Rotterdam, Alesund, Trondheim, Leknes, Lofoten, Tromso, Andalsnes, Bergen, Lerwick, Bruges (Brussels - Zeebrugge), Portsmouth, Cherbourg, Brest, Falmouth, Fort Lauderdale

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.

Ålesund is a picturesque fishing port at the mouth of Stor Fjord located between Bergen and Trondheim in the district of Sunnmøre and is the gateway to the surrounding fjords- Geirangefjord and Hjørundfjord- and the stunning Sunnmøre Alps. A massive fire, which burst in 1904, destroyed 800 buildings in this fishing port, which was reborn with the support of Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II and rebuilt in the then-popular Art Nouveau style, known as Jugendstil. The result is one of the prettiest ports in Norway, boasting llovely buildings with medieval facades, elegant turrets and spires along the streets of the city center. Today, it is still one of Norway's most important fishing harbors and the world's largest supplier of Klipfish - dried cod. Your walk will lead you through Gågata pedstrial way, canalι Brosundet and Aalesunds Museum, while Aksla hill in the heart of the city (a mere 418 step climb if you are feeling mildly energetic!), offers a great panoramic view.

Trondheim is the third largest - and second oldest - city in Norway, founded in AD 997, as a Viking seat of power, by Viking king Olav Tryggvason, serving as Norway's royal capital in the 11th and 12th centuries. The city is surrounded by lovely forested hills and the Nidelven River winds through it. Today, it is vivid and lively, with everything a big city can offer, but still with small-town friendliness. It has been, and still is, a popular pilgrimage site, due to the famous Nidaros Cathedral, where all Norwegian coronations take place and the crown jewels are kept. Trondheim's old city features broad avenues and attractive 17th-century wood buildings - a legacy of the rebuilding that followed a disastrous fire that leveled the city in 1681. Stroll along the charming old streets at Bakklandet that will bring you back to architectural traditions and the atmosphere of days gone by, choose between a rich variety of historical sights, museums and art galleries, and look forward to an unforgettable cultural and historical experience. For a magnificent panorama, head to Tyholt Tower (120 m., Tyholttårnet). The tower features a revolving restaurant, 80 metres up, which makes one complete revolution per hour.

The city of Leknes is located in the Lofoten archipelago on the island of Vestvågøya, in Norway. Leknes is the trading centre of the archipelago.  The city’s harbor is one of Norway's most important harbours and is regularly visited by cruise ships. The landscape is stunningly beautiful: fjords, majestic glacial formations, rocky cliffs, impressive mountains, pristine waters and white sand beaches.

Lying north of the Arctic Circle, Tromso has been a departure point for Arctic explorers and hunters since the 18th century. Midway between the Lofoten Islands and the North Cape, lies Tromso, amid some of Norway’s most fascinating coast and fjord landscapes. Today, this town of some 50.000 individuals, is home to the northernmost university in the world, which gives Tromso a lively cultural and street scene, highlighted by the annual Midnight Sun Marathon. Among its most distinctive buildings are the Domkirke, one of the biggest wooden churches in the country and the impressive Arctic Ocean Cathedral (Ishavskatedralen), built in 1965, landmark of the town, containing one of the most impressive stained-glass windows in Europe. Don't miss a visit to the famous Mack Olbryggeri beer house, of the most northern in the world. Also, Polaria, which has an arctic aquarium where the main attractions are the bearded seals, the University Museum of Tromsø and the Polar Museum, housed in a traditional wharf house from 1830 amid some of Tromsø's oldest buildings. For a breathtaking view, take Fjellheisen Cable Car and climb 420 metres above sea level to the summit of Mt. Storsteinen, for dramatic views of Tromso city and Troms Island.

This small alpine village in western Norway was approached by the first cruise lines in 1883. The once industrial town was completely destroyed by the Nazis in 1940 and since then, it has been trying to find its own rythms. It is surrounded by a truly epic scenery, perched among impressive mountains and fjords and a fisherman's paradise, where the Rauma River and majestic Romsdalsfjord yield a high volume of cod, haddock and herring. Τhe main attraction in Andalsnes is the winding Trollstigen, a winding scenic road leading to Geiranger, 2 hours away, that offers commanding views of breathtaking Geirangerfjord and the thundering Stigfossen Waterfall. If you choose to stay in town, you'll be lured in by the warmth of its quaint shops and cafes.

