Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Visiting three Spanish cities, this week-long getaway has been designed to showcase the country's beautiful landscapes, learn about local culture, and marvel at architecture with a rich past. Getxo is the perfect base from which to explore Bilbao, home to the famous Guggenheim Museum, and to sample pintxos, the Basque country’s version of tapas. Gijón is famous for cider, or sidras, as it’s known nationally, where the apples grown here have been used for centuries to produce the traditional drink of the Asturias region. In La Coruña, a visit to the UNESCO-listed city of Santiago de Compostela, along with a scenic cruise past the Tower of Hercules – said to be the only Roman lighthouse in existence.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Espana Verde's mountainous landscapes
Northern Spain's landscapes are a mesmerising combination of rocky mountains, scenic coastlines, and charming villages. Pico de Europa National Park enchants with its rugged peaks, deep canyons, and lush valleys, providing unrivaled opportunities for outdoor excursions, while charming fishing villages are dotted along the coast, their colourful cottages reflected in the sparkling waters of the Bay of Biscay. Costa da Morte, with its wild and windswept cliffs, conjures images of untamed beauty and a rich maritime history. The wooded slopes and secret valleys of the Cantabrian Mountains conceal a plethora of natural beauties awaiting discovery.
Northern Spain's way of life
Northern Spain's gastronomic and cultural variety is a wonderful expression of flavours and customs. Rioja wine and pintxos are popular in the Basque Country, as are the melodious melodies of Euskara music. Asturian cider runs freely, based on a heritage as old as the Cantabrian Mountains themselves, while Galicia's coastal bounty produces exquisite seafood delicacies such as Pulpo a la gallega and savoury empanadas, which evoke the spirit of the Atlantic. Throughout this culinary journey, Euskara in Basque and Galician connects generations to their ancestry, creating a rich cultural fabric across the northern Spanish landscape.
Captivating architecture in Northern Spain
Northern Spain's cultural landmarks are both diverse and captivating. On this Bolette cruise, take the opportunity to visit Santiago de Compostela, with its renowned cathedral which attracts pilgrims from all over the world to embark on the Camino de Santiago, a journey of spiritual importance. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is a modern architectural masterpiece that showcases contemporary art against the backdrop of industrial tradition, while La Coruna, also known as the 'Glass City,' dazzles with its contemporary style, which combines sleek glass structures with ancient beauty along its waterfront area. Each destination on this Northern Spain cruise provides a unique viewpoint on art, history, and innovation, contributing to the cultural environment of the region.
Life On Board
Introducing Bolette
With just 690 cabins Bolette fits perfectly in our fleet of smaller ships. With her warm, welcoming atmosphere, timeless style, and classic open deck spaces providing a place to fully immerse yourself in the magic of ocean cruising.
Bolette
Bolette is one of the largest ships, by overall size, in our fleet. With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and timeless style, and classic open deck spaces providing a place to fully immerse yourself in the magic of ocean cruising, Bolette is very much in keeping with what our guests have come to expect from a Fred. Olsen ship.
Sample Shore Tours
At each port of call on your cruise, we carefully research and hand pick Shore Tour options for you, designed for you see as many of the world's best destinations as possible.
Below, you will find some sample Shore Tours which will give you an example of what to expect on your cruise. Your Shore Tours will be available to book approximately 8-13 weeks prior to departure via your My Cruises account.
Panoramic Tour & The Guggenheim
Journey through Bilbao, passing the Ensanche Area and the bridges over the Nervión River and enjoy views of Bilbao from Artxanda Mountain before visiting the Guggenheim Museum.
££££
Getxo (Bilbao)
La Rioja Vineyards
Discover the region of La Rioja, renowned for its vineyards and high-quality wines, with visits to the Bodegas Campillo winery, Laguardia and the winery of Eguren Ugarte.
££££
Getxo (Bilbao)
Asturian Cider Pouring
Visit the Cider House to explore the family museum and uncover the history of the Cider Tunnel, peruse the apple trees plantations, and enjoy a tasting.
