Ports. Ships. People

If you’re longing for a memorable vacation in 2010, consider your options for a European cruise. Cruises of Europe offer incredible value, in part because you can lock in your price now – and pay in dollars, rather than more expensive Euros. In addition, your cruise fare will include lodging, dining, entertainment and transfers, usually for less than you would pay for comparable accommodations and services while traveling Europe on your own.
 
Taking a cruise of Europe also means you also won’t have to unpack and repack daily, ride busses and trains for days on end or search for good places to eat and sleep. You’ll simply board your ship, unpack once and then relax. Your stateroom or suite is always ready for you, when you aren’t enjoying the ship’s public spaces or taking an excursion on shore.
 
This is the perfect time to book your 2010 European cruise vacation, as ship and itinerary choices are still plentiful. While most people base their European itinerary on the ports they want to experience, you may also want to consider Europe’s water wonders.
 
For example, Northern Europe includes the British Isles, Scandinavia and the Baltic states, including Baltic Russia. So, in addition to the historic cities you’ll call on, you’d also have the opportunity to experience the Baltic and North Seas, the English Channel, and even glacier-carved fjords – depending on the itinerary you choose.
 
The Western Mediterranean includes ports along some of the region’s most notable coastlines, including the French Riviera, and Italy’s Ligurian Coast – home of the Cinque Terre. You might also explore the north coast of Africa and its iconic Rock of Gibraltar or the coast of Portugal, with its gorgeous, sandy beaches.
 
Cruises of the Eastern Mediterranean may call on various Greek Isles (Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos). Or, you might enjoy cruising the Turkish straits of the Bosporus and The Dardanelles, which separate Europe from the mainland of Asia. Other Eastern Mediterranean itineraries focus on the Adriatic Sea, where Venice is a popular port call and emerging ports in Croatia, such as Split and Dubrovnik, are winning fans.
 
There’s one thing that is certain: when you’re in port, you’ll experience local sights, food and culture, unique to each place you visit. You can expect even more diversity in the scenic waterways and coastlines of Europe as well.
 

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