Northern Europe perennially tops lists of favorite destinations for North American travelers. Those who have been there look forward to returning, and those who have not dream of going.

There are plenty of good reasons for this popularity. The many great cities in this prosperous and sophisticated corner of the world include London, Paris, St. Petersburg and many others. Its landscapes include the rugged beauty of Norway and Finland, the bright flower fields of the Netherlands and the lush greens of Ireland. The architecture encompasses modern masterpieces as well as ancient churches and castles.

Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Saint Paul, Marco Polo and millions of others from the dawn of civilization to present-day cruise vacationers have explored the coastal cities and thousands of islands of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. These are, in fact, places linked mainly by the sea, and much of their history, commerce and traditions have their origins there.