Dover, Amsterdam, Bilbao, La Coruna, Leixoes, Lisbon, Malaga, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona, La Valletta, Alexandria, Limassol, Rhodes, Bodrum, Istanbul, Piraeus/Athens

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.

Valletta, The Fortress City, Citta' Umilissima, "a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen" is Malta's capital city: a living, working city, the administrative and commercial heart of the Islands. The city is busy by day, yet retains a timeless atmosphere. The grid of narrow streets boasts some of Europe's finest art works, churches and palaces, among which St. John's Co-Cathedral, with its elaborate inlaid marble tombstones and Caravaggios and the Grand Master's Palace. Enjoy visiting the famous Three Cities across the Grand Harbour and if you have time, Sliema/ St. Julian's/ Paceville area, renowned for its cosmopolitan feel and lively nightlife.

Founded in c. 331 BC by Alexander the Great, Alexandria became an important center of the Hellenistic civilization and remained the capital of Hellenistic and Roman & Byzantine Egypt for almost one thousand years. Alexandria flourished as the most important harbor and capital of Egypt and today is the second biggest city in the country. The Royal Library or Ancient Library of Alexandria, was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world. The impressive city wad built on the delta of the river Nile and often is characterized as the "bright pearl of the Mediterranean". It is filled with museums and provides access to the Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Founded in c. 331 BC by Alexander the Great, Alexandria became an important center of the Hellenistic civilization and remained the capital of Hellenistic and Roman & Byzantine Egypt for almost one thousand years. Alexandria flourished as the most important harbor and capital of Egypt and today is the second biggest city in the country. The Royal Library or Ancient Library of Alexandria, was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world. The impressive city wad built on the delta of the river Nile and often is characterized as the "bright pearl of the Mediterranean". It is filled with museums and provides access to the Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus and important transit harbor in the Mediterranean, located on the island's south coast, in the Greek sector of Cyprus. A delicious place to sun-worship. Limassol Castle occupies a dominant position in the landmark and tourist attractions in the city. It is the imperial castle where Richard the Lionhearted married Queen Berengaria in 1191. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of Museums (Archaeological, Folk Art) and archaeological sites (Kourion, Limassol Castle, Amathus Ruins etc).

Rhodes is an enchanting island that shines green and white, surrounded by the blue waters of the eastern Aegean. It is strewn with small towns and was merely one of the most glorious cities of antiquity, the world- renowned Island of the Knights. The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, stood more than 100 feet high at the edge of the harbor, before an earthquake toppled it in 226 B.C. Of the statue, nothing remains, but Rhodes Old Town, a World Heritage Site, remains one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and a place of pilgrimage for cruise travelers. Stroll along the medieval streets and the wonderful fortifications, walk along the Street of the Knights and visit the Palace of the Knights.

A cruise to Istanbul (nee Constantinople nee Byzantium) takes you to the world's only two-continent metropolis, steeped with nearly 10 millennia of history. We will cross Galata Bridge to the old city, go past the Süleymaniye Mosque, whose 174-foot dome was once the highest in the Ottoman Empire, pass from the ancient city walls, built by Constantine, and beneath the epic Roman aqueduct. Don't miss the visit to the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Agia Sophia, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and enjoy the views to Bosphorus and Galata Tower. The aromas and scents of curry, saffron, and myrrh fill the air. A unique city of unparalleled beauty that will enchant you.

A cruise to Istanbul (nee Constantinople nee Byzantium) takes you to the world's only two-continent metropolis, steeped with nearly 10 millennia of history. We will cross Galata Bridge to the old city, go past the Süleymaniye Mosque, whose 174-foot dome was once the highest in the Ottoman Empire, pass from the ancient city walls, built by Constantine, and beneath the epic Roman aqueduct. Don't miss the visit to the Blue Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque, Agia Sophia, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and enjoy the views to Bosphorus and Galata Tower. The aromas and scents of curry, saffron, and myrrh fill the air. A unique city of unparalleled beauty that will enchant you.

Piraeus port is the gateway to Athens center. Don't miss the Parthenon, the temple to Athena which looms over Athens from its perch atop the Acropolis, an eternal icon of art and civilization. Completed in 438 B.C., the temple still astounds as the flowering of Greek art and architecture. When you come down off the hill, don't miss a visit to the Ancient Agora, Syntagma Square, the Acropolis Museum and the city's historic centre, around Plaka. Ideally, sit and relax at a cafe on the foot of the hill, sample some Greek souvlaki or a frappe, take a glance back up the hill from time to time and give the goddess her due.