Southampton to Istanbul Cruise on Vista from Southampton

Southampton

Southampton offers a perfect port for the best cruise ships that sail from the UK due to its size, design and great organization. It's also an ideal port for all those ships visiting the UK. Southampton offers various parking options around the area if needed and also a wide range of hotels if you need a pre-cruise stay before sailing. See our amazing cruise deals sailing from Southampton. Please contact us if you need information about Southampton's cruise terminals.

Ringaskiddy (Cork)

Ringaskiddy is a village in County Cork, Ireland. It has seen huge development in recent years. The village is close to picturesque areas such as Crosshaven and Monkstown. Ringaskiddy is protected by the hilltop Martello Tower, built in 1804 to defend against invasion by Napoleon, that offers panoramic views of Cork Harbour. Cork’s bustling city centre is brimming with fascinating shops and markets, and the welcoming, lively pubs are overflowing with live traditional Irish music. The hilltop steeple of 18th-century Shandon Church is a symbol of the city. Visit St Fin Barre's Cathedral with its splendid triple-spired example of French-Gothic architecture. Explore the Cork City Museum and the 19th century Cork Jail. And get the gift of the gab after kissing the Blarney Stone in nearby Blarney Castle.

Galway (Ireland)

Galway is a city in Ireland. It is in the West Region and the province of Connacht. Galway lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay and is surrounded by County Galway.Galway was named as one of the eight sexiest cities in the world. 2008 poll ranked Galway as the 42nd best tourist destination in the world. It is considered to be the cultural capital of Western Island for its vibranta lifestyle and numerous festivals, horse races, pubs, music, restaurants, theatres and shops. Places of Interest: Galway Atlantaquaria.Aaran Islands. Salthill Promenade. Burren.The main squares in the city Eyre Square (containing John F. Kennedy Park) located in the centre of the city, and the Spanish Parade next to the Spanish Arch.

Killybegs (Ireland)

The charming working town of Killybegs, in Donegal, has a long tradition of fishing and is Ireland’s largest fishing port. You’ll get a good overview of the town's history at the Killybegs International Carpet Making & Fishing Centre. Set in the factory of Donegal Carpets, whose rugs adorn the White House and Buckingham Palace, you can sometimes see its hand-knotting loom (the world's longest of its kind) at work.

Belfast

Belfast Harbour (also the Port of Belfast) is a major maritime gateway in Northern Ireland, It is increasingly popular with cruise liners. Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland and the second largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin. Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough, Belfast is surrounded by low hills. After years of violence, its center has been polished up making it great to walk through the pedestrian streets, shop in its arcades and spend some time in its pubs or dine in its excellent restaurants. Belfast city centre is focused on Donegall Square and Belfast City Hall in its centre. The City Hall is the grand centerpiece of the city and the orientation point for your exploration of Belfast. Running north from the centre of Donegall Square is Donegall Place, a broad and bustling shopping street, which will lead you towards the Cathedral Quarter and the Arts School. Bedford Street, becomes Dublin Road, which, leads south to the University Quarter, area where you´ll find the Botanic Gardens, art galleries and museums. Belfast is home to a wide range of parks and open spaces, making it one of the greenest cities in Ireland. The Golden Mile is the area around Great Victoria Street beyond Bradbury Place and it is considered the city´s best address for restaurants and pubs. The famous I.R.A. and Protestant murals are just to the west of the city center and it´s perfectly safe to go there and take photos.

Douglas (Isle of Man)

Douglas (Doolish in Manx) is the capital of the Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin in Manx) its largest town, and the main tourist and commercial centre. Places of Interest: Tower of Refuge, Horse drawn trams, Manx Museum

Dun Laoghaire (Dublin)

Dun Laoghaire is a beautiful costal city located 7 miles south of Dublin. With a very pretty harbor, one of the largest in the country, it has become a very popular tourist destination. It has a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, with a modern spirit, that make it a unique city.

Waterford (Ireland)

It is the most antique city of Ireland. Fortified city with viking origin. Between the principal attractives, outstands the Treasures Museum, the Clock Tower or the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Plymouth (Inglaterra)

Southampton

Southampton offers a perfect port for the best cruise ships that sail from the UK due to its size, design and great organization. It's also an ideal port for all those ships visiting the UK. Southampton offers various parking options around the area if needed and also a wide range of hotels if you need a pre-cruise stay before sailing. See our amazing cruise deals sailing from Southampton. Please contact us if you need information about Southampton's cruise terminals.

