Genoa, Marseille (Provence), Barcelona, La Coruna, Bilbao, La rochelle, Warnemünde (Berlin)

Today we are visiting Genoa, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria, a powerful commercial center seaport and city-state. It was the birthplace of the great adventurer Christopher Columbus and its maritime roots have fostered a dialect that has absorbed elements of Neapolitan, Calabrese and Portuguese over the centuries. Genoa's harbor is a bustling swarm of activity, hosting a museum and an aquarium and has a magnificent medieval flair, ideal for a nice stroll. This port is our launching point for the sprawling metropolis of Milan.

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.

La Coruna is ta capital of the province of la Coruna in Galicia, in the northwest of the Iberian peninsula. During your visit, you can see the 2nd century lighthouse named Tower of Hercules, which is the oldest and most famous image of la Coruna city, the old town and quay side glass city districts, the tomb of Sir John Moore and enjoy an aperitif at the seaside cafés. La Coruna is the gateway for a tour to Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity's holiest sites.

Spain’s tenth largest city, is a magnificent “cocktail” of architecture, tradition, sea and mountain, character and history. Most known for the Guggenheim Museum, a true landmark both for Bilbao and for this part of Spain, it has also a multitude of highlights: start from Getxo, the town, part of greater Bilbao, which features mansions and magnificent houses built in different European styles in the period between the late 19th and early 20th century. At the end of the promenade along the sea you will find Algorta, an old fishing port with restaurants and taverns. Close to Getxo’s port areaYou will find the Viscaya Bridge, the world’s oldest transporter bridge. Continue to  the historic center of the city either as the “casco,” meaning “the old quarter,” a pedestrian-friendly area featuring a variety of shops, restaurants and bars, visit La Ribera, one of Europe’s largest indoor markets, enter Santiago Cathedral and check out the Zubizuro Bridge, also known as the Campo Volantin Bridge, which connects the two banks of the Nervion River close to the city center. If you have time, visit the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao with works by artists such as El Greco, Goya, Gauguin, Velazquez and Picasso and take the funicular from Plaza Funicular to the gardens of Artxandra, from where you will have a splendid panoramic view.

La Rochelle is a charming French seaside village and is considered one of the best-preserved port towns in France. La Rochelle is situated off the Atlantic Coast in France’s Bay of Biscay, on the west coast of France between the cities of Nantes to the north and Bordeaux to the south. Dating back to the 10th century, La Rochelle has many interesting heritage sites, restaurants, and activities within the town to keep visitors busy. Set off for a day of adventure in the old fortified port of La Rochelle and enjoy walking around and exploring the city’s landmarks of the old harbor and city center.

Warmunde is a small but popular seaside resort town in northeast Germany, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, over two hours away to the country's capital, Berlin. It is considered a suburb of the university city of Rostock close by. Its main attractions are a lighthouse built in 1897 and the nearby Teepott (Teapot in German) which can be found on the promenade. 

Berlin visit gives you unique opportunities to see many of its attractions, such as Checkpoint Charlie, the remaining part of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz with its modern skyscrapers, the Holocaust Memorial, Pariser Platz and the monumental Brandenburg Gate(18th c.), the impressive Reichstag and the five museums on Museum Island,among which the famous Pergamon Museum.