Celebrity Apex - September 2, 2023

One of Europe's leading cities, Amsterdam's rings of canals and traditional Dutch architecture are unmistakable. Rich in art, history and culture, Amsterdam is home to the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank's house, and the Rijksmuseum, which houses many works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Weymouth is a British port city. It boasts a fine swimming beach, a scenic harbor, and a long and colorful history. King George III felt that swimming in the Weymouth waters helped his mental condition. Sailing, windsurfing, and fishing are also popular Weymouth activities. There is also golf, hiking, bicycle riding, and more in the area. Visit the Timewalk, Brewery Days, and Sea Life Park.

A town of churches, bridges and pubs, Cork is best known for Blarney Castle where you are invited to kiss the famed stone to acquire the "gift of gab." St. Patrick Street, the town's main thoroughfare, is good for shopping and people watching. See the Shandon bells in St. Anne's church. Those who are willing to climb the 134 winding steps to the top of the steeple will be rewarded with a wondrous view of the city, harbor and hills.

Liverpool is a city in Merseyside County, on the northwest coast of England. Visit the town where the Beatles got their start. Liverpool continues to be a national center of shipping, communication, and transport. The town is filled with architectural landmarks, including the Town Hall, St. George's Hall, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The city's symphony orchestra is also world-renowned.

Climb the hill beyond Belfast Castle for a stunning view of this charming city. Soak up the nine thousand years of Irish history at the Ulster Museum in the Botanical Gardens. Sit on one of Belfast's many benches and watch the street musicians or head to the pub for a pint. Stroll the streets and marvel at the city's Victorian and Edwardian architecture.

Lerwick is a town in the Shetland Islands, an archipelago north of the Scottish mainland. Historically a major fishing port, Lerwick today attracts those drawn to the combination of Norse and British culture in the area. Every January, the Up-Helly-Aa fire festival features a Norse ship that is dramatically dragged through the town and burned.

Invergordon is a small port on the North Sea, and enjoys deep and safe waters. Invergordon is home to a variety of industrial activities, including production of aluminum and protective coating for pipes. Linksters can play a round of golf on the par-69 golf course. Take an excursion to Loch Ness, the home of the legendary Loch Ness monster.

One of the largest and most modern ports in the world, Rotterdam is the major foreign-trade center of the Netherlands and its second largest city. Among the noteworthy buildings that survived the German air bombardment of 1940 were the stock exchange, the city hall, and the Van Beuningen Museum, with its collection of paintings by Dutch masters.