Vintages and Virtuosos 
from Lisbon to London

Creativity runs deep in historic Porto, perched on the edge of the Atlantic and the emerald vineyards of Portugal’s Douro Valley. You’ll see it in the distinctive blue azuleo tiles that decorate the walls of Igreja do Carmo and Capela das Almas and bring vibrancy to the neo-gothic cloisters of Porto Cathedral. You’ll find it in the carved wooden interior of Livraria Lello, one of the oldest bookstores in Europe (hint: it may have been inspiration for Hogwarts in Harry Potter novels), and the architecture of the riverside Ribeira neighborhood. Amble across the Dom Luís I Bridge, and alchemy is found in Porto’s historic cellars, where ruby red Port wine is aged in oak barrels and uncorked in centuries-old tasting rooms, or served alongside river-view terraces at sunset over the Douro River.

Halfway between San Sebastien and Santander, Bilbao is the heart of Spain’s Basque Country, where language, culture and identity are proudly unique. Once a gritty tangle of shipyards and steelworks, now a powerhouse of art and culture, Bilbao’s evolution is embodied in Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Museum. Its twisted titanium façade will grab your attention, but Bilbao’s soul is found in bustling markets and creative kitchens, from Michelin-starred dining to casual pintxos bars in Casco Viejo, the storied old quarter. Gorge on grilled octopus under the colonnades of Plaza Nueva with a chilled glass of sparkling txakoli wine, or a thick cut txuleton steak with a full-bodied Rioja, before riding the funicular to Mount Artxanda’s summit to take in sweeping views of the Nervión estuary. 

Esteemed worldwide for its prestigious appellations, Bordeaux is the undisputed capital of wine. From legendary Left Bank labels in Pauillac and Margaux to the regal Right Bank château of Saint Émilion and Pomerol, the region is an Eden for oenophiles. Beyond the vineyards, Bordeaux is a celebration of 18th-century grandeur, split in two by the Garonne. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed center is an urban masterpiece of neoclassical and baroque architecture. You'll marvel at the Place de la Bourse, admire Victor Louis' magnificent Grand Théâtre and wander through triumphant medieval gateways. Fine wine is always accompanied by generous dining and there is no shortage of prestigious menus at generations-old restaurants hidden among Bordeaux’s atmospheric alleyways.

Home of French explorer Jacques Cartier and once a hub for corsairs and adventurers, history hums around Saint-Malo's granite walls. Soak it all in while strolling the ramparts around the Intra-Muros historic center or pause for Breton crêpes and traditional cider among the grand ship-owners' mansions of Place Chateaubriand. Named after a Welsh monk and nestled in a sheltered harbor near the fairytale abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo and its surrounds are revered for their gastronomy, which finds its apogee at three-star Le Coquillage where chef Hugo Roellinger is a master of Breton culinary art. For a more down-to-earth experience, few pleasures beat a chilled glass of Muscadet and a dozen Cancale oysters served harborside as the sun sets over Saint-Malo. 

Yachting enthusiasts gather annually on the Isle of Wight for Cowes Week, a global gathering of racing yachts and traditional sailboats that have churned the waters of the Solent since 1826. It was here in 1851 that the US yacht America claimed victory in the first America's Cup, the oldest sporting trophy in the world; now sponsored by Louis Vuitton. Delve deeper into the island’s royal pedigree at Osbourne, favored palace of Queen Victoria, or cruise around the Needles, a jagged ridge of chalk-white cliffs that jut into the English Channel, or hike trails through the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve which covers the entire island.

Built on the indomitable spirit of its inhabitants over 2,000 years, London is one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in Europe. Feel the weight of history as you walk the Thames past the Houses of Parliament as Big Ben chimes the hour, and on to St. Paul’s and the Tower of London’s hulking walls. Feast on royal pageantry during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, visit Westminster Cathedral, or solve the maze at Hampton Court Palace, before taking a seat at a top table in Mayfair or Soho, where members’ clubs and Michelin stars fuse heritage and culinary art. Architectural mastery frames historical context in South Kensington’s Museum Quarter, and noble institutions like the Tate Modern, British Museum, and National Gallery are home to some of the world’s finest artwork.