Southampton, Honfleur, Brest, La rochelle, Gijon, Leixoes, Lisbon, Tangier, Palma De Mallorca, Barcelona

Southampton is the largest city of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Southampton is a major port.  It was the point of departure for the RMS Titanic in 1912.

Southampton is the largest city of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Southampton is a major port.  It was the point of departure for the RMS Titanic in 1912.

The peaceful setting of the picturesque port of Honfleur along the estuary of the River Seine attracted many artists and writers over the years including French painter Boudin, French poet Charles Baudelaire and many Impressionist Painters. The 15^th century wooden church and the Impressionist paintings of the Musée Eugene Boudin are worth visiting. Honfleur is a place of great historic charm and throughout its history numerous maritime journeys were initiated from here. In the early sixteenth century, Paulmier de Gouenville sailed to Brazil from here and Jean Denis set out on an exploration of the St. Lawrence River. During the early part of the next century, Champlain set sail from Honfleur to discover Quebec and later La Salle set sail on his voyage down the Mississippi and named the Louisiana after the King of France. From here it is possible to visit Monet's Garden, the Normandy Beaches and Bayeux, home of the world-famous Bayeux tapestry which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England and survives from the Middle Ages.

The peaceful setting of the picturesque port of Honfleur along the estuary of the River Seine attracted many artists and writers over the years including French painter Boudin, French poet Charles Baudelaire and many Impressionist Painters. The 15^th century wooden church and the Impressionist paintings of the Musée Eugene Boudin are worth visiting. Honfleur is a place of great historic charm and throughout its history numerous maritime journeys were initiated from here. In the early sixteenth century, Paulmier de Gouenville sailed to Brazil from here and Jean Denis set out on an exploration of the St. Lawrence River. During the early part of the next century, Champlain set sail from Honfleur to discover Quebec and later La Salle set sail on his voyage down the Mississippi and named the Louisiana after the King of France. From here it is possible to visit Monet's Garden, the Normandy Beaches and Bayeux, home of the world-famous Bayeux tapestry which depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England and survives from the Middle Ages.

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. 

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.

Gijón is a coastal city in Asturias province in northwest Spain, located on the Bay of Biscay, close to the cities of Aviles and Oviedo. There are many findings from the Paleolithic period in the area.

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.

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.

Tangier is part of the Kingdom of Morocco, Africa's whitewashed gateway to Europe and the Mediterranean, a rich blend of cultures, exotic souks, colourful riads, the Kasbah, lively markets.. Wide palm-lined boulevards and humming souks are Tangier's distinctively Moroccan characteristics, but Spanish, French and Berber influences are found everywhere: watch the arched wooden doors, the hefty silver ornamentations, the tighly-woven carpets that tell tribal legends.You can take a tour at the caves of Hercules and the colourful souks of the Old Medina, the Kasbah and the majestic mountains of the Rif.

Palma is a busy commercial and cultural center, capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands of Spain. Situated on the south coast of the island on the Bay of Palma, it became a tourist destination in the 1950s and till today it is considered as one of Europe’s major holiday destinations.The historic centre is the oldest part of the city and a refreshing area for a stroll at the narrow and shady streets, which will give you a chance to peek in at a number of private courtyards. The city flourished during the 19th century and today, it mixes perfectly, the modern hotel chains and flashy shops with the old architecture in the Old Town. A walk along the narrow streets will reveal the restored 13-th century cathedral standing proud in the center of town. Among Palma's lovely sights are the Gothic-style Bellver Castle, the Almudaina Palace, once home to Mallorcan kings, the Arab bath building, the only building dating to the Arab settlement, Plaça del Mercat and interesting art nouveau buildings.

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.