Start Date: September 1, 2023
(Sailing September 8, 2023)

Interested in the land program without the cruise? Call us for a quote.

Land Program Details

Day 1 – Arrive Paris

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. After check-in, you’ll have time to get settled in and relax before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner. (D)

Note: if you wish to spend more time in Paris, ask your Personal Vacation Manager about the optional hotel extension – which will add one or two nights to your Paris hotel stay.

Day 2 – Paris

View of the Eiffel Tower from the Seine River

Making of Macarons

This morning you will have leisure time to enjoy Paris on your own. You can wake up early and do some sightseeing, or simply enjoy a leisurely morning strolling along the streets of Paris and popping into the shops and cafes. In the afternoon, rejoin the group for a fun experience – learning to make authentic French macarons from a pastry chef! Originally an Italian recipe, the macaron was introduced to France in the 16th century by Catherine de Medici. Since then, these little sweet sandwiches made of meringue, almond flour and buttercream filling have become the quintessential Parisian dessert. Our class focuses on the creation of these elegant and colorful pastries, from start to finish using the Italian Meringue method and creating two types of Macaron fillings. You’ll finish with a box of beautiful macarons! After a delicious class, we will then head to the river and embark on a cruise, where dinner will be served. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Paris with window seating to give you unobstructed views of the City of Light during your meal. (B, D)

Day 3 – Paris to Normandy

Giverny Monet Garden, France

After breakfast at the hotel, travel north from Paris to the small town of Giverny. Here, you will visit the Foundation Claude Monet, where the famous painter lived from 1883 to 1926. His former home and gardens contain thousands of flowers, a lily pond, and numerous willow trees, which inspired his most prominent paintings. Continue to Rouen, the capital of Normandy, where you will enjoy an included lunch. In the afternoon, join your guide for a walking tour of this interesting town dating back to Roman times. Then drive to the Medieval port town of Honfluer, situated where the Seine River meets the English Channel. Walk with your guide along the 16th- to 18th-century townhomes in the old harbor. We will then continue to the coastal town of Deauville and check in to your hotel. (B, L)

Day 4 –Normandy

American Cemetery of Normandy

Omaha Beach, Normandy, France

After breakfast at your hotel, set off on a full day program to Normandy’s best-known historical sites. First you will drive to Omaha Beach for a photo stop before continuing to the American Cemetery of Normandy, on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. More than 9,300 men and 4 women who died while serving in the US forces are buried here, making it the largest of more than 20 war cemeteries in Normandy. We will then continue to the town of Arromanches-les-Bainsfor a visit to the D-Day Landing Museum. It is located between Utah and Omaha Beaches (US Troops) to the west, and Sword (UK) and Juno (Canadian Troops) to the east. From the museum, you can still see parts of the temporary port built here. After visiting the museum, we will stop for lunch, then continue to a photo stop at Juno Beach. End the day with a stop at nearby Ranville, the first French village liberated on D-Day. Return to the hotel where you will have the rest of the evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 5 – Normandy

Baked Camembert cheese

Today, you will indulge in some of Normandy’s most famous flavors: cheese and cider. The rolling hills of the Normandy countryside produce several famous cheeses, including Camembert, Livarot, Pont-l’Evêque and Neufchâtel. In the morning you will visit a fromagerie and sample some of these local cheeses. After free time for lunch at a nearby town we will then visit a cider distillery. You will learn how they grow, harvest and squeeze apples for juice, cider, vinegar and calvados, an apple flavored brandy. We will then continue to the city of Caen, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. The city was heavily damaged during the war but has healed and rebuilt over time. It is now the second-largest city in the Normandy region and houses the Caen Memorial Museum. During our city tour we will visit the museum to learn more about WWII, the impacts of the war on the region and the effects of war in general. At the end of the tour, we will then sit down to dinner, our last group meal in France, before heading back to the hotel. (B, D)