Zeebrugge (Bruges)

In Brugges you will have everything you need to enjoy the magical enviroment and unforgettable throught it's romantic canals, bridges, narrow streets and buildings full of history. So much so, that the old town of Brugges was claimed World Heritage Site of UNESCO in the year 2000.

Honfleur (France)

The privileged position of Honfleur on the banks of the Senna river and very near the Pont de Normandie, that joins the city with le Havre, during the whole year, a place to stay. the smal maritim city invites you to discover it's picturesque streets and antique houses in the heart of a protected zone of 37 acres, created in 1974. The city has known how to conserve and exhibit a rich patrimony historic and artistic, like the church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, built just after the hundred year War

Honfleur (France)

The privileged position of Honfleur on the banks of the Senna river and very near the Pont de Normandie, that joins the city with le Havre, during the whole year, a place to stay. the smal maritim city invites you to discover it's picturesque streets and antique houses in the heart of a protected zone of 37 acres, created in 1974. The city has known how to conserve and exhibit a rich patrimony historic and artistic, like the church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, built just after the hundred year War

St. Peter Port (Guernsey)

Guernsey is an island located in the English Channel. One of the principal attractives of the island are the marvelous beaches. Guernsey has a warm climate. Another attractive point to visit is St. Peter Port,a city that is full of magic. Saint Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey, as well as the main port. It´s considered one of Europe´s prettiest harbor towns, with its cobbled streets and picturesque seafront marina. Guernsey´s capital has been a busy port since Roman times.

Brest (France)

Brest is a city in the Finistère département in Brittany in northwestern France. Places of Interest: the Musée de la Tour Tanguy, in the Tanguy tower, houses a collection of dioramas that depict the city of Brest on the eve of World War II. The Musée national de la Marine de Brest, housed in the ancient castle, contains exhibits which outline Brest's maritime tradition, as well as an aquarium, the Océanopolis marine centre. The city also has a notable botanical garden specializing in endangered species, the Conservatoire botanique national de Brest, as well as the Jardin botanique de l'Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Clermont-Tonnerre.The city of Brest does not have much remaining historical architecture, apart from a few select monuments such as the castle and the Tanguy tower. This is due to heavy bombing by the Allies during World War II. In the 1950s, the town was hastily rebuilt using a large amount of concrete. In Recouvrance, the west bank of the town, there remains an authentic street of the 17th century, Saint-Malo Street.A few kilometres out of town, there are more impressive landscapes, from sandy beaches to grottos to tall granite cliffs. Sunbathing, windsurfing, yachting and fishing are enjoyed in the area. Brest was an important warship-producing port during the Napoleonic wars. The naval port, which is in great part excavated in the rock, extends along both banks of the Penfeld river.

La Rochelle (France)

Considered to be one of the most beautiful coastal towns in France, La Rochelle is located in the Charente-Maritime province. This picturesque city is centered around the Vieux Port or Old Harbour, the Three Towers of St. Nicolas, de la Chaine and de la Lanterne still stand guard the harbour entrance and form part of the well preserved medievil architecture offering visitors a glimpse into the citys rich history. Visitors can also take Boat trips to Île d Aix and Fort Boyard, visit the magnificent Port des Minimes or relax on the Beautiful beaches at Ile de Re.

Bordeaux (France)

Bordeaux is a portuary city on the south west of France, it is the capital of the Aquitaine region. The city is know worldwide fot it's vineyards, specialy since the XVIII century. The port is accesible for grand ships although actually most stop downstream towards the mouth of the river.

Bordeaux (France)

Bordeaux is a portuary city on the south west of France, it is the capital of the Aquitaine region. The city is know worldwide fot it's vineyards, specialy since the XVIII century. The port is accesible for grand ships although actually most stop downstream towards the mouth of the river.

San Sebastian (Spain)

San Sebastian is a city located to the north of Spain, in the coast of the Bay of Biscay, 20kms from the french frontier. The main economic activities are commerce and tourism, beeing in the past one of the most famous tourism destinations of Spain. The landscape, outstanding the Playa de la Concha, the architecture from 'the belle epoque', the food and the cultural events such as The International Film Festival, have given the fame to this city. San Sebastian has ben chosen the European Cultural City for 2016.

