Short Cruises: European Cruise Holidays

If you are going to take a cruise this year on vacation, forget the Caribbean, Europe is the destination of choice. Its lure is overwhelming – beautiful cities, gorgeous landscapes and remnants of the ancient past awaits European cruise travelers at nearly each harbor of call.

European cruises depart from most major seaports around Europe. Most lines will offer specific destination trips, like traveling to Italy to visit Rome, but they also offer trips which hug the cities along the coastline.

Centered in Northern Europe, the Baltic States and Scandinavia are popular cruise spots, particularly the ones within the fjords of Norway. You will see amazing sights like fields of dancing tulips and you can plan a day trip to delve into the fascinating history of Copenhagen. Scandinavia offers a wealth of old and stately cities to visit too. Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, and Stockholm can all be parts of your European cruise, with Helsinki specifically being home to the Uspenski Cathedral, the most massive orthodox church in the western parts of Europe.

Low Countries, British Isles, Ireland and France are all included in the Western European cruises. Ireland’s brilliant emerald landscapes, Scottish castles, French chateaus and vineyards are just a few of the choices you have in a cruise of Western Europe. You could also build in visits to historic ports of call, such as Portsmouth in England, where Nelson’s ‘Victory’ can be toured.

Moving further south into the Mediterranean Sea, a European cruise takes in the glory of the historical and beautiful Mediterranean coastline. Portugal, Spain, the French Riviera, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey all have their own attractions. Those who have selected a European cruise on the Mediterranean can expect to see the Salvador Dali’s birthplace, the famed Turkish bazaars, Monaco’s grandiose vista and the coliseum of Rome.

There are a number of specialist tours in the Mediterranean region too. Visit Spain’s Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera Islands and get lost in the legends of what happened to their earliest inhabitants and enjoy your Mediterranean cruise.