Grandeur, 12 Nights Epicurean Pageantry ex Amsterdam to Lisbon

Inspired by the past and reimagined for the future, Seven Seas Grandeur™ personifies our heritage of perfection.

London (Tilbury), England
Tilbury is near central London and just down the river from the iconic Tower Bridge; it is also the gateway to Kent and the charming towns of south east of England. Between touring the Tate and standing before the gates of Buckingham Palace, go for a stroll through Hyde Park’s vast greenery toward Serpentine Lake, where you take a dip, go boating or enjoy a picnic. Among the lesser-known highlights of London is the British Library, where you may see a scribbled page of Beatles songwriting or a Leonardo da Vinci notebook. There are some stunning illuminated scripts and landmark-scientific items too, including very early photographs.

Dunkerque, France
Site of Operation Dynamo, the mass evacuation of Allied soldiers in May 1940 recently spotlighted by Christopher Nolan’s 2017 film, Dunkirk is awash in wartime history and Flemish-influenced cuisine. Visit the non-profit Mémorial du Souvenir to learn about the evacuation – it’s housed in Bastion 32, a 1874-built coastal defence base, that was Allied and French headquarters during Operation Dynamo. You’ll hear the chiming bells of Unesco World Heritage–listed Le Beffroi before you see its 50 bells for yourself; keep climbing for a view that stretches the English Channel. Nearby is Église St-Éloi and its glorious stained glass and massive pipe organ. If it’s a French beach you seek, head to Malo-Les-Bains for a swim and an appreciation of the shoreline’s history.

Paris (Honfleur), France
The peaceful setting of the picturesque port of Honfleur along the Seine attracted many artists and writers over the years, including English painter Bonington, French painter Boudin, French poet Charles Baudelaire and later the members of Impressionist Painters. Throughout its history, numerous maritime journeys were initiated from Honfleur. It is especially known for its old, beautiful picturesque port, characterized by its houses with slate-covered frontages.

Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is located near the European Atlantic coast, in the north of the Aquitaine region in France. The city is built on a bend of the river Garonne, with the city literally divided into two parts. The world's wine capital, Bordeaux has about 60 appellations, 9,000 wine-producing châteaux, and 13,000 grape growers. With an annual production of over 700 million bottles, Bordeaux produces large quantities of everyday wine as well as the most expensive ones.

Biarritz (Saint-Jean-de-Luz), France
Tucked in France’s Côte Basque, Biarritz first came to prominence in the mid-19th century when Napoleon III built a summer palace here for his wife, Empress Eugenie. The oceanside palace is now the esteemed Hotel du Palais, a landmark for the dynamic, beach-rimmed Biarritz. Surfing in France originated here in the late 1950s, and the sport has become synonymous with the city. You might watch surfers riding the waves that funnel into the Bay of Biscay, or simply comb the lovely beaches. Biarritz also has an urbane personality and museums dedicated to everything from Asian art to chocolate. Don’t miss the blue-domed Russian Orthodox Church, built for visiting Russian aristocrats in the 19th century. Pedestrian-friendly Biarritz is lined with fashion boutiques and shops selling French cheeses, wine, porcelain dolls, and Basque tablecloths. Enjoy Basque-influenced cuisine such as veal stew, cured ham dishes, tapas and foie gras.

Oporto, Portugal
Explore picturesque, historic Oporto and the Vila Nova de Gaia quarter, home of its signature port wine industry. Or discover Portugal’s scenic countryside and visit Guimaraes with its impressive medieval castle and beautiful Braga with its Bom Jesus shrine and superb cathedral. Look for gold and silver filigree jewelry, lovely azulejos tiles, porcelain, leather goods, needlepoint carpets and Madeiran lace and embroidery. Try a northern specialty - caldo verde, a soup of potatoes, shredded cabbage and smoked sausage, or appetizers including sheep’s cheese, olives and smoked ham. Fish and pork top most menus, accompanied by port wine.

Lisbon, Portugal
Legend states that Ulysses founded Lisbon, calling it Olisipo. Others claim that the name is Phoenician, but all agree it’s one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations. On All Saints’ Day in 1755 a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the city. The Baixa (Lower City) was rebuilt on neo-classical lines that still form the heart of the city. The elegant ‘City of Explorers’overlooks the River Tagus, and offers a number of distinctive neighborhoods to discover. Tour the Alfama, where the winding streets still retain much of their Moorish atmosphere. Stroll to Bairro Alto and hear the melodious sounds of Portugal’s Fado music. Nearby excursions transport you to the lavish 18th-century palace of Queluz and Sintra’s Royal Palace.