Bilbao (Spain)

Bilbao is a municipality and city in Spain, the capital of the province of Biscay in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. Bilbao is situated in the north-central part of Spain, some 8.7 mi south of the Bay of Biscay, where the estuary of Bilbao is formed. Its main urban core is surrounded by two small mountain ranges with an average elevation of 1,300 ft. The touristic impulse would come with the inauguration of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in 1997, being the top destination of this autonomous community. Bilbao is also an attractive destination for business tourism, mainly thanks to new venues such as the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall, or the nearby Bilbao Exhibition Centre, in Barakaldo.

Gijon (Spain)

Gijon is locate on the shore of the Cantabrian Sea. The signs of identity of Gijon are, sea, nature and city. Full of museums, history, art, fiestas, festivals and entertainment. In Gijon you must visit the old town, the roman ruins, the praise of the skyline by Eduardo Chillida, the San Lorenzo beach, the natal house of Jovellanos, the Palace of Revillagigedo, the town hall, the churches, the university and the museums.

La Coruna (Spain)

A Coruña; known as Corunna in English is a city and municipality of Galicia. It is the second-largest city in the autonomous community. The city is the provincial capital of the province of the same name A Coruña is a busy port located on a promontory in the entrance of an estuary in a large gulf on the Atlantic Ocean. The city is the site of the Roman Tower of Hercules, a lighthouse which has been in continuous operation since possibly the 2nd century AD. It has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by a large public park with a golf course and a former Muslim cemetery. The city is also well known for its characteristic

Porto (Portugal)

Porto is the second most important city in Portugal, after Lisbon. Porto is an old city that has many historical heritage sites, although during the last decades is has been modernized. It has the longest underground line in Portugal, that covers not only the centre of the city, but also the metropolitan outskirts such as Senhora da Hora or maja. The old town is included in the UNESCO world heritage site. Some of it's most important monuments are: Mercado do Bolhao, teh Cathedral, the Clerigos Church and Tower, the Crystal Palace, the town hall and the bridges over the Duero river. it is also known for the grandeur, innovation and beauty of it's bridges, dated in diferent seasons and of different architectural styles.

Lisbon

The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern constructions can be found all over Lisbon. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts. There are several substantial museums one can visit in the city. In addition, the mosaic Portuguese Pavement was born in Lisbon, in the mid-1800s. The art has since spread to the rest of the Portuguese Speaking world. The city remains one of the most expansive examples of the technique, nearly all walkways and even many streets being created and maintained in this style.

Lisbon

The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern constructions can be found all over Lisbon. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts. There are several substantial museums one can visit in the city. In addition, the mosaic Portuguese Pavement was born in Lisbon, in the mid-1800s. The art has since spread to the rest of the Portuguese Speaking world. The city remains one of the most expansive examples of the technique, nearly all walkways and even many streets being created and maintained in this style.

Tangier (Morocco)

Tangier is a great moroccan port at the gates of the Strait of Gibraltar, in front of the Atlantic Ocean. It has a rich history and a unique geography, this city was for the ancient Greek writers the most beautiful city in the known world. Source of inspiration, Tangier has a beauty and light that don't stop conquering generations of artist among the greatest.

Almeria (Spain)

Almeria is a city in Andalusia, Spain, situated in the southeast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the province of the same name. Main sights: The Alcazaba, a medieval fortress that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1522. It includes a triple line of walls, a majestic keep and large gardens. It commands a city quarter with buildings dressed in white colours, of Muslim-age aspect. Almería air raid shelters, underground galleries for civilian protection during the Spanish Civil War, nowadays, the longest in Europe open for tourists. The Cathedral has a fortress-like appearance due to its towers, merlons and protected paths, created to defend it from Mediterranean pirates. Renaissance church of Santiago, built in 1533, with tower and portal decorated with reliefs. Chanca, a group of houses carved into rocks.Castle of San Cristobal, now in ruins. It is connected to the Alcazaba by a line of walls. Museum of Almería. Includes findings from Prehistoric, Iberic, Roman, Greek ages and Muslim objects, mostly from the Alcazaba. Paseo de Coches, a modern seaside promenade with gardens and palms.

