My Favorite European Destinations

Being from the Netherlands, I love when several of our ships return to Europe every spring to spend the summer and early autumn months cruising the beautiful coasts of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. It becomes a homecoming for so many of us on board when we have a chance to visit our countries and share familiar places with all of you.

I’m excited for you to see the cruises we have planned in our 2023 Europe & North America Collection – many of the destinations we call on are quite unique and while they don’t receive the attention that some of the larger marquee ports do, they are incredible locations to explore and experience a real slice of life in these parts of Europe. As a local, I wanted to share a few of my favorite European destinations and what makes them special, plus a few destinations in North America that I just love to explore whenever I have the opportunity. We look forward to welcoming you on board soon!

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Where to begin when in Amsterdam? I am from The Hague, less than two hours away and I will tell you that I never tire of Amsterdam. Almost around every corner, there is something special or unique to do. What I would say is that if you have done all of the great museums and want to experience a slice of the real Amsterdam, I suggest visiting the Jordaan. It’s one of the central neighborhoods and with its original old-style cafés, you can enjoy proper Dutch folk music in the evenings. In fact, famous Dutch artists, such as André Hazes, have started their careers in small local cafés like these in the Jordaan.

Try this: Before or after your café adventures, why not do as the Dutch do and spend some time on a bicycle? An excellent tour takes you to Waterland, a bike-friendly countryside area just north of Amsterdam that’s full of canals, windmills, small farms and picturesque lakes.

Chania (Crete), Greece
As one of the oldest cities in Europe, Chania has a rich history to explore – Minoan artifacts dating to 2000 BC, Venetian shipyards from the 1300s and mosques built during Ottoman rule in the 1600s. Modern life is easy to experience too. I always suggest visiting the bustling Municipal Market, which has shops and stalls selling local olives and olive oil, cheese, fish and fresh produce, in addition to Cretan souvenirs.

Try this: If you are a wine lover, take a half-hour drive from Chania into the Lefka Ori mountains in western Crete to visit Manousakis Winery. Believe me – I have been there and their wines will surprise you!

Mahón, Spain
This is one of the bigger cities on the island of Menorca – yet still decidedly unhurried in the typical Menorca fashion. As we approach Mahón’s harbor, you’ll notice elegant Gregorian architecture, signs of the British occupation in the 18th century. I recommend going to visit the Mola Fortress, Fortaleza de La Mola – it was built between 1848 and 1875. The sprawling galleries and barracks are impressive and the views are amazing.

Try this: Experience the life of a sheep farmer and shepherd by visiting a farm that produces dairy products from the prized Menorcan sheep. Afterward, savor a tasting of farm-to-table dishes such as freshly baked bread, cheeses, traditional sausages and wine.

Orkney Islands (Kirkwall), Scotland
Not many people have been to these islands and it doesn’t get more Scottish than this. Beautiful, yet robust, I can tell you this is one of my favorite island groups to visit. The coastal scenery is spectacular – soaring sea cliffs, these unique flat, green-topped islands and sweeping ocean views. The Orkney Islands have been inhabited for more than 5,000 years and so you’ll have the opportunity to explore some excellent prehistoric sites, such as the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Neolithic village of Skara Brae. Be sure to try one of the local beers – there are many – and for those whisky connoisseurs, continue reading.

Try this: Tour Highland Park Distillery, where Orkney peat, Viking roots and local distillers’ passion come together…the result is award-winning whiskies. A must if you enjoy Scotch whisky.

Reykjavik, Iceland
For me, Reykjavik is like going back to the 80s…a relaxed pace of life and a friendly atmosphere. While it’s a small capital, this means it’s a great place to immerse yourself in the local culture since so many Icelanders call the capital city home. I really appreciate that the city exists in harmony with the amazing landscapes surrounding it. There’s so much to do whether staying in the city or traveling to the countryside. If you need a break amid your city explorations, be sure to stop by one of the cafés or beer gardens in the city center for a cold beverage and a bite to eat.

Try this: Experience Iceland on horseback. Head out into the outdoors on a guided excursion with a shaggy Icelandic horse leading the way. You might traverse lava fields or trace the shores of a lake as you learn about the unique regional geology.

