Western Europe Cruises 2019 - 2020

Marseille is a bustling port city located on France’s Provencal Mediterranean coast. France’s second largest city is renowned for its dynamic multiculturalism and rich maritime history, with a wealth of historic landmarks, ancient cathedrals, edgy art museums and cultural scene to discover. The jewel of Marseille is the vibrant Vieux-Port, the city’s old town and harbor, which is adorned with lively bars, charming brasseries, and cute cafes.

• Explore the elegant 17th century Centre de la Vieille Charite, gorgeous neoclassical charity shelter built by local sculptor Pierre Puget
• Take a boat to the former island fortress-prison Chateau d’If, which has a claim to fame as the setting of Alexander Duma’s, The Count of Monte Cristo
• Take advantage of Marseille’s Mediterranean weather and discover the city’s historic landmarks and picturesque beaches with a hop-on-hop-off bus tour

Venice, the Floating City, is situated in Italy’s northeast over the Adriatic Sea. The lagoon city comprises of 118 islands and hundreds of canals, making it one of the most fascinating in the world. Narrow, twisted alleys, historic monuments, marble palaces, charming architecture, hidden squares and the city’s iconic gondolas characterize the unique atmosphere of this extraordinary city. A mild, Mediterranean climate makes Venice a fantastic cruise destination year-round.

• Take a cruise tour through Venice’s canals for ultimate view of the city
• Marvel at the spectacular mosaic art at the handsome San Marco Basilica
• Experience the epitome of elegant Al Fresco dining at a restaurant on the Grand Canal

Southampton is situated on the south coast of England and is a popular cruise destination due to its proximity to London. It is also a popular departure port for transatlantic cruises. Southampton has a beautiful modern marina by the cruise terminal, featuring designer boutiques, fine dining restaurants, bars. The port city also has a great variety of attractions and museums to explore.

• Discover an original collection of James Bond vehicles at the fantastic Beaulieu, the world’s largest automobile museum
• Visit the SeaCity Museum to experience its unique interactive Titanic exhibit
• Take in some local history with a tour around Southampton’s 14th century medieval city walls, reportedly the longest stretch of all in all of England

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal and is situated on the country’s Atlantic west coast. The charming coastal metropolis is best-known for its unique mosaic architecture, charming pastel-painted Bairros, beautiful beaches and an abundance of historical and cultural attractions. Big in character, Lisbon is graced with long, hot summers and short, mild winters making it the ideal cruise destination year-round.

• Expand your palate as you sample exquisite wine and delectable tapas at the famous BA Wine Bar in Lisbon’s edgy Barrio Alto district
• Admire the ruins of the Gothic 14th century Carmo Convent, which commemorates the devastating earthquake of 1755
• Ride the iconic Bica funicular railway, which connects the elegant Principe Real quarter with the famous Santa Catarina viewing platform

Situated on Spain’s southern coast, Malaga is the jewel of Andalucía’s Costa del Sol. The glittering Mediterranean cruise destination lures visitors year-round with its warm climate, luxury resorts, beautiful beaches. The birthplace of Pablo Picasso and Antonio Banderas, Malaga has an intriguing 2,800-year history, discoverable by the Moorish castles and Roman theatres that adorn the seaside metropolis.

• Visit the fabulous 16th century Gothic Catedral de Malaga and climb the 282ft high tower’s 200 steps to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city
• Wander through the medieval lanes of Malaga’s tastefully restored historical center, stopping by leafy squares lined with quaint coffee shops, unique boutiques and fine dining restaurants
• Marvel at the Moorish beauty of the 11th century Alcazaba palace-fortress, with its lush scenery, bubbling fountains, peaceful courtyards and charming horseshoe arches

Monte Carlo is nestled between the French Alps and the Mediterranean Sea and is one of the world’s most exclusive cruise destinations. The glittering Mediterranean paradise features a stunning old town rich with lavish casinos, fascinating museums, theatres, art galleries and world-renowned Michelin star restaurants. The city is best-known for hosting the Monaco Grand Prix, which is held each spring.

• Take a stroll around the exclusive Port de la Condamine, home of extravagant luxury yachts and the Prince of Monaco’s private vessel
• Explore Jardin Exotique, a beautiful botanical garden featuring a collection of over 7000 plant species from Africa and Latin America
• Visit Museé Oceanographie, one of the world’s oldest aquariums featuring a unique collection of renowned marine science and oceanography exhibits

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is one of the most famous cruise destinations in Europe. The quaint Dutch metropolis is best known for its charming UNESCO World Heritage Listed canal system and infamous red-light district, attracting more than 20 million visitors annually. However, with its charming cultural heritage, unique architecture and rich history, Amsterdam retains an intimate village-like feel, winning the hearts of tourists the world over.

• Hire a bicycle and explore Amsterdam’s historic canals and floating markets by bike – like the locals do!
• Take a tour of the Heineken Museum and discover the history of one of the world’s most loved beers
• Visit the Anne Frank House and accompanying museum and learn about the tragedy of persecution in World War 2

Cádiz is situated on the southeastern coast of Spain. The Andalusian city is one of Europe’s oldest, with Cádiz’s old town possessing more than 3,000 years of history with well-preserved ancient walls, Medieval churches, Arabic forts, Roman palaces, and imposing watchtowers. Stretched along the region of Costa de Luz, Càdiz offers amazing beaches which are ideal for water sports, swimming or simply relaxing. Càdiz is a perfect year-round destination especially during the Carnival of Càdiz, a lavish celebration that lasts 11 days in February.