Cartagena (Spain)

Cartagena is located on the sout east of Murcia. On the banks of the Mediteranean, with a very smooth climate and waters. It´s famous for it´s festivals of Carthaginians and Romans and the holy week processions, declared of international touristic interest.

Palma (Majorca)

The capital of the island of Mallorca, Palma welcomes you through a magnificent view: the marina, the promenade, the Cathedral that is dominated by the Bellver Castle, situated on a hill which overlooks the harbour. Majorca is a favourite European destination for many cruise passengers. Great shopping centres and tourist services, beautiful and pristine beaches, the cuisine, and traditional products, not to mention the wonderful caves of Drach, all await you on your visit. Inland, you’ll find typical Mallorcan villages and mountain ranges reaching heights of 1,500 metres. 

Barcelona

The port of Barcelona was born about the same time as the city was. It is one of themost important ports in the Mediterranean, cruise ships leave the city to call on some of themost desirable cities in the Western Mediterranean. The port has modern facilities and allthe services needed to accommodate the many passengers who have Barcelona as anembarkation and a disembarkation port. Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan andmulticultural capitals of Europe. Among many attractions that include the Sagrada Familia,Montjuic, Gaudi's Güell Park and the famous Ramblas. It’s a hub of activity and the city isalways bustling.

Marseille (France)

Marseille is the second largest city in France, after Paris and is the third largest urban area and metropolitan area after Lyon. Marseille is the capital of the Provence Alpes Côte dAzur region, as well as the capital of the Bouches du Rhône department. The Quai des Belges at the end of the harbour is the site of the daily fish market. The Old Port or Vieux Port is the main harbour and marina of the city. It is guarded by two massive forts (Fort St Nicolas and Fort Saint Jean) and is one the main places to eat in the city. Things to see and do include the Old Port area, Abbey of Saint Victor, The Centre Bourse, and the adjacent Rue St Ferreol district, for the main shopping area, museums, and historical buildings. Marseille is always a popular cruise port because of its sheer beauty – it’s one of those cruise destinations that you’ll never forget.

Villefranche (Nice)

Villefranche is a beautiful port in the Cote dAzure, near Nice. Villefranche is more than a disembarkation port, it is the example of a little village, elegant and exclusive of the Cote dAzure. A peaceful and distinguished place, with multicolores houses, charming corners and most of all tranquility and french good life. It is worth walking through the streets, have a taste of the local cuisine in the port restaurants, or visit the interesting monuments like the Saint Pierre Chapel, the Romanic Chapel of Jean Cocteau, Fort Saint Elmo, or the Dark Street. To continue the visit, nothing better than a quick getaway to Monaco, point of leisure par excellence, the city of glamor, one of the most visited places in the world. This city has three districts: City of Monaco, Condomine and Montecarlo, where the famous casino is found. The following places are of mandatory visit: The Grimaldi Palace, constructed on the Monaco Rock, the old part of the city, the Monaco Cathedral and the Opera.

Livorno (Florence/Pisa)

Livorno is a port city on the Ligurian Sea on the western coast of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno. Places of Interest include the New Venice district, which retains much of its original town planning and architectural features such as the bridges, narrow lanes, the noblemen´s houses and a dense network of canals that once served to link its warehouses to the port. The Old English Cemetery is the oldest foreign Protestant burial ground in Italy. The Museo Mascagnano houses memorabilia, documents, and operas by the great composer Pietro Mascagni, who lived here. Every year some of his operas are traditionally played during the lyric music season, which is organised by the Traditional Theatre of Livorno. Also, the Terrazza Mascagni, a walkway divided from the sea by a handrail, is named in his honour. Up in the hills, the Sanctuary of Montenero, dedicated to Our Lady of Graces, the patron saint of Tuscany, is a destination for pilgrims. "Monument of the Four Moors", is dedicated to Grand Duke Ferdinando I de´ Medici of Tuscany and is one of the most important monuments of Livorno. The Piazza della Repubblica contains two important monuments of Italian politicians important to the unification. A large canal passes under the square, which serves as a bridge over it. The old red brick fortress was built during the Medici years and defended the city from attack by pirates. Livorno is also your gateway to the fascinating city of Pisa, where you can marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and maybe even climb its steps to the top. 