Seville, Spain
It’s so easy to fall in love with Seville. In my opinion, the city is just right – large enough to have quite a lot of options but small enough to feel friendly. Be sure to make time for Seville Cathedral, and of course, the famed Alcázar palace. One of my favorite Spanish beers, Cruzcampo, is easiest to find in the Andalusia region and I always try to enjoy one when I’m in Seville.

Try this: Gain a different perspective on Seville and get some exercise as you kayak the Guadalquivir, a large but placid river that flows through the city. Afterward get wine – or a Cruzcampo – and tapas at the Mercado de Triana, a fresh market nearby.

Tallinn, Estonia
Beautiful Tallinn on the coast of the Gulf of Finland is a city with much to see and do. The highlight for most visitors is its Old Town, a stunning medieval city center that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You could easily spend an entire day there wandering, shopping, eating and people watching. If you happen to be in Tallinn on a chilly day, order some Estonian pea soup with smoked pork hock – it reminds me of Dutch pea and ham soup. Be sure to enjoy the soup piping hot.

Try this: A bog walk near Tallinn…it’s probably not the first activity you’d imagine you’d be doing in Tallinn, but I love this unique excursion for travelers that have been to Tallinn before or those that really want to strike off the beaten path. It offers a memorable look at the nature surrounding this medieval city – mossy bogs cover much of Estonia and an experienced guide offers insight on unique regional plants.

Umbria (Ancona), Italy
There are so many things to do and see in this region, especially with the nearby hill town of Urbino and Loreto and well-preserved medieval San Marino. For those looking to stay closer to the port of Ancona, I recommend having a nice walk in Sentiero Della Scalaccia – it’s a wildlife park full of beautiful Italian landscapes, nature and short trails. It is so peaceful that I’ve found myself returning again and again.

Try this: Don’t sail away without enjoying a dish with black truffles. I’m partial to hand-rolled pici – similar to spaghetti – with shaved truffles, or if I’m in the mood for something lighter, a salad of arugula, truffle, parmesan and a drizzle of truffle oil.

Juneau, Alaska
This is such a unique city to be able to visit since you can only access it by sea or air since there is such dense forest to the east. Juneau is quite near to Mendenhall Glacier, which is an impressive 14-mile-long wonder that you can enjoy by plane or helicopter, canoe or kayak or on foot. Mendenhall Lake is also a popular attraction, a gorgeous mountain lake that offers up-close access to icebergs and the glacier itself.

Try this: A helicopter or floatplane glacier exploration…because where else can you experience this? I love the adventurous excursions that are possible in Alaska and Juneau is such an ideal port for experiencing the surrounding wilderness.

Quebec City, Quebec
This grand city has so much European charm and is known as North America’s first city to become designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you’ve never visited before, you’ll want to go for a walk among the lanes of Old Quebec – and if you have, you’ll likely plan on returning because it really is quite picturesque. Le Château Frontenac is an iconic hotel and popular spot for high tea and those who love history will want to visit the 19th-century hilltop La Citadelle.

Try this: To experience the vibrant dining scene, take a gourmet tour that leads you around several venues in the beautiful Old Port. You’ll have the chance to savor several regional dishes with paired beverages and delve into the history of French cuisine in Quebec – the perfect day in Quebec City.

Which destinations are you most looking forward to exploring in 2023? Tell us on Facebook and explore our new 2023 Europe & North America Collection here.

Marck Warmenhoven | General Manager
Marck Warmenhoven was born in The Hague, The Netherlands, a beautiful small city situated along the west coast of the North Sea. Marck graduated with a bachelor’s degree in IT and a master’s degree in communications, but with his love for traveling, it didn’t take long before he changed course towards hospitality. Marck adjusted his education by studying bilingual International Hotel Management. During his career, Marck has sailed from the North Pole to the Antarctic. Marck is fluent in English, Dutch, German, Flemish and South Afrikaans. He joined Oceania Cruises in 2016. Marck enjoys swimming, kite surfing and real Swiss chocolate.