Favorite European ports

[ActiveTraveler]

The hardest part of planning a cruise for me is selecting ports of call because I have no idea what there is to see and do in most of Europe. What is your favorite European port and why, not counting Scandanavia and the Baltic?

[cruisemom42]

Hmmmm.....too hard to choose just one!

 

History buff: Rome, but difficult to do as a cruise stop; it really deserves a week. Runner up: Athens.

 

Exotic locale: Istanbul -- so much to do there; very friendly people and delicious food. Just exotic enough to be interesting, not scary.

 

Art lover: Florence (like Rome, difficult to do in a day; about 90 minutes from port). Ground zero for the Renaissance.

 

Scene Stealer: Santorini; beautiful views you won't forget.

 

Dreamer: Venice; wander her streets and pretend, like Erica Jong, to be from a bygone era.

 

I could go on.......;)

[texancruzer]

Geez, each one is so different from the last...... and each one has its own special draw.

 

My favs in order:

 

Rome - just the sheer number of very cool things to do and see -love Rome !!!!!

Istanbul - again...... cool stuff and very friendly people - and clean !!!

Florence - got a warm comfortable feeling in this city.

Kusadasi/Ephesus - again lots to see and very friendly people

Amalfi coast (Naples port) stunning, absolutely stunning views, great food and history too (Pompeii)

Athens - well its Athens !

So. of France - Nice, Villefranche and Eze or Provence from Toulon

Santorini - beautiful views

Dubrovnik - very cool old town area

Corfu - really beautiful Greek island - very green and lush

Barcelona - my dhs favorite but I was not real impressed

Mykonos - eh - ok for one visit

 

This is my list so far...... but I will be going back ;)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Yes, that is indeed a toughy.

 

Bordeaux -- as long as the ship goes up the estuary to the actual city. You're then docked right in the middle of wine country.

 

Istanbul -- see if you can find a ship that arrives or leaves the Bosporus during the day -- magic!

 

Athens -- invites wonderful pre- or post-cruise adventures in this wonderful country (although I'm glad I'm not going there this year)

 

Napflion -- a Venetian Greek gem of a small city, charming

 

Honfleur -- charming town in Normandy, a stroller's delight

[jocap]

I think Cynthia has pointed out the different attractions for different people. The tour I remember the most, was organised by Louis Cruises in Istanbul, which was slightly different to the others, and took in 2 old Greek churches, as well as all the usual sights.

There's also the sailing aspects....I love the sail in/out to Venice; the Dardanelles up to Istanbul; the Straits of Messina in between Italy and Sicily, with views of Etna at one end, and the live volcano Stromboli at the other; the sail into the caldera at Santorini is breathtaking, as is sailing between Gibraltar and Africa.

Going up the sea canal to Amsterdam is worth getting up for, as is sailing in any of Scotland's sea lochs.

Jo.