Biscay: North Sea, France, Spain, Portugal to Gibraltar
Channel Islands, France, and west coast Iberia, Lisbon and onto Gibraltar.
This near coastline is full of interesting gems.
Cruising can be so close, west coast France, Spain and Portugal.
FRANCE
This is an interesting coast of France, very different from the south of France. It has many WWII sites and many memories. It is often better known to booze cruisers and weekenders as they pop over, have mussels and chips and stock up with wine. But for cruisers, this section of cruising, takes us from the UK south. The Bay of Biscay (other wise known as the Golfe de Gascogne in France) makes many a cruise smile, and check they have packed their sea sickness bands. It starts in France and rounds to Spain, joining the Channel (via the Celtic Sea) with the North Atlantic Ocean and down to Spain’s Cantabrian Sea.
La Rochelle
clear sky
21
°
C
21
°
21
°
49 %
3.6kmh
0 %
Wed
21
°
Thu
18
°
Fri
21
°
Sat
20
°
Sun
17
°
Bordeaux
clear sky
22.2
°
C
22.2
°
21.9
°
46 %
6.2kmh
0 %
Wed
22
°
Thu
23
°
Fri
25
°
Sat
28
°
Sun
23
°
This area has been inhabited since the old stone age, or Middle Palaeolithic period, which broadly means dating back to 300,000 years ago. It has subsequently changed hands with whatever roving power including the Romans. From Basque Spain, through the autonomous community of Asturias to Galicia which borders Portugal. Historic sites, major maritime and fishing history, and wine.
Avilés
clear sky
17.7
°
C
19.5
°
15.3
°
72 %
6.2kmh
0 %
Wed
18
°
Thu
21
°
Fri
21
°
Sat
20
°
Sun
19
°
A Coruña
clear sky
21.6
°
C
24.4
°
19.4
°
65 %
2.6kmh
0 %
Wed
22
°
Thu
20
°
Fri
19
°
Sat
17
°
Sun
18
°
El Ferrol
broken clouds
16.9
°
C
16.9
°
16.9
°
77 %
1.7kmh
57 %
Wed
17
°
Thu
23
°
Fri
24
°
Sat
22
°
Sun
23
°
Gijón
broken clouds
17.8
°
C
19.6
°
15.3
°
75 %
4.5kmh
58 %
Wed
18
°
Thu
21
°
Fri
22
°
Sat
22
°
Sun
20
°
Gijón
broken clouds
17.8
°
C
19.6
°
15.3
°
75 %
4.5kmh
58 %
Wed
18
°
Thu
21
°
Fri
22
°
Sat
22
°
Sun
20
°
Vigo
clear sky
20.8
°
C
23.1
°
20.8
°
52 %
7.7kmh
0 %
Wed
21
°
Thu
22
°
Fri
21
°
Sat
20
°
Sun
18
°
Cadiz
few clouds
24
°
C
26.7
°
24
°
47 %
5.7kmh
21 %
Wed
24
°
Thu
25
°
Fri
27
°
Sat
28
°
Sun
29
°
Cadiz Guide
Cadiz does deserve the label historic Cadiz because Cadiz dates back to the 12th century BC
Seville – Oranges and Opera or Muslims and Christians
Seville is about the same distance from CADIZ as it is HUELVA, two very
Museo del Titere – The Puppet Master of CADIZ – Francisco Peralta
This is the hidden gem of Cadiz.
Tours available in Cadiz
Tours and their description show what the locals are proud of and wish to show.
It is one of the oldest and certainly the westernmost sovereign state of mainland Europe, almost all of it sitting on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It’s important position means it has been fought over since pre-historic times. There is much opportunity to see historic sites all along this coast. Lisbon being the number one stop, is built on seven hills, but so cruiser heavy the locals are sometimes a little miffed they can’t get on a tram. See the various posts and films for what to see. The daily transport ticket is often the best deal in town.
Porto
clear sky
25
°
C
26.9
°
22.5
°
39 %
3.6kmh
0 %
Wed
25
°
Thu
21
°
Fri
21
°
Sat
19
°
Sun
18
°
BRIEF: Known both as Oporto and Porto, it is Portugal’s second largest city.
CURRENCY: Euro
SHIPS HERE inc: Neue Mein Schiff 2, AIDAPerla, Silver Wind, mv Aegean Odyssey, Oceana Riviera
Lisbon
clear sky
29.5
°
C
29.7
°
25.5
°
26 %
4.6kmh
0 %
Wed
30
°
Thu
25
°
Fri
26
°
Sat
25
°
Sun
24
°
- BRIEF: Lisbon. Major City. Tourism and fishing are the main trades.
- CURRENCY: Euro. Many places are card only.
- LANGUAGE/PHRASES: Portugese. English spoken
- VISA: Entry with cruise card.
- SHIPS SEEN HERE REGULARLY: All, but SAGA, Cunard, Azamara and P&O are amongst many.
- Tourist attractions. Squares. Hill, castle. Time Out Market. Queluz Palace.
Time Out Market Lisbon
The Time Out Market is a food and drink heaven. It is a grand food hall
Lisbon Christmas Market in Baixa-Chiado
The market you are most likely to find is the one that opens early. From the 18th of November to the 21st of December, the magic of Christmas
LISBON trip to QUELUZ PALACE – by Train
Lisbon is a cruise port many regular sailors will visit over and over again, and whilst it has much to see, there are some adventures you may not have considered. Queluz Palace
Lisbon, Jean reports for Doris Visits on the tail end of a Canary Islands Cruise
Lisbon is the richest region of Portugal
Tours available in Lisbon
Tours and their description show what the locals are proud of and wish to show.
Portimão
broken clouds
22.3
°
C
22.3
°
22.3
°
58 %
1.3kmh
83 %
Wed
22
°
Thu
22
°
Fri
25
°
Sat
25
°
Sun
25
°
- BRIEF: Fishing is a main activity here.Artistes and writers as well as beach lovers flock to Praia da Rocha.
- CURRENCY: Euro
- LANGUAGE/PHRASES: Portugese. English spoken
- VISA: Entry with cruise card.
- SHIPS SEEN HERE REGULARLY: Seabourn Encore, Marella Discovery 2.
