Enjoy exquisite local French cuisine in all the lovely places you visit, as well as aboard National Geographic Orion itself. Participate in the art of cognac-making on the Île de Ré; gather oysters at a farm on St. Malo; and feast on fabulous regional specialties along the French coast. Your hunger for history will be sated as well; visit the Normandy D-Day beaches with a local historian and make a reverential visit to the American cemetery nearby; marvel at the iconic Mont St. Michel, Bayeux Tapestry, Napoleon Museum, and Vauban Citadel, a UNESCO site. Have an unforgettable experience of the magnificent Brittany Coast, and the charming port of Honfleur, which inspired great works by both Shakespeare and Monet.
Highlights
Follow France’s wild western coast and revisit history
Approach France’s iconic fortified rock, Mont-Saint-Michel, from land & sea
Walk the World War II beaches of Normandy with a historian
Explore the Crozon Peninsula with its ancient standing stones and towers
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Bordeaux and embark National Geographic Orion in the elegant and ornate city center. Spend the afternoon exploring the cafes and shops along the thriving waterfront. Afterward, depart through the Gironde estuary, passing sloping hills and islands, en route to the Atlantic Ocean.
Stretch your legs this morning on a walking tour of the quaint Île d’Aix, Napoleon's last stop on French soil before his final exile. Visit the Napoleon Museum, then continue to the nearby port of La Rochelle for an afternoon in this charming seaside city guarded by medieval ramparts. Enjoy a special seafood dinner ashore this evening. Learn how Cognac is made in the traditional way at Château La Péraudière, a privately held estate, established in 1872.
Wake up to the beautiful views of Belle-Île-en-Mer (beautiful island in the sea), known for its rugged cliffs on the western side and charming ports on the eastern side. Explore highlights such as the Bangor lighthouse, the rocks at Port Coton favored by Monet, the Vauban citadel, and the fishing town of Le Palais. This afternoon enjoy free time to explore Belle-Île-en-Mer on your own as well.
Today explore Brittany. Have a guided walk of medieval Locronan, officially one of “the most beautiful villages in France,” with its Renaissance buildings and church. Take time to discover its many craft workshops on your own, perhaps tasting Breton butter cake.
Wake up in Saint-Malo, and take a walking tour of this fortified port city surrounded by ramparts dating from the 12th century. Or, head east on an excursion to the iconic abbey fortress of Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site poised dramatically on a rocky tidal island a few hundred yards off the coast. Enjoy an exclusive visit to a privateer’s mansion followed by a tasting of the cider for which the region is known. Or for an authentic ‘foodie’ experience, head to a local oyster farm to gather oysters for the ship’s chef, who shucks and seasons these delicacies for a sampling on board. If you wish to explore Saint-Malo on your own on foot or by bike, a map and a list of the best cafés and shops is provided.
Today, visit the Normandy beaches with a local historian. The D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 were the first wave of the largest seaborne invasion in history; more than 6,000 ships landed on these beaches. Walk in the footsteps of the Allied troops at Omaha Beach, and pay your respects at the American Cemetery nearby. Travel through countryside known for Calvados, cider, and cheese, to the city of Bayeux for an afternoon exploration, including a visit to the Tapestry Museum which houses the 230-foot wool embroidered account of the Norman Conquest. There are active options planned for the afternoon, too. Cycle through northern France, stopping at relevant WWII sites and have lunch in Bayeux.
Take Zodiacs in to the charming harbor town of Honfleur, a favorite of renowned artists such as Monet, Courbet, and Boudin. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Vieux Bassin (the old port), and visit the Eugenè Boudin Museum and Église Sainte-Catherine.
Be sure to savor time exploring on your own. If you're interested in art ask your concierge to map out the best galleries (there are nearly 100 in Honfleur!) Or, see for yourself what inspired many of the impressionists with a hike to the arched limestone cliffs of Etretat.
Day 8: London | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Wake up in London and disembark near Tower Bridge after breakfast aboard. Transfer to the airport for flights home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$7,990
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Category 1
Cat 1 #316, 318-321. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
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Category 1 Single
Cat 1S #301, 322, 323. These solo cabins feature a window or two portholes, a queen-size bed, except for #301 which has a double bed, writing desk and chair, climate controls, reading lamps, and a TV. Marble bathrooms are generously sized and include a roomy shower stall with a glass door.
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Category 2
Cat 2 #302-312, 314, 315, 317. Cabins feature a luminous oval window and configurable beds: two single beds, two beds converted to a queen-size bed, or a queen size bed. An armchair, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities. Marble bathrooms are generously sized, and include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
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Category 3
Cat 3 Suite with Window #401-412, 414-419. These suites feature a sitting area with a large window, a sofa–except slightly smaller #401 & #402–an armchair or two, writing/laptop desk, reading lamps, flat screen TV, & climate controls. Beds are configurable (call for details). Marble bathrooms include a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
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Category 3 Single
Cat 3S Suite with Window #512. This solo suite features two beds and two large windows, plus two armchairs and small table, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls. The marble bathroom is generously sized and includes a spacious shower stall with a glass door.
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Category 4
Cat 4 Deluxe Suite with Window #511, 515. These two suites feature separate sleeping and sitting areas, with a chair and armchair and a two-cushion sofa facing an expansive window. Beds are configurable (call for details). Ample storage, reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the amenities.
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Category 5
Cat 5 Suite with French Balcony #501, 503-506, 508. These spacious suites feature open living areas and sliding glass doors opening to a shared French balcony. Beds are configurable (call for details.) A sitting area with arm chairs and a sofa, a writing/laptop desk, well-placed reading lamps, a flat screen TV, and climate controls complete the decor.
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Category 6
Cat 6 Owner’s Suite with French Balcony #502, 507, 509*, 510. These large, elegant suites feature a French balcony, with the exception of #509 which has double windows. Each provides a separate living area with a sofa and two arm chairs, except for #502, which uniquely offers a 'soaking tub with a view' in addition to a shower stall and expansive vanity.
Notes
Single supplement varies by itinerary. A solo traveler matching program may be available but is subject to availability.
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 131 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 131 reviews on
21 hours ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.
Jennifer Howard Schroeder
1 day ago
Kevin got right on our request and had us booked within the week
Linda Cummings
2 days ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. I’m more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
2 days ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
2 days ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.