EUROPE

Taking a cruise to Europe is both economical and convenient way to travel. It doesn’t matter If you take a big cruise ship or a river cruise, you’ll only have to unpack once and be able to visit some of the most amazing places on earth! If you are looking for a vacation where you will see famous works of art, beautiful architecture, and spectacular landscapes this is the way to travel.

You can get to all the popular sites from your cruise ship. Those that are not in port are easily accessible in a short bus or train ride. Onboard you can book shore excursions that offer tours or get information so that you can visit them on your own.

You should factor in the weather when you plan your vacation. Depending on what you want to experience, the weather can be either too hot or too cool. Here is a quick look at what you can expect below:

• Mediterranean – the most comfortable times to travel here is in the spring and fall when the temperatures are cooler. The weather can be extremely hot in the summer. Great for those looking to soak up the sun on one of the many beautiful beaches not so great for exploring historic sites.
• Scandinavia and the Baltics – The temperatures in this region can be cool in the late spring. The best t ime to visit would be late summer. Those who travel in July can enjoy the midnight sun, with only 3 to 4 hours of darkness each night. Visitors who travel in the winter months can marvel at the Northern Lights.
• Great Britain and Ireland – Be prepared for rain and cooler temperatures when you travel here. That is why the landscape is so lush and green. The sunniest months come in the late summer and early fall.
• Rivers of Europe – If you choose to travel on one of the beautiful rivers of Europe, you will find the best weather in the summer. However, if you are looking to take a walk through a tulip garden you’ll find the best time to go would be April. You’ll have to bundle up to experience the magical twinkling lights, fairy tale palaces and festive holiday fare to visit the enchanting Christmas markets in December.

Now where would you like to go?

Cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean will take you to Greece, the Greek Isles, Venice Italy and Croatia. You’ll find fairy tale castles in Croatia, beautiful works of art in Venice, and the breathtaking ruins and scenery in Greece.

A Western Mediterranean Cruises will take you from the southern tip of Italy, France and Spain to the straits of Gibraltar. On this cruise you can visit Rome, Florence, Naples, Monte Carlo, Nice and Barcelona. You can enjoy the beaches of the Riviera and the sparkling waters off the Amalfi coast. Visit the Vatican, the ruins of Pompeii, and see the interesting architecture of Barcelona.

A Baltic Cruise will take you to Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, St. Petersburg, Russia, Amsterdam and Belgium. There is much to see in each of these countries. Fairy tale castles, Gilded Palaces, great works of art and many fascinating sites will surround you everywhere you go.

On a Norwegian Fjords Cruise, you’ll find spectacular scenery and unique sights. You’ll travel over deep water deep water fjords and through narrow inlets that have been cut from millions of years of ancient glacier activity. A great trip for nature lovers with hundreds of rare and beautiful birds and animals to see along the way.

River Cruise will take you along the rivers of Europe. There are many cities that are on the banks of these rivers making it easy to visit all the historic sites. Discover the Old World and European culture as you cruise on the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Douro, and Seine.

Explore the sites and beauty of Austria, Germany, France, and Switzerland. Enjoy a trip to one of the many vineyards, ancient castles and amazing works of art at one of the many museums along the way. A British Isles Cruise will take you to England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. The lush green landscape and remarkable historic sites make for an exciting vacation experience. Visit castles, churches and taste the local fare at a pub, this will be a trip to remember.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the cultural, and historical heart of the country. A willingness to forge the old with the new is one of Istanbul’s greatest assets, and has created an identity that is unique and fascinating. As the center of two great empires – Ottoman and Byzantine – Istanbul is steeped in a weighty heritage. At the same time, the modern city possesses an enormous forward-looking energy, with a young population open to foreign influences, ready to embrace change, and eager to help bring it about. Noted attractions include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and The Grand Bazaar Istanbul.

Kusadasi, Turkey

One of the most attractive cities of the Aegean, Kusadasi rests in close proximity to important historical sites including Ephesus, Didyma, Priene, Miletos. Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate, with hot summers, mild winters, and 300 days of sunshine a year. Powdery, sandy beaches allow for a great variety of water and beach activities by day. As the day draws to a close, friendly cafes and restaurants are great places to experience Kusadasi’s superb panoramic sunset.

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is an essential part of the Greek Island experience. A cubist painting of white buildings and 35 beautiful golden beaches, Mykonos is young, hip, and hedonistic. Over the years, it has gone from sleepy f ishing villages, to jet set, to hipster haven, and is now settling into more mainstream tourism. Petros the Pelican, an old celebrity of the town’s waterfront, has been the mascot of Mykonos for more than 50 years. Paradise Beach is an interesting way to spend a few hours.

Marmaris, Turkey

Port town located along the Mediterranean coast, Marmaris has transformed from a prosperous fishing port just a few decades ago to a vibrant tourist resort, with water sports activity and nightlife that rival the best that the Turkish Riviera has to offer. It’s Mediterranean climate and location make Marmaris ideal for sailing, diving, and pleasure boating, and it still retains its quaint charm, due in large part to its exceptional location between two intersecting sets of mountains.

Rhodes, Greece

Located in the eastern Agean Sea, and within eyesight of the Turkish coast, Rhodes is a blend of Turkish and Crusador influences. The city is home to numerous landmarks, some dating back to antiquity and most of the others from the Knights’ Period. One of the largest and most fertile of the Greek Islands, Rhodes’ attractions include its secluded beaches, amazing archaeological sites, and an extensive medieval heritage. It remains one the most beautiful cities in the world, and one of the most urbane and delightful cities of the Greek Islands.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini, frequently called the diamond of the Greek Islands, is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements of the island and created a geological caldera. With white sculptured villages nestled atop steep volcanic cliffs that fall sharply to the deep blue Aegean Sea, Santorini is a paradise for shoppers, photographers, artists, hikers or anyone who just wants to sit at a cafe and soak up the sun and the magic of the Greek Islands.

Aghios Nikolaos, Greece

This inviting village in the southern Mediterranean off the coast of Greece has been portrayed by travel connoisseurs as The New Cote d Azur. Set dramatically against a back drop aqua-blue waters, majestic cypress trees, wild olive groves, rolling hills and distant snow-capped mountains, Aghios Nikolaos is one of the most picturesque spots overseeing the Messinian Gulf. This hidden pearl welcomes renowned artists, musicians, philosophers, and writers looking for that ideal place to get away.

Nauplion, Greece

Nauplion is one of the most charismatic cities in the Peloponnese region of Greece, with a rich history dating back to antiquity. It has played an important role throughout history, including before and after the War of Independence, and was also the first capital of independent Greece. The city juts perfectly into the Argolic Gulf and the area of Nauplion has several historical sites of interest that reflect the many influences that this town has had over the centuries.

Piraeus, Greece

The AAOM Cruise comes to an end in Piraeus, the main port of Athens, the biggest port in Greece, and one of the leading ports in the Mediterranean. If flight schedules permit a bit of time, a visit to the Maritime Museum is a worthwhile endeavor. The Maritime Exhibits cover about 3,000 years of Greek nautical history and include models of ancient and modern ships, as well as paintings by some of the greatest 19th and 20th century Greek painters of seascapes, maps, nautical instruments, etc.