Wine & Western Europe Cruise

12 nights roundtrip from/to Harwich, United Kingdom

September 19 – October 1, 2014
Celebrity's Infinity

Join Pied Piper for this most unique gay group cruise itinerary to Wine and the Western Europe! We'll sail on the newly renovated and 'Solsticized' Infinity from Harwich, England to exciting ports in Western Europe. One emphasis of the cruise will be visits to the wine producing regions of Northern France so that you taste exotic wines and learn about how France makes some of the best wines in the world! Another highlight of this cruise is an overnight visit to LeHavre, France, so that you can take the train up to Gay Paris! Our cruise also visits the beautiful ports of Bilbao, Porto Leixoes and Vigo!

Celebrity's Infinity

Celebrity Infinity will sail with a new sense of style and excitement. A popular member of Celebrity's fleet, after a spectacular refurbishment in December 2011 emerge with AquaClass accommodations including the Mediterranean-themed Blu specialty restaurant. She got the hip Celebrity iLounge where you can participate in the iLearn enrichment series or pick up the latest high-tech wonder from the first Apple Reseller at Sea. And get ready to have a unique, memorable dinner at the innovative QsineSM restaurant, where you order from an iPad. Finish with a chilled Peartini at the ice-topped Martini Bar. Plus more staterooms, more verandas, an expanded art collection, and completely new décor throughout. There's going to be a new way to get away and make the most of your precious vacation days.

A sumptuous, world-class meal. A theatrical extravaganza reminiscent of the best on Broadway. Cocktails in a piano bar at midnight, breakfast overlooking the sea at sunrise. Each and every one is a reality on Infinity. A member of Celebrity's Millennium class of ships, Infinity is steeped with prestige and elegance. Dressed in polished marble, warm woods and etched glass, Infinity consistently makes a long-lasting, luxurious impression.

Harwich, England

Located just 69 miles from London, Harwich is one of England's busiest coastal towns. Here you'll discover many historic buildings, picturesque lighthouses, a quaint beach, and the Redoubt Fort, dating all the way back to Napoleonic the era.

Harwich lies at the junction of two estuaries and the area forms one of the UK's major harbours (although most freight shipping actually operates from Felixstowe, a short distance over the water, rather than from Harwich itself). Ferries to northern Europe operate from adjacent Parkeston, while there are fast rail and road links to London.

Local attractions include two lighthouses; the Electric Palace cinema, one of the oldest in Britain and now restored to its original state; the Redoubt fort, dating from the Napoleonic era; a lighthouse museum; a small beach; and of course ship-watching. Many attractions are open during the summer only.

Paris / Normandy (La Rochelle), France

The allure and romance of Paris are legendary. This capital city of France is home to innumerable museums, such as the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée Picasso and Musée Rodin, parks and gardens, including the Tuileries Garden on the banks of the Seine and the Left Bank Luxembourg Garden, as well as monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a lovely and unspoiled seaside town. Savor the many tastes, especially from the sea, of the rue du Port/rue St-Sauveur area just off the waterfront, or the attractive rue St-Jean-du-Perot on your stroll of old timbered houses, ancient fortresses and intriguing architecture. In the region surrounding LaRochelle, visit the vineyards which thankfully, offer the world Brandy and bordeaux wines.

Normandy Coast
The Normandy Coast is famous for its beauty and historic past, but more recently one of the main points of interest is the landing area of World War II, the Beaches of Normandy. It is composed of miles of sand, steep cliffs, picturesque villages, vast cemeteries and several war museums.

Rouen
Rouen, approximately 1 hour from Le Havre, is the ancient capital of the Duchy of Normandy. Rouen is renowned as a treasury of medieval architecture and in the old and picturesque parts of the City there are narrow winding streets and lovely timber framed houses, dating from the 15th century. First settled by the Celts in 912, there were many periods of English occupation and in 1431 Joan of Arc was condemned as a heretic and burnt at the stake.

Etretat
Etretat, a beautiful seaside resort located along the Alabaster coast, is famous for its chalky white cliffs and the "arch and needle", one of the most photographed landscapes in all of France. This astonishing architectural landscape was sculpted by the sea from countless years of constant bombardment by the pounding waves.

Paris
Paris, the capital city of France, is a beautiful, artistic city, situated in the north-central part of the country, about 127 miles from Le Havre. With a population of over 2 million, it is one of France's largest cities as well the center of industry and commerce. The City lies on both banks of the River Seine, the north bank historically the area where Royalty and the wealthy merchant class lived, and today is the government and commercial district, and the south bank, with its image of an intellectual and Bohemian lifestyle, the site where the university was founded.

