Rotterdam, South Queensferry, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Belfast (NORTHERN IRELAND), Liverpool, Greenock, Isle of Man, Cork, Dover, Amsterdam, Isle of Portland, Bilbao, La Coruna, Leixoes, Lisbon, Malaga, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona

Often called the gateway to Europe, the port city of Rotterdam is full of old-world charm, offering amazing views and a maze of wharves and canals, along with towering spires make for a beautiful sight. The Nazi bombardment of 1940 gutted most of the old city, so, you will notice that Rotterdam's architecture is an intriguing mix of old and new: modern glass skyscrapers often stand adjacent to 19th- and 18th-century buildings. During your walk, you will see three pre World War II buildings in the city center, the city hall, St. Laurence church and the White House. Explore the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, which houses a unique collection dating from the 14th century, or the Museum Voor Volkenkunde, home to ethnological exhibits, the Delfshaven quarter with the 18th century houses and the futuristic Kijk-Kubus, an upside-down housing complex.

South Queensferry is is an anchorage port, which was named after St. Margaret, the 11th century Queen of Scotland, who instigated the ferry service across the Firth of Forth which ran until the completion of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964. It is the gateway to Edinburgh, the political, commercial and cultural heart of Scotland, a gracious city noted for its superb skyline, its impressive collection of glorious architecture and its beautiful parks. Edinburgh manages to combine both ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1995. Take a walk along the old town, the city's medieval heart along the Royal Mile, marvel the imposing castle, symbol of the city and the Georgian (late 18th century) New Town and commercial heart of the city and finish your walk tasting local whiskey or beer at one of the traditional pubs which are all around the city.

Lerwick is an anchorage port, the capital of the archipelago of the Shetland islands, the most northerly of the British Isles, over one hundred in number, of which a mere 16 are inhabited. The town is located on the eastern shore of Mainland, the largest Shetland Island and it was largely developed by Dutch herring fisherman in the 17th century. The islands are well- known for their superb crafts, ranging from woolen and cashmere knitwear to intricate lace shawls and fine jewelry.

Kirkwall is the biggest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, off the coast of northern mainland Scotland. At the heart of the town stands St. Magnus Cathedral, the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland, next to it the ruins of the former Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace. The town has two museums, the larger being Tankerness House Museum, which contains items of local historical interest within one of Scotland's best-preserved sixteenth century town-houses and the Orkney Wireless Museum, dealing with the history of radio and recorded sound. During your visit, you will also notice many 17th-18th-century houses in the local vernacular style. Kirkwall is a bustling market town, a lively centre for shopping and eating out.

Stornoway is an idyllic town on the Isle of Lewis, in the Western Isles, an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. Stornoway was founded by Vikings in the early 9th century. Today, it is the main port of the island due to its sheltered location. The Western Isles offer stunning sceneries and have a rich history. It is worth visiting the prehistoric Callanish Stones, a local landmark on the Isle of Lewis, constructed 1000 years before Stonehenge.

The capital of Northern Ireland - part of the United Kingdom - Belfast, stretches along both sides of the River Lagan. It is a graceful city of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, which has become a cosmopolitan tourist destination, famed for its linen and its shipyards. Major industrial center in the 19th century, Belfast is also our gateway to the rich, Irish countryside of Counties Antrim and Down. Explore this exuberant city, discover The Murals, vividly painted on houses, marvel the bizarre landscape at the Giant's Causeway, visit the Museum Titanic Belfast or shop for superb Irish linens. Don't miss Belfast Castle at Cave Hill Country Park and Albert Memorial Clock Tower, a clock tower situated at Queen's Square in 1869 and one of the best known landmarks of Belfast.

Liverpool, England, an industrial town on the River Mersey about 290 km northwest of London. Liverpool's biggest claim to fame is its identity as home of the Beatles. We highly recommend a visit to the Liverpool Cathedral (Anglican), offering an outstanding view, to the Merseyside Maritime Museum, which reflects the city's considerable shipping history as one of the world's greatest seaports, the Beatles Story, which reveals the singers' early lives in Liverpool and their rise to stardom, and for art lovers, the Walker Gallery, which exhibits such periods as the 17th century masters (Rembrandt, Rubens and Ruysdael); 18th century British (Gainsborough, Reynolds and Wedgwood); Impressionism (Cezanne, Degas, Matisse, Monet and Rodin); Romanticism and early 19th century British (Constable and Turner); plus Medieval, Renaissance and High Victorian periods crafts, designs and sculptures.

Greenock is a port located on the steep west central Lowlands of Scotland, approximately 45 minutes from Glasgow. Located on the River Clyde, Greenock is offering spectacular views to the mountains beyond. From the looming Victorian tower in Cathcart Square to the McLean Museum and Art Gallery on Union Street, you’ll find plenty to see and do. Time allowing, don't miss the panorama from Craig's Top on the Lyle Hill, overlooking Greenock and Gourock.

Cork is located in the south of Ireland. The Port of Cork is the second largest natural harbor in the world. The city is divided by the River Lee in two parts, which are joined by bridges.

Visible for miles from sea, the White Cliffs of Dover are an instantly recognizable symbol of England. These white cliffs face the European continent at the narrowest part of the English Channel and have long been a semaphore of welcome and farewell. From its founding by Rome more than 2 millennia ago, the city has become a global center of almost everything: history, theater, art, architecture, literature, sports, business, fashion, and rock and roll. Cruise visitors can explore 13th century Dover Castle which dominates the harbour and journey into London, Britain's ever-fascinating capital. There, they can explore the notorious Tower of London and view the Crown Jewels, visit Windsor Castle or see Westminster Abbey. Dover is also your gateway to Kent's green countryside, dotted with old medieval towns and castles.

The Port of Amsterdam is one of the most impressive harbors of Europe. Its industrial appearance turns it into a mysterious spectacle. The city is the economic and cultural center of the Netherlands. It is an "open museum", with beautiful canals, bridges, endless walkways and bike lanes.

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 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.

Leixões is a cruise terminal in Portugal, located near the city of Porto which is known mostly for its port wine trade. Porto is one of Europe's oldest cities, dating back to the 4th century, when it served as an important commercial port where the Atlantic Ocean and Douro River meet.

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.

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.

Since its founding as a Roman colony in 138 B.C., the Visigoths, the Moors, the Catalan and Aragonese and the modern tomato-throwers have thrived on the shores of the Mediterranean at the Gulf of Valencia. Valencia is a mix of the old and the new. The historic past is depicted in the stone geometry of the Valencia Cathedral,  the mediaeval gates of the Serrano and Quart towers, or the Tribunal de las Aguas (Water Court) and one of the most iconic examples of Gothic architecture in Europe, the Lonja de la Seda, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. The new facet is embodied in the arching white steel of the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava.

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.