Portugal to Ireland: The History & Traditions of Europe

Ever since the Romans constructed a fort here and began using it as a trading post, Oporto has been a prosperous commercial centre. In the 15th and 16th centuries the city benefited from the wealth generated by Portugal’s maritime discoveries, and later, the establishment of a lucrative wine trade with Britain compensated for the loss of the spice trade. Today, Portugal’s second-largest city is a thriving, cosmopolitan place and is famous for its production of the fortified, sweet ‘port’ wine. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city was also awarded the status of European Capital of Culture in 2001. A large sandbar prevents ships from sailing into Oporto itself, so for over a century they have used nearby Leixões instead, a man-made seaport constructed nine miles from the city. Leixões is one of Portugal’s major sea ports and is also home to one of the country’s oldest football clubs, winners of the Taça de Portugal cup in 1961.

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Spend the morning getting to know your 6-star ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht before we arrive in Porto around midday. One of Portugal’s largest seaports, Leixões is just 8km from the heart of Porto, where the city shares its name with one of the country’s best-known exports, port wine. Located at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a World Heritage-listed city of baroque splendour, Gothic cathedrals, and incredible food. Wander through winding alleys lined with houses decorated with Portuguese tiles, see the city’s street art, and take in the views from the cable car and funicular.

El Ferrol has been inextricably linked to the sea for more than two millennia, being a major shipbuilding centre for most of its history. From its beginnings as a tiny fishing port in the 1st century BC, it endured conquests by Vandals, Suebis, Arabs and Christians. With the arrival of the Bourbons in the 18th century, Ferrol became a leading maritime centre, largely due to its large natural harbour on the Ferrol Inlet, an arm of the Atlantic. Now a large commercial port, Ferrol is also the gateway to the northern Spanish province of Galicia, a region noted for its green mountains, deep gorges and fast-flowing rivers. It is also well placed for visiting the medieval holy city of Santiago de Compostela. Interestingly, Ferrol’s city centre is modelled on Lisbon in Portugal, a country with which it has strong historical and linguistic ties. The layout comprises of a rectangle lined with six parallel streets, with two squares on each side. These squares have the city’s best shops, restaurants and bars.

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Start your day relaxing in the ultra-luxury of your suite. Ask your butler to bring you breakfast in bed after perusing the comprehensive 24-hour in suite dining menu. Alternatively, choose to savour it in the Yacht Club before arriving in Ferrol around lunchtime. Explore the boutiques and Galician-style houses in Ferrol’s Magdalena neighbourhood, a declared Historic-Artistic site, and visit the 18th century San Felipe Castle, where bulwarks and cannons defended the city.  Today you may be able to go kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in one of the largest harbours in Spain or explore the fantastic scenery from above in one of our two on board helicopters^. If conditions and permissions allow, delve below the horizon in our custom-built submarine^, Scenic Neptune. 

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Start your day with a class in the complimentary PURE: Yoga & Pilates studio, where sessions include Aerial Yoga, TRX suspension training and Tibetan sound bowl healing, or work out in the fully equipped state-of-the-art gym, where one-on-one fitness coaching sessions are available.  Today, you'll explore Avilés, a historic city located in the Asturias region of northern Spain. The city's old town, or Casco Antiguo, features a range of well-preserved medieval buildings and streets, providing a glimpse into the area's rich heritage. Highlights include the Plaza del Carbayedo, a charming square surrounded by traditional buildings and home to a lively weekly market. Regarded a hidden gem of northern Spain, the city is also known for its cultural scene and laid-back atmosphere. In the evening, share your travel notes with your new friends over dinner in one of up to 10 all-inclusive dining experiences on board your ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht. From contemporary French fine dining at Lumière to steak and seafood cooked to perfection at Elements and the freshest sushi at Koko’s, you'll see a Scenic Eclipse voyage is also a culinary journey. 

