British Isles Cruise - from Southampton - 120884

Southampton is the largest port in Great Britain. It is from here that the Mayflower set sail for the New World, as commemorated by the Mayflower Memorial. The town's landmark is the 'Bargate', a city gate built by the Normans. Southampton is also known as the entertainment capital on the South coast. Cinemas, theatres, museums, bars and pubs, art galleries and all kinds of watersports attract thousands of visitors.

Aberdeen is a town built almost entirely from granite - even the roads. This Scottish town is one of the most important ports for the oil industry of the North Sea and has the largest off-shore oilfields in the world. Aberdeen's busy harbour also has a picturesque fish market. Close by the main street, Union Street, you will find the "Castlegate", the late medieval Provost Skene's House and the Aberdeen Art Gallery, which has an important collection of pre-Raphaelite and modern Art. Other attractions inlude the City Chambers, Marischal College, St. Machar Cathedral, Seaton Park and the Brig o'Balgownie.

Kirkwall is the capital of the northern Scottish island council area of Orkney, where visitors can expect to find a landscape made up mainly of craggy cliffs and strange sandstone formations. The pretty capital and business centre is famous primarily for its whisky distilleries and St. Magnus Cathedral. The cathedral dates from the 12th century and is one of the most beautiful examples of Norman architecture in the British Isles. Other sights include: Tankerness House, a 16th century town house that houses the local history museum of the Orkney Islands, and the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, which is more than 5,000 years old.

The island capital of Stornoway is on the east coast of the twin islands of Lewis and Harris at the most northerly-westerly tip of the British Isles. One of the most important attractions in the city is Lews Castle, dating from the 19th century, which today is home to a Gaelic-speaking university college. The extensive grounds of Lews Castle are the perfect place to take a stroll. In the spring, rhododendron and gorse bloom in brilliant colours. Martin's Memorial Church in the town centre and several other churches are other must-sees.

Cobh is one of the islands in the harbour of Cork. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, it represents an important part of Irish history. It was from there that two and a half million of the six million Irish emigrants who were forced away during the potato famine of 1848 to 1850 left from. Only a few returned. But Cobh was also the port for the rich - this was the Titanic's last port of call before she set off across the Atlantic to her fate. Following a visit by the Queen in 1849, Cobh was re-named "Queenstown" but got its old name back in 1921. Sights include St. Coleman's cathedral, Queenstown/Cobh Museum, the Wildlife Park, the Botanic Gardens and the Golf Club.

Southampton is the largest port in Great Britain. It is from here that the Mayflower set sail for the New World, as commemorated by the Mayflower Memorial. The town's landmark is the 'Bargate', a city gate built by the Normans. Southampton is also known as the entertainment capital on the South coast. Cinemas, theatres, museums, bars and pubs, art galleries and all kinds of watersports attract thousands of visitors.

Zeebrugge, the largest fishing port in Belgium, is linked to Bruges, of which it is a subdivision, by means of a twelve kilometre long canal. Bruges is well worth a look. Along the long beach promenade there are lots of cafés where you can sit and relax. The fish auction hall at the rear of the harbour is one of the largest and most modern in Europe and can be seen during a tour of the harbour. Zeebrugge also has a yacht marina, with space to accommodate around one hundred ships. Sights include: St. George's Memorial, Pierre Vandamme sea-lock, the diamond museum, the Memling Museum, the Church of Our Lady, the Oldtimer and Motorbike Museum, Minne Water Park, and the home brewery 'De Halve Maan'.

The Venice of the North! Along the canals and waterways and in the winding streets between the stepped gable houses, Amsterdam has a cosy but cosmopolitan flair. Idyllic pavement cafés, lively flea markets, the Anne Frank House, the Rijks- or Van-Gogh-Museum and many, many galleries and shops selling products designed and made by young designers and artists.

Kiel is the regional capital of Schleswig-Holstein. In this shipyard and maritime town steeped in tradition visitors can take a walk in the countryside and enjoy the fresh air while still having all the amenities of a city close at hand. This combination of closeness to nature and city life gives the residents of Kiel a special attitude to life. With a population of 250,000 Kiel is the cultural and economic centre of the region. Those living in the surrounding area come to Kiel specially to enjoy the varied cultural life with opera and theatre performances, concert halls, a children and youth theatre, museums, exhibitions, free cultural facilities and trendy clubs and eateries. Kiel's signature event is the annual 'Kieler Woche' - the largest sailing festival in the world!

The medieval capital of the island of Bornholm is steeped in history. Even today, there are many relics that remind us of the age of the Vikings. Pearly beaches in the South and the craggy coastline of the North, made entirely of granite, shape the Danish island in the Baltic sea. Bornholm's landmark are the four round fortified church towers dating from the 12th century. The cityscape of Rönnes is characterised by the large number of well-preserved half-timbered houses, which are a must-see. Shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants can be found all around the busy squares of Lille Torv and Store Torv. At the Bornholm Museum, visitors can discover the history of the farmers, sailors and fishermen and gain an insight into their many longstanding traditions.

Visby's picturesque half-timbered houses nestle enclosed by the 3.6 km long medieval city wall - the only one in Scandinavia The imposing warehouses dating from the Hanseatic area, ruins covered in ivy and the high towers of St. Mary's church all stand taller than the city wall. Visby does not simply dwell on its historic past; it is a very vibrant town with many festivals, a busy yacht and ferry port and a sandy beach directly by the gates of the defensive wall. The sights are close to one another and the best way to explore this old Hanseatic city is on foot. The wide range of cultural activities, festivals and other events, ranging from traditional folk dancing to rock concerts, from mystery plays to avantgarde music, from antiques markets to art exhibitions, mean there is something to suit every taste. Sights include: the city wall, Fornsal museum, St. Mary's church, church ruins.

The Latvian capital of Riga has been restored to its former glory. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Old merchants' houses, the National Opera and splendid Art Nouveau buildings have been renovated and restored and now adorn the broad avenues and boulevards. The symbol of Latvian freedom and the town's landmark is the statue "Milda", which sits enthroned on a magnificent obelisk. Latvian specialities are on offer in the five lively market halls. At night, the old town, which is a car-free zone, reverberates with life. Wide white beaches are also a part of Riga's city area. Sights include: the old town, St. Peter's church, "Blackheads' house", the new guild hall, the town hall and the cathedral.'

Stockholm with its fantastic location at the mouth of the Mälaren at the Baltic Sea is a mixture of illustrious beauty and regal splendour, a vibrant modern city with a historical charm. Built over 14 islands, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe. Opulent buildings, park areas, an inner city with countless old alleyways and historic sites and a rich cultural heritage are what make Stockholm so special. In addition, the water in Stockholm is so clean that you can even go swimming and fishing in the middle of the city! The old town is surrounded by beautiful old houses and the royal palace, which has been the home of the Swedish kings and queens since the 12th century. Sights include: Stor Church and Riddarholm Church, the old town, the castle, the parliament building, the town hall, Drottningholm castle, the Wasa Museum with the wreck of the "Wasa" ship and the outdoor museum at Skansen.