Liverpool to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam)

Liverpool grew to greatness in the 18th century, as the riches of the Americas and the West Indies flowed through its docks and marketplaces. (At one point it even had more dock space than London.) More recently, the town’s fame grew along with its most famous sons: the Beatles. Visit Town Hall, the Walker Art Gallery, and the delights of the restored Albert Dock, with its classy shops and maritime museum.

AViking kingdom more than a thousand years ago, Douglas is today the capital of the Isle of Man. The shopping high street, filled with some of Europe’s biggest retailers as well as local shops, leads to the magnificent sea front lined with restaurants, theaters and museums. The Douglas Horse Trams also run along the harbor, and nighttime illuminations along the shore light up landmarks such as the stately Tower of Refuge, creating an unforgettable after-dark vista.

The Irish capital enjoys one of the loveliest settings in Europe. Craggy Howth Head shelters the natural harbor at Dublin Bay and the gurgling River Liffey flows through the center of town. The city’s most pervasive influences come from the 18th and 19th centuries when elegant Georgian mansions were first built along the river – the arts also flourished during this period. Dublin has been the birthplace of some of our greatest literary figures, including Oscar Wilde and James Joyce.

Cobh is a town in Ireland, on an island in Cork city’s harbour. It’s known as the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. Titanic Experience Cobh is a themed attraction in the former White Star Line ticket office. More displays on the liner are in the Cobh Heritage Centre, which also explores how Cobh became an embarkation point during Ireland’s mass emigrations. North of town, huge Fota Wildlife Park is on Fota Island.

Cobh is a town in Ireland, on an island in Cork city’s harbour. It’s known as the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. Titanic Experience Cobh is a themed attraction in the former White Star Line ticket office. More displays on the liner are in the Cobh Heritage Centre, which also explores how Cobh became an embarkation point during Ireland’s mass emigrations. North of town, huge Fota Wildlife Park is on Fota Island.

Whether you see it from the hills above, the water below or the narrow tangle of streets that wind within, the town of Fowey is simply charming. This quaint Cornish town boasts a 14th century parish church, with a traditional bell tower that peeks out from behind the colorful buildings that gather around it. Situated at the mouth of the river Fowey, this fishing town has a picturesque waterfront and the remains of a small castle sitting above Readymoney Beach.

Closer to France but staunchly British, charming Guernsey boasts a diverse culture reflecting the best of both worlds. Pastel-colored houses rise layer upon layer behind St. Peter Port, the island’s picturesque main town. Beyond, you’ll discover a wealth of activities centering around goldsmiths, silversmiths, wood carvers and clockmakers.

This picturesque port easily inspired some of the greats – from its Vieux Bassin (Old Harbour) to the bare vertical cliffs of Etretat and Yport. Boudin, Courbet and Monet all discovered the inherent artistic qualities of Honfleur, still apparent along its storied shores that evoke a feeling of Normandy in centuries past. While it boasts historical clout for centuries, some of the most intriguing sites in town played pivotal roles in the epic events of D-Day.