• Make like the locals and stroll along the picturesque seafront promenade Alameda de Apodaca at sunset and watch the sun melt into the sea
• Explore the picturesque market squares, winding alleyways, charming restaurants and cute cafes in 13th century El Pópulo, Cádiz’s oldest barrio
• Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the top of Tower Tavira, the highest tower in Cádiz’s old town

Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Island archipelago. An island of contrasts, Tenerife possesses an incredible variety of landscapes, from otherworldly volcanic valleys and lush pine forests to pristine beaches and some of the world’s oldest flora. Tenerife is best known for its popularity with the British who flock to the island in droves during the winter months, but the island is also renowned as an adventure destination where hiking, surfing, paddle-boarding, whale watching, kayaking with dolphins and climbing the world’s third highest volcano is possible. Visit Tenerife in February for Carnaval, a spectacular extravaganza which is rumored to rival the spring festivals in Brazil.

• Take a cable car up the snow-capped El Teide for mind-blowing views of Tenerife and surrounding islands of La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro
• Kayak astride the mind-blowing Los Gigantes, the coastline of dramatic cliffs rising up to2,625-ft from the Atlantic Sea
• Visit the majestic 59-ft tall El Drago tree, which legend says is up to a thousand years old, situated in the heart of Icod de los Vinos

Funchal is the capital city of Portugal’s picturesque Madeira Archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean. Madeira, which was colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century, is today a top cruise destination due to its beautiful conserved natural landscapes, local cuisine, historic landmarks and vibrant nightlife.

• Unearth 17th and 18th century wine cellars at the Madeira Wine Museum, where you can find bottles of wine more than 150 years old
• Trek or stroll through Madeira’s dramatic wilderness, and spot some wildlife species that exist nowhere else on Earth
• Sample exotic fruits and fresh seafood at the Workers Market, Mercado dos Lavradores

Gibraltar, also known as the ‘Key of the Mediterranean’, is a small island situated a few kilometers off the southern coast of Spain. The British colonial territory is famed for the iconic Rock of Gibraltar, a towering 1397-ft high limestone ridge surrounded by cliffs that stagger dramatically into the Mediterranean Sea. The island is a curious mix of British and Spanish, architecturally, culturally and linguistically.

• Venture to the Apes’ Den to admire the tailless Barbary Macaques, the only wild, free-living monkey’s in Europe
• Visit the World War 2 tunnels and discover the strategic importance of Gibraltar throughout ancient and modern history
• Indulge your palate with Gibraltar’s Andalusian-British-African fusion cuisine, with unique dishes such as Rolitos, Panissa or Calentina

Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland and is situated on the country’s east coast. With its Georgian architecture, cobbled streets and medieval castles, Dublin is one of Europe’s most handsome cities. Famous for it’s breweries, cruise visitors flock to Dublin to enjoy a pint of Guinness or Kilkenny at one of the city’s many lively music pubs. Whilste teeming with culture, history and charm, Dublin also boasts a fascinating tech industry, with many giants such as Google, Microsoft and Facebook calling the city home.

• Indulge in a moorish Irish strew or hearty Shepherd’s Pie at one of Dublin’s traditional gastro pubs
• Marvel the mind-blowingly beautiful library at Trinity College, Ireland’s most prestigeous university
• Take an interactive tour of the fascinating 18th century Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland’s iconic brew

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and is fast becoming a European cultural capital. The city is well-known for its connections to the Titanic and the impressive Titanic Belfast experience opened in 2012. The city offers a fantastic variety of shops, with multiple shopping centres such as the Victoria Square Shopping Centre. Belfast City Hall, open since 1906 stands at the centre of the city and on sunny days the surrounding grounds become a popular picnic spot.

• Experience Titanic Belfast
• Stroll through the beautiful Botanic Gardens
• Experience a historic building while savouring a beer in the 'Crown Liquor Saloon'

Rotterdam, situated on the banks of the Nieuwe Maas river in northern Netherlands, is the busiest port in Europe. The bustling maritime metropolis is an exhilarating blend of old and new, with stunning futuristic architecture mingling effortlessly with the city’s charming 17th century old town. The city is renowned for its multiculturalism, featuring a diverse, multi-ethnic community.

• Marvel at one of the world’s finest collections of Dutch and European art at the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen
• Explore the intriguing Uit Je Eigen Stad (which translates to From Your Own City), an urban farm straddling the outskirts of Rotterdam
• Visit Toko 51 and discover intriguing modern art, vintage fashion and enjoy live music events

The quaint port town of Warnemünde, a popular gateway to Berlin, is situated on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast. A tumultuous past has shaped the German capital into a vivacious multicultural metropolis and one of the most captivating cruise destinations in the world. Solemn landmarks, iconic sights and beautiful architectural heritage mingle fabulously with edgy alternative districts, gritty street art and progressive vibes. Berlin is a city that never sleeps, with a kaleidoscope of techno temples, leafy beer gardens, smoky bars and riverside clubs blessing Berlin as the party capital of the world.

• Walk the length of the notorious Berlin Wall
• Marvel at the mammoth Neoclassical Brandenburg Gate, which throughout history has been the backdrop of significant historical events
• Check-in at Checkpoint Charlie, the best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin when the city was divided