Transoceanic from Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with three million inhabitants, a dominating port in northern Mediterranean with one of the most renowned and important universities in the world. The city is a very rich commercial centre, where industrial operations crucial to the Spanish economy take place. In fact, Catalans have always considered their region unique compared with the other Spanish regions and we can find its roots in the power exercised by Barcelona for four hundred years at least on Spanish monarchy and on European commercial events.

All the flavour of Spain in our stop at the port of Malaga, a city perched on the heights of the Costa del Sol that dominates the Mediterranean with pride. The port of Malaga is one of the access ports to the Spanish province. The city, perched on the Costa del Sol, is synonymous with art, culture and sunshine, while its hills invite you to explore the surrounding area. Here you will find the Cenachero, Platero and Biznaguero, three emblematic statues that surround the spirit of the place. For cars lovers, the automobile museum traces the history of the innovations seen in the industry. The Montes Natural Park offers several options for excursions of varying difficulty, from beginners to those trails for experienced hikers. Finally, we suggest that you do not miss a show of the Malagueña dancers.

Travel through the streets of the port, where Christopher Columbus left for America, and visit this beautiful town and its surroundings. Make a stop in Cadiz, an Andalusian town that gives its name to the region it is capital of and the gulf on whose heights it stands proud. Its buildings are characterised by influences, in chronological order, of the Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and the Christians. The port of Cadiz was the departure point of the expedition that led to the discovery of America. Here you can admire the charming seafront promenade and the 3 km bridge that crosses the bay. Don’t miss the chance to taste “tapas de chorizo” or see a flamenco show.

An extraordinarily rich architectural and cultural heritage and a strong tie to the sea: it is wonderful to admire the never-ending motion of the waves from the galerias, the traditional balconies in front of houses overlooking the ocean.

During the stop in the port of Le Havre you can discover a maritime metropolis through modernist architecture and many fascinating museums. Le Havre is a port city in Normandy that was rebuilt after being destroyed during World War II. In 2005 its architectural masterpieces earned it inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Don’t forget to taste some of the local dishes.

Bruges is characterised by its many canals lined with beautiful medieval buildings and the strong fragrance of chocolate running through the city. The Port of Bruges is one of the tourist jewels of Belgium. The city, nicknamed the Venice of the North, has managed to retain its medieval architecture and fabulous monuments over the centuries, despite its thriving economic development that made it one of the largest commercial ports in Europe today. Visit the marvellous historic centre declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and explore its quaint streets full of historical monuments, criss-crossed by beautiful canals and taste one of the best chocolates in the world.

Kristiansand literally means “Christian Beach”, named after the king who founded it in 1641. Today it is famous for its cathedral and its zoo. Kristiansand is a town situated on the west coast of Norway. Its climate is one of the most attractive in the country because of the distinct seasons. Here you can visit the typical Scandinavian cathedral, the “dømkirke”, then don’t miss a visit to the Kanonmuseum, named for the impressive cannon, from where you will enjoy a beautiful view over the city. Sports lovers can enjoy rafting. Take a boat trip from the port of Kristiansand to explore the surrounding islands.

Do legends about Vikings fascinate you? Don’t miss this stop on our Costa cruise in Northern Europe. We visit the port of Aarhus and we dive into its history. Aarhus is a real concentration of Danish history and culture.
Several civilisations and cultures have passed through the port of Aarhus. The city now enjoys an excellent quality of life. You can admire the Gothic architecture of the cathedral and the remains of Viking history in the museum that hosts them. Also, the numerous Aarhus galleries, including the ARoS Museum, are interesting destinations for lovers of art and culture. It is nice to visit the parks and stroll along the canal to fully enjoy this dynamic atmosphere.

The port of Kiel in Germany is at the heart of the city. If you like lighthouses, the visit to the Bülk lighthouse will be a source of great satisfaction. Kiel is a city in Northern Germany, whose origins date back to the 13th century. Its story has been widely influenced by maritime activities and currently is one of the European capitals that holds nautical races. The port of Kiel is located right in the city centre and is the ideal starting point for a visit. Between visits to the old railroads and the unmissable WWII submarine, enjoy a stop at the Bülk lighthouse. You can also visit the botanical gardens and the numerous animal ranches out of town.