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Folegandros
Photo: Henry Lim / Unsplash

Folegandros

Greece · Mediterranean

There is popular saying that good things come in small packages, or that small is beautiful. And never has a truer word been said when talking about Folegandros. Because this little island in the Aegean packs a big punch. What it might lack in mainstream tourism – you won’t see any all-day breakfasts or Sky sports channels here – is more amply made up by the mouthwatering cuisine, stunning beaches, azure Aegean waters and secluded coves. At just 12. 5 m2 this tiny Cycladic gem – along with its 765 year round inhabitants – is a pearl waiting to be polished. Named after the son of King Minos, the island’s auspicious history is eclipsed by its beauty. Used as a prison for exiled political prisoners until last century, the island’s remote location is a happy blessing for those who want step back in time. Despite being so secluded, there is plenty for visitpors to do once they have arrived in the charming harbour and its village. The pebbly beaches are covered with tamarisk trees, while scenic Karavostássis, with its beautiful beach is the perfect starting point for an exploration of the five other glorious beaches of on the island. Livádi, a village with a sandy beach and turquoise waters is a must-see for all those who want to go off the beaten path, but still want to swim in the warm Aegean waters. A boat tour of the island offers day-trippers to fully appreciate the tall cliffs and large “golden” cave (unfortunately closed to the public due to the archaeological excavations taking place). The whitewashed houses and zigzagging path are certainly worth the view from the water! A walk up the same path from the pretty village to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary takes about 15 minutes, and offers stupendous views once you’re at the top.

13 cruises

Geraldton, Western Australia

Australia, NZ & South Pacific

Surrounded by beaches, sun-drenched Geraldton in Western Australia is a thriving city facing the Indian Ocean. Located on the Coral Coast, the city has a friendly country town feel but is infused local history and cultural heritage. View less Like many coastal towns, the dining and café culture is superb and the choice of which restaurant to choose is a happy dilemma for most travellers!Celebrated for its annual display of spectacular wildflowers, Geraldton’s flora attracts visitors from all regions, with guides taking tourists on as much as 300 mile/500 kilometre round trips in order to make sure that they receive the best possible experience. A haven for visitors especially during the cooler months, the views differ year-in year-out and vary greatly depending on the rainfall. Whole fields become blanketed in colour and rare plants, such as the wreath-flower, burst into splendorous bloom. The well-informed guides keep a track of what is flowering where and visitors only have to ask to be pointed in the right direction. With over 300 species of native plants, it is only expected that insects and birds are attracted to the area. Over 120 types of bird have been classified as well as 22 types of reptile and seven types of frog. Happily, the iconic kangaroo also makes the plains their home, so visitors can expect a real Aussie welcome if they happen upon one!

13 cruises

Gudhjem
Photo: Grant Durr / Unsplash

Gudhjem

Northern Europe & Baltic

On the east cost lies the rocky hill "Bokul" with the town Gudhjem. The town seems to cling to the sea side of the hill. The name "Gudhjem" means "Gods home". That is a little exaggeration,but it is a nice place.

13 cruises

Huizen, Netherlands

13 cruises

Ishinomaki, Japan

Asia

Ishinomaki is enjoying a period of revitalization after being hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Its lively and colorful urban core showcases its "manga" culture-the art of Japanese comic books and illustrated novels-thanks to famed writer Shotaro Ishinomori, known for his Kamen Rider series. Throughout the city, you'll see comic book artwork and statues. The thriving city of Ishimonaki serves as a gateway to a variety of cultural and historical adventures. Explore exquisite temples from the national treasure Zuiganji Temple, the oldest example of Momoyama architecture in northern Japan, and the decorative paintings, gold-leaf ornamentation and manicured gardens of the Entsuin Temple. Stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hiraizumi, said to once rival Kyoto in its grandeur, or-for unique gastronomic delights-wander along the stalls of the Shiogama Fish Market, where the catch of the day is only the beginning and you can dine on extraordinarily fresh sushi and rice bowl creations. With magnificent vistas around every turn, you'll delight in Japan's natural beauty while soaking in the warm waters of an ancient hot spring surrounded by spectacular forests and mountain views or on a scenic cruise through sparkling Matsushma Bay, studded with more than 200 pine-covered islands and considered one of Japan's three most picturesque views.

13 cruises

Kiel Canal

Northern Europe & Baltic

13 cruises

Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania

Africa

Kilwa Kisiwani dates back to the 9th century as one of the most famous trading posts in East Africa and on the Indian Ocean. From the 11th century to early 15th century this island community off the southern coast of present-day Tanzania was a powerful city, political force, and major trading center with close links to the interior of Africa as well as distant Asian ports. Goods exchanged here included gold, iron, ivory, slaves, textiles, jewelry, porcelain and spices.

13 cruises

Madrid

Mediterranean

Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.

13 cruises

Man of War Bay

Caribbean & Bahamas

The large, horseshoe-shaped Man of War Bay is fringed by a palm-studded yellow-sand beach with good swimming.

