Do you crave a cultural city break, a gastronomic adventure, a vineyard jaunt or a sporting trip? If you plot your route right, there’s no need to choose. Travel to France or Spain by ferry and you really can have it all.
Itinerary one: from Spanish art to French beach
In the morning: Bilbao
Begin your morning in Bilbao at Mercado de La Ribera, where a market has existed since the 14th century, although the current neo-classical structure dates back to the 1920s. It’s just the place to grab a coffee, snack on some exotic fruit and meander among the locals. Then move swiftly on to the Museo Guggenheim, a Frank Gehry-designed artistic behemoth, home to one of the best collections of contemporary art in Europe. Nestling up against the Nervión river, which runs through the city to meet the Cantabrian Sea, this architectural triumph features permanent and visiting artwork by Spanish and international artists.
In the afternoon: Biarritz
Now it’s time to hit the beach and digest the cultural feast of your morning in Bilbao. Drive north-east along the coast, and in less than two hours you’ll find yourself over the border in the grand French resort town of Biarritz. This town has been attracting aristocratic holidaymakers ever since Emperor Napoleon III built a palace here for his bride. Today, colourful rows of striped beach tents line the beaches in the summer months, and bars and restaurants spill out on to terraces, pavements and squares. The most famous of the beaches is the Côte des Basques, so bask in the sun here and let your day of contrasts sink in.
Itinerary two: from a stunning golf course to wine tasting
In the morning: Golf at Dinard
Sailing into St Malo puts you just a short drive away from one of the most historic golf courses in southern Brittany, Dinard, in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer. Designed by Tom Dunn in 1887, this course is the second oldest in France after the Pau golf club. Laid out along France’s Côte d’Emeraude, players enjoy sea views from all 18 holes, making this a perfect morning for absorbing the local scenery, as well as getting a game in. Even better, why not let Brittany Ferries Golf do all the organising for you when you book your trip?
In the afternoon: Wine tasting in Nantes
A two-hour drive south brings you to the grand town of Nantes, where you’ll find the Maisons des Vins de Loire. It is a brilliant starting point for any wine tour, with a wide range of tastings on offer, including sancerre, pouilly-fumé and the hallowed muscadet, made at the western end of the Loire valley near Nantes. Plot your vineyard adventure here; whether you decide to embark on the full 497-mile (800km) wine tour or just dip into a few muscadet vineyards, this will be a memorable jumping off point for all wine lovers.
Itinerary three: from foodie heaven to elegant cityscape
In the morning: San Sebastian
Sailing into Bilbao puts you an hour’s drive from San Sebastian, one of the most exciting gastronomic destinations on the planet right now. With more Michelin stars per square metre than any other city bar Kyoto, and a vibrant pintxo (tapas) culture to sample between splurge meals, this is a sophisticated seaside town that knows how to do indulgence. If you’re feeling flash, opt for lunch at family-run Arzak, famed for their Michelin-starred creations, or tuck into tapas and then chill on the beach at Playa de la Concha.
In the afternoon: Bordeaux
After lunch, drive north-east for a few hours, and you’ll arrive in stately Bordeaux by mid-afternoon. Bordeaux is among France’s most rewarding and dynamic cities, having shed its somewhat fusty reputation over the past decade. Today, visitors will find pedestrianised boulevards, impeccably restored neoclassical architecture and huge historic landmarks in the Unesco-listed half of the city, Port de la Lune, the world’s largest urban world heritage site at 7sq miles (18.1sq km).
With a vibrant university student population and more than 5 million visitors annually, you can expect a lively food truck scene, creative cafe culture, affordable dining scene and unfailingly excellent wines. The new wine museum, La Cité du Vin, is a gloriously high-tech introduction to one of the world’s most esteemed wine cultures.
