New York, Halifax, Ponta Delgada, Lisbon, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Palma De Mallorca, Marseille (Provence), Barcelona, Tunis-, Palermo, Naples, Livorno (Florence, Piza)

The "Big Apple", the bustling metropolis and worldwide centrre of commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment, is a wonderland for Museum hunters -, shoppacholics and show-holics... Take a walk through Times Square, catch a Broadway show, visit some of the 150 museums,- Metropolitan Museum, MoMA (Μuseum of Modern Art), Guggenheim, American Museum of Natural History- and see its different facets through an intricate patchwork of neighborhoods. Walk along Lower Manhattan, Chinatown, trendy SoHo, Greenwich Village, Little Italy... See the Statue of Liberty, climb up the Empire State Building and Ground Zero and then, relax at Central Park, one of the most famous sightseeing spots in New York, which covers 341 hectares of paths, ponds, artificial lakes and green space within the asphalt jungle.

The economic and cultural capital of eastern Canada, is an easygoing and hospitable metropolis, located on one of the planet's great natural harbors. The beautifully restored waterfront buildings of Halifax's Historic Properties recall the city's centuries-old maritime heritage and adorned with landmarks like the Citadel fortress, Pier 21 (Canada's Ellis Island) and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Outside the city, cruise visitors can discover the weatherbeaten landscape of Nova Scotia's south shore, including famous Peggy's Cove and the German village of Lunenburg, so meticulously restored it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Ponta Delgada is the largest municipality and administrative capital of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in Portugal, lying around a natural bay on São Miguel Island, the largest and most populous in the archipelago. Identified by its three arches known as the Portas da Cidade, it stands out for the large number of churches and other buildings, among which the baroque São Sebastião Church and the Todos os Santos Church. White-washed houses and buildings, 17th and 18th Century convents and churches decorate its rolling hills. Cobbled streets and small squares are found around the centre, where there is also a large boulevard, which is perfect for evening seaside walks. Visit Museu Carlos Machado (Carlos Machado Museum), the beautiful Praça 5 de Outubro (5th of October Square) which is dominated by a marvellous Renaissance Fortress, the Fortaleza de São Brás, the most romantic garden and most lush area in the city, Jardim António Borges (António Borges Gardens) or tour to the natural wonders of the island, such as the Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Seven Cities Lake), which is formed by two large lakes that fill the massive crater of a dormant volcano. From the Pico do Carvão one can enjoy fabulous panoramic views over the Lagoa das Sete Cidades.

Ponta Delgada is the largest municipality and administrative capital of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in Portugal, lying around a natural bay on São Miguel Island, the largest and most populous in the archipelago. Identified by its three arches known as the Portas da Cidade, it stands out for the large number of churches and other buildings, among which the baroque São Sebastião Church and the Todos os Santos Church. White-washed houses and buildings, 17th and 18th Century convents and churches decorate its rolling hills. Cobbled streets and small squares are found around the centre, where there is also a large boulevard, which is perfect for evening seaside walks. Visit Museu Carlos Machado (Carlos Machado Museum), the beautiful Praça 5 de Outubro (5th of October Square) which is dominated by a marvellous Renaissance Fortress, the Fortaleza de São Brás, the most romantic garden and most lush area in the city, Jardim António Borges (António Borges Gardens) or tour to the natural wonders of the island, such as the Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Seven Cities Lake), which is formed by two large lakes that fill the massive crater of a dormant volcano. From the Pico do Carvão one can enjoy fabulous panoramic views over the Lagoa das Sete Cidades.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on the southwest of the country, has been the main gateway for the rest of the planet for more than 19 centuries. Ships captained by Portuguese explorers like Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan, skittered across the globe, hauling treasure home and making Lisbon a global capital. Draped across seven hills, Lisbon was once the center of a vast maritime empire that stretched from the west coast of Africa to the Spice Islands of the East Indies, until 1755, when a violent earthquake destroyed two-thirds of the city, leaving intact only the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter. Today, Lisbon is a stately city of Neoclassical buildings and wide plazas. Eternally linked to the sea, Lisbon's magnificent harbor is spanned by the longest suspension bridge in Europe. Among the city's landmarks are the iconic Castelo de São Jorge, the World Heritage Sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, both built in Lisbon's native Manueline architectural style.

Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain, the oldest continuously-inhabited city in Spain and one of the oldest in southwestern Europe. During the Age of Exploration, the city experienced a renaissance. Christopher Columbus sailed from Cádiz on his second and fourth voyages and the city later became the home port of the Spanish treasure fleet. 

Cadiz is the gateway to Seville, capital of Andalucia, which lies on the mighty Guadalquivir at a distance of 120 kms. Taking a tour to Seville, will give you a change to marvel the Alcazar, a grand 14th Century Moorish palace, the Seville Cathedral and the Archivo de Indias, all UNESCO World Heritage sites, built in the Mudejar style, and also, to walk the narrow lanes of the Jewish 
Quarter, the expanse of the Plaza de Espana, or the halls of the Museo de Bellas Artes.

Gibraltar is an amazing co-mingling of past, present and future.The Rock of Gibraltar was considerred by the Ancient Greeks as the pillars of Hercules, marking the end of the world. It is at the Top of the Rock where you begin to understand and appreciate Gibraltar’s strategic geographical location and the important role it has played throughout history. The journey to the top of the Rock rewards you with a truly breathtaking view. From a height of 426m you will see the African coastline, where the waters of the Atlantic meet the Mediterranean, Spain’s Costa del Sol and a panoramic view of the City far below, the quays, marinas and bays. Stand on top of the Rock of Gibraltar and you feel as if you were on top of the world.

Palma is a busy commercial and cultural center, capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands of Spain. Situated on the south coast of the island on the Bay of Palma, it became a tourist destination in the 1950s and till today it is considered as one of Europe’s major holiday destinations.The historic centre is the oldest part of the city and a refreshing area for a stroll at the narrow and shady streets, which will give you a chance to peek in at a number of private courtyards. The city flourished during the 19th century and today, it mixes perfectly, the modern hotel chains and flashy shops with the old architecture in the Old Town. A walk along the narrow streets will reveal the restored 13-th century cathedral standing proud in the center of town. Among Palma's lovely sights are the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, the Almudaina Palace, once home to Mallorcan kings, the Arab bath building, the only building dating to the Arab settlement, Plaça del Mercat and interesting art nouveau buildings.

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. 

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.

Palermo, capital of Sicily, is situated right by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Traces of Roman, Arab and Norman influences mix here, in a city that is over 2.700 years old. The highlights of Palermo, which is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, are Palazzo dei Normanni, one of the most beautiful Italian palaces and a notable example of Norman architecture with its golden Byzantine mosaics, the Cathedral with the heliometer (solar "observatory") of 1690, Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (St Mary of the Admiral), San Giovanni degli Eremiti (12th century), Palazzo Abatellis with the Regional Gallery, the Regional
Archeological Museum Antonio Salinas, the neoclassic Teatro Massimo ("Greatest Theatre",1897) and many
small piazzas that depict the city's historic past.

Naples is the third-largest municipality in Italy, after Rome and Milan and one of the chief commercial cities of Europe. The city center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the surrounding areas are dotted with cultural and historical treasures, with most notable, the restored ruins of Pompeii. Naples itself is mere enduring greatness. Highlights include Castel dell' Ovo, Castelnuovo, Castel Sant'Elmo, a medieval fortress located on a hilltop and national museums dedicated to art and archaeology. There is also a docile bay; the peaceful cypress-tufted islands of Ischia, Procida and Capri and over the city, Mount Vesuvius, volcano and national park. Take the opportunity to see the only active volcano on the European mainland, which blew in A.D. 79 and buried the city of Pompeii, or visit the magnificent Amalfi and Sorrento coasts.

Livorno, Tuscany's second-largest city, is the maritime gateway to the Tuscany region and its two most known cities, Florence (to the west) and Pisa (to the north). Among Livorno's main attractions are the Cisternone, an impressive neoclassical building on Viale Giosue Carducci, designed like a Roman bath, the main city square Piazza della Repubblica with Fortezza Nuova (the castle dating back to around 1576) in the background and a number of interesting shops in the city centre that visitors can explore. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is home to the Duomo, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio. Pisa contains a host of beautiful cathedrals, palaces and bridges over the Arno River, as well as its glorious Leaning Tower, monument to faulty engineering.