They say there are only two certainty’s in life but actually you can make it three; the third being a trip overseas. It’s a feast for the eyes, nose and ears; it bombards you as soon as you set foot there. Full of culture, romantic images and tradition, and blessed with magnificent architecture, your dreams for lifetime journey can be achieved. But where and when should you visit?

You have dreamed of a trip overseas for years and want to make this the year to go. Then reality hits. Europe is no longer the $40 a day trip it once was. Knowing that dollar has hit an all time low against the currencies of Europe will not have you miss out on a overseas vacation. The cost of a visit to Europe doesn’t have to reach such bizarre heights as to re-mortgage your home. You won’t get very far just dreaming about travel or distant places. Form a plan and refuse the notion that you never had an opportunity as you can with the most cost efficient way to enjoy Europe now with a cruise. Besides you pay in dollars. Where else can you have a floating hotel wisk you off to so many wonderous areas.

See a city where even the Gods felt at home. Athens is full of history beckoning tourists to discover its secrets. Athens, foundation of democracy and the Olympics began the saga. The realm of ancient monuments, good weather, full of olives, kebabs, and ouzo and packed with picture-perfect opportunities with remains of centuries of different types of civilizations lay at your feet. Your cruise can take you there and its beloved islands.

Never a cliché, Barcelona, with its numerous colors of the blue Mediterranean as its border illuminating against a backdrop of Gaudi glass or a Joan Miro sculpture is certainly not to be missed. It could be green for the surrounding mountains or red as the sun fights its way against the darkness or pink for the blossoming flowers along Las Ramblas. Besides all the tints of colors, exploring Barcelona will introduce you to the birthplace of Modernism.

Bergen, the “City Between the Seven Mountains” or the “Gateway to the Fjords” as it is indeed the natural starting off point for exploring what many consider to be Scandinavia’s number one tourist attraction in Western Norway. Bergen built in a fiord, offers spectacular views from the surrounding mountains with the most stunning fjords lacerates into rugged, snowcapped mountains

Welcoming Copenhagen, once the home of pillaging Vikings, is a location where people rather than cars set the pace, as evidenced by the multitude of bicycles out and about, day and night. Han Christian Anderson provided the fairytale ambiance to Copenhagen with his “Little Mermaid” story. So much so, that a statue of her sits on a rock at the waterfront of the city and will greet you in Copenhagen’s historic harbor.

A decidedly Venetian influence, with its picturesque harbor against the deep blue backdrop of the Adriatic, the Dubrovnik is straight out of a fairy tale. The old town has numerous ancient buildings that date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. It was restored with the help of UNESCO and is now a World Heritage site.

Sunshine, swanky nightclubs and… Snails!! The scenery of Southern France inspired some of the world’s greatest artists. Today, with the parade of Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis gleaming extravagantly in the sun while the coastline zig zags is another fabulous view, this can only be Monaco and the Riviera and you can be sitting at a café watching it all.

Rome; Ancient but vibrant and utterly memorable packed with relics, must see attractions, a wealth of culinary delights and modern fashion; truly a unique experience awaits you. This history is reflected in Rome’s architecture and no other city has remained at the center of the world for as long.
Built on more than 100 islands, in a lagoon off the Adriatic Sea, .one very positive feature is that there’re no cars in wonderful and passionate Venice. It has canals but no streets, so to get around, you either have to walk or take one of the many public water taxis known as vaporetti. A blend of different architectural styles, including Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic mark it’s most important square.

These are just some of the ports a cruise ship stops at. There are exceptional buys for most sailings. Contact you travel agent or cruise line and get a chance to live you dreams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - VERONICA SHINE

Native New Yorker, Veronica Shine’s career has been diversified within the fashion/beauty/accessory/theatrical industries and she now hangs her hat mainly in Europe with her husband and 14 year old son. Perhaps from being in the theater since a child, a natural transition to write emerged. Her published works have appeared in ezines and magazines in Europe and the United States with a focus towards beauty, fashion and travel.

She also has a book being released Summer 2008, How to Design and Build a Green Office Building in the United States. Visit her website at http://www.veronicashine.com.