Ah Europe! I'm pretty sure everyone wants to visit at least once in their lifetime, and if you’re reading this, then I’d venture to guess that you do too! And rightly so considering how it’s so full of history, beauty and wonder. And add to that some of the world's most extraordinary landscapes, architecture and people! But with the plethora of options that a European or Mediterranean cruise presents, how does one decide where to go?

One can always start where things are most familiar…London! Take an open-top bus around London’s iconic sights including St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. From there enjoy a dramatic mix of forests, fjords, quaint villages, graceful castles, and historic old town centers when you cruise into Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin and Oslo.

In the summer Northern Europe takes on a festive air as its people celebrate the return of long, warm days and lingering daylight. The Baltic Sea shimmers under the summer sun as you cruise to the intriguing cities of Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki, The jewel in the Baltic crown, St. Petersburg with its treasure filled Hermitage, is an undeniable highlight of any Baltic cruise.

The ports of Italy offer everything one could desire in a Mediterranean cruise. From the ancient ruins of Rome and the fascinating artwork in Florence to the romance of Venice, Italy makes vacation dreams come true. Set out from Naples to visit the scenic Amalfi Coast or step back in history in Pompeii. And when you’re done sightseeing, Italy’s shopping is world class and its cuisine nothing short of legendary.

Mention Spain and images of bullfighters, colorful flamenco dancers, and Don Quixote spring to mind but that’s just the beginning! Take time to sample the savory cuisine of Valencia. Marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s amazing buildings in Barcelona or maybe soak in the sun on the sandy beaches of Palma de Mallorca. From Malaga set off to see the White Villages or maybe the Alhambra in Granada.

From the ancient ruins in Athens to the cultural relics in Kusadasi, Greece and Turkey offer vacation experiences rich in culture. Explore Istanbul’s most famous sites from the Blue Mosque to the Grand Bazaar. Contrast that with cruising to the volcanic shores of Santorini and sunbathing on the shores of Mykonos. One could say that visiting these ports of call would be a vacation fit for the gods!