MSC VIRTUOSA: Southampton (London),United Kingdom - Southampton (London),United Kingdom - 05.09.2026. - 8 days

Located in northern Spain, in the Basque Country, Bilbao is a city that blends a rich industrial past with modern architecture, art, and gastronomy. The city’s most iconic landmark is the Guggenheim Museum – an impressive structure made of titanium and glass that has become a world-famous symbol of contemporary art and urban renewal.

The Old Town (Casco Viejo) delights visitors with its narrow streets, lively squares, tapas bars, and traditional Basque charm. Notable landmarks include the Santiago Cathedral, Teatro Arriaga, and Plaza Nueva. Bilbao also features a fascinating mix of modern and historic architecture – examples include the Zubizuri Bridge and the Iberdrola Tower.

Bilbao is renowned for its excellent cuisine, especially the famous “pintxos” – the Basque version of tapas, which can be enjoyed in countless local bars. The city is also well-connected, making it easy to explore the Basque coastline and nearby towns such as Getxo and San Sebastián.

Whether you're a lover of art, culture, food, or architecture, Bilbao offers a dynamic blend of tradition and contemporary spirit, making it an ideal destination for a vibrant urban getaway.

Cherbourg is located on the northeastern coast of the Cotentin Peninsula in the Manche department of Normandy. A city infused with the scent of the sea and a rich maritime tradition, Cherbourg is a blend of nautical importance, cultural diversity, and a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.

The port of Cherbourg is impressive—one of the most important French ports, with numerous ferry connections to the United Kingdom and Ireland, making the city a gateway between the English Channel and continental Europe. A stroll along the waterfront reveals various restaurants, cafés, and spots to enjoy fresh seafood while watching ships come and go across the open sea.

In the historic center, you can explore a rich heritage of seafaring, naval history, and defense—the city's forts, museums, and architectural landmarks reflect Cherbourg's significance throughout the centuries. The Emmanuel Liais Museum, although currently closed for renovation, is a fine example of a local natural history museum that reflects the town’s passion for science and the surrounding environment.

Cherbourg is also a great base for exploring Normandy—whether for seaside walks, quiet park spaces, bakeries offering local specialties, or easy ferry access for day trips.

Mont Saint‑Michel is one of the most iconic landmarks in France, located on a rocky islet in the middle of a bay at the border between Normandy and Brittany. During high tide, the island appears to float above the sea, while at low tide, vast sandbanks emerge to create a dramatic landscape.

At its heart stands a Benedictine abbey, built between the 11th and 16th centuries—an architectural blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles, uniquely adapted to the island’s harsh conditions, powerful tides, and strategic defensive needs. Surrounding the abbey is a medieval-style village, with narrow lanes, shops, and restaurants tucked beneath old stone walls. Panoramic viewpoints offer breathtaking views over the bay, especially when the tide surges back in, covering the sand like a silken sheet of water.

At sunset or under night lighting, Mont Saint‑Michel becomes especially magical—a place of grandeur and stillness, where nature, water, and human history intertwine to create a sense of spirit and timelessness that transcends the ordinary.

Cruises from Southampton are part of a rich maritime heritage. Some of the most famous ships have set sail from this port, which, before the rise of commercial air travel, was the main gateway to the world. Hollywood stars like Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor passed through here to board cruises from Southampton, and it is also known as the port from which the Titanic departed in 1912.

In the picturesque Old Town, walking along cobbled streets reveals 12th-century churches, Tudor-style houses, and one of the best-preserved medieval city walls in the UK, featuring the historic Bargate entrance. The city also offers lively marina-side bars, modern shopping districts, and a cultural quarter where the Mayflower Theatre stages popular West End musicals, while the SeaCity Museum documents Southampton’s rich maritime past.

Some of England’s most famous landmarks are just a short drive away: the Neolithic wonder Stonehenge, the picturesque spa city of Bath, or iconic London attractions like Buckingham Palace, Tate Modern, and Tower Bridge.

Discover 5,000 years of history and much more on a cruise from Southampton.