Round-the-world Cruise - from Genoa - 129019

This northern Italian port lies at the Gulf of Genoa and is the capital of Liguria and the province of Genoa. It has a population of 660'000. Academic highlights in the city, which was built in the 10th century, are the university founded in 1783, the academy of arts and the college of music. Other sights include the magnificent churches built on the hillside in the shape of terraces, "San Lorenzo" and "Santi Abrògio e Andrea" and the palaces "Palazzo Durazzo", "Palazzo Ducale" and "Palazzo Bianco".

The vibrant port town of St. Tropez, THE meeting place for VIPs and starlets, exudes sophistication - and not just on the promenades lined by luxury yachts, which is a popular place for visitors to take a stroll. The little side streets are home to countless top-class boutiques as well as quaint little shops, unique in their originality. A splendid citadel, which houses a maritime museum, towers over the town. The climb to the top is well worth it, not least for the amazing view of the town and the harbour. The museum has displays of many types of ships and outlines the history of St Tropez. In addition to the harbour and the citadel, the Museé de L'Annonciade is another tourist attraction. Fans of Louis de Funès will of course also have to pay a visit to the old 'gendarmerie'.

The small harbour town of Port Vendres still has an impressive fleet of fishing boats, and in its heyday it was a passenger port for the North African colonies. Ramblers can take a walk along the small beach and the long seaside promenade and watch the anglers or visit the fortifications on the opposite cliffs. The fish auction hall, where the sardine fishers peddle their wares provides a colourful show.

The picturesque natural harbour of Mahón lies in the Mediterranean and was made island capital during the British occupation in 1722. From the main square "Placa de Esplanada" through the pedestrian zone you will reach the fish and vegetable market beneath the old cloisters of a former monastery. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the port of Mahón, English in style but with a Mediterranean feel. Sights include: the city gates "Pont de Sant Roc", built in around 1500 and which was seen as the city wall during the Middle Ages.

The small town of Motril has had a small sugar-cane industry since the 18th century, which is why it has also been called 'little Cuba'. It is one of the oldest settlements in Spain and was founded by the Phoenicians, then ruled for many centuries by the Arabs. The port is the most important in the province of Granada. Sights include: "Parque de los Pueblos de America", the "Santuario de Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza", the Baroque town hall, and the 16th century church "Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnacion".

The Moroccan port and provincial capital of Tangiers at the western opening of the strait of Gibraltar is the gateway to Africa. The most famous attractions are to be found near the Kasbah in the middle of the bustling old town. Steep streets and alleyways wind around the white walls of the houses, and a labyrinth of large and small shops selling everything you could think of awaits visitors. The Great Socco (Great Souk) is a typical Moroccan square with lots and lots of tea houses and the most important market place at the outskirts of the Medina. To the North-West of the Grand Socco is the huge main gate of the city wall, Bab Fahs. Nearby, are the gardens of the old residence of Mendoubia, once the seat of the Sultan of the international commission, today the seat of the magistrates. The gardens have 800-year-old dragon tree plants as well as 40 old international canons.

The small, modern town of Portimao on the Algarve has lots to offer visitors that like to go out: Praia da Rocha, the "cliff beach", and the disco 'Katedral'. Recreational activities, sunshine, shopping and sardines are what make Portimao special. One of the best shopping streets is the 'Rua do Comércio', the "street of trade", a pedestrian area that begins at the old market square close by the local church in the highest area of the town.

The white city by the sea, built on seven hills and framed by the natural harbour of "Rio Tejo" was founded by the Phoenicians in around the 9th-7th century B.C.. Today it is the capital of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Lisbon is rich in architectural monuments. The Portuguese capital also has a varied and interesting cultural scene with theatre performances, concerts and exhibitions. "Bairro Alto" (the upper city) is well known for its nightlife. Sights include: Jerónimo's Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, Comércio Square, São Jorge castle, and "Baixa Pombalina".

The French port of Cherbourg is known on the one hand as a naval base, and on the other as a centre of the fishing industry. Cherbourg is thought to have been built on the site of the Roman camp of Coriallum. The town was badly damaged during the Allied invasion of 1944. Cherbourg was the Allies' first supply port on the continent.

Plymouth, one of the largest sea ports in Great Britain, is of special historical importance: it was here that the Spanish Armada was defeated and England began its rise to become a world power. Great names of English seafaring history are associated with Plymouth, including Sir Fracis Drake and the Mayflower. The picturesque harbour of Plymouth is not the only attraction in this town. 'The Hoe', a park with many monuments, provides an excellent view. At the southern tip of Hoe, the Plymouth Dome provides information about the town's past and present in the form of a multimedia presentation. The climb to Smeaton lighthouse is worth it for the wonderful view of the surrounding area. The Royal Citadel today houses the aquarium of the Marine Biology Association and it is well worth taking a walk from here to the old town of Plymouth. Sights include: artificial snow ski-centre; Tamar Valley Railway Line; Mount Edgcumbe Country Park; Dartington crystal glass factor; the historic part of the town with The Barbican with 16th century style Elizsabethan house and the City Museum.

