15-Day Western Europe & Med Cruise Cruise on Carnival Miracle from Dover

Dover

Today Dover is a major port town facing into the English Channel and the second busiest cruise port in the UK. What makes Dover so special is its impressive location with miles of beautiful, un-spoilt coastline and its internationally famous White Cliffs dominated by Dover Castle, known throughout the world. Dover is the town in Kent which is geographically closest to the continent and, as the world´s busiest ferry port, many justifiably describe as ´the gateway to England´. The cliffs are popular with tourists and offer the opportunity for wonderful walks and superb views out towards the English Channel. Or you may simply choose to simply gaze at them from the beach.

Le Havre (France)

Is the gateway to Paris and Normandy. In Normandy you can visit the beach or relive historical moments like the landing of Normandy. In 2005, UNESCO named the reconsturcted center World Heritage, for beeing an exceptional example of the architecture and urban design after the war. And if you prefer, you can spend the day in the romantic Paris.

Le Verdon (Bordeaux)

Lying on the south bank of the Garonne estuary, Le Verdon is your gateway to what is arguably the finest wine-producing region in the world: the vineyards surrounding Bordeaux. Though the city has long been an important trading center, the foundation of its prosperity has always rested on the wine trade. That trade began in the Middle Ages, when Bordeaux shipped Claret to England in exchange for British wool. While Bordeaux itself is a charming city that boasts superb examples of 18th-century neo-classical architecture, wine lovers are seldom able to resist the lure of the fine wine estates of the Medoc.

Bilbao (Spain)

Bilbao is a municipality and city in Spain, the capital of the province of Biscay in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. Bilbao is situated in the north-central part of Spain, some 8.7 mi south of the Bay of Biscay, where the estuary of Bilbao is formed. Its main urban core is surrounded by two small mountain ranges with an average elevation of 1,300 ft. The touristic impulse would come with the inauguration of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in 1997, being the top destination of this autonomous community. Bilbao is also an attractive destination for business tourism, mainly thanks to new venues such as the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, or the nearby Bilbao Exhibition Centre, in Barakaldo.

La Coruna (Spain)

A Coruña; known as Corunna in English is a city and municipality of Galicia. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community. The city is the provincial capital of the province of the same name A Coruña is a busy port located on a promontory in the entrance of an estuary in a large gulf on the Atlantic Ocean. The city is the site of the Roman Tower of Hercules, a lighthouse which has been in continuous operation since possibly the 2nd century AD. It has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by a large public park with a golf course and a former Muslim cemetery. The city is also well known for its characteristic

Porto (Portugal)

Porto is the second most important city in Portugal, after Lisbon. Porto is an old city that has many historical heritage sites, although during the last decades is has been modernized. It has the longest underground line in Portugal, that covers not only the centre of the city, but also the metropolitan outskirts such as Senhora da Hora or maja. The old town is included in the UNESCO world heritage site. Some of it's most important monuments are: Mercado do Bolhao, teh Cathedral, the Clerigos Church and Tower, the Crystal Palace, the town hall and the bridges over the Duero river. it is also known for the grandeur, innovation and beauty of it's bridges, dated in diferent seasons and of different architectural styles.

Lisbon

The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern constructions can be found all over Lisbon. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts. There are several substantial museums one can visit in the city. In addition, the mosaic Portuguese Pavement was born in Lisbon, in the mid-1800s. The art has since spread to the rest of the Portuguese Speaking world. The city remains one of the most expansive examples of the technique, nearly all walkways and even many streets being created and maintained in this style.

Malaga (Spain)

Malaga is the capital of Costa del Sol, or Empire of the Light, as Ortega y Gasset described it in a poem. Youll find the Picasso Museum that is devoted to the most influential artist of the twentieth century and meets the need of the artist that his work was present in the city where he was born in 1881. Youll be amazed to visit this cosmopolitan city as tourist, visiting the monuments of the Alcazaba and Giralfaro or ancient Roman theater. Not to mention the beautiful and unfinished Cathedral of the Incarnation, erected on the site which was the largest mosque in Malaga.

Toulon (France)

Toulon is France´s second most important naval port, a fine Mediterranean harbour surrounded by hills. The town has a lively atmosphere throughout the year. There is a wealth of new museums, cafes and restaurants. The centre of the modern town is Place de la Liberté, dominated by the magnificent Grand Hotel, the last vestige of former glory days. Here, too, is Place Victor Hugo with its pavement cafes and the splendid Opera de Toulon. Look out for the huge wall frescoes so typical of Toulon. The historical center is located just north of the harbour. Toulon is genuine Provence , with wonderful smells of lavender and thyme in the market places.

Livorno (Florence/Pisa)

Livorno , English traditionally Leghorn is a port city on the Ligurian Sea on the western coast of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno. Places of Interest:The New Venice district retains much of its original town planning and architectural features such as the bridges, narrow lanes, the noblemen´s houses and a dense network of canals that once served to link its warehouses to the port.The Old English Cemetery is the oldest foreign Protestant burial ground in Italy.The Museo Mascagnano houses memorabilia, documents and operas by the great composer Pietro Mascagni, who lived here. Every year some of his operas are traditionally played during the lyric music season, which is organised by the Traditional Theatre of Livorno. Also the Terrazza Mascagni, a walkway divided from the sea by a handrail, is named in his honor. Up in the hills the Sanctuary of Montenero, dedicated to Our Lady of Graces, the patron saint of Tuscany, is a destination for pilgrims. "Monument of the Four Moors", is dedicated to Grand Duke Ferdinando I de´ Medici of Tuscany, and is one of the most important monuments of Livorno. The Piazza della Repubblica contains two important monuments of Italian politicians important to the unification. A large canal passes under the square, which serves as a bridge over it. The old red brick fortress, was built during the Medici years, and defended the city from attack by pirates.

Naples (Italy)

Naples is the capital of Campania, one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea. The Port of Naples is one of the largest Italian seaport and one of the largest seaport in the Mediterranean Sea. Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Naples has long been a major cultural centre with a global sphere of influence, particularly during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. In the immediate vicinity of Naples are numerous culturally and historically significant sites, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Culinary Naples is synonymous with pizza, which originated in the city. Neapolitan music has furthermore been highly influential, credited with the invention of the romantic guitar and the mandolin, as well as notable contributions to opera and folk standards.

Civitavecchia (Rome)

Civitavecchia is the city of Rome´s port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The harbour is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse. The name Civitavecchia means ancient town. There, the Eternal City lies before us in large format architectural and artistic sculptures such as the Colosseum, the most important monument of ancient Rome and used for public entertainment. Do not miss the Trevi Fountain and make a wish while you throw a coin back and continues to the Pantheon, one of the best preserved monuments of antiquity, Piazza Navona and the Vatican City. Take a walk through the Plaza of Spain and rest on the steps of Trinita dei Monti before heading to Via Condotti, wide avenue lined with shops.