Spain & France

The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside – and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway.

The United Kingdom’s premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home for many years to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.

The port of La Coruña is Spain’s second largest seaport and boasts one of the longest promenades in Europe. Rich in historic significance, this Galician city is a destination in its own right, as well as a pilgrimage point for Santiago de Compostela.

As the cultural heart of Spain’s celebrated Basque country, the shining city of Bilbao is filled with Gothic architecture and landmarks that herald its centuries-old history. But the more modern additions to this post-industrial port town — namely, the spectacular Guggenheim Museum — seem to be drawing the most attention these days.

Lying on the south bank of the Garonne estuary, Le Verdon is your gateway to what is arguably the finest wine-producing region in the world: the vineyards surrounding Bordeaux. Though the city has long been an important trading center, the foundation of its prosperity has always rested on the wine trade. That trade began in the Middle Ages, when Bordeaux shipped Claret to England in exchange for British wool. While Bordeaux itself is a charming city that boasts superb examples of 18th-century neo-classical architecture, wine lovers are seldom able to resist the lure of the fine wine estates of the Medoc.

Perched at the crossroads of France and Great Britain, it’s no surprise that this piece of real estate was a prize among its many conquerors. Romans, Vikings, Saxons and Normans all fought over this strategic port on the English Channel. Cherbourg’s port was once again the center of conflict when German forces captured it during World War II. Liberated by American forces in 1944, Cherbourg serves as your gateway to the historic Normandy landings of D-Day. And there’s more to explore-medieval villages, a rugged countryside, charming city sights and castles and churches are all reminders that Cherbourg is a fascinating city worth discovering.

The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside – and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway.

The United Kingdom’s premier passenger ship port, Southampton was home for many years to the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.