Embark on an extraordinary voyage of discovery, journeying from the Basque Country to the emerald isle of the Atlantic. Begin your adventure with an exclusive evening event, visiting the fascinating Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, where a magnificent collection of contemporary art awaits. Continue your journey to Santiago de Compostela, a renowned pilgrimage destination, where the famous cathedral stands as a place of worship and marks the end of the Way of St. James. Experience the diversity at its finest as you travel between Porto's beautiful baroque and modern architecture, and savor the delightful wines of the Douro Valley. Set sail for four exhilarating days, covering approximately 820 nautical miles with the trade winds guiding you from Portugal to the Azores, offering a pure windjammer adventure. Arrive in Ponta Delgada, the lively capital of the Azores, where whitewashed houses, rustic alleys, and a famous city gate await, inviting you to immerse yourself in the island's captivating charm. This remarkable journey promises an extraordinary blend of art, culture, nature, and adventure, creating an unforgettable exploration from the Basque Country to the emerald isle of the Atlantic.
- Fascinating Guggenheim Museum: exclusive evening event to visit Bilbao’s magnificent collection of contemporary art
- Pilgrimage destination Santiago de Compostela: famous cathedral and place of worship at the end of the Way of St James
- Beautiful baroque, modern architecture, and tasty wines: diversity at its best between Porto and the Douro Valley
- Four days under sail: some 820 nautical miles with the trade winds from Portugal to the Azores
- Ponta Delgada, the lively capital of the Azores: whitewashed houses, rustic alleys and a famous city gate
There are no future departures for this trip at this stage.
Departure 11.00 pm Bilbao has always been an important port and industrial city. In 1993, Bilbao was a pilgrimage destination for lovers of modern art and avant-garde architecture. The Guggenheim Museum, with its idiosyncratic and unique design by famous architect Frank O Gehry, showcases everything that is important within its 11,000 square meters (118,403 foot). Steel used to be manufactured in Bilbao and it now plays a major role here, since other renowned architects have also been inspired to give Bilbao an attractive, distinctive look. Cross the futuristic Calatrava Bridge to reach the old town, where you can take a delightful stroll round the lanes and enjoy the art of Basque cuisine.
Arrival 02.00 pm, Departure 07.00 pm As an old port metropolis and capital of the Costa Verde or Green Coast, Gijón looks back on a long seafaring tradition. Especially in the quaint fishing quarter of Cimadevilla, colorful, rambling houses exude the charm of times gone by. About 18 miles away, Oviedo was once the residence of the independent kingdom of Asturias. Today, the picturesque old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best starting point for a walk along the well-kept cobblestone streets (for instance, to the famous cider taverns) is Oviedo's cathedral with its Gothic spire of openwork stone.
Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.
Arrival 08.00 am, Departure 06.00 pm The old city of A Coruña is set picturesquely on a peninsula and its landmark is the Tower of Hercules, over 2,000 years old, set on the headland in front of the city. Culture, history and art come face to face with traditional Galician lifestyle. Santiago de Compostela, one of the world's most famous pilgrimage sites, is the goal and climax of the Camino de Santiago, a path that has existed since the 11th century. The beautiful cathedral, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christendom next to Rome and Jerusalem, also dates back to this time. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the old city. A special ritual takes place here – the Botafumeiro, where a huge thurible is swung through the magnificent transept.
Arrival 02.00 pm, Departure 11.00 pm
Arrival 02.00 pm Porto considers itself the country's secret capital. The narrow lanes of the historic old town "Ribeira", a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extend in terraces up the slope overlooking the Douro. The former working class district has blossomed into a beautifully restored trendy neighbourhood. A student of Gustave Eiffel created the bold design for the bridge, which stretches over the river in a wide arc and links the Ribeira with Vila Nova da Geia and its 50 port wineries that lie on the other side. The best way to reach the incredible Douro Valley and the countryside of the Alto Douro wine region, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is by river.
Departure 02.00 pm Porto considers itself the country's secret capital. The narrow lanes of the historic old town "Ribeira", a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extend in terraces up the slope overlooking the Douro. The former working class district has blossomed into a beautifully restored trendy neighbourhood. A student of Gustave Eiffel created the bold design for the bridge, which stretches over the river in a wide arc and links the Ribeira with Vila Nova da Geia and its 50 port wineries that lie on the other side. The best way to reach the incredible Douro Valley and the countryside of the Alto Douro wine region, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is by river.
Spend the day sunbathing, enjoy the fresh wind breeze, and relax into the day!
Arrival 02.00 pm The lively capital of São Miguel receives its guests at the trefoil-shaped city gate and invites them in on mosaic-like cobbled pavements through narrow lanes leading to whitewashed houses with black facade decoration made from basalt. The historic old city of Ponta Delgada is covered by a preservation order. Two large lakes are picturesquely set in the crater of Sete Cidades – the sapphire blue Lagoa Azul and the emerald green Lagoa Verde. At the edge of the crater the view widens out and exposes a spectacular panorama. On one side ebony sand and by the azure Atlantic, on the other side turquoise crater lakes amidst green rolling hills and blue flowering hydrangea bushes.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Sea Cloud Spirit
Building a three-mast full-rigged ship with traditional rigging in the 21st century may seem a little unusual. For SEA CLOUD CRUISES it is a commitment to true passion for sailing. With her clear, classic line she follows the example of her elegant windjammer sisters, but goes completely new ways. An entire deck with balcony cabins, an exclusive wellness and SPA area, a fitness room with sea view, a bistro on deck as an evening alternative to “fine dining” in the restaurant – the youngest member of the SEA CLOUD family offers plenty of room for individuality in addition to genuine windjammer romance.
The SEA CLOUD SPIRIT combines traditional windjammer experience with 21st century comfort with up to 136 passengers.
Cabins
Even more comfort: of the 69 cabins from the owner suite to the superior outside cabin, almost half have balconies or windows to open.
Public areas
Spacious decks, a generous wellness and SPA area, fitness with sea view and much more: on board the SEA CLOUD SPIRIT, one does not only enjoy the freedom under sails.