13 cruises

Ponza
Photo: Kentaro Komada / Unsplash

Ponza

Italy · Mediterranean

Birthplace of the famous magician who seduced Ulysses, this magnificent volcanic rock at the centre of the Tyrrhenian archipelago is also known as the Island of Circe. One glimpse of Ponza’s wild terrain and you will understand why Ulysses delayed his return to Ithaca. Its rugged coastline of jagged rocks and cliffs, sculpted by the wind and the waves is riddled with caves which the Romans once used for bathing.

13 cruises

Pula
Photo: James Qualtrough 🇮🇲 / Unsplash

Pula

Croatia · Mediterranean

Pula (Croatia) invites you to a journey back in time. More than any other village in Croatia, Pula is a worthy heir to the Roman Empire. Timeless beauty and a truly exceptional architectural heritage is to be found here. More than anywhere else, the ancient ruins seem to have survived the centuries without having aged. You will discover in Pula a culture which dominated Europe for more than five centuries.

13 cruises

St Louis du Rhone

Northern Europe & Baltic

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in southern France.

13 cruises

St. Helena (Jamestown), Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Northern Europe & Baltic

The beautiful isolation of Jamestown, the capital of St. Helena, lies in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, It is the final resting place of Napoleon, who was exiled there, and his gravesite in a colourful, flower-laden glade can still be visited. Still a British Overseas Territory, the town’s main attractions include the Museum of Saint Helena, which showcases St. Helenian stamps, island communications, religious icons and geological specimens; The Cenotaph; and the view from Jacob’s Ladder – its 699 steps rise from the capital to Half Tree Hollow above. Jamestown’s temperature is consistently warm and pleasant throughout the year, moderated by its proximity to the ocean. This historic village boasts the oldest Anglican church in the Southern Show lessHemisphere – the 18th century St. James' – plus numerous handsome Georgian manses that line a very British Main Street.

13 cruises

Stewart Island
Photo: Sébastien Goldberg / Unsplash

Stewart Island

New Zealand · Australia, NZ & South Pacific

Located some 20 miles from the mainland, and separated from South Island by the Foveaux Strait, the island's attractions lie in its virtually untouched beauty and unhurried pace. There are few cars, few roads and little tourist development. You could say that Stewart Island is less a destination than a way of life.

13 cruises

Thunder Bay
Photo: Senning Luk / Unsplash

Thunder Bay

13 cruises

Vik
Photo: Barnabas Davoti / Unsplash

Vik

Norway · Northern Europe & Baltic

Located along the south bank of Sognefjord – the largest fjord in Norway and surrounded by amazing scenery, Vik is a small, picturesque town that, despite its size, has plenty of attractions to discover and enjoy. Vikøyri is the main settlement and central hub of Vik. Here is where you will find the most interesting attractions, including two medieval churches with vast histories. The must-visit Hove Church – originally built in 1170 and the Hopperstad Stave Church - built in 1130, were both restored in the 1880’s by famous architect Peter Andreas Blix and feature elaborate architectural designs with an incredible attention to detail. The town is also home to the only factory in the world that creates gammelost, a unique type of Norwegian cheese and is the location of the only prison in Sogn og Fjordane. From Vik you can also embark on tours to the breathtaking Arnafjord and the World Heritage landscape of Nærøyfjorden, and discover the stunning Fresvikbreen, a huge, 1648 metre high glacier which towers over the tiny village of Fresvik.

13 cruises

Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel is a village in the Egyptian part of Nubia, about 240 km southwest of Aswan and near the border with Sudan. As of 2012, it has about 2600 inhabitants. It is best known as the site of the Abu Simbel temples, which were built by King Ramses II.

12 cruises

Ambrym Island, Vanuatu

Australia, NZ & South Pacific

Unlike Espiritu Santo with its raised coral reefs and white sand, Ambrym is a volcanically active island with dark sand beaches. Ambrym is known as the island of magic and is the source of five local languages that all evolved on Ambrym. This handful of languages contributes to the well over 100 languages of Vanuatu. Some of Ambrym’s magic takes place in the lush greenery of the local community of Ranon. Here the people perform a very special and traditional ‘Rom’ dance. Participants prepare their masks and costumes in secrecy and the dance is reserved for special occasions.

12 cruises

Buccaneer Archipelago

Australia, NZ & South Pacific

Set off the coast of Western Australia, the Buccaneer Archipelago is one of the Kimberley’s finest secrets. The Archipelago, 50 k2 (19 sq mi), is made up of around 800 islands and protect the mainland from the huge 12 metre tides and astonishing speed of the Yampi (or, in traditional Aborigine, “Yampee”) Sound. The speed and power of the water many not make for pleasant bathing, but do however result in fantastic natural phenomena. One fine example is the horizontal reversible waterfall in Talbot Bay. The tidal pull is responsible for the “reversible” nature of the falls, however, this also hides narrow gaps between the islands, making for treacherous sailing conditions. Isolated graves of sailors and divers are testimony to the danger. William Dampier sighted the Archipelago in 1688 but it would not be until 1821 that the Archipelago would become known as Buccaneer (a term coined by Captain Phillip Parker King) "in commemoration of William Dampier’s visit to this part of the coast ". Commander John Lort Stokes also noted the area in his 1838 record. Enterprising individuals were initially attracted to the Buccaneer Archipelago in the 1800s due to the superior pearling as well as the rich iron ore deposits. Pearling conducted by luggers in the 1880s was concentrated in Cygnet Bay, Cascade Bay, Cone Bay and Strickland Bay. More recently, mining operators established open-cut mines on Koolan Island on the east side of the Sound. Some of the richest iron ore in the world is extracted here to this day.