Located in southeastern Ireland, the small town of Bantry significates an important part of County Cork’s economy. Next to tourism, fishing remained one of the biggest industries. Historical times still have a strong impact on Bantry’s atmosphere. One of the most famous buildings is a stately home called Bantry House & Garden. Visitors can enjoy a tea in the ancient tea room or have a stroll through the beautiful garden. The town centre including Wolfe Town Square is worth a visit as well. In addition to the architectonic sights tourists and locals like to explore the natural monument of Whiddy Island.

The small harbour village Kinsale with its charming little streets and good restaurants is especially popular among tourists during summertime. In October the village and its 4.000 inhabitants invite its guests to the annual Kinsale Gourmet Festival. Athletic and active people will enjoy the possibilities to go sailing or golfing as well as the hiking tracks along the coast and the horse rides that are offered. By bus or during a little hike the Charles Fort can be visited. It invites its guests to learn about the history of the region during a guided tour.

Lerwick is the main port of the Shetland Islands and a cornerstone in the economy and infrastructure of the region. With its ideal location, it is a popular destination for cruise ships en route between Iceland, the Faroe Isles, Norway and Scotland. With the many small islands - home to the Shetland ponies, the Shetland Islands are also a popular destination for day-trippers from Aberdeen and Orkney.

Lerwick is the main port of the Shetland Islands and a cornerstone in the economy and infrastructure of the region. With its ideal location, it is a popular destination for cruise ships en route between Iceland, the Faroe Isles, Norway and Scotland. With the many small islands - home to the Shetland ponies, the Shetland Islands are also a popular destination for day-trippers from Aberdeen and Orkney.

The Vestmannaeyjar Islands ("Westman Isles") became world famous at the beginning of 1973. A huge volcanic explosion with a stream of lava measuring 1600 m destroyed the majority of the main settlement of Heimæy.The lava flowed through the streets and could only be stopped by the use of waterpumps used to spray sea water onto the hot lava non-stop. This also prevented the loss of the natural harbour of Heimæy. Without it, the main source of income of the island population would have been lost, which would probably have led to the abandonment of the permanent settlement. Sights include: the lighthouse at Storhöfoi, the Hjörleifur valley.

Reykjavik, the trading and cultural centre of Iceland at the South-West coast of the island was named "smoking bay" after the famous hot springs of Laugardalur. Today it has a population of around 130,000 - approximately 1/3 of the total population. The capital of iceland has plenty of tourist attractions. A stroll through the old town leads to the main shopping street, Laugavegur, and the pedestrian zone, past the historic Höfdi House (where Reagan and Gorbatschow held their summit in 1986) to the modern basalt church 'Hallgrimskirka'. The church tower offers the best view of the city. Tracing the footsteps of Icelandic history, there are many archaeological finds and artefacts from Viking times on display in the National Museum and art lovers will enjoy the Einar Jonsson Museum with its wonderful sculpture garden.

Ísafjörður comprises several districts stretching from the end of the Fjords on the Northern side to the original settlement, where the harbour is. On the other side of the fjord is the airport - although really it is nothing more than a runway with a tiny check-in building. Although all of the fjords in the North-West are losing inhabitants to more prosperous areas, Ísafjörður has been successful in keeping its residents and has even recorded a slight growth in population, to around 3,500. The town was founded as a settlement for the Hanseatics and later taken over by the Danes. Ísafjörður is an excellent example of the development of Icelandic architecture. There are five listed buildings in Ísafjörður - all of which were built in the 18th century. The oldest house dates from the mid-18th century, the most recent from 1788. Four of the houses are in Neostikaupstaour and one is in Haestikaupstaour. Other sights include: the museum

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Svalbard islands (Spitzbergen). For thousands of years the island was located close to the equator. At that time, there were many trees on Svalbard, which later broke down to become coal. As a result of the continental drift, the islands slowly wandered North to their current position close to the North Pole. Sights include: the art gallery, the Svalbard Museum, where exhibits include stuffed arctic animals and items relating to mining as well as several trappers' huts.

Reykjavik, the trading and cultural centre of Iceland at the South-West coast of the island was named "smoking bay" after the famous hot springs of Laugardalur. Today it has a population of around 130,000 - approximately 1/3 of the total population. The capital of iceland has plenty of tourist attractions. A stroll through the old town leads to the main shopping street, Laugavegur, and the pedestrian zone, past the historic Höfdi House (where Reagan and Gorbatschow held their summit in 1986) to the modern basalt church 'Hallgrimskirka'. The church tower offers the best view of the city. Tracing the footsteps of Icelandic history, there are many archaeological finds and artefacts from Viking times on display in the National Museum and art lovers will enjoy the Einar Jonsson Museum with its wonderful sculpture garden.