Carnival Pride - May 28, 2023

Barcelona is the cultural heartland of Spain, yet its first language is Catalan, the native tongue of the proudly independent Catalonia region. Stroll down the shady, tree-lined Ramblas between street musicians and elegant bistros. Then perhaps visit the venerable Gothic cathedral, Picasso Museum or enjoy the architectural genius of Antonio Gaudi's Church of the Holy Family.

One of the "Pillars of Hercules," Gibraltar is an historic landmark with British and Spanish influences. Guarding the entrance to the Atlantic, the great rock still serves as Britain's threshold to the Mediterranean. Take a cable car to the top of the rock for a spectacular view of two continents as well as the famous Barbary apes.

Lisbon is many cities, from the cobbled alleys of the Alfama district to the broad Parisian style avenues at its heart. View it all from the heights of St. George's Castle. Belem's Monument to the Discoveries recalls the seafaring past, while nearby Sintra's storybook palaces, and the seaside resort of Caiscais, have different tales to tell.

For a scenic view of Oporto, proceed to the 12th-century Cathedral where a long stone balcony overlooks the river and city below. Take a wine-tasting tour in this city renowned for its port wine and sample the region's local specialties. The city of Oporto makes a wonderful backdrop for savoring a glass of its fine liquor.

Galicia is at the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, to the north of Portugal, with which it has strong historical and linguistic ties. There are hardly any flat areas of land in its uneven landscape, but its hills and mountains offer many pleasant spots and natural parks. The mountain ranges of the Ancazares, Courel, Manzaneda and Pena Trevinca rise to almost two thousand metres. The main urban centres are Vigo and La Coruna.

The Tower of Hercules, a Roman lighthouse, shone over the sea and city of La Coruna for the first time over 2,000 years ago. Since then, it has guided thousands of vessels to the safety of the port - a rich melting pot of culture and that of the many visitors. Today, the city of La Coruna is one of Europe's main ports. By sea, road or air, the city welcomes you with its classic friendliness like it welcomes thousands of people who, every year come to visit the city and contemplate the oldest lighthouse of the world which is still working.

The city of Bilbao, hemmed in by massive green hills on three sides and a river valley to the north, sprawls itself out across the remaining open spaces in an ungainly and awkward mess. Its 14th-century historic district and more modern commercial centre hug the banks of the Nervion River, while its working class suburbs, the rusting shipbuilding and steel factories, the fish canning plants and assorted relics of its more lucrative industrial past stretch out along the widening river and up into the rugged hills.

La Rochelle became one of the great maritime cities of France in the fourteenth and fifteenth century. La Rochelle is a most interesting place, well worthy of a visit. The Quay of the little port, guarded at the entrance by two noble towers, the Tour Saint Nicolas and the Tour de la Chaine. The grey and yellow walls of these ancient fortresses, the bright green of the water, the old arcaded houses surrounding it, make a most picturesque scene.

Le Havre is the gateway for optional tours to Paris, the "City of Light." See the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Champs Elysees. In Le Havre itself, cruise visitors can explore at leisure and learn something of the French "art de vivre." Visit fish and vegetable markets, public parks, modern architecture, a long seaside promenade and a vast beach.

Located along the North Sea, Zeebrugge is located ten miles north of Brugge (Bruges) and serves as its port. The Brugge-Zeebrugge Canal connects the seaside resort with the cultural mecca that is its sister city. Visitors to Brugge will see stunning representations of gothic and roman architecture and collections of Dutch and Belgian art.

Dover is the port city for London, England. Its famous white cliffs have inspired songs and have been a welcome-home sight for returning Brits. Your trip to London takes you through the gorgeous countryside of Kent, where many of England's well-to-do keep fabulous country estates. In London, you'll know you're in one of the great capitals of the world.