ITALY as they say in Italy – Andiamo!! Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. Visit Rome, a city filled with classic ruins, palazzos, magnificent fountains and neighborhood trattorias. Venice a city as if magically built on the water, bridges and small alleys, secret campi (squares) wonderful contemporary art mixed in with Gothic Palazzo’s and Byzantine cathedrals. These are the major cities but the real trick to this magnificent country is to explore the towns and regions outside of the norm. Visit the Gulf of Naples, Pienza or spend some time up north in Turin. Don't forget the region of Sicily. 

FRANCE the repertoire of this country is staggering, whether in its art, gastronomy, wine, architecture, history, philosophy, music, or just the Art de Vivre, the art of Living. Visit Provence, experience the excitement of the French Rivera (the Cote d’Azur), France has got it all. Ski in the Alps and in the afternoon share a Rosé by the Mediterranean Sea. As for an urban vibe, the beauty of Paris, along with the vibrant cities of Marseilles, Lyon, Bordeaux, Tours, just to name a few, are breathtaking. France is clearly a country that needs to be visited again and again.

UNITED KINGDOM Vastly diverse and populated with a fascinating blend of international cultures from around the globe, the United Kingdom is recognized as a thriving nation. Historical monuments  and iconic cities, stunning landscapes, a mixture of cultures—there's so much to experience across this incredible continent. 

IRELAND known as the Emerald Isle, with castles that tug at our imaginations and  continue to fascinate us with its beauty and charm. Full of cozy pubs, welcoming locals and green landscapes as far as the eye can see. Ireland offers an unmistakable, unforgettable experience for the avid traveller.

SPAIN there are few countries in Europe that can match the draw of Spain. The beauty of the Costa del Sol with its endless sunshine, busy tapas bars, serving the freshest seafood, its ancient towns and cities scattered throughout the country make Spain a destination that rivals any country surrounding the Mediterranean. Its long history is filled with art and culture, fabulous architecture and for those looking for wonderful meals and wine, Spain is the place to immerse yourself through its thriving gastronomic culture.

PORTUGAL has lots to offer the curious traveler. Whether it’s hopping along the coast visiting lovely seaside cobblestoned villages and Medieval castles or spending time in its main cities, the country has so much to see and experience.  Follow a road less traveled while driving through the Douro Valley – a wine enthusiasts dream or just be a beach bum soaking up the summer sun on the Souths golden beaches, there’s so much to explore. Portugal is a country filled with a rich culture, great food and affordable prices. Not to be missed is a visit to its capital – Lisbon or its second city Porto, both with a thriving urban scene. A great destination to get to know.

GREECE whether it’s breathtaking beaches, vibrant cities, ancient history or art, Greece has it all. A country made up of 227 inhabited islands, Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Athens is only your starting point. Make sure to visit the Acropolis, walk the ancient streets of Plaka or enjoy a Greek institution, having a coffee outdoors at a traditional café. Greece is a country easy to fall in love with. 

ISRAEL Explore the Culture and history of the three great religions that emanated from this ancient land. Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This is a country of great passion and history...filled with religious significance and surrounded by a humming modern contemporary life. If Jerusalem is the religious capital of the country then the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, only an hour away, is its secular equivalent.

This is a country of contrasts….wonderful modern seaside hotels, the vast Negev desert to the south and even a ski resort along the Northern Golan Heights. Take your time getting to know this Holy Land enjoy its cuisine, get to know its people and their history along with its wonderfully rich culture…a destination like no other.

CROATIA today, one of Europe’s hottest destinations, with its beautiful coastlines…clear blue waters, hidden coves and beaches. You’ll find wonderful seaside resorts all along the Croatian coast, sleepy villages and islands scattered just offshore. Discover Dubrovnik with its old walled town and a bit further north the upscale island of Hvar, with its Old Town rivaling St.Tropez or Capri. South of Dubrovnik is Split the cultural capital of the region filled with cafes, museums, as well as the 1,700 year old palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

TURKEY a country at the crossroads of East and West…full of mystery… the birthplace of the Ottoman and Roman Byzantine Empires. Spend a few days in Istanbul before heading south to the Turkey’s Turquoise coast, a stretch of coastline that connects the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Experience a spa treatment in your hotels hammam, visit Topkapi Palace the heart of the empire for almost 400 years, stop for a traditional lunch of grilled seafood and afterwards make sure to visit one of the historic harbor districts filled with small shops, coffeehouses and art galleries. For sure not be missed is the Grand Bazaar a place you’ll in all likelihood get lost in.

MALTA, one of the smallest countries of Europe but one that packs a huge punch, culturally it is exceptionally rich, ruled and settled by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, the Knights of St. John, the French and up until 1964 a strategic stronghold and part of the British Empire, when it was granted Independence. The history of the island goes back 5500 years, even earlier then Stonehenge. This small archipelago is made up of three main islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. The city is surrounded by the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and is packed with historic sights, a wide variety of fine restaurants, an active performing arts scene and over 300 days of sunshine per year.

TUNISIA according to Greek legend, Dido, a princess of Tyre, was the first outsider to settle among the native tribes of what is now Tunisia when she founded the city of Carthage in the 9th century BCE. Carthage fought a series of wars with its rival, Rome. Tunisia’s culture is highly diverse, in part because of long periods of Ottoman and then French rule but also because populations of Jews and Christians have lived among a Muslim majority for centuries. Similarly, the capital, Tunis, blends ancient Arab souks and mosques and modern-style office buildings into one of the most handsome and lively cities in the region. Among the most significant of its numerous historic sites are Al-Zaytūnah Mosque in Tunis, which dates to the 8th century CE, the slightly older Great Mosque of ʿUqbah ibn Nāfiʿ in Kairouan, and the remains of the ancient city of Carthage

EGYPT, the country of Pharaohs, temples, ancient pyramids, exotic bazars, the river Nile and a history that dates back thousands of years is one of the worlds wonders. It’s a country that’s pulled explorers, writers and travelers into its time worn mysteries. Egyptians call modern day Cairo “the Mother of the World” a reflection of its place in history. You’ll experience a crowded, noisy and chaotic city, somewhat similar to New York…a city that’s alive 24 hour a day. Spend a morning outside of the city visiting the Pyramids and be sure to make time for the Cairo Museum. A part of a journey to Egypt not to be missed is taking a cruise on the Nile, from Cairo to Aswan – for sure the best way to discover the splendor of Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

CRUISING this is truly a spectacular way to travel…intimate experiences, open air views, great food and a terrific way to see Europe’s best sites from the comfort of your ships cabin. Europe’s river cruising is one of the most popular ways to visit ancient cities, and charming towns, see spectacular scenery along the Danube or the Rhine, starting in wonderful cities like Budapest or Amsterdam. For an even more intimacy with only four to ten passengers on board, you can Barge though France visiting the regions of Burgundy, Alsace & Lorraine or explore the Loire Valley. Some of these small ships aren’t just limited to rivers but are more like private yachts taking you through the Mediterranean with ports of call like Malta, St. Tropez, the Aeolian Islands, Santorini or coves along the Turquoise Coast of Turkey.