Western European cruises sail from port cities like Amsterdam, Southampton, Barcelona, and Copenhagen to seaports in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Austria throughout the year. A cruise offers a variety of ship sizes and passenger capacities, whether traveling to Western Europe for a weekend getaway or a month-long tour. Most cruises to Western Europe leave from the north between April and May and return from the south between August and September. The temperature generally becomes warmer as you travel south, though it varies by season.
You can discover new cultures and places on a Europe cruise. Western Europe offers European standards and new experiences all the time. Are you aware that the Dutch have an interesting habit of having houses that look out onto gardens? It shows they do not hide anything. A Western Europe cruise would not be complete without visiting the UK and France.North American travelers have a nice balance of the familiar and the unusual in Western Europe.
Explore cities where English is widely spoken and churches and monuments that predate the founding of America; shop at outdoor markets far different from your local grocery store, and then drink beer in the local pub. Whether you visit the Louvre in France, tulip fields in the Netherlands, or Buckingham Palace in London, Western Europe hosts many "bucket-list" cities.
In Provence, there are many food and wine options. Whether you're visiting the vibrant and wildly diverse Noailles Market in Marseille or Aix-en-Provence's food and wine tours, you'll be able to explore the region's sweet and savory traditions.
The coasts of France and Spain are lined with ports. Hamburg, Bruges, and Amsterdam's cultural hot spots lie north. Passing through the Straits of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean, you will stop at Le Havre, La Rochelle, Bilbao, Poroto, Lisbon & Cadiz before you reach the Mediterranean.
UNESCO has listed the city center of Havre as world’s one of the most beautiful and unique city centers. As a result of heavy bombardment during the 1944 war, the city was quickly reconstructed by Auguste Perret, a renowned Belgian architect. Concrete buildings dominate the town, giving it a gray and dim appearance. Nevertheless, Le Havre offers excellent shopping, eateries, museums, scenic public beaches, and more. It has the second most important collection of Impressionist paintings after the Musée d'Orsay in Paris in the Museum of Modern Art André Malraux (MuMa Musée d'art moderne André Malraux).
Scotland's Highlands is a land of legends, heroes, villains, monsters, and majestic castles filled with exciting stories and spectacular scenery. As the main gateway to Inverness, Scotland's capital city, Invergordon lies on the shores of the Cromarty Firth (a North Sea inlet a part of Moray Firth). The small town of Invergordon, whose city center is about 5 minutes’ walk from the cruise terminal, is a great place to see if you are staying near the port or have some free time on your hands. The town has streets filled with shops and a museum that traces its history as a naval and oil port.
The charming seaside village of Greenock is conveniently located at the mouth of the River Clyde, where it spreads into the Firth of Clyde on Scotland's west coast. When you stay near the cruise port area, be sure to explore some of the highlights in Greenock, such as Victoria Tower, Lyle Kirk, Mount Kirk, and Greenock Cut. One of the fascinating things about Greenock Cut is the stunning views of the Clyde estuary from the path through the hills. Greenock Cut Visitor Center can be accessed at the top. The walk takes up to 3 hours.
It is an essential gateway to North Wales and Snowdonia National Park, as well as the largest town in Anglesey (Wales). In Holyhead, you can taste the traditional Welsh cuisine. You can find this cuisine at several pubs and restaurants with two well-known dishes, Welsh rarebit, and Conwy mussels. You can find souvenirs, local crafts, pubs, and restaurants on Market Street, the central shopping district. The Maritime Museum featuring local maritime history exhibits, is located on the waterfront, near St Cybi's Church (located at the end of Market Street). You must wear appropriate clothing and footwear in the town because it is hilly. Some areas of the city do not accommodate wheelchairs.
Maritime Station docks the smaller, more luxurious vessels, while most cruise ships docks at Swedish Quai (ZweedseKaai). A wide sandy beach is its most notable feature. Enjoy a pleasant stroll on the beach and look at the charming marina featuring several restaurants and cafes along the shore. It is located just a few minutes from the port and cruise building. The maritime theme park hosts a Russian submarine, fish exhibits, and WWI artifacts.
