Southampton is the largest city and port on the south coast of England. Tour the historic byways of Old Town with its Medieval walls and Tudor architecture. Spend an hour or two meandering along the pathways of Royal Victoria Country Park, picturesquely set along the waterfront on the grounds of a former military hospital where Florence Nightingale once worked. Southampton's maritime past can be explored by strolling along the Town Quay with its marina and lively bars and restaurants. It was here that the Titanic departed on its fateful journey and where the Mayflower sailed for the New World.

Fowey (pronounced Foy) in Cornwall has a rich seafaring history dating to the 14th century and remains one of England's busiest ports. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it and the surrounding countryside are easy to walk. Popular Hall Walk circles the estuary. In town, stroll the Esplanade, visit St. Fimbarrus Church, and see St. Catherine's Castle, built under Henry VIII to defend the harbor. Late-1300s blockhouses stand by the harbor, where a chain once blocked unwanted ships.

Ringaskiddy, once a quiet fishing village in County Cork, is now a busy cruise port for visits to Cobh, Cork, and Kinsale. In Cobh's Heritage Center, learn about Annie Moore, the first emigrant processed at Ellis Island in 1892. Explore walkable Cork: Parliament Bridge, Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, and the Cork Courthouse, then relax at a Castle Street café. In Kinsale, a former naval base, try Dublin Bay prawns, Galway Bay oysters, or Irish stew.

Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, in North West England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. Inhabitants of Liverpool are referred to as Liverpudlians and nicknamed "Scousers," in reference to the local meal known as 'scouse', a form of stew. In 2004, Liverpool's waterfront was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflecting the city's importance in the development of the world's trading system and dock technology.

Dublin, Ireland's capital and a UNESCO City of Literature founded in 1592, is the birthplace of Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and George Bernard Shaw. Lively, cosmopolitan and walkable, it blends medieval castles and cathedrals with elegant Georgian houses. Cruise the River Liffey for views of the Ha'penny Bridge and Customs House, then explore Trinity College, Temple Bar, St. Patrick's and Christ Church cathedrals, museums, and cozy pubs.

One of the oldest English-founded cities in North America, St. John's is the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city comforts. Wander down narrow streets lined with colorful row houses. Visit Quidi Vidi, a charming village-within-a-city that embodies the spirit of an old fishing port. The Rooms culture center, home to a museum, art gallery and archives, stands next to the twin clock towers of the impressive Basilica of St. John the Baptist.

Surrounded by verdant mountains and high plateaus, Saguenay with its breathtaking scenery, is Canada's only navigable fjord, and its rich eco-system draws pods of visiting whales, seals and seabirds. Nestled among the flowering hills discover some of the most picturesque villages in Québec. Saquenay is the travelers portal to a host of activities including: kayaking, power boating, whale watching and hiking amid simply gorgeous surroundings.

Be charmed by Québec City, North America's only walled metropolis and a taste of authentic French culture. Stroll Basse-Ville's cobbled streets, admire its 17th- and 18th-century architecture, parks, and cafés, browse local art on Rue du Trésor, visit Place Royale, and see Château Frontenac. End at Dufferin Terrace for views of the St. Lawrence River, Île d'Orléans, and the Laurentians.

The diversity and rich cultural heritage of Montréal never ceases to captivate the traveler. Take a horse-drawn carriage through the Vieux-Montréal, the largest collection of historic buildings in North America. Browse the shops and boutiques along the 19-miles of neon-lit corridors of the Underground City. Explore the exquisite works on display at the Musée des Beaux Artes or walk part of the Jardin Botanique, the largest Chinese garden in North America.

Be charmed by Québec City, North America's only walled metropolis and a taste of authentic French culture. Stroll Basse-Ville's cobbled streets, admire its 17th- and 18th-century architecture, parks, and cafés, browse local art on Rue du Trésor, visit Place Royale, and see Château Frontenac. End at Dufferin Terrace for views of the St. Lawrence River, Île d'Orléans, and the Laurentians.

Surrounded by verdant mountains and high plateaus, Saguenay with its breathtaking scenery, is Canada's only navigable fjord, and its rich eco-system draws pods of visiting whales, seals and seabirds. Nestled among the flowering hills discover some of the most picturesque villages in Québec. Saquenay is the travelers portal to a host of activities including: kayaking, power boating, whale watching and hiking amid simply gorgeous surroundings.

Charming Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, is regarded as the 'Birthplace of Canada'. In 1864, delegates gathered here to establish a new nation, resulting in the 1867 founding of the Dominion of Canada. Tour the Province House National Historic Site and Founders' Hall, old mansions and museums along with scenic parks and gardens. Outside of town, discover awe-inspiring Fundy Bay, storybook fishing villages and the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of the Green Gables.

Sydney on Cape Breton Island is the gateway to the Cape Breton Highlands and Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Canada's largest historical reconstruction. Once called the "Gibraltar of the New World," the fortress was the scene of major 18th-century battles between France and Great Britain and has been restored to its 1740 appearance. Sydney also offers harbor views along The Boardwalk and at Alexander Graham Bell's summer home, now a museum.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, blends history, maritime charm, and great dining. Visit Halifax Citadel, the historic waterfront, or the Public Gardens, Canada's oldest Victorian gardens. Enjoy local lobster and seafood. Known to the Mi'kmaq as "Chebuctook" ("Great Long Harbor"), Halifax's natural harbor made it a key convoy base in both world wars. Across the water, scenic Dartmouth is reached by Canada's oldest saltwater ferry.

Tall ships unfurl their sails and head for the open sea, while harbor seals, porpoises, and whales play in the blue bay. From the mid-1800s until the 1947 fire, Bar Harbor was a haven for wealthy summer visitors, who built shingled 60-room "summer cottages" on rocky promontories and islands. Today, the main draw is Acadia National Park: towering coastal mountains, coves, lakes, hundreds of streams and ponds, and Somes Sound, a splendid glacial-carved fjord.

Portland is a sophisticated yet down-to-earth seaport and the heart of this bustling city. Its warehouse district offers excellent restaurants with fresh lobster and other seafood, pubs with many microbrews, plus art galleries, shops, and museums. Don't miss the Maine Historical Society's restored 1789 Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Gardens, the Maine Historical Society Museum, and Brown Library, all a short stroll from downtown.

The 'City that Never Sleeps' beckons - renowned museums and sites galore by day; the glittering sophistication of clubs, theaters and restaurants by night. Explore Chinatown, Greenwich Village, the United Nations, Central Park's Museum Mile and Wall Street's towering steel and glass monuments to commerce, then hop into a cab for an afternoon of world-class shopping along Park and Fifth Avenues.