European Odyssey

A Passage Through Centuries of Culture & History

Travel to quaint ports and calls at island communities that regular cruise ships simply cannot visit.

These ports are “portals” through which you’ll pass into history, art, architecture and cuisines.
Accompanied by the Expedition Team, you’ll begin in Copenhagen, end in Lisbon, and enjoy a kaleidoscopic adventure. You’ll go ashore and off the beaten path to meet the locals and savor regional cuisine: Spanish tapas, Breton crepes, Belgian waffles, and vintage port in Oporto. Join pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. Stand silent and reverent on Normandy beaches. Share the exhilaration of the future at the Guggenheim Bilbao. And observe the new Europe and the Old World.

Itinerary

DAY 1 — U.S./Copenhagen, Denmark
Depart U.S. and fly overnight to Copenhagen, Denmark

DAY 2 — Copenhagen
Arrive this afternoon in the royal city of Copenhagen and embark National Geographic Endeavour. (D)

DAY 3 — Lubeck, Germany
Lubeck was the medieval capital of the Hanseatic League. Its intact ensemble of step-gabled merchant’s houses, red-bricked warehouses and narrow alleys are protected as a World Heritage Site. Our Zodiac options and our walking tour takes us to Buddenbrockhaus, home of Lubeck’s famous sons, authors Heinrich and Thomas Mann. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 — Transit the Kiel Canal (B,L,D)
The world's busiest artificial waterway, the Kiel Canal is a 61 mile long canal in Germany that links the North Sea at Brunsbüttel to the Baltic Sea at Kiel-Holtenau.

DAY 5 — Amsterdam, the Netherlands
With its canals, museums, cafes and gabled architecture, Amsterdam is a colorful city. Cruise along the canals, seeing Amsterdam’s landmarks and enjoying the free-spirited lifestyle. Choose from a variety of options to suit your interests in this diverse and fascinating city. (B,L,D)

DAY 6 — Oostende, Belgium/Brugge
From Oostende, drive to Brugge, one of the purest medieval towns in Western Europe. Board riverboats to view the incomparable architecture from canal-level and stop at a café for the equivalent of afternoon tea: Belgian waffles and coffee. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 — Bayeux, France
Step back in time to the Norman invasion from France to England in 1066. At the medieval town of Bayeux, view the famed 11th-century masterpiece, The Bayeux Tapestry, which tells the story of the Invasion of England by William the Conqueror. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 — Normandy D-Day Beaches/Cherbourg
Gain an understanding of the D-Day invasion at the historic Normandy Beaches. The feeling generated here, where thousands of troops landed and fought, cannot be summed up in words. Visit Utah and Omaha beaches, Arromanches, and pay homage at the American Cemetery with its 9,000 perfectly aligned white crosses and Stars of David. Continue to St. Mere Eglise, best remembered for its church where a U.S. paratrooper became ensnared by the steeple. Reboard in Cherbourg. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 — St. Malo and Mont St. Michel
Moor beneath grand ramparts, the gateway to medieval St. Malo. Drive to the beautiful 12th-century Benedictine monastery of Mont St. Michel, which rises from the fast-running tidal flats of the Atlantic. Return to St. Malo for a walk around the ramparts and stunning views. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 — At Sea (B,L,D)

DAY 11 — Ile d’Aix and La Rochelle
Tiny and tranquil Ile d’Aix is famous as Napoleon’s last place of residence on French soil before his exile. Today this natural gem is home to shellfish gatherers and artists that live by the tides. Wander along the Vieux Port at La Rochelle, where lively cafes line the waterfront. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 — La Cote Basque, France
Zodiacs take us ashore at lovely St.-Jean-de-Luz. Visit the exquisite Eglise St.-Jean Baptiste, where Louis XIV married Maria Theresa of Spain. This photogenic fishing village is the perfect place to relax, stroll the harbor, or swim from the white-sand Grand Plage. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 — Bilbao, Spain
Explore Frank Gehry’s futuristic Guggenheim Museum with its distinctive titanium wave. (B,L,D)

DAY 14 — La Coruña/Santiago de Compostela
Visit the most magnificent pilgrimage site of the Middle Ages: the cathedral at Santiago de Compostela. Witness the swinging of the extraordinary incense burner or botafumerio. A dance reception is followed by a Galician lunch served in the impressive Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, built for 16th-century pilgrims.(B,L,D)

DAY 15 — Islas Cies and Bayona
Stroll the paths of Islas Cies National Park or swim and kayak from the white-sand beach. Explore picturesque Bayona, where Columbus’ ship, Pinta, brought news of the discovery of the New World. (B,L,D)

DAY 16 — Oporto, Portugal
Famous for its port wine, Oporto is a World Heritage Site resounding in stately architecture: the 12th-century cathedral that glitters with gold, and the Stock Exchange, the embodiment of Moorish splendor. Picturesque wine boats ply the Douro River and we have a tasting at one of the famed riverside porthouses. (B,L,D)

DAY 17 — Lisbon/Disembark/Home
Disembark in Lisbon. Following a panoramic view of the city, we head to the airport for flights home, or on to other adventures. (B)

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