Flying from Australia to set sail from Tilbury (London) it was great to have two 'pre-cruise' days built into the itinerary to enable recovery from jet lag as well as exploration of the departure port. Our hotel was situated just beside the Tower of London which meant we could wander over the road to explore that historical site. The VTA organized London sightseeing tours were terrific - a quick 'taste' of all the major sites. Embarkation was quick and hassle-free - a feature of our re-embarkations at every port of call. Being on a smaller cruise ship, we moved quickly through security to re-board at the end of every day's shore excursions. The on-board staff were helpful and friendly and nothing was too much trouble for them. Cruise Director Richard did his job brilliantly. Entertainment was very appropriate for the passenger profile. The highlight of the on-board activities would have to be the series of lectures provided by various guest lecturers. These were informative, interesting and at times very amusing, and attended by virtually all passengers. The lectures brought the sites we visited to life, giving us a greater understanding of the history behind the areas visited, and the changes that have occurred in Europe over the ages, resulting in the modern day Europe we visited. A highlight of the trip (although it is hard to pick just one) was the evening visit to Alhambra Palace - cooler, better light for photography and fewer tourists around - just us!). In summary, this is a very convenient way to visit the coastal areas of these western European countries - no change of hotel each night!