££££
Gijon
Santiago de Compostela
Explore the city of Santiago de Compostela and visit the Conventual de San Francisco, the Faculty of Medicine, and the world-famous Plaza del Obradoiro.
££££
La Coruña
Your Guest Speakers
We’ve arranged for some wonderful guest speakers to join us for this cruise. They will be delivering a programme of insightful talks and activities to deepen your cultural, artistic and historical understanding of the destinations we will be exploring, well as helping you to enjoy the natural beauty of the places we visit.
Arantxa Sardina
An accredited lecturer with the Arts Society and hailing from Santander, Arantxa will be speaking on the culture and way of life in Northern Spain as well as the art and architecture of the Guggenheim and Santiago de Compostella.
Treats & Pastimes
In addition to our Signature Experiences, we have a selection of lovely Treats & Pastimes for you to enjoy when on board. Just check your Daily Times each day for full details.
Cabins, Prices & Offers
Cabin Options On Your Cruise
* Prices correct as of 00:00 26/04/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on two people sharing a twin cabin. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
* Prices correct as of 00:00 26/04/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on sole occupancy. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
Cabin Grades
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Bolette's Balcony Junior Suites have a private balcony and sitting/bedroom area.
| Freedom Fare | From £2,099 pp |
|---|
360°
Terrace Cabin (TC)
Bolette's Terrace Cabins offer access to the Promenade Deck via sliding doors.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,799 pp |
|---|
360°
Ocean View (F)
Bolette's F Grade Ocean View cabins have two portholes and are on decks 1 & 2
| Freedom Fare | From £1,099 pp |
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360°
Interior Cabin (I)
Located on decks 1, 2 & 3, I Grade Interior cabins on Bolette have a bathroom with shower
| Freedom Fare | From £899 pp |
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360°
Single Interior Cabin (N)
Bolette’s N Grade Single Interior cabins are situated on deck 1.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,399 pp |
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360°
Balcony Suite (BS)
Located on deck 6, Bolette's Balcony Suites have a private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £3,298.50 |
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360°
Terrace Cabin (TC)
Bolette's Terrace Cabins offer access to the Promenade Deck via sliding doors.
| Freedom Fare | From £3,418.10 |
|---|
360°
Superior Ocean Fully Obstructed View (CO)
CO Grade Superior Ocean View cabins have a fully obstructed picture view window
| Freedom Fare | From £1,699 |
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Interior Cabin (I)
Located on decks 1, 2 & 3, I Grade Interior cabins on Bolette have a bathroom with shower
| Freedom Fare | From £1,708.10 |
|---|
360°
Single Interior Cabin (N)
Bolette’s N Grade Single Interior cabins are situated on deck 1.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,399 |
|---|
360°
Cruise Offers
What's Included
SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED
As well as our Signature Experiences, there are a host of other treats to enjoy on board our ships.
Dining & Lounges
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Daily buffet dining options
- Late night Supper Club
- Afternoon tea
- Self-service tea & coffee
- In-cabin dining & snacks
Treats & Pastimes
- Evening shows
- Live music & dancing
- Dance classes
- Lectures & talks
- Cookery demonstrations
- Traditional deck games
- Daily games & quizzes
Relaxation & Fitness
- Swimming Pools
- Jacuzzis
- Fitness Centre
- Fitness Classes
Enhance your cruise
Each of our cruises has been carefully designed for you to get the very best out of your time on board; and now you can enhance your cruise to make it even more special.
Need Some Help?
Take a look at our FAQs
The handy checklist below has been created to assist in making sure you remember all the important things to pack for your cruise.
Visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements. UK passport holders will need visas for certain Fred. Olsen cruise holidays and will advised at the time of booking. Your cruise booking information will also detail any requirements applicable to your holiday.
On certain sailings we offer two types of cruise fares; Freedom and Saver Fares.
Our single guests feel right at home on board our ships; Fred. Olsen have the reputation of sailing the friendliest fleet afloat.
Disembarking when your ship's at anchor is a very different experience to when it's docked portside. Getting ashore in this instance often involves the use of the ship's tender, which is accessed via the steps of a secure gangway.