Civitavecchia (Rome)

 Civitavecchia is the city of Rome´s port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The harbour is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse. The name Civitavecchia means Ancient Town. There, the Eternal City lies before us in large format architectural and artistic sculptures such as the Colosseum, the most important monument of ancient Rome and used for public entertainment. Do not miss the Trevi Fountain and make a wish while you throw a coin over your shoulder and then continue to the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments of antiquity, Piazza Navona, and the Vatican City. Take a walk through the Plaza of Spain and rest on the steps of Trinita dei Monti before heading to Via Condotti, a wide avenue lined with shops. Civitavecchia is always popular with cruise passengers because, as noted earlier, it is the gateway to Rome. All cruise lines tend to offer shore excursions here to the Eternal City and we highly recommend that you book one. 

Messina (Sicily)

Messina is the capital of the Italian province of Messina. It is situated near the Northeast corner of Sicily and is the 3rd largest city on the island. The campanile holds the largest astronomical clock in the world and is full of animated mechanical statues that put on quite the show at noon. The city has been a Roman Catholic Archdiocese and Archimandrite seat since 1548 and is home to a locally important international fair. Things to see and do include the Archaeological Museum of Reggio di Calabria, Torre Faro observation tower over Messina Strait, Lungomare promenade at Reggio, The Fountain of Orion, The Four Fountains and The Senatory Fountain. Sicily has long been a key feature on Mediterranean cruise itineraries and for good reason. This wonderful little island is a true gem and there’s so much to keep all the family occupied.

Chania (Crete)

Chania , is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania regional unit. It lies along the north coast of the island, about 43 mi west of Rethymno and 90 mi west of Heraklion.Some notable sights include the Mosque of Djamissi; the remains of the Venetian "arsenali", where ships were once built and repaired; the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, the huge Municipal Market that connects to the new town at its opposite entrance; the marvellous Archaeological Museum occupying a 16th Century Venetian church; and many of the side streets filled with shops, craftsmen, and beautiful architecture.

Santorini

Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from Greece´s mainland The island remains the home of a small, but flourishing, wine industry, based on the indigenous grape variety, Assyrtiko, with auxiliary cultivations of two other Aegean varietals, Athiri and Aidani. Wine Industry The vines are extremely old and resistant to phylloxera (attributed by local winemakers to the well-drained volcanic soil and its chemistry), so the vines needed no replacement during the great phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century. In their adaptation to their habitat, such vines are planted far apart, as their principal source of moisture is dew, and they often are trained in the shape of low-spiralling baskets, with the grapes hanging inside to protect them from the winds. Architecture The traditional architecture of Santorini is similar to that of the other Cyclades, with low-lying cubical houses, made of local stone and whitewashed or limewashed with various volcanic ashes used as colours. The unique characteristic is the common utilisation of the hypóskapha: extensions of houses dug sideways or downwards into the surrounding pumice

Athens (Piraeus)

Athens, the capital city of Greece is an active cosmopolitan mix of different cultures and people, passionate about their art and history. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few miles from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica. The main attractions of Athens are The Ancient Agora, Anafiotika, The Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus, Thiseion Cinema, Gazi, Monastiraki Flea Market, Pireaus seaside, Pireaus open air market, Kastella Hill, Veakio open air theatre and Piraeus Archaeological.

Kusadasi (Turkey)

With a mix of modern beach resorts alongside traditional bazaars, Kusadasi is a popular tourist destination on the Aegean coast in the Aydin Province of Turkey. Aside from its golden sandy beaches and warm clear waters, Kusadasi boasts a variety of attractions most famous of which is Ephesus, the Mediterranean’s best-preserved classical city. Marble pillars of the Library of Celsus support intricate friezes and sculptures, while the enormous theatre delivers superb views over the city. Visitors can also discover Kusadasi on horseback, swim with the horses at Pamucak Beach or take time to visit array of stalls and shops that comprise the local bazaar.

Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. It is also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul attracts visitors not only for its history and its monuments, but also for their way of life and its lovely people. It is the city of churches, synagogues and thousands of mosques Istanbul is the city of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi and Dolmabahce palaces.

Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. It is also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world. Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the narrow strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. Istanbul attracts visitors not only for its history and its monuments, but also for their way of life and its lovely people. It is the city of churches, synagogues and thousands of mosques Istanbul is the city of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi and Dolmabahce palaces.