Day 6 – Normandy to Brighton

Check out of your hotel, then transfer to the Paris airport for your flight to England. Upon arrival, we will transfer south to the coastal town of Brighton. Your hotel is right on the water and just a couple blocks away from the iconic Brighton Palace Pier and Marina. The hotel’s Seaview bar and lounge on the promenade offers unrivalled views of the pier and seafront. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. (B)

Day 7 – Brighton

Brighton Palace Pier

Today you have free time to explore Brighton on your own. Relax at your seaside hotel, walk down the Brighton Palace Pier, take a dip in the ocean (or the hotel’s heated pool), pop into the town’s quaint shops, and take a stroll along the beach. Brighton also offers several museums, art galleries and public parks. The Royal Pavilion, also known as the Brighton Pavilion, is a former royal residence built in the 18th century that is open to visitors. Anyone wanting a panoramic view can visit Brighton i360, an observation tower with 360-degree views of the area. Head to a local pub for a pint and some fish and chips, indulge at an upscale seafood restaurant, or simply enjoy the delights of afternoon tea served with scones and clotted cream (the Mock Turtle Tea Shop is just around the corner from your hotel). The choice is yours! You have the entire day at leisure to enjoy your last day on land. (B)

Day 8 – Brighton to Southampton for Embarkation

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the port in Southampton, where you will board the Azamara Journey for an 11-night cruise to France, Spain and Portugal. (B)

Day 9-17 – Cruising on board the Azamara Journey (see below for cruise highlights)

Day 18 – Lisbon Shore Excursion

Lisbon, Portugal

After breakfast on board, disembark and set off with your local guide on the most exclusive shore excursion in Lisbon. Predating Rome by about 400 years, Lisbon is the oldest city in Western Europe. From its historic tradition as a maritime center to its modern-day culture and art, Lisbon is a lively city full of passion and history. Today we will learn about Lisbon and Portuguese culture as we tour the downtown neighborhoods. Keep your cameras out – around each corner is a postcard scene of fountains, arches, tile panels and beautiful river views.

Saint George’s Castle

Start the day with a ride on the city’s famous cable car up to the hilltop neighborhood of Bairo Alto. Laid out in 1513, it is one of the most historic neighborhoods of Lisbon and, as it is situated at the top of a hill, offers sweeping views of the city below. We will walk along the cobblestone streets, historic buildings and city squares to Chiado, Lisbon’s shopping and theatre district. Stroll past high-end boutiques, cafés and theatres, most in buildings dating back to the 1700s, and enjoy more panoramic views of the city. Then, indulge in an upscale lunch at a Michelin Star restaurant. After lunch, we will travel further back in time as we explore the old Alfama neighborhood and historic 11th-century castle. Take a ride on a tuk-tuk for an exciting experience through small roads and cobblestone streets not accessible by bus before arriving at Saint George’s Castle, a Moorish structure dating back to the Medieval period. From its hilltop location, it provides a sweeping panoramic view over historic Lisbon. End the day with a cocktail at a rooftop bar overlooking the river before heading back to the ship. (L)

Day 19 – Lisbon Disembarkation

Portuguese Food

Arrabida Natural Park, Portugal

Enjoy breakfast onboard, then disembark the Azamara Journey and meet your guide for a full-day city tour to Setubal, situated on the south side of the Tagus River. Our first stop will beat a tile factory, where you will learn about this unique local art. You’ll have the opportunity to paint a tile yourself while learning about the different techniques used in the process.

