British Isles Cruise - from Leixões / Porto - 126492

Portugal's unofficial capital, Porto, is the name-giver for the entire country. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is known primarily for its famous port wine. Those who enjoy the city atmosphere will love Porto, the second-largest city in the country. The harbour is where the renowned Portuguese fleet was built. Now, there are lots of cafés and bistros here. The houses in the city are packed close together on the steep slopes, often close behind and beside one another, forming really lovely terraces. Sights incude: Praça da Liberdade, Câmara Municipal and the Soares dos Reis National Museum.

Gijón, with a population of 259,000 spans two expansive bays. Its sublime 4 km long beach "Playa de San Lorenzo" is one of the most beautiful on the north coast of Spain. Those who prefer small, secluded beaches can visit one of the many picturesque bays in the nearby area. The liveliest part of Gijón is the "Cimadevilla" quarter (Spanish meaning "Summit of the City"), the old town. With its winding streets, many bars, "Sidrerías", pubs and restaurants, it is a popular meeting place. The town's academic highpoint is the Technical University, established in 1955.

Dublin is the capital of Ireland and one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. More than a quarter of the Irish population (approximately 4 million) lives in Dublin, a youthful and dynamic city that is becoming increasingly cosmopolitan. Elegant restaurants and ultra-modern hotels have brought new life to the city. Visitors can follow Tourist Trails on foot to get to know the city. The perfect starting point is the O’Connell Bridge, located in the city centre and the most important bridge over the River Liffey. Sights include: Temple Bar, Trinity College, Merrion Square, the National Art Gallery, the National Museum, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, the Guinness Brewery, Custom House, Boyne Valley, Malahide and James Joyce Tower.

Ullapool is a fishing town founded around 1800 as a herring port. It lies at the shores of Loch Broom and is the largest town on the North-West coast of Scotland. The harbour promenade by the narrow beach and the white houses along the top is a must-see. The many souvenir and craft shops make it the perfect place for a stroll and some shopping. Hill-walkers can explore the many paths over the nearby hillsides. In addition to fishing and walking, visitors can also enjoy boat-trips and watersports, or even a round of golf.

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 second-largest city in Germany (with a population of 1.8 million) lies at the Elbe and Alster rivers. Due to its location, Hamburg has a dense network of waterways and has more bridges than even Venice! The Hanseatic city is one of the most important economic centres in Germany on account of the overseas port and the media and cultural centre. This city of contrasts has a highly developed entertainment culture that visitors can experience first hand in the legendary 'St. Pauli' area and in Hamburg's many music halls and theatres. The 1,200-year-old city is loved by culture-vultures and scenesters alike, and buildings with ultra-modern shops and bars are sprouting up all over the city between the traditional office buildings. Other attractions include: the "Michel", the entire port development, the "Jungfernstieg", the "Reeperbahn', the TV tower, Hagenbeck Zoo, the warehouse area "Speicherstadt", Mönckebergstraße, St. Jacobi Church and the fish market.