Copenhagen, Kristiansand, Le Havre-Paris, Vigo, Lisbon, Alicante, Barcelona, Marseille (Provence), Savona

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, was founded in the 12th century and owes much of its charm to the buildings erected by Denmark's monarchs, boasting a treasure trove of late-Renaissance and Rococo architecture. Built on a series of islands and islets, it is laced with graceful canals and boasts some of the most delightful architecture in Northern Europe. During your visit, you will see the fabled statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, a symbol of the city that keeps a thoughtful watch on the harbor, stroll along the old harbor of Nyhavn, lined with cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses, browse the superb shops on the world-famous Stroget or view the Rococo palaces lining Amalienborg Square. Best of all, savor the taste of local delicacies while wandering the paths of Tivoli Gardens, one of Europe's most celebrated pleasure gardens.

Kristiansund, the city of flowers and culture, is the capital of Southern Norway, located between the metropolises of Stavanger and Oslo. It is the country's fifth-largest city, a town of commerce, festivals and natural beauty, a city with a rich history, also known as the Klipfish (dried, salted cod) and the opera town. Beautifully situated on four islands at the edge of the ocean, Kristiansund has a spectacular harbor, an intimate, colorful and convivial town that is perfect for day trips. The access to the city center with the fish market "Fiskebrygga" and old town “Posebyen” is easy. During your walk, you will pass a 17th-century fortress, and a public beach.The town has a wide range of attractions such as the Atlantic Road, only 30 min by bus, ranked the world’s best road trip by the British newspaper ‘The Guardian’. The road, 8,3 kms long, zigzags across bridges and skerries, bringing you right out to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean!

Le Havre, on the Normandy coast, is our gateway for touring the D-Day beaches or for traveling inland, visiting the City of Light - Paris. It was founded in 1517 as a port to serve Paris and still remains its main gateway.

During your visit to the glamorous metropolis, you will see Notre Dame Cathedral, shrouded in gothic splendour and folklore, the sensational Louvre with priceless artworks, the Champs Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Last but not least, is the undisputed Parisian icon, the Eiffel Tower, which will leave its own vivid impression to your trip, offering the most magnificent panoramic view to the city.

Vigo, which clings to the slope of Monte del Castro, overlooking a namesake bay, is the gateway to Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity s holiest cities and the most venerated shrine in all Europe during the Middle Ages. An important fishing and commercial port, Vigo was first settled by Celts in 600 BC, whose legacy lingers on in the province's old legends - and in the bagpipes played on festive occasions. The city's medieval heritage is seen in the narrow streets and granite houses of the Ribera del Berbes, the old fishermen's quarter. Pilgrims from the four corners of Christendom followed the Way Of Saint James, flocking to the magnificent cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th centuries over St James' burial spotand. This enormous cathedral still draws thousands of daily visitors.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Savona is a seaport in the northern Italian region of Liguria, on the Mediterranean Sea. Savona is the home port of Costa Cruises for the cruises to East and West Mediterranean, the Canary Islands etc. It has a large, modern cruise terminal, the Palacroisière, which provides all the facilities for its passengers. Large cruise ships dock next to the marina, which is located in the historic center of the city. Most sights are within walking distance of your cruise ship, through a pedestrian bridge near the marina. One of the most important inhabitants of Savona was the navigator Christopher Columbus, whose house, a cottage, is situated in the Savona hills. Highlights are the Cattedrale di Santa Maria (17th c.), located in the heart of the old town, the Priamar palace (16th c.), a reinforced fort just outside the port, the symbol of the town Brandale tower (12th c.), and the main tower (Tower Quarda) of the city Leon Pancaldo tower (14th c.) at the entrance of the old harbor. On the old markets, you will find souvenirs and local products.