We have cruised Europe on a few different cruise lines, both river and ocean. We just returned from Virgin Voyages English Sights & European Delights out of Portsmouth, UK with stops to La Coruna, Spain, Bilbao, Spain, and Le Verdon, France. It was a very relaxing and easy itinerary since we were able to walk off the ship and walk the towns of La Coruna and Bilbao without needing an excursion.
Portsmouth, UK
This is a very easy port for both embarkation and disembarkation. Taking advantage of a pre-night stay as an add-on to our cruise fare also made it seamless. The city is filled with history and is easy to walk from the Marriott hotel to many dining options.
La Coruna, Spain
Such a charming city and an easy walk from the ship. This historical port city dates to the Roman times and the city is lined with outdoor cafés to enjoy a cup of coffee and treat while overlooking the water. If you do not have a pre-planned excursion, there are many options when you step off the ship, but walking and exploring the shops and cafes was a perfect way to explore the city.
Bilboa, Spain
Bilboa is the 10th largest city in Spain, but the walk along the water still felt like a very quiet, small city. Again, another city that had easy walking access from ship and the itinerary left a long day available to explore.
Le Verdon, France
In this port, I highly recommend doing an excursion. The ship was far from the city. Some guests did the wine tour, but that is a LONG bus ride. We opted for a walking tour of Royan France. Getting there required a short bus ride to the ferry and then we had a lovely ferry ride into the city. Excellent guide who provided a backstreet tour of the city. One aspect of a Virgin Voyages excursion is the group sizes are small and manageable.
This cruise was a nicer change of pace than our previous Virgin Voyages that were more sun and fun in the Caribbean. We enjoy the dining experience onboard with the elevated food options in smaller restaurants than typical cruise lines. It provides a relaxing way to enjoy the end of a busy day in port and then move to one of the many small bar areas for an after dinner drink.
If you would like to learn more about Virgin Voyages, your Me and The Moue Travel Specialist will be happy to assist.
