Itinerary
Day 1 : London/ENGLAND
Day 2 : At Sea
Day 3 : Cork/IRELAND
Day 4 : Galway/IRELAND
Day 5 : Killybegs/IRELAND
Day 6 : Belfast
Day 7 : Douglas
Day 8 : Dublin/IRELAND
Discover the relics of old Ireland on a port call to Dun Laoghaire, located only 15 minutes from Dublin. In Dublin, visit Trinity College and St. Patrick''s Cathedral. Tour the emerald countryside of Portmamock, and visit nearby Malahide Castle, or see the magnificent Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow. Save time, too, for Dublin''s colorful pubs, or a visit to the world-renowned Guinness brewery.
Day 9 : Waterford/IRELAND
Arriving at Waterford is spectacular. It is a big event for this small town and the people warmly welcome you. Tour its famous crystal factory and watch how it's done. Or, enjoy a drive across Ireland's scenic countryside.
Day 10 : Plymouth/ENGLAND
Plymouth is a vibrant port city with a rich maritime history, located on the south coast of England. It is home to the historic Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrims set sail for America in 1620. The city boasts attractions like the National Marine Aquarium, the Royal William Yard, and the beautiful Hoe, offering stunning views of Plymouth Sound and the English Channel. Visitors can explore its diverse cultural scene, enjoy waterfront dining, and learn about its naval heritage.
Day 11 : London/ENGLAND
Day 12 : Bruges/BELGIUM
A crossroad in the English Channel for centuries, Zeebrugge is the entry to Flanders, whose golden age heritage resides in three historic cities: Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges-a jewel of a town beribboned with picturesque canals and a truly charming medieval beauty. In this region, museums proudly display the glories of the old Flemish masters, from Van Dyck to Rubens, and summertime is delightful when window boxes boast colorful flowers and the graceful arcs of windmills can be seen.
Day 13 : Paris/FRANCE
The mark of a great city is the many different impressions it can leave on any one person. When I say Paris, what do you think of first? The Eiffel Tower? The Louvre? The Arc de Triomphe? Notre Dame? Do you think fashion, romance, food, or fun? It is this diversity that elevates Paris to the top of any list that tries to compare the world''s best cities.
Day 14 : Paris/FRANCE
The mark of a great city is the many different impressions it can leave on any one person. When I say Paris, what do you think of first? The Eiffel Tower? The Louvre? The Arc de Triomphe? Notre Dame? Do you think fashion, romance, food, or fun? It is this diversity that elevates Paris to the top of any list that tries to compare the world''s best cities.
Day 15 : St. Peter Port/CHANNEL ISL.
On the Channel Islands of England.
Day 16 : Brest/FRANCE
Day 17 : La Rochelle/FRANCE
Day 18 : Bordeaux/FRANCE
World renowned for its liquid namesake, Bordeaux's vineyards begin at the town's doorstep. Drive through the countryside to admire the richness of this region laden with grapevines and dotted with picturesque chateaux. Head north up to Pauillac along the Haute-Medoc wine road where some of the finest clarets are cultivated.
Day 19 : Bordeaux/FRANCE
World renowned for its liquid namesake, Bordeaux's vineyards begin at the town's doorstep. Drive through the countryside to admire the richness of this region laden with grapevines and dotted with picturesque chateaux. Head north up to Pauillac along the Haute-Medoc wine road where some of the finest clarets are cultivated.
Day 20 : At Sea
Day 21 : Bilbao/SPAIN
Day 22 : Gijon/SPAIN
Day 23 : La Coruna/SPAIN
Day 24 : Leixoes/PORTUGAL
Day 25 : Lisbon/PORTUGAL
Lisbon is many cities, from the cobbled alleys of the Alfama district to the broad Parisian style avenues at its heart. View it all from the heights of St. George's Castle. Belem's Monument to the Discoveries recalls the seafaring past, while nearby Sintra's storybook palaces, and the seaside resort of Caiscais, have different tales to tell.
Day 26 : Lisbon/PORTUGAL
Lisbon is many cities, from the cobbled alleys of the Alfama district to the broad Parisian style avenues at its heart. View it all from the heights of St. George's Castle. Belem's Monument to the Discoveries recalls the seafaring past, while nearby Sintra's storybook palaces, and the seaside resort of Caiscais, have different tales to tell.
Day 27 : Tangier/MOROCCO
The "Gateway to Africa," located at its northwestern tip, Tangier is a fashionable resort that retains all of its age-old mystery and excitement. French and Islamic influences meet and merge in this fascinating old city. Mosques and minarets overlook the shadowy streets of the bazaar, while the higher part of town, with its broad boulevards and lovely parks, looks down on the ocean.
