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.
From the port of Tilbury, it's a short trip to London proper. Even if you've seen the sights (Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament and Buckingham Palace, to name a few), there is always a good play or musical in the West End, or shopping at Harrod's to pass the time.
A crossroad in the English Channel for centuries, Zeebrugge is the entry to Flanders, whose golden age heritage resides in three historic cities: Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges-a jewel of a town beribboned with picturesque canals and a truly charming medieval beauty. In this region, museums proudly display the glories of the old Flemish masters, from Van Dyck to Rubens, and summertime is delightful when window boxes boast colorful flowers and the graceful arcs of windmills can be seen.
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.
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.