Duration
11 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
9 Ports
16-17 June
Setting sail from Bordeaux
Bordeaux sits at the centre of the world's most famous wine region, and is home to a beguiling blend of beautiful buildings, sophisticated gastronomy and high culture. What's more, the city has been transformed over the last few years: the grandiose 18th century facades have been scrubbed clean, a shiny new public transport system has been installed, and a wonderful new promenade has been created alongside the river Garonne. We think Bordeaux is a marvellous place to spend some time, whether it's a day sampling wines, an evening at the opera or a night on the tiles.
Don't miss
You have to see the Water Mirror, which you will find by the Place de la Bourse. Who would have thought that two centimetres of water on a huge granite slab could create such an amazing effect?
18 June
At sea
19 June
Guernsey: St Peter Port
The island of Guernsey draws visitors south from the British mainland with its more favourable climate and beautiful coastline. The capital, St Peter Port, is a lovely little town of cobbled streets and elegant architecture, and there are also several interesting museums dedicated to the island’s occupation by the Nazis during the Second World War.
20 June
France: Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo grew rich off the back of maritime trade and its plundering corsairs, a seafaring heritage that is still proudly on display today. It’s great fun getting lost in the streets of the walled old town, and the famous medieval abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is an easy day-trip.
21 June
France: Cherbourg
An important naval base and major commercial port, Cherbourg is the gateway to the many attractions of Normandy, including the Bayeux Tapestry and the beaches where the D-Day landings took place. Cherbourg’s excellent Cité de la Mer maritime museum is also well worth a visit.
22-23 June
France: Rouen
Rouen has endured a turbulent history: it was here that Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in 1431, and much of the city was destroyed during World War II. Many cruise visitors head straight for Paris, an hour away by train, which is a shame since there’s so much to see in Rouen, including a beautiful cathedral and the atmospheric Medieval quarter.
24 June
France: Honfleur
Situated on the southern bank of the Seine estuary, Honfleur was once one of France’s most important ports. It was also a favourite location of Monet and the Impressionists, and art lovers may well recognise the elegant Renaissance architecture of the old harbour, the Vieux Bassin.
25 June
France: Dunkirk
Dunkirk will forever be synonymous with Operation Dynamo, when a ramshackle fleet of fishing boats and pleasure craft helped to evacuate over 300,000 British and French soldiers cut off by the German army in the summer of 1940. The modern city has several interesting museums covering both the evacuation and the history of Dunkirk’s port.
26 June
Belgium: Antwerp
Antwerp is a city bound up with the arts, once home to the likes of Rubens and Van Dyck, and more recently carving out a reputation as the fashion capital of Belgium. It’s also a magnet for shopaholics, with designer boutiques and jewellers galore.
27 June
Arriving in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of our very favourite cities to visit, as well as also being a perfect base to explore the nearby landscape of windmills and dikes. The Amsterdam canal belt is now officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and from them there are so many neighbourhoods to explore, such as the Jordaan with its higgledy-piggledy streets and its famed garden courtyards (hofjes). There are also a wealth of famous museums and galleries to choose from, such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House, not to mention some more, shall we say, quirky options.
Don't miss
The quaint cobbled streets that straddle Amsterdam’s grandest canals, known as De Negen Straatjes, are awash with history and contain some of the most unique shops in the city.
Your home from home
What we love
Azamara's fleet of small ships are focused on providing destination immersion by spending as much time in port as possible with itineraries designed to include overnight stays and late evening departures. Enjoy more time to discover the local culture and when back on board relax and enjoy a vibrant array of inclusions.
Capacity: | 696-702 Guests |
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Crew: | 408 International staff |
Style: | Relaxed club-like atmosphere |
Inclusions: |
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Tailor-make your trip
Where to stay in Bordeaux
At the heart of the historic centre, the quirky Yndo Hotel is a great choice.
Take a day trip from Bordeaux
The nearby coastal town of Arcachon is renowned for its oysters, and is home to the towering Dune du Pyla, Europe’s largest sand dune.
Two nights in Amsterdam
There is a fantastic range of canal front hotels to choose from, but we love the new Waldorf Astoria.
Around Amsterdam
Visit windmills in Zaanse Schans, the flowers at Keukenhof, or the cheese market in Alkmaar.