Barcelona, Valencia, Cartagena-, Lisbon, Leixoes, Bordeaux, La rochelle, Portsmouth, Dover, Portland, Cork, Fishguard, Douglas, Belfast (NORTHERN IRELAND), Isle of Bute, Rothesay, Oban-, Ullapool, Newhaven (Edinburgh), Newcastle, Great yarmouth

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.

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.

Cartagena is major naval station located in south-eastern Spain, in the autonomus Region of Murcia. Since its foundation in 229 B.C, it has been inhabited by several cultures which have left their mark on its artistic heritage as one of the most important defensive ports in the country. The highlights of the city include the Muralla del Mar ('Sea Wall'), built by Charles III (18th century), the Old Cathedral located on the Camino del Parque Torres (behind the Muralla del Mar wall), the recently restored Roman Theatre (among its numerous other Roman remains, built between the 5th and 1st centuries BC), the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology ARQUA (at Paseo Alfonso XII, 22), the Town Hall, a gem of modernist architecture dating from the early 20th century and a number of modernist buildings made for its military fortifications. The best way to learn more about the Modernist architecture of Cartagena is to take a walk along the Calle Mayor, which leads off the Plaza del Ayuntamiento square. Here visitors will find the houses of Cervantes and Llagostera, by the Cartagena architect Victor Beltrí. Time given, don't miss Concepción Castle, built on one of the five hills of the old Carthagena and today home of the Centre for the Interpretation of Cartagena's History.

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.

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.

Bordeaux is the legendary land of wine and monumental architecture. The breathtaking capital of the wine world is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, with over 360 historic monuments within its borders, it is also classified as a “City of Art and History.” See the elegant port city of Bordeaux on foot and experience the rich culture and architecture of the city as well as a tasting at the wine museum

Bordeaux is the legendary land of wine and monumental architecture. The breathtaking capital of the wine world is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, with over 360 historic monuments within its borders, it is also classified as a “City of Art and History.” See the elegant port city of Bordeaux on foot and experience the rich culture and architecture of the city as well as a tasting at the wine museum

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.

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.

Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located on an outstanding setting on the coast of Maine. Visitors can stroll with ease around the historic buildings, the vibrant arts district, the waterfront and the revitalized warehouse districts of Portland’s Old Port.

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.

Fishguard is a coastal town in south-west Wales, situated at the back of the north- facing Fishguard Bay. The city grew up at the beginning of the 20th century, with the development of its harbor

Douglas is the capital and largest town of the Isle of Man, at the mouth of the River Douglas. It is the Island's main hub for business, finance, legal services, shipping, transport, shopping, and entertainment. During your visit, you will see the Tower of Refuge (1832), a small castle-like shelter built upon Conister Rockin Douglas Bay as a sanctuary for shipwrecked sailors, the Jubilee clock, a street clock built in 1887 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign, and Douglas Head, the rocky point overlooking Douglas Bay and harbour. Among the most popular tourist attractions are the horse-drawn trams that run along the promenade from the Sea Terminal to the Manx Electric Railway station, 2,6 kms, from spring to early autumn.

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.

The Isle of Bute  is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. It is divided into highland and lowland areas by the Highland Boundary Fault. Watson and Mac an Tàilleir support a derivation from Old Irish bót ("fire"), perhaps in reference to signal fires, This reference to beacon fires may date from the Viking period, when the island was probably known to the Norse as Bót. The  island was also known during the Viking era as Rothesay, possibly referring to the personal name Roth or Roderick and the Old Norse suffix ey ("island"). This name was eventually taken by the main town on the island, whose Gaelic name is Baile Bhòid ("town of Bute")

Ullapool is a village of around 1,500 inhabitants in Ross-shire, Scottish Highlands. Despite its small size it is the largest settlement for many miles around and an important port and tourist destination. The North Atlantic Drift passes Ullapool, moderating the temperature. A few Cordyline australis or New Zealand cabbage trees are grown in the town and are often mistaken for palms. The Ullapool River flows through the village.

Newhaven is a district in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland, between Leith and Granton and about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the city centre that was formerly a village and harbour on the Firth of Forth. Newhaven was designated a conservation area, one of 40 such areas in Edinburgh, in 1977.

It has a very distinctive building form, typical of many Scottish fishing villages, with a 'forestair' leading to accommodation at first floor level. The lower ground floor was used for storing nets. More modern housing dating from the 1960s has replicated the style of these older buildings.

Victoria Primary School, established in the 1840s, is a historic building in Newhaven Main Street and the oldest local council primary school still in use within the City of Edinburgh. It has a school roll of around 145 children.

The new Western Harbour development extends north into the Firth of Forth from Newhaven. It is also the home of Next Generation Sports Centre (now named David Lloyd Newhaven Harbour), where the tennis player Sir Andy Murray regularly played as a youngster.

A former industrial town, Newcastle-upon-Tyne today is a rejuvenated and modern city, on the River Tyne and boasts six impressive bridges, among which the graceful double arched Millennium Bridge. Head to the city centre for a visit at the Castle Keep, which dates back to Norman times and to which the city owes its name. Don’t miss the superbly elegant Grainger Town district, with its Neoclassical architecture, home to the Theatre Royal and an array of lively restaurants, bars, cafes, galleries and independent boutiques. You will find lots of bargains ar Eldon Square, the UK’s largest city-centre shopping complex, for ‘best of British’ shopping. Be sure to explore Grey’s Street and Grey’s Monument, erected to commemorate Earl Grey who also gave his name to the famous blend of aromatic tea.

Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is located at the mouth of the River Yare, approximately 20 miles (30 km) east of Norwich.The town has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the North Sea. For hundreds of years it was a major fishing port, depending mainly on the herring fishery, but its fishing industry suffered a steep decline in the second half of the 20th century, and has now all but disappeared. The discovery of oil in the North Sea in the 1960s led to a flourishing oil rig supply industry, and today it services offshore natural gas rigs. More recently, the development of renewable energy sources, especially offshore wind power, has created further opportunities for support services. A wind farm of 30 generators is within sight of the town on the Scroby Sands. The town has a beach and two piers.

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.