Arc de Triomphe, located at Place Charles de Gaulle, was built between 1806 and 1836, a monumental arch standing 165 feet high, erected to commemorate Napoleon's victories. The tomb of the French Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame are beneath the Arch. From the top, reached by stairs or elevator, there is a magnificent view of the City and the twelve avenues which radiate from the Arch.

The Louvre, in Place du Louvre, has a new entrance covered by a glass pyramid, designed by I.M. Pei. Built on the site of a medieval fortress, this palace was the home of French Kings in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1793 it became a museum and now houses one of the greatest art collections in the world, including the Mona Lisa.

Eiffel Tower, at Champ-de-Mars, was originally built for the Universal Exposition of 1889 by Gustave Eiffel, and is 984 feet high. The first trans-Atlantic wireless telephone was operated from the tower in 1916. With literally breath-taking views from the top, more than 15,000 tourists visit the tower each day, in season, and long lines to purchase tickets for the elevators may be encountered.

Notre Dame Cathedral, on its site on the Ile de la Cite, is the fourth building on a spot used for worship for some 2,000 years. Built over a period of 200 years from 1163, it is one of the earliest and finest examples of gothic architecture. Centuries of French history have taken place here, including; the crowning of Henry VI of England, the marriage of Francois II to Mary Stuart and the crowning of Napoleon I and Josephine in 1804. In the sacristy is a piece of the true cross and a nail.

Seine
The Seine, which is spanned by 32 bridges, winds its way gracefully through the City and forms two islands. These are the oldest parts of the City, the smaller called Ile St. Louis and the larger Ile de la Cite. Paris is often called the fashion capital of the world, and on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore and Avenue Montaigne are found the famous masters of haute couture; Hermes, Balmain, Lanvin, Yves St. Laurent, Dior and Givenchy, to name but a few. The City is honey-combed with outdoor cafes and chic restaurants.

Bordeaux (Le Verdon), France

A thriving city in the heart of the French wine country, Bordeaux is filled with shops, cafés and, of course, some of the best vino in the world. Take a lesson at Bordeaux Wine School, indulge in a vinotherapie spa treatment at the Sources des Caudalie or uncork a bottle at one of 5,000 wine chateaux.

Le Verdon
At the mouth of the Gironde Estuary, the port of Le Verdon, through pastoral settings of charming chateaux, fertile vineyards and the Medoc region's low rising hills, is your gateway to the bustling city of Bordeaux and its fine winemaking industry.

Bordeaux
Located 68 miles from the port of Le Verdon, Bordeaux is one of the premier wine regions of France and boasts some of the finest cabernet sauvignon and merlot in the world. Beyond wine, the city has impressive architecture, museums, nightlife and beaches.

Museum of Wine Arts & Techniques Ever since the ancient Romans introduced the first grapevines here, the art of winemaking has been handed down through generations. Learn about age-old traditions at the museum of expertise.

Basilique St. Michel Built in the 15th century, this magnificent church and bell tower took more than 200 years to complete. Its steeple is the second tallest in France and is a source of Bordeaux pride.

Bilbao, Spain

Located in Basque country in the north-central part of Spain, Bilbao is a city that's vibrant and culturally dynamic. Wedged between the green hills of the Vizcaya, it's home to Frank Gehry's iconic Guggenheim Museum, incredible tapas bars, numerous historic bridges, castles and catherdrals. About an hour's drive away is the heart of the Rioja wine region, home to some of Spain's premier wineries.

As the cultural heart of Spain's celebrated Basque country, the shining city of Bilbao is filled with Gothic architecture and landmarks that herald its centuries-old history. But the more modern additions to this post-industrial port town -- namely, the spectacular Guggenheim Museum -- seem to be drawing the most attention these days.

Guggenheim Museum On the banks of the Bilbao River, designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art is made of undulating strips of titanium and limestone, creating the building's unique shape. Inside, works by Picasso, Braque, Sera and Warhol offer glimpses into the minds of some of the greatest artists of modern time.

Old Quarter On Bilbao's right bank lies the Casco Viejo, or Old Quarter, where open-air markets beckon with fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, discover the Christian pilgrimage site of the Cathedral de Santiago where the magnificent stained glass windows of the Arriaga Theater can be seen.

