Copenhagen, Kristiansand, Le Havre-Paris, Vigo, Malaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Marseille (Provence)

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was founded in the 12th century and owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmark's monarchs, boasting a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture. Built on a series of islands and islets, it is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. During your visit, you will see the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city that keeps a thoughtful watch on the harbor, stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses, browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe's most celebrated pleasure gardens.

Kristiansund, the city of flowers and culture, is the capital of Southern Norway, located between the metropolises of Stavanger and Oslo. It is the country's fifth-largest city, a town of commerce, festivals and natural beauty, a city with a rich history, also known as the Klipfish (dried, salted cod) and the opera town. Beautifully situated on four islands at the edge of the ocean, Kristiansund has a spectacular harbor, an intimate, colorful and convivial town that is perfect for day trips. The access to the city center with the fish market "Fiskebrygga" and old town “Posebyen” is easy. During your walk, you will pass a 17th-century fortress, and a public beach.The town has a wide range of attractions such as the Atlantic Road, only 30 min by bus, ranked the world’s best road trip by the British newspaper ‘The Guardian’. The road, 8,3 kms long, zigzags across bridges and skerries, bringing you right out to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean!

Le Havre, on the Normandy coast, is our gateway for touring the D-Day beaches or for traveling inland, visiting the City of Light - Paris. It was founded in 1517 as a port to serve Paris and still remains its main gateway.

During your visit to the glamorous metropolis, you will see Notre Dame Cathedral, shrouded in gothic splendour and folklore, the sensational Louvre with priceless artworks, the Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Last but not least, is the undisputed Parisian icon, the Eiffel Tower, which will leave its own vivid impression to your trip, offering the most magnificent panoramic view to the city.

Vigo, which clings to the slope of Monte del Castro, overlooking a namesake bay, is the gateway to Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity s holiest cities and the most venerated shrine in all Europe during the Middle Ages. An important fishing and commercial port, Vigo was first settled by Celts in 600 BC, whose legacy lingers on in the province's old legends - and in the bagpipes played on festive occasions. The city's medieval heritage is seen in the narrow streets and granite houses of the Ribera del Berbes, the old fishermen's quarter. Pilgrims from the four corners of Christendom followed the Way Of Saint James, flocking to the magnificent cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th centuries over St James' burial spotand. This enormous cathedral still draws thousands of daily visitors.

The southernmost large city in Europe, lies on the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) of the Mediterranean, about 100 km east of the Strait of Gibraltar and about 130 km north of Africa. Málaga's history spans about 2.800 years, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. The walls of the Phoenician city are visible in the cellar of the Museo Picasso Málaga. The best-preserved Moorish citadel in Spain is located next to the Roman theater, which which dates from the 1st century BC and was rediscovered in 1951. The nearby caverns of Nerja provided refuge to humans 30,000 years ago and is a must-visit tourist attraction. Cruise guests can visit the old castles, the museums and the beaches or enjoy the scenery, sipping a Malaga sweet wine, accompanied with a plate of tapas.

Alicante is one of the most popular and famous destinations on Costa Blanca, the 200 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline which attracts thousants of sun and fun lovers. Stroll among the palms, shops and cafés of the beachfront Explanada de España, explore the high-baroque Cathedral de San Nicolas de Bari, the Basilica of Santa María, the Baroque Casa de La Asegurada (1685), Gravina Palace (1748–1808), nowadays hosting Gravina Museum of Fine Arts, or the Castillo of Santa Barbara, a 16th-century castle with splendid views of Costa Blanca.

Barcelona is one of the world's greatest treasures, a global capital of commerce, fashion, culture and sunshine. Cruise visitors should start with a walk down Las Ramblas, the glorious tree-shaded thoroughfare at the heart of the city, enjoy a dive in the wonderful beaches nearby, but, most of all, see what visionary architect Antoni Gaudi wrought. Seven of his creations have been honored as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including La Sagrada Familia, the Park Guell and Casa Mila. Time provided, you can also visit the former Olympic Ring on the hill of Montjuic, home to world-class parks, fountains and museums. Barcelona, which nurtured such artistic giants as Picasso, Dali, Miro and Casals, is definitely a traveler's paradise.

Marseille is the largest port on the Mediterranean, France's second largest city and a virtual melting pot of peoples and cultures. It is a unique city with a feel and culture all its own. It is also a place of striking contrasts, from the fishing boats of the picturesque Vieux Port to the modern Canebiere. Dominating the harbor is the infamous Chateau d'If, the rocky prison from which Alexandre Dumas' "Count of Monte Cristo" escaped. If you have time, explore the countryside around Arles and Avignon, immortalized in the canvases of Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso, try the renowned bouillabaisse or tour the lovely towns and vineyards of Provence.