Southampton to Lisbon

Southampton, England's storied ocean liner capital on the southern coast, carries an indelible maritime identity — this is the port from which the Titanic departed and from which the Queen Mary 2 still sails in grandeur today. The medieval Bargate and City Walls speak to a history stretching back to Roman times, while the SeaCity Museum tells the story of the great liners with moving intimacy. Day excursions reach Winchester's magnificent cathedral, the stately rooms of Beaulieu, and the primeval wilderness of the New Forest — where ancient ponies still roam freely. Spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for exploring the region.

Antwerp has been one of Europe's great mercantile capitals since the fifteenth century, when it commanded the world's first commodity exchange and Peter Paul Rubens made it the artistic capital of the Baroque world — a legacy preserved in the magnificent Rubenshuis studio and the soaring Cathedral of Our Lady, whose nave houses four of the master's greatest altarpieces. Today the city leads global fashion from the acclaimed Antwerp Six design school and remains the diamond capital of the world, with 84% of the world's rough diamonds trading through its storied district. Visit in spring or autumn; Brussels and Bruges are each under an hour away by train.

Dunkirk, France, France is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Azamara. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is June through August, when summer months bring the warmest temperatures and longest days.

Founded in 1517 by Francis I and rebuilt after World War II devastation by Auguste Perret's visionary grid of reinforced concrete — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Le Havre is a city where urban architecture becomes a form of art. The monumental church of Saint-Joseph, lit from within by fifteen thousand pieces of coloured glass, is a masterpiece of post-war modernism. Day trips to Honfleur, the exquisite half-timbered port that launched Impressionism, and to the D-Day beaches of Normandy, make Le Havre one of the channel's most strategically placed cruise calls. The city is most agreeable May through September; the Honfleur excursion rewards in any season.

La Rochelle is a historic French Atlantic port city renowned for its medieval tower-flanked harbour, Renaissance arcaded streets, and proximity to the elegant Île de Ré. Visit from April through October to explore world-class museums, cycle the island's salt marshes and oyster villages, and dine on some of France's finest seafood.

Bordeaux, France's premier port city, is renowned for its historical significance, stunning architecture, and world-class wine. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies at Marché des Quais and exploring the breathtaking art installations at Place de la Bourse. The best season to visit is during the late spring and early autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the vineyards are in full bloom.

Saint Jean De Luz, France is a distinctive port city where deep cultural heritage meets authentic local atmosphere, featured on itineraries by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Must-do experiences include walking the historic center to experience the layered architectural heritage, and seeking out the regional culinary traditions at a locally favored establishment away from the port area. The optimal time to visit is May through September, when mild temperatures and long days favor unhurried exploration.

Santander, capital of Spain’s green Cantabrian coast, pairs elegant Atlantic beaches and the luminous Centro Botín arts center with proximity to Altamira’s prehistoric cave art and the Picos de Europa mountains. Must-dos include the Renzo Piano–designed Centro Botín, tasting Santoña anchovies and rabas at the harbor, and visiting Altamira’s replica cave. Visit June through September for the warmest weather on this refreshingly uncrowded stretch of northern Spain.

Gijón is a refined Atlantic port city on Spain's Asturian coast, where a three-thousand-year history, a celebrated cider and culinary culture, and the dramatic headland quarter of Cimadevilla converge to create one of Iberia's most compelling yet uncrowded cruise destinations. Visitors should not miss the traditional cider houses of Cimadevilla and a day trip to the Picos de Europa via Cangas de Onís. The finest months to visit are May through September, when long coastal evenings and mild Cantabrian weather reveal the city at its luminous best.

La Coruña, the Atlantic gateway to Spain's verdant Galicia region, is home to the Tower of Hercules — the world's oldest functioning Roman lighthouse and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and a waterfront of luminous glass galleries unlike anything else in Europe. Visitors should not miss savouring pulpo á feira and wild percebes at the local markets, nor the short journey to Santiago de Compostela along the Camino. Late spring through early autumn offers the mildest weather, with September providing warm days, golden light, and fewer crowds along the granite streets of the Ciudad Vieja.

Porto, set dramatically on the granite bluffs above the Douro River, is among Europe's most romantically dishevelled cities — a place where baroque church towers rise above terracotta rooftops and century-old azulejo tilework lines every alley. Cross the iron Dom Luís I Bridge for sweeping views and descend into Vila Nova de Gaia's atmospheric wine lodges for a tasting of aged tawny port direct from the barrel. Seafood is magnificent: salt cod prepared a hundred ways, barnacles glistening with lemon, and custard tarts still warm from the oven. Spring and early autumn offer the finest conditions.

Lisbon, Portugal's enchanting capital, stands out for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. Must-try experiences include savoring local dishes like bacalhau à brás and pastéis de nata at Mercado da Ribeira. The best time to visit is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the city is alive with festivals and events.