Moscatel Dessert Wine

We will continue our tour with a drive through the Arrabida National Park, passing craggy cliffs and scenic beaches along the way. We will then stop at the Livramento Market, where a local chef will guide us through the local market and explain the traditional ingredients and dishes of Portuguese cuisine. We will then head to a nearby restaurant for lunch. End the day with a visit to the Jose Maria Da Fonseca winery for a tour and tasting of their regional specialty: Moscatel dessert wine. Return to central Lisbon and check in to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. (B, L)

Day 20 – Lisbon

Ballroom of Queluz National Palace

Today we will travel outside of the capital city and visit the magical coastlines, palaces and quaint towns of Sintra. First, we will visit the Queluz National Palace, an 18th-century royal residence nestled halfway in between Lisbon and Sintra. Often referred to as the “Portuguese Versailles”, the palace’s extravagant interior rooms showcase Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical designs.

We will then head inland toward the fairytale town of Sintra. Enjoy some free time in the historical center, where you can stroll along the cobblestone paths lined with shops and cafés.

National Palace of Pena, Sintra

Overlooking the town on top of the hill is the romantic Pena Palace. Constructed in 1842 as a summer home for the Portuguese Royal family, today it is a national monument as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace was built in such a way as to be visible from any point in the park, which consists of a forest with over five hundred different species of trees originating from the four corners of the earth.

Cape Roca

After free time for lunch and shopping in Sintra, we will then drive along the dramatic coastline. Our first stop along the coast will be at Cape Roca, the most western point of continental Europe. As you gaze out into the Atlantic, you’ll hear the thunderous waves crashing against the steep cliffs below. We will then continue to Cascais, a fashionable coastal town. After strolling along the esplanade and beaches, we will then sit down to dinner at a restaurant overlooking the ocean. Return to your hotel in Lisbon. (B, D)

Day 21 – Lisbon

Belem Tower, Lisbon

Today we will explore the neighborhood of Belem, which rests along the banks of the Tagus River on the outskirts of the city. Here, you will see the monument to the Portuguese explorers during the Age of Discovery and make a photo stop at the Belem Tower, built in the early 1500s and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, dive into the history of the Age of Discovery with a visit the Maritime Museum, located within the west wing of the Jeronimos Monastery, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Prince Henry the Navigator to Vasco de Gama, you’ll gain an appreciation for the Portuguese’s leading role in maritime navigation and exploration. The current building replaced a smaller church on the same site, as its location allowed the monks to aid seafarers from the nearby harbor. Then, you’ll have the opportunity to sample a Portuguese favorite, Pastel de Belem (“Pastry of Belem”) before returning to your hotel in central Lisbon.

Fado music

This evening, we will enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal in the heart of the city. While dining, enjoy the ambiance of the cozy restaurant while professional Fado singers showcase their unique style of music. Fado is on UNESCO’s list of World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. (B, D)

Day 22 – Lisbon

Alentejo wine region, Portugal

This morning, you will take a scenic drive east of Lisbon to the Alentejo region, where Portugal produces some of its finest wines. As we drive through the “Meseta Central”, the largest and oldest plateau in the Iberian Peninsula, you’ll glimpse life in the countryside as we pass cork trees, olive trees, vineyards, and more. A stop will be made in Evora, the capital of the Alentejo region, to see its old town center which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will lead you on a tour of the historic center, including a visit to the unusual Chapel of Bones. We will then visit a nearby winery in the heart of the Alentejo wine region for a tour of the vineyards. Our last meal together as a group will be presented at the winery, made with fresh produce from the estate. Relax on the drive back to Lisbon as you pass by vineyards and pastures. Enjoy the evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 23 – Lisbon

Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Note: if you wish to spend more time in Lisbon, ask your Personal Vacation Manager about the optional hotel extension – which will add one or two nights to your Lisbon hotel stay.

For meals not included in your land programs, all hotels chosen include a restaurant on property where you may relax and enjoy a meal. In addition, your guide is available to make suggestions on nearby dining, shopping or sightseeing.

Port Highlights

St. Peter Port Guernsey

St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands: Guernsey is a self-governing British Crown Dependency off the coast of France, British by virtue of the Norman invasion of England in 1066, and the subsequent merging of the two territories.

