Greece
Greece
Piraeus
With more ancient sites than any other country in Europe, Greece is an archaeological treasure. Philosophers and theologians have long been drawn here to explore the roots of modern thought. Even so, it is the vibrant blues and rugged beauty of the Greek Islands that beckon many visitors away from the crowds of Athens and the Acropolis. Santorini’s picturesque town of Oia is a whitewashed, blue-domed beauty. The sea-side cafes, windmills and nightlife of Mykonos are also draw for many of our participants. Sandy beaches can be found on Skiathos.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Athens
- Language(s): Greek
- Common Religion(s): Orthodox Christianity
- Government: Republic, Parliamentary system, Constitutional republic
- Currency: Euro
- Population: 10.72 million (2019)
Cyprus
Cyprus
Limassol
Cyprus, Greek Kípros, Turkish Kıbrıs, an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea renowned since ancient times for its mineral wealth, superb wines and produce, and natural beauty. Today Cyprus is a popular tourist destination for visitors from Europe, favored by bird-watchers drawn by the island’s diversity of migratory species, and other vacationers.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Nicosia
- Language(s): Greek, Turkish
- Common Religion(s): Christianity, Roman Catholicism
- Government: Unitary state, Presidential system, Constitutional republic
- Currency: Euro
- Population: 1.32 million (2021)
Source: www.britannica.com
Croatia
Croatia
Dubrovnik
Across the Adriatic Sea from Italy lies the strikingly beautiful landscape of Croatia. The natural beauty and clear water combine with an abundance of medieval towns making this a hallmark of the Mediterranean. Dubrovnik itself is an enchanting pedestrian city known for its intact city wall and towers; historic churches and museums. The clear waters and abundant marine life make snorkeling a popular activity.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Zagreb
- Language(s): Croatian
- Common Religion(s): Roman-Catholic, Orthodox Christians
- Government: Parliamentary republic
- Currency: Kuna
- Population: 4.076 million (2019)
Malta
Malta
Valletta
Malta is an island country located in the central Mediterranean Sea. The country comprises five islands—Malta (the largest), Gozo, Comino, and the uninhabited islets of Kemmunett (Comminotto) and Filfla—lying some 58 miles (93 km) south of Sicily, 180 miles (290 km) north of Libya, and about 180 miles (290 km) east of Tunisia, at the eastern end of the constricted portion of the Mediterranean Sea separating Italy from the African coast.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Valletta
- Language(s): Maltese, English
- Common Religion(s): Roman Catholicism
- Government: Unitary Multiparty Republic
- Currency: Euro
- Population: 502,653 (2019)
Source: www.britannica.com
Spain
Spain
Barcelona
The port city of Barcelona is home to a wide variety of art, culture, architecture and life that easily blends the old Gothic Quarter with the new. As the center of the Modernism architectural movement, discoveries await around every corner. Perhaps the most well-known of these is La Sagrada Famîlia, Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece and his final resting place. Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro also resided in Barcelona and their works can be enjoyed at the Museu d’Art Modern, the Museu Picasso and the Fundacio Miro.
- Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of France
- Capital: Madrid
- Language(s): Castillian Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque, Aranese
- Common Religion(s): Catholicism
- Government: Monarchy, Unitary state, Parliamentary system, Constitutional monarchy
- Currency: Euro
- Population: 46.94 million (2019))
Gibraltar (UK)
Gibraltar (UK)
Gibraltar
Gibraltar, British overseas territory occupying a narrow peninsula of Spain’s southern Mediterranean coast, just northeast of the Strait of Gibraltar, on the east side of the Bay of Gibraltar (Bay of Algeciras), and directly south of the Spanish city of La Línea. It is 3 miles (5 km) long and 0.75 mile (1.2 km) wide and is connected to Spain by a low, sandy isthmus that is 1 mile (1.6 km) long.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Gibraltar
- Language(s): English
- Common Religion(s): Roman Catholicism
- Government: Parliamentary System, Constitutional Monarchy
- Currency: Gibraltar pound
- Population: 33,691 (2020)
Source: www.britannica.com
Portugal
Portugal
Lisbon
An independent kingdom since 1143, Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe and was one of the world's major economic, political, and cultural powers during the 15th and 16th centuries. Mainland Portugal is part of the Iberian Peninsula at the southwestern edge of Europe. It is bordered by Spain to the north and east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. The country also includes the Madeira island group and the nine islands of the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Lisbon
- Language(s): Portuguese
- Common Religion(s): Christianity, mainly Catholicism
- Government: Republic, Unitary state, Parliamentary system, Democratic Republic
- Currency: Euro
- Population: 10.28 million (2019)
Sources: U.S. State Department, AngloInfo
France
France
Brest
France is a country of northwestern Europe. Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Alps and the Pyrenees, France has long provided a geographic, economic, and linguistic bridge joining northern and southern Europe. It is Europe’s most important agricultural producer and one of the world’s leading industrial powers. Brest is a port city in western France, on two hills divided by the Penfeld River.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Paris
- Language(s): French
- Common Religion(s): Christianity (Roman Catholic)
- Government: Unitary state, Semi-presidential system, Constitutional republic
- Currency: Euro
- Population: 67.06 million (2019)
Source: https://www.britannica.com/
Scotland
Scotland
Greenock
Scotland, most northerly of the four parts of the United Kingdom, occupying about one-third of the island of Great Britain. The name Scotland derives from the Latin Scotia, land of the Scots, a Celtic people from Ireland who settled on the west coast of Great Britain about the 5th century CE.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Edinburgh
- Language(s): Scottish Gaelic, English
- Common Religion(s): Roman Catholic
- Government: Devolution, Constitutional monarchy
- Currency: Pound Sterling
- Population: 5.45 million (2019)
Source: https://www.britannica.com
Denmark
Denmark
Copenhagen
Although small in size, Denmark has much to offer. Soak in Danish culture by visiting attractions such as the Tivoli, the Little Mermaid, and more. Explore everything this country has to offer and see for yourself why Denmark has been named one of the happiest countries in the world. Take a walking tour through the capital city of Copenhagen and experience the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere that makes this country so special. From Nordic cuisine to beautiful architecture you'll be transported to a place that truly encompasses hygge, or a sense of comfort, a term the Danish made world famous.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Copenhagen
- Language(s): Danish
- Common Religion(s): Evangelical Lutheran
- Government: Parliamentary Democracy
- Currency: Danish Krone
- Population: 8.831 million (2020)
Sweden
Sweden
Stockholm
Sweden’s cultural heritage is an interweaving of a uniquely Swedish sensibility with ideas and impulses taken from other, larger cultures. Swedish art, poetry, literature, music, textiles, dance, and design are deeply infused with a primal relationship with the Nordic landscape and climate, but Swedes also have long been attracted to the greatness of the cultures of such countries as France and Germany, and influences from these and other European cultures have contributed to the development of Swedish literature, fashion, and cultural debate, as well as to the Swedish language itself.
- Location: Europe
- Capital: Stockholm
- Language(s): Swedish
- Common Religion(s): Church of Sweden (57.7%), Unaffiliated (33.5%)
- Government: Parliamentary system, Unitary state, Hereditary Monarchy, Representative democracy, Constitutional monarchy
- Currency: Swedish krona
- Population: 10.23 million (2019)
Source: www.britannica.com
Diversion Ports
Over our 57 year history, we’ve learned that itineraries are subject to adjustment. More than half of our voyages have required some deviation from the planned itinerary. The need to change an itinerary prior to and/or during a voyage can arise due to a number of factors: weather, political unrest, and other health and safety considerations. Should there be a need to adjust our published plans, we have identified potential Diversion Ports in each region of our expected travel. These ports are selected based on a number of factors including safety, educational value, and accessibility. While we don’t intend to visit these locations, should the need arise, we’ve made arrangements to allow us to travel to these ports. Again, these Diversion Ports simply serve as a back-up should anything prevent us from traveling to our planned itinerary.
Spring 2022 Diversion Ports
- Palermo, Italy
- Marseille, France
- Civitavecchia, Italy
- Valencia, Spain
- Cadiz, Spain
- Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
- Southampton, England
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Hamburg, Germany
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Tallin, Estonia
Other ports may be added as required. Just as our world is dynamic, this list of potential ports is also subject to change. Every destination must pass a comprehensive health and safety assessment, regardless of being a planned or diversion port.
