 | About Dublin The Irish capital Dublin has undergone an incredible transformation in the last decade with many modern buildings springing up to add to its historical and cultural appeal.
Dublin’s pubs and bars are world-renowned from the city’s oldest, The Brazen Head, to the newest wine bar. A visit to the Guinness Storehouse and Brewery provides an insight into the history of Ireland’s favourite tipple.
Grafton Street is a shopper’s paradise with a stop at Bewley’s historic coffee house a must for people-watching.
The library at Trinity College is home to the eighth-century Book of Kells, with the National Museum housing exhibits dating back from the Irish Bronze and Iron ages. The city’s literary heritage is celebrated at the adjoining National Library with works of famous Irish writers such as Beckett, Joyce, Swift and Yeats collected together. |
 | About Cork Cork is Irelands second largest city.
Here you can visit St Finbarrs Cathedral, Cork City Museum and the 19th Century Cork Jail. Dont miss your opportunity to visit Blarney Castle, a short ride away, to kiss the Blarney Stone! |
 | About Bilbao The Basque city and cruise port of Bilbao in northern Spain has become one of the hottest destinations in Europe following the opening of the imaginatively-designed Guggenheim modern art gallery, which is an architectural work of avant garde art in its own right.
Until then, Bilbao was very much a working city but it has always boasted a lively old town dating from the 14th century. Through the winding alleyways of the Casco Viejo you can stop to sample tapas at the many exceptional local bars and restaurants.
Other sights include the arcaded Plaza Nueva and the Gothic Cathedral de Santiago. One of Spain’s most important art collections is housed across the city at the Museo de Bellas Artes. This features works dating from the 12th century through to contemporary art by Cezanne, Gauguin and Francis Bacon. |
 | About Brest Set in one of Europe’s finest natural harbours, France’s main naval port Brest is steeped in maritime history and is also a gateway into the ruggedly scenic and proudly Celtic province of Brittany. The maritime museum is inside the city’s Motte Tanguy Castle and Tower, which perches on a headland overlooking the beautiful harbour.
In keeping with its nautical traditions, Brest is also home to Oceanopolis, a massive new attraction dedicated to the sea and its many forms of marine life. It is quite easy to lose track of time and spend a whole day getting up close and personal with every species of fish imaginable in the 42 aquariums highlighting Polar, Tropical and Temperate oceans.
The city centre is just across from the cruise dock and there you will find streets with evocative names like La Fayette and Bougainville and an array of shops, bars, restaurants, theatres and museums. |