Western Europe Cruises 2018 -2019

The Mediterranean city of Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain’s second largest city. The sprawling metropolis is renowned for its captivating architecture, charming gothic quarters and the spectacular Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic Church masterminded by the great Antoni Gaudi, which has been under construction for more than a century. The cosmopolitan paradise is famous for its picturesque Barceloneta Riviera and the stunning marina.

• Stroll down the leafy Las Ramblas, intermittently sampling tapas, sipping sangria and marveling at the street artists
• Marvel at the medieval Barrio Gotic, Barcelona’s oldest and most charming neighborhood
• Admire the mosaic art and dreamlike architectural creations at the curious Park Guelle, one of Antoni Gaudi’s most significant works

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

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

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

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

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

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

Le Havre is a bustling French city situated where the River Seine meets the English Channel. After the devastation of World War 2, Le Havre went through a major restoration to pre-war glory, which earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Le Havre is the perfect launching pad for exploring the magnificent region of Normandy, distinguished for its quaint villages, ancient castles, and breathtaking limestone cliffs along the coastline.

• Marvel at the majestic chalk cliffs of Étretat, which soar 230 ft above the English Channel
• Be inspired by a unique collection of impressionist paintings at the André-Malraux Museum of Modern Art
• Visit Paris, the world’s most romantic city, which is a short two-hour train ride away

Known as the “Gateway to the World”, Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany and unarguably one of the most beautiful cities in the country. A city where the old and the new fuses with the classic and the hip, and where every corner captures a different time in history. The Port of Hamburg is an attraction of its own where the famous Fish Market takes place every Sunday.

• Wander around the Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world built in the 19th century with Gothic Wilhelmine brick. While you are here visit the Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway exhibit.
• Visit Hamburg’s Rathaus (Town Hall), a picturesque Neo-Renaissance sandstone building housing the city’s senate and the parliament.
• Enjoy spectacular views of Hamburg from the “Michel” a 433-foot high tower of St. Michael’s Church.

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'

Cork, situated in southern Ireland, is a picturesque place full of charm. The charismatic city straddles one of the largest natural harbors in the world and is renowned for its cheerful locals, quaint old town and beautiful cathedral. There is a wealth of leisure to enjoy in Cork, from boutique shopping, exquisite dining and a lively nightlife.

• Visit a typical Irish gastropub and enjoy local cuisine over a pint of Guinness
• Discover Cork’s intriguing maritime history at the Titanic Museum
• Wander the haunting Cork City Gaol, a former prison which was built in the 19th century

St Peter Port is the charming capital of Guernsey, an island situated approximately 30 miles off the northwest coast of France. Part of the English Channel Islands, Guernsey is famed for its spectacular beaches, dramatic coastlines, charming villages and fascinating history.

• Indulge in buttery French crepes and English scones at a classic afternoon tea
• Visit one of St Peter Port’s military history museums to uncover the island’s sombre wartime past
• Marvel at the island’s charming English and French-influenced architecture from St Peter Port’s harbor

Bruges, situated on Belgium’s northeast coast, is a medieval city founded by Vikings around the ninth century. Distinguished by its network of canals, medieval streets, and well-preserved architecture, Bruges earned a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage Cities list. Besides its rich history, Bruges is renowned for producing some of the finest Belgian chocolate.

• Explore the quaint canals, historic churches, medieval architecture and beautiful market squares in Bruges’ fairytale-like old town
• Marvel at Michelangelo’s masterpiece ‘Madonna and Child’ at the Church of Our Lady, which features the tallest church tower in Belgium
• Sample beer from the last standing brewery in Bruges, De Halve Maan, which has been continuously operating since 1856