Genoa, Marseille (Provence), Barcelona, La Coruna, Bilbao, La rochelle, Warnemünde (Berlin), Gdynia, Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm

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.

Gdynia is one of the youngest Polish cities, a lively port and  important centre of naval economy, international trade, science and academic education, culture, tourism. The harbour's construction began in 1920 and the first ship docked here in 1923, while in 1938 ita was the largest port in the Baltics and 10th larger in Europe. Among its sights, you can see Dar Pomorza, a three-masted Polish training ship has visited 383 ports and travelled more than 800,000km in her time at sea. There are also Museums - Emigration Museum, City of Gdynia Museum- and important churches - St. Michael the Archangel (1224), Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1957- 1966), St. Mary's Church (1924). If you have time, don't miss a visit at the Stone Hill lies 52m above sea level, is one of the prettiest areas in Gdynia, boasting wonderful views of the Hel peninsula and the Baltic Sea.

Gdynia is our gateway port to Poland's fabled city of Gdansk, which is considered the "pearl of Poland", with its cozy streets and historical churches, perfectly preserved fortifications and interesting harbour architecture, a thousand year old city that has become a cosmopolitan and economic center in recent years. Gdansk is one of the amber centers of the world. This petrified tree resin has been revered for both jewelry and as a source of folk remedies for centuries. Gdansk's Old Town is a superb place to browse for amber jewelry and goods.

Formerly known as Memel, Klaipeda is a unique historic city, with roots dating back to the days of German knights - and it's a gloriously royal city, too, as Klaipeda was once the capital of Prussian Kingdom. Today it is a modern city, known for its creative, innovative design and architecture and, even more for its friendly and welcome people. Being the third largest town in Lithuania, this relatively small town is well known for its grand annual events including the Jazz festival and Sea festival.

Riga is the gem of the Baltics, capital of Latvia, situated at the mouth of the Daugava, on the shores of the Gulf of Riga on the Baltic. Riga has traditionally served as a crossroads for trade and business between east and west, boasting an ancient history and rich cultural heritage. Thanks to the collection of art nouveau buildings that is one of the largest in the world, Riga has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll along the Castle (1330), the historical centre, St Peter's church, from the top of which you can enjoy a nice panorama at a height of 70 m., the Freedom Monument, honouring soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence (1918–1920) and of course, the protestant medieval cathedral, which is the largest in the Baltics.

Tallinn is the political, commercial and cultural center of Estonia.Toompea, the old town, is a thicket of turrets, spires and onion domes that overlooks the rest of Tallinn and the Gulf of Finland. See the brilliantly preserved All-linn (the lower town), stroll along its cobblestone streets and marvel the quaint environment of this city-museum of medieaval architecture, or enjoy local beer and lunch at the numerous restaurants and cafes. Don't forget to do some shopping, choosing authentic Estonian Handicraftσ, such as wooden spoons, woven mittens and ceramic cups (check for the seal of authenticity Eesti Käsitöö).

Strewn across numerous islands along Finland's tasseled southern coast, Helsinki is one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in Scandinavia. hailed as the "Daughter of the Baltic". It is a green metropolis, where architectural visions segue easily into prolific park spaces and ocean vistas. You will see graceful neoclassical buildings, striking modern architecture and spacious boulevards dotted with squares and parks. In the past century, Finland has nurtured some of the major creative talents of Western culture, with most notable, composer Sibelius and architects Eliel & Eero Saarinen and Alvar Aalto, whose works are the living proof that the Finns love and respect for design and the arts is enormous. Helsinki is the 2012 World Design Capital, in recognition of the use of design as an effective tool for social, cultural and economic development in the city. Your visit will aquaint you with the most important highlights, as the Senate Square surrounded by the Government Palace (to the east), the main building of Helsinki University (to the west), and (to the north) the enormous Cathedral, the famous Kauppatori, Finlandia Hall, the Finnish National Gallery which consists of three museums: Ateneum Art Museum for classical Finnish art, Sinebrychoff Art Museum for classical European art and Kiasma Art Museum for modern art, the impressive stone-hewn church Temppeliaukio and Sibelius Monument, dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) and located at the homonumous park in the district of Töölö in Helsinki.

The modern and vibrant capital of Sweden is one of the world's most beautiful, clean and orderly metropolises, granted the 'European Green Capital' award by the EU in 2010. The city began life over seven centuries ago as a Viking stronghold built on the island of Gamla Stan and is steeped in history and culture, combining the rich medeaval past with the modern architecture, design and style. Today, Stockholm covers 14 separate islands and is interwoven with bays, channels and inlets, which are connected with 57 bridges. Take a tour to visit the City Hall, from whose tower you can marvel a great panorama, the historic Old Town (Gamla Stan), the baroque style Royal Palace, Storkyrkan Cathedral, as well as the Wasa Ship Museum and the Skansen, the archetype of open-air museums, inaugurated 1891. Shopping will also be a fun experience, offering from design crystal creations and exclusive fashion stores, to local handcrafts and wonderful handmade houseware.

The modern and vibrant capital of Sweden is one of the world's most beautiful, clean and orderly metropolises, granted the 'European Green Capital' award by the EU in 2010. The city began life over seven centuries ago as a Viking stronghold built on the island of Gamla Stan and is steeped in history and culture, combining the rich medeaval past with the modern architecture, design and style. Today, Stockholm covers 14 separate islands and is interwoven with bays, channels and inlets, which are connected with 57 bridges. Take a tour to visit the City Hall, from whose tower you can marvel a great panorama, the historic Old Town (Gamla Stan), the baroque style Royal Palace, Storkyrkan Cathedral, as well as the Wasa Ship Museum and the Skansen, the archetype of open-air museums, inaugurated 1891. Shopping will also be a fun experience, offering from design crystal creations and exclusive fashion stores, to local handcrafts and wonderful handmade houseware.