Day 28 : Edinburgh
...known for having the best weather in all of Spain...Almeria is best known as the capital of Spain''s grape industry...The buildings and religious structures of the city are amazingly well-crafted, and a walking tour of Almeria is great fun.
Day 29 : Cartagena/COLOMBIA
Charming Cartagena is one of the most fascinating towns in South America. The old city, almost completely surrounded by lagoons, bays and the Caribbean Sea, is still girded by its 17th-century fortifications. Once these guarded the gold and treasures of the New World, bound for Spain; now they shelter ornate churches and convents, the dramatic Palace of the Inquisition, and other historic gems.
Day 30 : Palma/SPAIN
The major island in the chain known as the Balearics, Mallorca is Spain's sunny outpost in the Mediterranean. The town of Palma boasts a shady plaza near the Gothic Cathedral. Visit the Roman ruins and the Drach Caves nearby, or journey to the enchanting village of Valledemosa. Leave time to shop for lovely majolica faux pearls and hand-made lace.
Day 31 : Barcelona/SPAIN
Barcelona is the cultural heartland of Spain, yet its first language is Catalan, the native tongue of the proudly independent Catalonia region. Stroll down the shady, tree-lined Ramblas between street musicians and elegant bistros. Then perhaps visit the venerable Gothic cathedral, Picasso Museum or enjoy the architectural genius of Antonio Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family.
Day 32 : Marseille/FRANCE
Marseille is France's second largest city, but it often goes unnoticed and unvisited by travelers... They are missing out on one of France's most diverse cities, both in terms of people and activities... Today, Marseille faces the same problems as any growing city. Crime is an issue, as is racial tension between the native French population and the arriving North African immigrants. Twenty-five percent of the population in Marseille is of North African descent, and that number is growing. But the city has come to embrace its newfound diversity, and is eager to put its best foot forward to attract a piece of the ever-growing tourism industry.
Day 33 : Nice/FRANCE
This village of 7,000 inhabitants is hidden among wooded slopes, above the crystalline waters of the Cote d'Azure. The town itself is delightful, with medieval chapels and an impressive hilltop fortress built by the Duke of Savoy in 1560. And, just up the coast are the luxuries of Nice and the extravagance of Monte Carlo.
Day 34 : Florence/pisa/ITALY
The achievements of the Renaissance have been preserved and lovingly cared for by the city...artists like Botticelli and Michelangelo were encouraged to produce masterpieces like the Birth of Venus and David. Advancements in architecture, the likes of which hadn't been seen before in Europe... But before you think that Florence is a city trapped in the past, know that it is a highly modernized Italian town...Florence has also emerged as one of the leading shopping and dining destinations in Italy
Day 35 : Rome/ITALY
The port of Civitavecchia is the gateway to The Eternal City, where all roads lead. Mad traffic careens past monuments of the great civilizations of the past. You will want to see it all: the soaring inspiration of St. Peter's, the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel; the flow of life along the Spanish Steps, the Coliseum, the Via Veneto and Trevi Fountain. Be sure to leave time for la dolce vita in one of the piazzas.
Day 36 : Messina/ITALY
The setting for Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, Messina has much to offer in the way of history. Its dramatic, boulder-filled harbor has challenged navigators since the days of Ulysses. Try to visit the city's Bell Tower at the stroke of noon--the hour when one of the world's largest and most fanciful mechanical clocks springs into action. Messina's museum is also noteworthy for its Renaissance masterworks.
Day 37 : At Sea
Day 38 : Chania
Day 39 : Santorini/GREECE
With its steep volcanic flanks looming straight up from the sea, and the tiny white village of Thira clinging high atop the cliffs, Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking and legendary of all the Greek Isles. To the south is Akrotiri, where recent Minoan excavations support the theories that Santorini might be the fabled lost continent of Atlantis.
Day 40 : Athens/GREECE
Piraeus is the seaport for Athens, the capital of western civilization, which boasts a fantastic mix of classical ruins and vivacious modern life. In a single day, you can climb the hill of the Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and then find a welcoming taverna for some spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and with luck, energetic Greek dancing.
Day 41 : Ephesus/TURKEY
Day 42 : Istanbul/TURKEY
Once called Constantinople, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire is the only city in the world to straddle two continents: Europe and Asia. This is the Golden Horn, the door between East and West, and your first vision of its domes and minarets is unforgetable. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Sultan treasures in Topkapi Palace await - as does the Grand Bazaar, laden with carpets, beaten brass and spices from afar.
Day 43 : Istanbul/TURKEY
Once called Constantinople, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire is the only city in the world to straddle two continents: Europe and Asia. This is the Golden Horn, the door between East and West, and your first vision of its domes and minarets is unforgetable. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Sultan treasures in Topkapi Palace await - as does the Grand Bazaar, laden with carpets, beaten brass and spices from afar.