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
9.9
°
C
11
°
5.7
°
86 %
4.6kmh
0 %
Thu
12
°
Fri
13
°
Sat
14
°
Sun
14
°
Mon
13
°
Bordeaux
overcast clouds
8.9
°
C
9.7
°
8.5
°
94 %
2.1kmh
100 %
Thu
15
°
Fri
18
°
Sat
16
°
Sun
18
°
Mon
16
°
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
broken clouds
10.7
°
C
11.6
°
10.1
°
79 %
2.6kmh
75 %
Thu
15
°
Fri
14
°
Sat
12
°
Sun
14
°
Mon
15
°
A Coruña
broken clouds
11.3
°
C
12.2
°
10.3
°
86 %
1kmh
75 %
Thu
13
°
Fri
12
°
Sat
12
°
Sun
13
°
Mon
14
°
La Coruna Guide – discover a cruise port near home
La Coruna is an increasingly popular staging post for ships leaving the UK on the way to the Mediterranean, West Africa or the Canary Islands. Transatlantic Quay is the closest European port to New York and sits on the northwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsular. It is used by many cruise lines including P&O, Marella, […]
Tours available in La Coruna
Tours and their description show what the locals are proud of and wish to show.
El Ferrol
overcast clouds
10.1
°
C
10.1
°
10.1
°
84 %
1.5kmh
100 %
Thu
14
°
Fri
15
°
Sat
11
°
Sun
14
°
Mon
16
°
Gijón
overcast clouds
11.2
°
C
11.7
°
10.1
°
78 %
0.9kmh
100 %
Thu
14
°
Fri
13
°
Sat
12
°
Sun
14
°
Mon
15
°
Gijón
overcast clouds
11.2
°
C
11.7
°
10.1
°
78 %
0.9kmh
100 %
Thu
14
°
Fri
13
°
Sat
12
°
Sun
14
°
Mon
15
°
Vigo
clear sky
12
°
C
12
°
10.1
°
70 %
2.1kmh
0 %
Thu
14
°
Fri
13
°
Sat
13
°
Sun
14
°
Mon
13
°
Cadiz
overcast clouds
12.3
°
C
13.2
°
9.7
°
77 %
1.1kmh
100 %
Thu
23
°
Fri
19
°
Sat
19
°
Sun
19
°
Mon
18
°
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
light rain
12.3
°
C
13.4
°
9.7
°
75 %
2.2kmh
0 %
Thu
15
°
Fri
14
°
Sat
13
°
Sun
13
°
Mon
13
°
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
few clouds
13.5
°
C
14.2
°
13.1
°
78 %
4.6kmh
20 %
Thu
18
°
Fri
17
°
Sat
16
°
Sun
17
°
Mon
17
°
- 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
clear sky
13.4
°
C
13.4
°
13.4
°
79 %
4.8kmh
10 %
Thu
19
°
Fri
17
°
Sat
18
°
Sun
17
°
Mon
17
°
- 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.
