Deciding which European ports you want to visit when booking a cruise can be difficult as Europe has thousands of years of culture and history. Therefore any city you visit will inevitably have lots to see and do. However there are 5 destinations that you simply cannot miss.

If you could choose just one city then it has to be Rome! Steeped in culture and history, this old city is home to some of the finest architecture in the world as well as famous works of art. The Colosseum has to be seen to be believed to do it the justice it so rightly deserves. St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City must be on your the list of things to see. It is impossible to walk even a short distance in Rome without marvelling at something.

France's capital city, Paris simply cannot be missed. Magnificent history and culture is in abundance with famous sights such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Da Vinci's famous painting of the Mona Lisa is shown at The Louvre gallery. The city offers world class shopping and the wine and food is probably the best the world has to offer.

When cruising the Baltic, a visit to St. Petersburg is extremely worthwhile as this beautiful city has so much to show to the visitor. There is a vast collection of Russian historical artefacts at The Russian Museum and you may enjoy visiting the summer palaces of Pavlovsk and Pushkin.If you enjoy art, both Western and Eastern masterpieces are on view at the Hermitage Museum. On a short excursion, the Bronze Horseman statue is worth seeing.

The unique city of Venice should be visited at least once in a lifetime. The city is formed of small islands linked by bridges and canals. Attractions not to be missed include the Byzantine Basilica and San Marco's Square. Taking a gondola cruise is a very romantic way to see the sights. And don't miss seeing the Doges Palace. As well as unique sightseeing, Venice also offers world class cuisine and superb vintage wine.

Barcelona in Spain offers fine architecture including Casa Batilo, La Pedrera and the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece. You can eat tapas, sip wine or simply stroll along the wide boulevards of the city. Football is popular here and the city has a world class team.

Most European cruises depart from the south coast of England so why not fly from your nearest airport to your departure point UK airport parking. Leave your car safely parked at the airport, knowing it will be ready for you to pick up again on your return saving you the hassle of getting home by public transport or having to ask favours from family or friends. When planning your holiday, aim to find a cruise which incorporates many of these wonderful destinations. And, if you don't happen to see all of them, you have the perfect excuse to go back a second time.

Article provided by: SearchSciences.co.uk