The Diverse West Coast Of Europe

If you look north of the cathedral (La Seu, or the seat of the bishopric, to Mallorcans) on a map of the city of Palma, you can see around the Plaça Santa Eulàlia a jumble of tiny streets that made up the earliest settlement. Farther out, a ring of wide boulevards traces the fortifications built by the Moors to defend the larger city that emerged by the 12th century. The zigzags mark the bastions that jutted out at regular intervals. By the end of the 19th century, most of the walls had been demolished; the only place where you can still see the massive defenses is at Ses Voltes, along the seafront west of the cathedral.A torrent (streambed) used to run through the middle of the old city, dry for most of the year but often a raging flood in the rainy season. In the 17th century it was diverted to the east, along the moat that ran outside the city walls. Two of Palma's main arteries, La Rambla and the Passeig d'es Born, now follow the stream's natural course. The traditional evening paseo (promenade) takes place on the Born.If you come to Palma by car, park in the garage beneath the Parc de la Mar (the ramp is just off the highway from the airport, as you reach the cathedral) and stroll along the park. Beside it run the huge bastions guarding the Almudaina Palace; the cathedral, golden and massive, rises beyond. Where you exit the garage, there's a ceramic mural by the late Catalan artist and Mallorca resident Joan Miró, facing the cathedral across the pool that runs the length of the park.If you begin early enough, a walk along the ramparts at Ses Voltes from the mirador beside the cathedral is spectacular. The first rays of the sun turn the upper pinnacles of La Seu bright gold and then begin to work their way down the sandstone walls. From the Parc de la Mar, follow Avinguda Antoni Maura past the steps to the palace. Just below the Plaça de la Reina, where the Passeig d'es Born begins, turn left on Carrer de la Boteria into the Plaça de la Llotja (if the Llotja itself is open, don't miss a chance to visit—it's the Mediterranean's finest Gothic-style civic building). From there stroll through the Plaça Drassana to the Museu d'Es Baluard, at the end of Carrer Sant Pere. Retrace your steps to Avinguda Antoni Maura. Walk up the Passeig d'es Born to Plaça Joan Carles I, then right on Avenida de La Unió.

Marbella on the Costa del Sol appeals to visitors thanks to its sophisticated charm and long history: originally founded by the Phoenicians, in the mid-1950s the city started to become a meeting point for the international jet set. Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe made the Marbella Club the place to be, and in the 1970s Arab aristocrats like the Saudi King and the Emirs of Abu Dhabi and Qatar arrived in town. Today, the newly renovated seafront promenade and the charming little streets around the Plaza de los Naranjos are a great place for a stroll. Numerous bars, restaurants and luxury boutiques add to the special atmosphere of Marbella – a city where tradition and modernity come together in harmony.

The copper-red cliffs along the Algarve coast, which rise almost vertically from the deep-blue sea, make Portimao a real highlight. The charming old town and the marina are perfect for relaxed walks, while the Praia da Rocha – an endless, golden shimmering beach – invites you to soak up the sun and enjoy. Numerous other bays, dune islands and crystal-clear water are perfect for beach days at your own leisure, which will quickly make you forget the everyday.

Portimão is a major fishing port, and significant investment has been poured into transforming it into an attractive cruise port as well. The city itself is spacious and has several good shopping streets—though sadly many of the more traditional retailers have closed in the wake of the global economic crisis. There is also a lovely riverside area that just begs to be strolled (lots of the coastal cruises depart from here). Don’t leave without stopping for an alfresco lunch at the Doca da Sardinha ("sardine dock") between the old bridge and the railway bridge. You can sit at one of many inexpensive establishments, eating charcoal-grilled sardines (a local specialty) accompanied by chewy fresh bread, simple salads, and local wine.

A unique blend of magnificent palaces, historic monasteries and picturesque narrow streets greets visitors to the Portuguese capital. Lisbon has a magical charm of times gone by and surprises in store at every corner. The medieval Castelo de Sao Jorge stands guard over the city, while the Alfama district with its narrow winding streets and staircases offers an authentic insight into the old Lisbon. Don’t miss a trip on the famous Tram 28, which winds its way up and down the hills. Cafes, shops and street sellers make the city centre a lively place to be. With its many lifts and trams, the city’s steep hills are easy to explore and its many sights can be reached on foot.

Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.

Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.

