Liverpool to Lisbon

Known for being the birthplace of the Beatles, the city offers many different attractions dedicated to this iconic band. Liverpool is also home to the stunningly original Anglican cathedral, considered the biggest in Britain, and of the famous dish known as “scouse,” which you can enjoy in multiple restaurants across the city.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

The sea has always defined Brest, in a sheltered bay on the westernmost finger of Brittany. A harbour for ships since Roman times, its strategic importance in World War II was the reason 90 per cent of it was bombed by the Allies. Remarkably, the castle overlooking the harbour survived (today it houses a marine museum), while the rest of the city was rebuilt on a modern chequerboard pattern. But it’s the sea that draws the eye, from the jumble of ports and quays to the futuristic Oceanopolis, which plunges you into the wonders of marine life, with penguins, tropical lagoons, and shark tanks to see.

This salty-aired town on the banks of the Loire estuary is within pebble-skimming distance of Brière Regional Nature Park, one of the largest wetlands in France. Hop aboard a traditional flat-bottomed chaland boat to be punted quietly through the patchwork of water meadows, keeping an eye out for bluethroats and herons in the reeds. Just as head-turning are the nearby modern-art installations that are revealed with the tide: a 130-metre-long steel serpent slinks out of the waves at Mindin and a towering woollen jumper carved from concrete hunkers down near the harbourmaster's office in Saint-Nazaire. Unexpected finds on France's Atlantic coast.

Known as the Port of the Moon for the graceful curve of its harbor, the UNESCO-listed city of Bordeaux showcases some of the finest culture, cuisine, and architecture of southwest France. Surrounded by prestigious vineyards – including Médoc, Saint-Émilion, and Sauternes – the city is a paradise for oenophiles. Learn about the history of wine at La Cité du Vin, a state-of-the-art museum that’s appropriately shaped like a wine decanter, before setting off to the vineyards for an afternoon of wine tasting. Or, simply amble around the city, strolling along the River Garonne, admiring the gothic spires of Cathédrale St-André, and stopping for oysters and a glass of wine at the Marché des Capucins.

Home to Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, this bustling city epitomizes the merger of modernity and history. Gateway to the Cantabrico Sea from the plateau of Castilla, Bilbao has flourished from the middle ages as a busy port. Today, the city is renowned for its vital exuberance, as modern architects erect new buildings next to 19th-century structures.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

This picturesque city is popular for its colorful tile-decorated buildings, its many hills and the iconic bridges by the Douro River. For an authentic Portuguese experience, go to the Ribeira neighborhood and cross the Dom Luis I bridge to watch the magical sunset among the locals.

From Moorish walls and Manueline carvings to elaborate azulejo tiles and Gothic arches – the traces of Lisbon’s rich history can be seen and felt simply by wandering its storied (and rather hilly) streets. But Europe’s second-oldest city is also one of its most cosmopolitan, and amid historic landmarks like Jerónimos Monastery and São Jorge Castle, you’ll find chic rooftop bars with views across red terracotta rooftops and the sparkling Tagus river, design-led concept stores selling artisanal souvenirs, and stylish restaurants serving up inventive takes on local ingredients.