lorient; and Montoir-de-Bretagne, gateway to Nantes, former home of the Dukes of Brittany. Then we cross into Spain to visit the pinxto bars of San Sebastian, sample the natural cider of Gijón, and feast on Galician seafood in La Coruña. Our next sea day has a thrilling twist, coinciding with a total solar eclipse. Our arrival into Portuguese waters brings a chance to sample the port wine of Leixões and the pastries of Lisbon, before a relaxing day at sea takes us across the Spanish border to Cádiz. This beach city is a baroque beauty, where you can dine on some of the best seafood in Andalucia. Málaga comes next; find out about its famous son at the Picasso Museum. In Cartagena, uncover layers of civilization that stretch back here to 220BCE, and in Alicante, go in search of a pirate’s lair at Tabarca. Valencia is gaining a reputation for its cutting-edge architecture and its sophisticated foodie scene. It’s our last stop before we reach Barcelona, our final destination.
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