London to Lisbon: Cruising Europe's Western Shores – with Smithsonian Journeys

In 2012, the London suburb of Greenwich, which was already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was chartered as a Royal Borough by the Queen in recognition of the town's historically close association with the Crown, especially under the Tudors and Stuarts, and to acknowledge Greenwich's contributions to British maritime history and to the development of the science of navigation.

Day 1 – London

Arrive at your London area airport, where you will be met and transferred to The Great Scotland Yard Hotel in the center of the city, your home for the night. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. Relax and unwind at the hotel, or explore some of the sites that are just steps away from the front door. This evening, join fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception. Dinner is independent.

Day 2 – London | Embark

Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, meet your guide for the short drive to Greenwich, where your exploration of the Royal Borough begins at the Royal Observatory. Designed by Christopher Wren, who began his career as an astronomer, the Observatory is probably best known as the marker of the Prime Meridian—the line that divides East from West (longitude 0° 0’ 0”). It is also one of the most important centers of navigational research in the world, serving as the original home of the clocks that maintain Greenwich Mean Time and the site of the only planetarium in London. You will be free to explore the galleries here on your own before rejoining your guide to walk through Greenwich Park to the National Maritime Museum.

First opened in 1937, the Museum’s extensive collections include boats and naval memorabilia, relics, maps, charts, and uniforms, all of which contribute to telling the story of Britain’s history as a seafaring nation. But the multitude and variety of the museum's exhibits reach far beyond the exploits of a single nation to portray the long and diverse history of mankind’s association with the sea.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by time at leisure to explore lower Greenwich at your own pace. You may browse the stores and boutiques in and around Greenwich Market, perhaps visit the Cutty Sark, once the fastest ship in the world and the sole surviving tea clipper in the world, or stroll through the Old Royal Naval College—the architectural centerpiece of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In mid-afternoon, transfer to the Tower Pier to embark your ship, which remains docked overnight.

Your hotel:

Part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection, The Great Scotland Yard Hotel is a five-star luxury property located in historic Westminster, just off Trafalgar Square and within easy walking distance of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and other places of interest. It has an onsite restaurant, a cozy bar, a fitness center, and all of the amenities you would expect in a luxury hotel.

Your program includes:

·        1 night at The Great Scotland Yard Hotel (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day

·        Welcome Reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast and lunch on Day 2

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 60 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in may be available at a supplement, and an additional night is possible upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the British pound. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

Great Scotland Yard Hotel

3-5 Great Scotland Yard

London, England

United Kingdom

SW1A 2HN

Phone: +44 0 207 9254 700

 

Portugal is most often introduced to students of history as the country that led the way in Europe's discovery of sub-Saharan Africa, India, and East Asia. But throughout much of the modern era, Portugal, like the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, was in the avant garde of developments in the fields of art and architecture. This specially designed program will introduce you to monuments that celebrate both of these aspects of Portugal's past.

Day 1 – Lisbon

After breakfast on board, disembark your ship. Your panoramic tour of Lisbon begins with a stop at the imposing Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama spent his last night before embarking on his voyage to India, and the finest extant example of the Portuguese architectural style known as Manueline. Enjoy some time at leisure in the historic Belém Quarter. Stop for photos at the 16th-century Belém Tower, the point from which many Portuguese explorers, including da Gama, set sail. Continue to the Gulbenkian Museum, home to one of the world’s most impressive private art collections, featuring works from ancient Egypt to 20th-century Europe. Enjoy a local lunch then transfer to the Hotel Altis Avenida for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure, and dinner is on your own.

Day 2 – Sintra

After breakfast, set out on a full-day excursion to the nearby village of Sintra, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its role in the early development of European Romantic architecture. Explore Sintra Palace, thought to have first been constructed in the 10th or 11th century when Sintra was under Moorish rule, with additions made by successive kings and queens. Since March 2025, ongoing restoration of the magnificent Hispano-Moorish tile panels in the Arab Room, D. Afonso?VI Chamber, and the Gruta dos Banhos has been underway, allowing visitors to view the intricate conservation efforts in progress. The Preta Garden, fully restored in recent years, continues to offer sweeping views over the Sintra Hills and historic town center.

After your visit to this fascinating place, drive to the center of Sintra for lunch at a local restaurant and time at leisure for browsing the many shops that offer handicrafts and Portuguese wines before reboarding your motorcoach for the return journey. Your route will take you through a nature preserve to Cabo da Roca on the Atlantic coast, the westernmost point of Europe. From there you will travel along the coastal road back to Lisbon. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.

Day 3 - Lisbon | Homeward

After breakfast at the hotel and checking out of the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight homeward.

Your hotel:

The Hotel Altis Avenida is a charming boutique hotel, with an extraordinary location in the center of Lisbon, in Praça dos Restauradores.?The architecture and decoration are inspired by the 1940s and draw on the concept of "urban chic," where the past and the future meet, creating an atmosphere of charm and glamor.?The hotel has 123 rooms, a Lobby Bar, and a fine dining restaurant on the top floor of the hotel that features the cuisine of chef João Rodrigues.

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at the Hotel Altis Avenida (or similar).

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the pier to the hotel on Day 1.

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3.

·        Breakfast on Days 2 and 3.

·        Lunch on Days 1 and 2.

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary.

·        Local English-speaking guide.

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides.

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day.

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program.

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

Hotel Altis Avenida

Rua 1° Dezembro, 120

1200-360 Lisbon

Portugal

Telephone:?+351?210 440 000