St. Peter Port overlooks the harbor, with rows of brightly painted houses, and terraced gardens. The island is ideal for rambles along cliffside paths and through the bucolic interior.

While traditional fishing, flower growing, and dairy farming are still important, Guernsey’s favorable tax climate has of late brought an influx of offshore banks and insurance companies, with their attendant bistros and boutiques.

Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux, France: Bordeaux’s fortunes have long been tied to viticulture, beginning with an expansion of the wine trade with England in the 14th century. As a result it is a handsome and cohesive city of uniform classical and neoclassical style, with monumental buildings and many fine mansions financed by the almighty grape.

The nearby countryside is alive with wine chateaux sporting impressive appellations such as Pauillac, Sauternes, Margaux, and Saint-Emilion. A visit is an excellent opportunity to learn more about wine production and appreciation, which of course requires a considerable amount of tasting to accomplish.

St. Jean de Luz, France

St. Jean de Luz, France: One of France’s most picturesque beach retreats, St. Jean de Luz is a prosperous Basque town best known for its architecture and cuisine.

A prosperous fishing port, it grew rich in the 16th century from fishing and whaling, supplemented by piracy that was backed by the French king. In fact many of the handsome old houses in town were built on the proceeds.

In the magnificent Church of St John the Baptist, with its fabulous baroque altar, the Sun King, Louis XIV King of France, married Marie-Therese of Spain in 1660.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao, Spain: If Bilbao wasn’t always a household name, it was transformed with the opening of Frank Gehry’s groundbreaking Guggenheim Museum in 1997.

Located in the heart of the Basque Country, Bilbao became an instant media darling and tourist mecca.

And that was just the beginning of an exciting phase of development in infrastructure and cultural activity, which combined with the Basque love of food, wine, and laughter, solidified the city’s place in the annals of tourism.

Asturias, Gijon, Spain

Gijon, Spain: While not as overtly glamorous as some of Spain’s other coastal cities, Gijón is the apple of the Bay of Biscay’s eye. And speaking of the fruit, what wine is to Rioja, cider is to Gijón and the surrounding region, Asturias. Follow the Cider Trail—a guided tour to some of the best cider houses and restaurants in the city—to get a taste for this important cultural tradition.

For more local culture, the Ecological and Crafts Market of Gijón features local crafts made in traditional methods, from environmentally friendly materials. More than just a place to pick up a unique souvenir for the folks back home, the Crafts Market is a fascinating glimpse into the historic arts and crafts of the area.

La Coruna, Spain

La Coruna, Spain: You would be hard-pressed to find a city more shaped and impacted by the sea than La Coruna, Spain. You can see this influence in the Roman Tower of Hercules, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated stone lighthouse. Standing guard over the city, the 180-foot Tower marks one end of the spectacular Paseo Marítimo promenade—one of the longest in Europe—and has been in operation since approximately the 2nd century AD. Walk some or all of the eight-mile long promenade to see some of the city’s other waterfront highlights like the Marina, Castelo de San Antón, the Millennium monument, and the most popular beaches—Orzán and Riazor.

The strong nautical influence can also be seen in the characteristic glazed window balconies (also known as galerias) that give La Coruna its nickname the Glass City. Based off of the design of the back of a warship, this signature architectural feature can be seen in the traditional fishermen’s homes along the harbor, so remember to look up, way up, when exploring the streets.

Porto, Portugal

Porto, Portugal: At the mouth of the Rio Douro lies the city of Porto, known mostly for its port wine trade.

With origins dating back to the 5th century, there is plenty to see in this town that was named European Capital of Culture in 2001. Stroll the Ribeira neighborhood along the river, explore the Cathedral area, or tour the port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river.

Savoring a taste of tawny port, tripe, and seafood while here is highly recommended.

National Pantheon in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal – Exclusive Shore Excursion: Your Enrichment Journey package includes an exclusive shore excursion in Portugal. For a full description, see the “Land Program Details” section above.