San Sebastian Set on a nearly circular bay on the Biscayan coast, the elegant 19th-century seaside resort of San Sebastian has some of Spain's most prized real estate, with beautiful beaches, trendy bars and a myriad of fine eateries.

Vigo, Spain

El Sireno, a gilded sculpture depicting a figure that is halfman, half sea creature, towers over the city's lovely gardens and well-preserved historical buildings. The legendary black salts offshore on the Islas Cies are said to bring good health. Catholic pilgrims flock to the nearby sacred cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, built over the burial spot of St. James.

The city of Vigo, with a growing population almost 300,000, is situated on the slopes of Monte del Castro in the northwestern Spanish province of Galicia. Its modern seaport is located 9 miles from the southern shore of Vigo Bay. Vigo Bay is 20 miles long and 3 miles wide with very deep water, and it is said to be sufficiently large to hold the combined fleets of the world.

The entrance of Vigo estuary is guarded by the mythical Cies Islands, which are steep and abrupt, but have magnificent beaches and the remains of an ancient Celtic culture. The climate is modified by the sea, and the tides of the Atlantic reach far into the estuary creating a mild climate with few extremes of temperature, in fact, oranges are grown along the Vigo inlet. One of the wettest and greenest of Spanish provinces, Galicia is sometimes called the "Wales of Spain".

This old picturesque city is typical for the Galicia area. For visitors from the sea, Vigo is the gateway to the spectacular scenery of the northern Spanish countryside. Visitors have access to the fascinating towns of Santiago de Compostela, Valenca Do Minho, La Toja, and Bayona. As you explore this region, it will continue to reveal its fascinating lifestyle, history and marvelous landscapes.

The Citadel, called El Castro, was built by Philip IV and was one of three forts that guarded the town. Today a park from which there is a wonderful view of the city, the bay and distant communities, surrounds it. The fortress is located on a hill at the top of the City above the Port.

Castrelos Palace is an ancient building that has been converted into a museum where paintings and Roman treasures are kept. It is also the residence of the Head of State when visiting Vigo. The palace is located in the western section of Vigo, close to Quinones de Leon Park.

Ribera del Berbes is the fishing quarter across from the Port. During the reign of Philip IV this was the main city. Within a few minutes walk of the Ship's berth, it is a favorite spot for tourists to explore and enjoy the fresh seafood at the picturesque out-door cafes.

Porto (Leixoes), Portugal

At the mouth of the Rio Douro lies the city of Porto, known mostly for its port wine trade. With origins dating back to the 5th century, there is plenty to see in this town that was named European Capital of Culture in 2001. Stroll the Ribeira neighborhood along the river, explore the Cathedral area, or tour the port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia across the river. Savoring a taste of tawny port, tripe and seafood while here is highly recommended.

Lining the river that made it a trading center ever since pre-Roman times, vibrant and cosmopolitan Porto centers itself some 5 km (3 mi) inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The Moors never had the same strong foothold here that they did farther south, nor was the city substantially affected by the great earthquake of 1755; as a result, Porto's architecture shows off a baroque finery little seen in the south of Portugal.

Its grandiose granite buildings were financed by the trade that made the city wealthy: wine from the upper valley of the Rio Douro (Douro River, or River of Gold) was transported to Porto, from where it was then exported around the world. Industrious Porto considers itself the north's capital and, more contentiously, the country's economic center. In the shopping centers, the stately stock exchange building, and the affluent port-wine industry, Porto oozes confidence though the fashionable commercial heart of the city contrasts with the gritty workaday atmosphere in the old town.

Cais da Ribeira. A string of fish restaurants and tascas (taverns) are built into the street-level arcade of timeworn buildings along this pier. In the Praca da Ribeira, people sit and chat around an odd, modern, cubelike sculpture; farther on, steps lead to a walkway above the river that's backed by tall houses. The pier also provides the easiest access to the lower level of the middle bridge across the Douro. Boats docked at Cais da Ribeira offer various cruises around the bridges and up the river to Peso da Regua and Pinhao.

Se do Porto. Originally constructed in the 12th century by the parents of Afonso Henriques (Portugal's first king), Porto's granite cathedral has been rebuilt twice: first in the late 13th century and again in the 18th century. Despite the renovations, it remains a fortresslike structure—an uncompromising testament to medieval wealth and power. Size is the only exceptional thing about the interior; when you enter the two-story, 14th-century cloisters, however, the building comes to life. Decorated with gleaming azulejos, a staircase leads to the second level and into a richly furnished chapter house, from which there are fine views through narrow windows.