Time in Bilbao (Bilbo, in Euskera) may be recorded as BG or AG (Before Guggenheim or After Guggenheim). Never has a single monument of art and architecture so radically changed a city. Frank Gehry’s stunning museum, Norman Foster’s sleek subway system, the Santiago Calatrava glass footbridge and airport, the leafy César Pelli Abandoibarra park and commercial complex next to the Guggenheim, and the Philippe Starck AlhóndigaBilbao cultural center have contributed to an unprecedented cultural revolution in what was once the industry capital of the Basque Country.Greater Bilbao contains almost 1 million inhabitants, nearly half the total population of the Basque Country. Founded in 1300 by Vizcayan noble Diego López de Haro, Bilbao became an industrial center in the mid-19th century, largely because of the abundance of minerals in the surrounding hills. An affluent industrial class grew up here, as did the working class in suburbs that line the Margen Izquierda (Left Bank) of the Nervión estuary.Bilbao’s new attractions get more press, but the city’s old treasures still quietly line the banks of the rust-color Nervión River. The Casco Viejo (Old Quarter)—also known as Siete Calles (Seven Streets)—is a charming jumble of shops, bars, and restaurants on the river’s Right Bank, near the Puente del Arenal bridge. This elegant proto-Bilbao nucleus was carefully restored after devastating floods in 1983. Throughout the Casco Viejo are ancient mansions emblazoned with family coats of arms, wooden doors, and fine ironwork balconies. The most interesting square is the 64-arch Plaza Nueva, where an outdoor market is pitched every Sunday morning.Walking the banks of the Nervión is a satisfying jaunt. After all, this was how—while out on a morning jog—Guggenheim director Thomas Krens first discovered the perfect spot for his project, nearly opposite the right bank’s Deusto University. From the Palacio de Euskalduna upstream to the colossal Mercado de la Ribera, parks and green zones line the river. César Pelli’s Abandoibarra project fills in the half mile between the Guggenheim and the Euskalduna bridge with a series of parks, the Deusto University library, the Meliá Bilbao Hotel, and a major shopping center.On the left bank, the wide, late-19th-century boulevards of the Ensanche neighborhood, such as Gran Vía (the main shopping artery) and Alameda de Mazarredo, are the city’s more formal face. Bilbao’s cultural institutions include, along with the Guggenheim, a major museum of fine arts (the Museo de Bellas Artes) and an opera society (Asociación Bilbaína de Amigos de la Ópera, or ABAO) with 7,000 members from Spain and southern France. In addition, epicureans have long ranked Bilbao’s culinary offerings among the best in Spain. Don’t miss a chance to ride the trolley line, the Euskotram, for a trip along the river from Atxuri Station to Basurto’s San Mamés soccer stadium, reverently dubbed “la Catedral del Fútbol” (the Cathedral of Football).

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Today you'll explore Bilbao, deemed one of the Basque Country jewels. This vibrant city is famous for its striking modern architecture, home to the iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which showcases contemporary art and is a must-visit attraction. Bilbao also boasts a rich cultural heritage, which can be experienced by visiting landmarks such as the Basílica de Begoña and the Casco Viejo, or the charming old town. It's also a culinary hotspot, with a range of pintxo bars and restaurants serving up traditional Basque cuisine.

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Enjoy a relaxed and delicious breakfast in the privacy of your ultra-luxury suite or meet your fellow guests at the Yacht Club. Then, set out to explore the charming San Sebastián. With its rich culture, history, and natural beauty, this Basque city has something to suit every interest and pace.The famous La Concha Beach offers beautiful views of the Bay of Biscay, where the historic old town, known as Parte Vieja, is home to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Chorus and the San Vicente Church. Less than ten kilometres from San Sebastián is the picturesque fishing village of Pasajes. Enjoy a late-night departure from San Sebastián.

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The vineyards around this small town produce some of the most prestigious wines in the world, including three of the five Bordeaux First-Growth wines. Explore some of wine region's highlights or perhaps take one of Scenic's complimentary e-bikes for an easy ride. In Bordeaux, about 50km from Pauillac, experience the city's 18th century grandeur, including the opulent blue and gold auditorium in the Grand Theatre and one of Europe's largest squares, the Place des Quincences. Learn about wine making in Bordeaux's interactive wine museum, La Cité du Vin and perhaps step into an immersive world of art at Bassins des Lumières. This former submarine base is now a centre of digital art where you're surrounded by 360° projections of works by great masters set to music. 

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After breakfast, perhaps start the day with a visit to the bridge, where the captain will explain to you the technical abilities of your ultra-luxury yacht, including the Azipod propulsion systems, which deliver the lowest noise and vibration levels possible, while enjoying one of the best viewing areas on the ship.Then set out to enjoy your last day in this captivating town with a stroll along the waterfront. See 19th century houses and charming cafes, indulging in a little more local Bordeaux wine before we set sail in the afternoon.Continue your world-class wine tasting on board at one of Scenic Eclipse's all-inclusive nine bars and lounges. You may also opt for an aged whiskey at the Scenic Lounge Bar or a cocktail in your cabana beside the Panorama Bar. Your in-suite mini-bar is also restocked daily with premium beverages, so you can also relax with drinks in the privacy of your verandah at any time. 

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In the walled town of Concarneau you can walk along cobbled streets and around 14th century ramparts with views of the harbour and colourful town houses. Visit Keriolet Castle, a 13th century chateau that was given an extravagant neo-gothic renovation by a Russian imperial princess. The pretty and protected bay is ideal for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Alternatively, you can stroll along the beautiful beach and marina.Back on board, be led through a meditation or crystal sound therapy beside large amethyst clusters in the PURE: Yoga & Pilates studio or raise your heart rate on the stationary bikes and rowing machine in the POWER: Gym as we sail in the afternoon.After dinner, enjoy entertainment in the on board state-of-the-art theatre or ask your butler to set a private dinner for two on your verandah before watching a movie on your suite's HDTV with Bose® speakers. 

