Gleaming Treasures on the Coasts of Europe - MS BREMEN - BRE0910

Date		Destination
Wed	20 May	Scheduled flight Frankfurt – Madrid – Tenerife** Santa Cruz/Tenerife/Canary Islands, departure 9:00 pm
Thurs	21 May	Arrecife/Lanzarote/Canary Islands, 9:30 am to 7:00 pm
Fri	22 May	Agadir/Morocco, 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm
Sat	23 May	Relaxation at sea
Sun	24 May	Lisbon/Portugal, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Cruising on the Tejo
Mon	25 May	Vilagarcia/Spain, 1:00 to 7:00 pm
Tue	26 May	Relaxation at sea
Wed	27 May	Bilbao/Spain, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm
Thurs	28 May	Cruising on the Gironde Bordeaux/France, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Fri	29 May	La Pallice (La Rochelle)/France, 7:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sat	30 May	Roscoff/France, 2:00 to 7:00 pm
Sun	31 May	Sark/Channel Islands, 7:00 am to 12:00 noon
Mon	01 Jun	Rouen/France, 4:30 am to 5:00 pm Cruising on the Seine
Tue	02 Jun	Cowes/Isle of Wight/England, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Wed	03 Jun	Relaxation at sea
Thurs	04 Jun	Cuxhaven, arrival 8:00 am Individual travel arrangements from cruise arrival point
= at anchor

Lanzarote - Fiery Island Before the Gates of Europe
The artist César Manrique is the most famous son of the island and has made a decisive contribution to its image. Arrecife welcomes you on the island, shaped by the fires from inside the earth, between the Old and New Worlds. During the panorama trip to the Montanas del Fuego*, you will come even closer to the glowing heat from the planet's interior in the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya. Or you can set off on a bicycle for the wine-growing area of La Geria on our active tour*.

Blooming Morocco
Moving on from the full-bodied fruit of the vine on the Canary lava fields, you will come to the sweet fruits of the Moroccan fruit orchards in the hinterland of Agadir. The landscape trip through the fertile Sous plain takes you to the medina and souks of Taroudant*. The lighthouse of Cabo Ghir bids you farewell from the African continent in the early hours of the evening.

Luminous Cultural Treasures of Portugal
One of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe will give you a lively impression of Portugal's turbulent history: Lisbon. Your city tour* will take you through the quarter of Belém which has developed over the course of history from the formerly wealthy port city of Restelo. You will be welcomed by the city's landmark, the Torre de Belém, before you stand in amazement before the discoverer's monument raised in honour of Prince Henry the Navigator. Your excursion to political and historical Lisbon* will show you that Portugal, once a great colonial power, today plays the role of a major European partner and take you to impressive as well as significant destinations, including the Belém Cultural Centre, the former residence of José Manuel Barroso, the first president of the European Commission to come from Portugal. Another highlight is the pastel-pink palace of the Portuguese president where the agreement for the country's entry into the European Union was signed in 1986. The tour will take you even further back in history when you visit the neo-classic Town Hall where the first Republic of Portugal was established in 1910. Or join the Toussaints to experience the unusual - on the expert excursion: Lighthouse and Fortress Santa Maria in Cascais*.

La España Verde, Green Spain
Vilagarcia, the pride of Spaniards, recalls the days of the great Armada which defeated the legendary rival England in the 16th century. A victory for which the Admiralty at that time enjoined the prayers of the faithful - in nearby Santiago de Compostela*, capital of the autonomous community of Galicia. The contemplative city with the impressive cathedral, destination of pilgrims since 830, is one of the most significant of such sites and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yet another excursion will take you to Cambados*, centre of the famous Albariño wine whose vines were brought here from the Rhine and Mosel in the 12th century by Cistercian monks.

Insignia of an Empire
When you travel to Basque Country in Spain, you will encounter one of the most ancient peoples in Europe. Moreover, you will see one of the outstanding masterpieces of the European Modern: the Guggenheim Museum*, designed by Frank Owen Gehry, in the former cultural capital Bilbao is regarded as one of the most spectacular examples of avant-garde architecture and thrills visitors with highlights of contemporary art - primarily installations and video art. Or see the Basque parliament in Vitoria-Gasteiz*, one of the best-preserved cities of historical Spain. The expert excursion: Hike to Faro de Gorliz* takes you to one of the most beautiful beacons in Europe.

France's Gourmet Coast
The Gironde takes the BREMEN to the most famous city of wine in the world: Bordeaux. Explore the epitome of French wine culture during a panorama tour*. Millions of bottles of elegant vintages are exported into almost every country of the world from the intellectual, political and cultural centre of south-west France every year. While you follow the traces left behind by European wine history*, you will visit a number of vineyards where you will learn how the Bordelais wine area rose in importance during the English reign over Gascony - and what role winemakers from Germany played in France. In St. Emilion*, you will visit the famous wine city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during a walk.

Trading in Pleasure
La Pallice is the harbour of La Rochelle. Just as in Bordeaux, trade is highly spirited here: the little town Vieux Port, so picturesquely located, is considered to be one of the premier French fishing ports on the Atlantic coast. You will be given interesting insights into state-of-the-art trade logistics in the seaport La Pallice* where six million tonnes of goods are transhipped every year. All in all, undeniable proof that peace in Europe and profitable trade are mutually beneficial. Or pay a visit to the charming island Île de Ré*: many are the painters who have praised the beauty of the landscape. You will understand their enthusiasm especially well on the expert excursion: Phare des Baleines*.

Beacons of Brittany
Roscoff - the city of pirates and smugglers welcomes you to Brittany. The trip to Barnenez* takes you back into prehistoric times. Here is one of the world's largest megalith constructions. Join our lighthouse experts, the couple Toussaint, and marvel at the 44-metre-high beacon of the Île de Batz*, which is visible from a distance as great as 23 nautical miles.

English and French Channel Coast
You will enjoy an exclusive welcome on Sark, the smallest of the four Channel Islands. During the expert excursion: Special Opening of the Lighthouse on Sark*, the Pointe Robert Lighthouse will open its doors only for the guests from the BREMEN. The French beacon on the Cap de la Hague lights our way to the Seine. The lighthouse of Cowes greets you the next day on the Isle of Wight. During the expert excursion: St. Catherine's Lighthouse*, you will learn all about the history of this magical place. Conclude your "Expedition Knowledge" with the panorama trip on the Isle of Wight* and let yourself be enchanted by the Victorian atmosphere.

* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. The shore activities listed here are in the planning stage. Subject to change.

** Our tip for your direct travel arrangements to the cruise departure point: many charter flight companies offer direct flights as an alternative to the flight via Madrid. Information and bookings at your travel agent's.