Beautiful Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and "Gateway to the fjord country". It overlooks the amazing Byfjorden and is surrounded by steep, forested mountains. This lively university town, was founded on an old Viking settlement in the year 1070 and has a proud history and many interesting cultural monuments. It is a designated World Heritage City and its area Bryggen (the Wharf) with its 61 "wooden buildings, houses museums, shops, restaurants and pubs is also listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. If you have time, don't miss the Fløibanen funicular ride up to Fløyen (320 m above sea level), which offers the best panorama, on a clear day. Bergen is a popular cruise destination and the leading cruise port in Norway, with around 330 cruise ship calls bringing more than 450,000 cruise passengers per year. 

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.

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.

Zeebrugge is Belgium's main gateway to Europe on the coast of the North Sea- 10 miles north of Brugge and 60 miles from Brussels- and has evolved into one of the fastest growing ports in the range of ports between Le Havre and Hamburg, which together handle more than a billion tonnes of cargo a year. From here, you can visit Bruges, the idyllic Unesco World Heritage city, founded in the 9th century by the Vikings. It has been beautifully preserved and charms its visitors by its medieval character.

The sky is dominated by the tower of Our Lady's Church (O.L.V-Kerk) that hosts the famous Madonna by Michelangelo. During your visit at the charming town, don't miss St. Salvator's Cathedral, with the eye-catching wall tapestries which were woven in the Brussels weaving manufactory Van der Borcht in 1730, the market place (Grote Markt) with the the Belfort or belfry tower - Visitors can climb the 350 steps to the top for a beautiful panoramic view of the city- the Cloth Hall - where the Flemish cloth which was manufactured in different other cities was sold to the rest of the world - and the neo-gothic style Provincial court. In the center of the Market stands the statueof Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck and several medieval-looking houses. The second largest square is the Burg Square with the gothic Town Hall (1376) and the Chapel of the Holy Blood. Chocolate lovers should visit the Chocolate Museum and Diamond Lovers, the Diamond Museum. 

Cherbourg-Octeville is a city and former commune situated at the northern end of the Cotentin peninsula in the northwestern French department of Manche. It is the most populated city in its department with 37,121 inhabitants.

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is protected by Cherbourg Harbour, between La Hague and Val de Saire, and the city has been a strategic position over the centuries, disputed between the English and French. Cited as one of the "keys to the kingdom" by Vauban, it became, by colossal maritime development work, a first-rate military port under the leadership of Louis XVI and Napoleon, and holds an arsenal of the French Navy. A stopping point for prestigious transatlantic liners in the first half of the 20th century, Cherbourg was the primary goal of US troops during the invasion of Normandy in 1944.

Along with its use as a military, fishing and yachting port, it is also a cross-Channel ferry port, with routes to the English ports of Poole and Portsmouth, the Irish port of Rosslare Harbour and St Helier on Jersey. Limited by its geographical isolation from being a great commercial port, it is nonetheless an important shipbuilding centre, and a working-class city with a rural hinterland. On Wednesday, 10 April 1912 the RMS Titanic crossed the English Channel and docked here at 7:00pm local time before raising anchor at 9:10pm local time and sailing to her final stop Queenstown, Ireland.

Brest is a naval port in Brittany in northwestern France, nestled in one of France’s most beautiful natural harbours, on two hills divided by the Penfeld River. Brest is Brittany’s second largest administrative centre, and has a great deal to offer. Although it was heavily bombed in 1944, it has rebuilt itself around a vision of the future, with incredible constructions like the Pont de l'Iroise bridge- a magnificent cable-stayed bridge which was opened in 1994 and crosses the river Elorn. Admire it from Albert Louppe bridge, which is for pedestrians and cyclists only. It’s a great place to take a walk and enjoy the view of the famous Brest harbour, the ‘Rade de Brest’, a sheltered area of the sea big enough for great ships to lie at anchor. Stroll along the docks at the Quai Commandant-Malbert, the castle which hosts the maritime museum and Tanguy Tower, located near the Recouvrance bridge. You shouldn't miss Océanopolis,  the only ocean discovery centre of its kind in Europe, with 3 thematic pavilions (polar, tropical and temperate). The centre boasts enormous aquariums and a seal clinic – as well as giving visitors the opportunity to touch some of the marine creatures living there! Before you leave, you might want to taste Brittany's most famous local delicacy, the Breton crêpe, which is the main culinary feature apart from seafood. 

Fort Lauderdale, 40 kms north of Miami, is America's Spring Break capital and a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. It bears the nickname "Venice of America", with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Visit the newly redesigned Fort Lauderdale Beach- famed as the "Yachting Capital of the World," with more than 40,000 registered crafts - and cafes, stroll the historic Riverwalk, shop the luxurious stores on Las 
Olas Boulevard, visit world-class theaters, museums or venture to the Everglades for an intriguing air boat excursion.