St Mary’s is the Isle of Scilly’s largest island with a population of 1800 residents and an area of 6.58 square Kilometres; this is the gateway to the rest of the magnificent islands. Hugh town -a beautiful Old town with its own beach, nature reserve and church is the main attractions of St Mary’s, with tiny streets brimming with shops to pick up the perfect souvenir. St Mary’s is a hidden gem, with long stretches of white sandy beaches and a breath-taking untouched landscape. The coastline holds many archaeological sites along with miles of splendid walks along the coastal and country paths.

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Just off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly are home to some of the UK’s best beaches. St Mary’s is the largest island in the archipelago and has a population of 1,800, mostly in the island’s hub of Hugh Town, where you can visit local craft studios as well as rum and gin distilleries.  You might have the opportunity to explore the incredible scenery with a hike along nature trails with an expert local guide. Or discover the largely traffic-free island’s gentle slopes by e-bike or kayak and stand-up paddleboard along the shoreline.Soar above the Scilly Isles’ white sandy beaches and clear blue waters in one of our two on board Airbus helicopters^. Featuring wrap around windscreens, wide windows as well as Bose®?noise cancelling headphones, these are some of the quietest aircrafts in the travel industry.

Dublin is making a comeback. The decade-long “Celtic Tiger” boom era was quickly followed by the Great Recession, but The Recovery has finally taken a precarious hold. For visitors, this newer and wiser Dublin has become one of western Europe’s most popular and delightful urban destinations. Whether or not you’re out to enjoy the old or new Dublin, you’ll find it a colossally entertaining city, all the more astonishing considering its intimate size.It is ironic and telling that James Joyce chose Dublin as the setting for his famous Ulysses, Dubliners, and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man because it was a “center of paralysis” where nothing much ever changed. Which only proves that even the greats get it wrong sometimes. Indeed, if Joyce were to return to his once-genteel hometown today—disappointed with the city’s provincial outlook, he left it in 1902 at the age of 20—and take a quasi-Homeric odyssey through the city (as he so famously does in Ulysses), would he even recognize Dublin as his “Dear Dirty Dumpling, foostherfather of fingalls and dotthergills”?For instance, what would he make of Temple Bar—the city’s erstwhile down-at-the-heels neighborhood, now crammed with cafés and trendy hotels and suffused with a nonstop, international-party atmosphere? Or the simple sophistication of the open-air restaurants of the tiny Italian Quarter (named Quartier Bloom after his own creation), complete with sultry tango lessons? Or of the hot–cool Irishness, where every aspect of Celtic culture results in sold-out theaters, from Once, the cult indie movie and Broadway hit, to Riverdance, the old Irish mass-jig recast as a Las Vegas extravaganza? Plus, the resurrected Joyce might be stirred by the songs of Hozier, fired up by the sultry acting of Michael Fassbender, and moved by the award-winning novels of Colum McCann. As for Ireland’s capital, it’s packed with elegant shops and hotels, theaters, galleries, coffeehouses, and a stunning variety of new, creative little restaurants can be found on almost every street in Dublin, transforming the provincial city that suffocated Joyce into a place almost as cosmopolitan as the Paris to which he fled. And the locals are a hell of a lot more fun! Now that the economy has finally turned a corner, Dublin citizens can cast a cool eye over the last 20 crazy years. Some argue that the boomtown transformation of their heretofore-tranquil city has permanently affected its spirit and character. These skeptics (skepticism long being a favorite pastime in the capital city) await the outcome of “Dublin: The Sequel,” and their greatest fear is the possibility that the tattered old lady on the Liffey has become a little less unique, a little more like everywhere else.Oh ye of little faith: the rare ole gem that is Dublin is far from buried. The fundamentals—the Georgian elegance of Merrion Square, the Norman drama of Christ Church Cathedral, the foamy pint at an atmospheric pub—are still on hand to gratify. Most of all, there are the locals themselves: the nod and grin when you catch their eye on the street, the eagerness to hear half your life story before they tell you all of theirs, and their paradoxically dark but warm sense of humor. It’s expected that 2016 will be an extra-special year in the capital, as centenary celebrations of the fateful 1916 Easter Rising will dominate much of the cultural calendar.

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Your journey ends this morning back in Dublin. Savour one last breakfast in your suite before saying goodbye to your new friends and the crew who shared this voyage with you. As you disembark and follow your onward journey, know that the last 12 days have created memories that will last a lifetime. Please book your flight to depart out of Dublin after 12:00 PM.The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.