In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica continues to La Rochelle, France.

The ship docks outside the city, so an excursion takes us towards the historic center. Along the way, we pass the massive submarine bunker at La Pallice, an imposing reminder of the area’s wartime history and a striking contrast to the charming old harbor waiting ahead.

Once in La Rochelle, we begin with a guided walk through the compact Old Town. The route takes us past the historic city hall, narrow streets, and the Grosse Horloge, the old clock tower that forms a natural gateway between the shopping streets and the harbor.

Later, we leave the group and continue independently, making our way towards the waterfront, the Ferris wheel, several churches, and La Rochelle’s most recognizable landmarks: the Tour Saint-Nicolas and Tour de la Chaîne.

With boats filling the old harbor and medieval towers framing the entrance, La Rochelle delivers exactly the kind of Atlantic port atmosphere one hopes to find on this part of the journey.

A warm, relaxed port day combining guided history with time to explore at our own pace.

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica reaches the Basque Country in northern Spain.

The ship docks in Getxo, near the mouth of the Nervión River, rather than directly in central Bilbao. From there, we take a taxi straight to the Guggenheim Museum, with tickets already booked in advance.

Inside, the art itself is not necessarily the main attraction for me. Instead, it is Frank Gehry’s extraordinary building that leaves the strongest impression. Its sweeping curves, titanium surfaces, changing reflections, large interior spaces, and unusual perspectives make the museum feel almost like a giant walkable sculpture.

After the visit, rising temperatures make a long city exploration less appealing, so we return to Getxo. A later shuttle ride into town reveals mostly closed shops, and the day ends back aboard MSC Magnifica.

A focused port call with one very clear highlight – and a reminder that sometimes the building containing the art can become the most memorable work of art itself.

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod, the Transfer Tour 2026 aboard MSC Magnifica reaches A Coruña on Spain’s Atlantic coast.

For many cruise passengers, A Coruña is the starting point for an excursion to Santiago de Compostela. But having already visited Santiago during the Winter Cruise 2024, this time we decided to stay closer to the ship and discover A Coruña itself.

Our guided tour began at 9:15 and first took us towards the Tower of Hercules, the ancient Roman lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic and one of the city’s most important landmarks. Along the way, we experienced A Coruña’s coastline, beaches, maritime atmosphere, and even a large octopus sculpture that seemed perfectly at home in seafood-loving Galicia.

From there, we continued into the historic center, walking past fountains, churches, and old squares. One particularly memorable detail was a short walk along an actual section of the Camino de Santiago, connecting the visit directly with Galicia’s famous pilgrimage tradition.

The tour ended at Plaza de María Pita, dominated by A Coruña’s impressive city hall and named after the local heroine remembered for defending the city during an English attack in the 16th century.

A day between Roman history, Atlantic views, Galician identity, and the Camino, and proof that A Coruña is far more than simply a gateway to Santiago de Compostela.