Cruises of Europe are wonderfully varied. Consider cruising the Mediterranean, with ports of call in Southern France, Spain, Italy and Greece. These semi-tropical destinations make for not only a relaxing cruise, but also an educational vacation. While docked in Mediterranean ports you can tour fascinating museums, historic castles and working vineyards, and of course enjoy delicious Mediterranean foods like Spanish olives, Italian pasta and Greek pastries.

Northern Europe cruises bring travelers to such countries as Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Consider Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, where top sightseeing attractions include The Little Mermaid sculpture built in honor of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, as well as Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park best known for its wooden roller coaster that dates back to 1914. Another Scandinavian capital, Oslo, Norway, is situated by a fjord and surrounded by hills and forests. The new Opera House is a cultural gem; contrast this contemporary glass and marble building with the artifacts in the Viking Ship Museum. Don't miss the hundreds of pieces of art in Vigeland Sculpture Park.