Join us on onboard our custom-built deluxe Emerald 'Star Ship' and experience the romance of Europe's waterways.
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111 111 111 The Balkan region in the Eastern Adriatic has become far more accessible in the past twenty years. Croatia's golden sands and dramatic shoreline is an unspoilt gem just waiting to be explored. Perhaps the jewel of Dalmatia is the medieval walled town of Dubrovnik in the south, which perches out into the sea enjoying sunset views and a café culture envied all over Europe. Split and Trogir showcase the remnants of former Roman occupation and offer easy access to the nearby Adriatic islands, many untouched by tourist resort dollars. The Plitvice Lakes have emerald green lakes joined by impressive waterfalls, forming part of the largest National Park in Croatia. In Slovenia, Lake Bled is an earthly paradise at the foot of the Julian Alps, and Ljubljana is a cosmopolitan capital defi nitely worth a visit. Montenegro and Bosnia are also close by, with a day trip to the Bay of Kotor a must. France is one of the highlights of touring in Europe. On our Ultimate Europe tour featured on pages 116-117 we commence in Paris for a three night stay in this fascinating city by the River Seine. See Notre Dame Cathedral which has stood for nearly 1,000 years on a small island in the river, featuring classic stained glass windows and design. Stroll the Champs Elysee up to the Arc de Triomphe, then unravel the mysteries of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre Gallery. Take the chance to see the Palace of Versailles before we journey south to the former roman city of Lyon, once home to Popes and Kings. Visit the magnifi cent hilltop Basilique Notre Dame de Forviere which overlooks the city, then the roman amphitheatre. The French Riviera awaits with a visit to Monaco, where the rich and famous enjoy a glamorous lifestyle, then haggle in the markets of Nice, set by the Mediterranean ocean and take a visit to nearby Cannes. Situated on the border of Europe and Asia, Turkey has a story fi lled with dramatic confl icts, religious oppression and countless empires, yet the Turkish people remain resilient, resourceful and most of all incredibly friendly. Istanbul is a bustling metropolis perched on the Bosphorus Strait between the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The Sultanahmet area boasts the Topkapi Palace, along with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofi a, both religious shrines still used today. The Grand Bazaar is the largest covered market place in the world, and the streets are full of traders, boutique shops and lively restaurants. Cappadocia's lunar landscape captivates with underground cities formerly occupied by Christians fl eeing Muslim invaders and fairy chimneys carved over centuries from sandstone rock. Turkey's Mediterranean coastline boasts stunning sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, and the historic sites at Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy and Gallipoli. Dalmatia France Turkey