Northern Spain is loved for its green landscapes, elegant cities, quaint villages, and vast golden beaches. It's also packed with cultural attractions, with art and architecture to discover at every turn.
The winter brings its own charms to the region, with local celebrations, festivities and feasts to look forward to. During this special pre-Christmas cruise, you'll have the chance to soak up the festive atmosphere of northern Spain, especially in Vigo, where around ten million LED lights make up one of the world's largest and most dazzling Christmas light displays.
You'll discover the spiritual atmosphere of the famous pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela on a tour from La Coruña, while Getxo is your gateway to Bilbao and the modern architectural masterpiece that is the Guggenheim Museum.
As you sail into La Coruña, head out on deck and enjoy views of the impressive Tower of Hercules, an important navigational monument said to be the only Roman lighthouse still in existence. Once you're ashore in La Coruña, enjoy some time to wander along its famous golden beaches or enjoy a cold Estrella Galicia beer while overlooking the sea.
Your home for the week will be the classic ship Bolette, where you'll enjoy delicious buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners prepared by expert chefs, with many dishes inspired by local cuisine. During your time at sea you can make the most of the ship's facilities, perhaps enjoying a treatment in the spa, a dip in the pools, or simply relaxing with a drink and watching the world go by.
You'll depart from Liverpool today in the early evening, boarding your home for the next few days, the comfortable ship Bolette.
Take some time to settle into your warm and welcoming cabin and perhaps enjoy a drink in one of the stylish lounges or bars as you set sail for northern Spain.
The next two days will be spent at sea, allowing you time to relax, forget the stresses of daily life, and make the most of Bolette's fabulous facilities.
In the Observatory, you can enjoy views across the ocean through large panoramic windows. The Auditorium hosts lively cooking demonstrations, lectures and talks to enjoy as you sail. You can also make the most of the sleek Atlantis Spa with its extensive treatment menu, or take a dip in one of the jacuzzis, and two swimming pools.
Delicious breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas and dinners are available at the ship's generous buffet, with a vast array of choices. Often featuring delicious dishes local to the destinations you are visiting.
This morning you'll arrive in Vigo, Galicia, on Spain's northwest coast.
An important maritime city for centuries, Vigo is on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and has one of the best natural ports in the world, where you'll see many old fishing houses and markets selling locally caught seafood.
A neoclassical Cathedral, the Collegiate Church of Santa Marta, is built on the site of a gothic church that was burnt down by Francis Drake, and there is an impressive statue dedicated to the author Jules Verne.
It's also a city which goes all out for Christmas, with around ten million LED lights making up one of the world's largest Christmas light displays. These twinkling lights are all over the city, so simply take some time to walk around, enjoying the festive atmosphere and getting some photos of these lovely installations.
Today you'll sail past one of the oldest active Roman lighthouses in the world, the Tower of Hercules, located between the Orzán cove and the Gulf of Ártabro. You'll see this impressive structure as you arrive into La Coruña.
This vibrant 9th-century port town, is a captivating combination of old and new architecture, with the shimmering glass of modern buildings prompting the local's to nickname it 'The Crystal City' .
Then there's the deeply historical mediaeval district, rich in Galician culture, history and gastronomy. Spend some time relaxing here, exploring its many immaculate bays and enjoying a cold Estrella Galicia beer by the beach.
Next up is Santiago de Compostela, a nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site, where it is said the Relics of James the Apostle are buried. This makes it a famous pilgrimage destination, with around 350,000 people making the journey along the Camino de Santiago each year.
Today's port of call is Gijon in Asturias. Located on the Atlantic coastline of Spain, Gijon has a seafaring and maritime heritage that dates back to Roman times. Famous for its cider, or sidra, as it's known locally, the apples grown here have been used for centuries to produce the traditional drink of the Asturias region.
The Picos de Europa National Park is also nearby, where you can witness impressive rock formations, and possibly spot brown bears and Iberian wolves in the wild - at a safe distance!
This morning you'll dock in Getxo, the gateway to Bilbao and one of the prettiest port towns in the Basque country.
Getxo has a number of impressive beaches and fascinating buildings, including the UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge.
Bilbao itself is home to the famous Guggenheim Museum, a grand feat of architecture housing a magnificent display of modern art. This region is also renowned for the popular Rioja wine, which was awarded DOC status in 1991, and accompanies the local pintxos - the Basque country's answer to tapas - perfectly.
After saying goodbye to Bilbao and Getxo you'll set sail for another two days at sea on the way back to the UK. Take this time to relax on board Bolette once again, perhaps enjoying festive drinks with new found friends as you reflect on the memorable experiences of the previous few days.
Today you'll arrive back in Liverpool in the early morning, where your Spanish festive break comes to an end.
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