12 cruises

Conflict Islands, PNG

Australia, NZ & South Pacific

Papua New Guinea is quickly becoming a favorite destination for cruise passengers, and it’s easy to see why when you visit the Conflict Islands. Although the name might not sound inviting (don’t worry, they're named after a British naval ship, not a war), these 21 islands are like paradise on earth: Tropical islets encircle an enormous turquoise lagoon formed by the rim of a sunken volcano, with vibrant coral reefs and rainbow schools of fish below the water. Located about 160 kilometers (97 miles) east of Papua New Guinea in the Coral Sea, the island group is owned by Australian businessman and conservationist Ian Gowrie-Smith, who is dedicated to protecting the ecosystem of the islands (he has an eco-resort on one island; the rest are uninhabited).Just as Papua New Guinea is one of the wildest and most diverse places on the planet, the seas here offer some of the world’s most extensive biodiversity and coral reefs, making for unparalleled kayaking, diving and snorkeling. There are hundreds of coral species and thousands of species of fish and invertebrates such as the sea cucumber. If you ever get bored with watching manta rays float past, lie back on the white sand, look up at the palm trees blowing in warm trade winds or watch the sun set over the lagoon, and dream of owning your own chain of tropical islands.

12 cruises

Copacabana, Brazil
Photo: F Cary Snyder / Unsplash

Copacabana, Brazil

South America

Copacabana is dominated to the east by Sugar Loaf Mountain and circled by a line of hills that stretch out into the bay as you’ll see when you’re cruising the Atlantic Ocean with MSC Cruises. The town’s expansion as a residential area has been restricted by the Morro de São João, which separates it from Botafogo, and the Morro dos Cabritos, a natural barrier to the west. Consequently, Copacabana is one of the world’s most densely populated areas as well as a frenzy of sensual activity. Of course, Copacabana hasn’t always been as it is today, and traces remain of the former fishing community that dominated the area until the first decades of the twentieth century. Each morning before dawn, the boats of the colônia de pescadores (the descendants of the fishermen) set sail from the Forte de Copacabana, returning to the beach by 8am to sell their fish from stalls at the southern end of the beach. Rio’s sophisticated beach culture is entirely a product of the twentieth century. The 1930s saw the city’s international reputation emerge and “flying down to Rio” became an enduring cliché, celebrated in music, film and literature. Nonetheless, Rio’s beaches are first and foremost the preserve of cariocas: rich or poor, young or old, everybody descends on the beaches throughout the week, treating them as city parks. Copacabana is amazing, the over-the-top atmosphere apparent even in the mosaic pavements, designed by Burle Marx to represent images of rolling waves. The seafront is backed by a line of prestigious, high-rise hotels and luxury apartments that have sprung up since the 1940s. Some fine examples of Art Deco architecture are scattered around the bairro.

12 cruises

Eltmann, Germany

12 cruises

Fatu Hiva (Omoa)

Australia, NZ & South Pacific

Omoa Village The village of Omoa is the administrative center of Fatu Hiva. Here, you will find a pretty church and the Musée Grelet, a small private museum founded by a 19th-century Swiss immigrant to this island. Exhibits include war clubs and spears, adzes, tikis, stone pestles, and carved-wood koka’a bowls. Fatu Hiva is renowned for its handicrafts, especially tapa (decorated beaten bark cloth). During your stay, you may see artists at work on tapa and other crafts, including hand-painted pareos and monoi, a scented coconut oil. The area around Omoa Village also features many ancient petroglyphs, or rock art. Among them is one of the largest in the Marquesas: that of the famous paoa, which looks like a huge tuna fish carved into the rock. A guided hike to the petroglyphs is available as an excursion from The Gauguin. Hanavave & the Bay of Virgins Fatu Hiva’s other main settlement, Hanavave, lies on one of the most beautiful bays in the world, the Bay of Virgins, and the ten-mile road linking Hanavave to Omoa Village is a wonderland of scenic delights. Behold towering cliffs, plunging waterfalls, steep gorges and valleys, and luxuriant vegetation along the way. A scenic drive between Omoa Village and Hanavave is available as a shore excursion from The Gauguin.

12 cruises

Hebron, NL, Canada

US East Coast & Canada

12 cruises

Page 60 of 91

Regions are derived from each port’s coordinates. Sailing counts reflect active upcoming departures, refreshed through our scheduled feed.

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