ABERDEEN -- Scotland's third-largest city (pop. 187,000) is characterized by buildings of beautiful white granite. Set beside the North Sea, Aberdeen is both a university town and the capital of the Scottish oil boom. It is also one of Scotland's largest seaside resorts (though its appeal is confined to those who like their water well-chilled).

A popular cruise line port, Portoferraio is a spectacular spot on the Italian coast and principal town of Elba Island.

Visit picturesque Oranjestad, Aruba’s vibrant capital and cultural center. Oranjestad’s myriad colors, in vivid hues of pink, green, and yellow, beckon you to explore this former Dutch colony off the coasts of Venezuela. Downtown Oranjestad, mere steps from the city’s bustling cruise terminal and not far from the island’s international airport, is lined with historic buildings, designer shops, and some of the island’s best restaurants.

The North Sea stretches between the coasts of Northern Europe, touching countries like the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands

Florence (Firenze) is a compact city, but densely packed with spectacular art and architecture everywhere you look. The city center itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.