A real gem on the French coast of the Basque Country – Saint-Jean-de-Luz is an enchanting little place with its traditional fishing port and elegant beach front promenade. The restaurants and bars are inviting places to try the region’s famous specialities, including Gateau Basque and fresh seafood. The charming old part of town with its narrow cobbled streets and colourful timbered houses is steeped in history: the impressive Church of St. John the Baptist hosted the wedding of the Sun King Louis XIV and Maria Teresa of Spain in 1660. The nearby Grande Plage is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the sunshine – perfect for soaking up the charm of the Basque coast.

Located on the Medoc peninsula at the Gironde estuary, Le Verdon-sur-Mer is an idyllic coastal resort combining charm and natural beauty. Impressive views over the Atlantic and long sandy beaches like the Plage de la Chambrette make it easy to leave everyday life behind. Don’t miss visiting the busy port, where traders sell fresh seafood, as well as a walk past the pretty holiday houses and traditional fishermen’s huts. Nature lovers will enjoy the nearby Medoc Nature Park with its variety of hiking and cycle paths through the dunes and pine and oak forests – a place where you can really enjoy the beautiful natural scenery to the full.

Situated on the Garonne River, 70 miles (113 km) inland from the Atlantic, Bordeaux's origin can be traced back to the 3rd century when it was Aquitaine's Roman capital called Burdigala. From 1154 to 1453, the town prospered under the rule of the English, whose fondness for the region's red wines gave impetus to the local wine industry. At various times, Bordeaux even served as the nation's capital: in 1870, at the beginning of World War I, and for two weeks in 1940 before the Vichy government was proclaimed. Bordeaux's neo-classical architecture, wide avenues and well-tended public squares and parks lend the city a certain grandeur. Excellent museums, an imposing cathedral and a much-praised theatre add to the city's attractions. The principal highlights, clustered around the town centre, can easily be explored on foot.

Charming Honfleur in the Calvados department in the Lower Normandy region is a port with around 6,500 inhabitants on the Seine estuary. The picturesque little town is enchanting with its narrow streets, timbered houses and the church of Sainte Catherine, which is built entirely of wood. With records going back to the 11th, century, Honfleur was an important trading post and was once occupied by the Vikings. In the 19th century, the Impressionists discovered the town: famous painters like Monet, Courbet and Cezanne found inspiration in the picturesque port. Today, Honfleur and the Musee Eugene Boudin are a must for culture lovers and visitors who want to enjoy the town’s special charm.

Honfleur, the most picturesque of the Côte Fleurie's seaside towns, is a time-burnished place with a surplus of half-timber houses and cobbled streets that are lined with a stunning selection of stylish boutiques. Much of its Renaissance architecture remains intact—especially around the 17th-century Vieux Bassin harbor, where the water is fronted on one side by two-story stone houses with low, sloping roofs and on the other by tall slate-topped houses with wooden facades. Maritime expeditions (including some of the first voyages to Canada) departed from here; later, Impressionists were inspired to capture it on canvas. But the town as a whole has become increasingly crowded since the Pont de Normandie opened in 1995. Providing a direct link with Upper Normandy, the world's sixth-largest cable-stayed bridge is supported by two concrete pylons taller than the Eiffel Tower and designed to resist winds of 257 kph (160 mph).

On the banks of the River Schelde, Antwerp is one of Belgium’s liveliest port and cultural cities. Since the Middle Ages, Europe’s second largest port has brought prosperity to the city and connected it to the North Sea. Still today, the magnificent guild houses on the Grote Markt and the impressive railway station stand as testament to the riches of the past. In the 17th century, it was home to Peter Paul Rubens and you can admire his impressive works of art in his former residence and studio, as well as in the Gothic Church of Our Lady. The cathedral has the highest church tower in Flanders and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Superlatives are also to be found in the Diamond Quarter, famous for the Antwerp Cut.

Explore Antwerp, Belgium's second city. Known for its diamond cutting industry, fashion and the many great artists that lived in its vicinity, Antwerp is a city focused on art and culture.

Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city with a history dating back to Charlemagne. A major port, this vibrant city is home to art and culture, extensive shopping facilities, Baroque buildings and waterfront vistas. With its well-known fish market, art galleries and Museums together with several beautiful parks including a botanical garden, this is a city with something for everyone. British visitors who remember the Swinging Sixties may like to visit the streets around Grosse Freiheit, where an unknown pop group called The Beatles gave their first public performances in various local clubs before achieving worldwide fame.