Cruise · 9 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Flavours of France & Northern Spain
Nine days aboard Fred. Olsen’s Bolette from Newcastle, tracing the Atlantic coast from Normandy’s Honfleur to the northern Spanish ports of Gijón and Santander, with a taste of Bordeaux’s riverine calm en route.
- Duration
- 9 nights
- Departs
- 17 Oct 2027
- Sails from
- Newcastle
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Bolette
- From
- £1,099
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Harbour and timber-framed houses of Honfleur
Cider culture in Gijón
Sandy beaches and seafood market in Santander
Cruising past the Royal Palace of Magdalena
Two days docked in Pauillac, Bordeaux wine region
About the trip
Setting off from Newcastle, this cruise follows the changing contours of France and northern Spain’s Atlantic coast. The first stop, Honfleur, is known for its harbour lined with timber-framed houses and the nearby Normandy countryside. Crossing into Spain, the ship calls at Gijón, where cider bars and Atlantic seafood dominate the local scene, and Santander, a city with a bay backed by sandy beaches and a busy fish market.
Bolette spends a moment sailing past the Royal Palace of Magdalena, a pink stone residence on a small peninsula in Santander, before heading to the vineyards of Pauillac in Bordeaux. The town sits on the Gironde estuary, surrounded by vineyards that produce some of France’s most recognised wines. The return to Newcastle includes two days at sea, time to reflect on the sea’s shifting moods and the changing coastlines.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines keeps things straightforward on Bolette, a ship small enough to slip into these quieter ports rather than just circumnavigate. It is a cruise marked by unhurried days and coastal curiosities rather than marathon sightseeing, with a note of autumn’s harvest around the table.
- 1 Newcastle upon Tyne
- 2 Honfleur
- 3 Gijón
- 4 Santander
- 5 Pauillac
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Newcastle, England
Day 2
At sea
Day 3
Honfleur, France
Day 4
Gijon, Spain
Day 5
Santander, Spain
Day 6
by Royal Palace of Magdalena, Spain
Scenic cruising
Day 7
Pauillac, France
Day 8
At sea
When to go
Departures and prices
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
Before you book
- Price based on
- Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
- Travelling alone
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Flights
- Not needed if you join at Newcastle
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Interior Cabin
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
Questions people ask
- How long is Flavours of France & Northern Spain?
- Flavours of France & Northern Spain is a 9 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Flavours of France & Northern Spain depart from?
- Flavours of France & Northern Spain departs from Newcastle.
- Who operates Flavours of France & Northern Spain?
- Flavours of France & Northern Spain is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Bolette.
- How much does Flavours of France & Northern Spain cost?
- Prices for Flavours of France & Northern Spain start from £1,099, subject to availability.
The operator
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Smaller-ship cruises, many from UK ports
A Norwegian family name in shipping since the nineteenth century, known for smaller ships that can reach the narrower fjords and harbours.
You book with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to United Kingdom? Our United Kingdom guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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