Lying at the mouth of the River Lee, Cobh has one of the best natural harbours in the world. Known as Queenstown until 1922, it was the departure point for thousands of Irish emigrants to America and the last port of call of the Titanic. The ‘Queenstown Story’ is a wonderful exhibition telling of this rich maritime history. From Cobh’s waterfront, streets lined with brightly coloured houses climb the steep slope of a hill, which is crowned with the imposing St Coleman’s Cathedral. A charming little town, Cobh is a gateway to the city of Cork and excursions to Ireland’s legendary Blarney Castle.

A charming mix of both modern city and old town, La Coruña is capital of the Spanish province bearing the same name in the rugged and beautiful region of Galicia. The symbol of La Coruña, nicknamed the ‘Crystal City’ for the glass-fronted buildings along its attractive seafront promenade, is the 2nd century lighthouse Torre del Hercules. Beautiful old streets and squares are found in Ciudad Vieja. The heart of this old town is the colonnaded Maria Pita Square surrounded by delightful shops, cafes and restaurants.

The oldest continuously populated city in Spain, Cadiz is a unique ocean port in south west Spain that has been inhabited for the last 3000 years.
Located on a peninsula jutting into the Gulf of Cadiz, the city is surrounded almost entirely by water and thanks to its historical trade links, it has many foreign influences that are still visible today.
Narrow cobbled streets, small squares and weather-beaten buildings dating back to the Moors make the old city a charming place to explore with look-out towers used by merchants to spot returning trade ships scattered along the skyline. Cadiz also has a fine collection of ancient and contemporary art in its many 

Located on the western coast of Africa, the cosmopolitan Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city with a thriving tourism trade.
Blending the modern world with the ancient, Casablanca can be accurately described as a cultural melting pot with clear African, Arabic and European influences. The city’s many parks, fountains and recognisably Art Deco flourishes are all courtesy of the French Protectorate who made the city their administrative centre in the early part of the 20th Century.
Highlights include the impressive Hassan Il Mosque, the ornate Mauresque architecture and gleaming white 1930’s buildings immortalised in the classic film starring Humphrey Bogart. 

A city with maritime roots, Arrecife first appeared on maps in the 15th century as a small fishing harbour. It has since 1852 been the capital of Lanzarote, the northernmost and fourth largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. Lanzarote, which lies just four degrees north of the Tropic of Cancer and enjoys a sub-tropical climate, is volcanic in origin. Arrecife’s Calle Leon y Castila has a wealth of shops and is an opportunity for duty free shopping.

Set in a magnificent natural amphitheatre overlooking a wide bay, Funchal is the delightful capital of the beautiful and dramatic island of Madeira. The harbour is right in the centre of town and as you approach the sight of whitewashed buildings with red tiled roofs tumbling down the verdant mountain is spectacular. A modern cable car soars above the bustling city to Monte, which is the start of Madeira’s famous wicker toboggan ride. Wicker baskets, embroidery and the famous Madeira wine are popular souvenirs from the striking island often described as the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’.

Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, is home to the magnificent Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, 25th April Bridge and Monument of the Discoveries. Wander through the maze of narrow streets in the delightful Alfama district and ride one of the famous old trams.