Photo Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

These communities facilitate interaction with experts and new friends, opening doors on the personalized travel experiences off limits to large groups – and a hallmark of Regent’s innovative Circles of Interest enrichment programs.

"Europe is endlessly fascinating, especially when experienced with a rich focus on one’s particular area of interest," said Sophie Vlessing, vice president guest strategy and marketing for Regent. "Our Circles of Interest program allows guests to explore Europe through their own lens.  We are bringing together an expert host and fellow travelers who share similar interests and combining on board and on shore activities that provide unique and personalized experiences."

Featuring inaugural Regent celebrations and savings, the seven- and eight-night sailings will visit some of Europe’s most photogenic scenes, historic sites and gastronomic locales. Guests can also take their choice of added value options: on the Sept. 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4 cruises: complimentary roundtrip economy air from 86 North American gateways, a $499 business class air upgrade (with purchase of economy air add-on), or $1,000 off the cruise fare.* The Oct. 14 and 21 voyages offer valuable two-for-one savings. Finally, as a keepsake memento of their inaugural voyage with Regent, guests on all Seven Seas Voyager Mediterranean sailings will receive a complimentary personalized Regent Commemorative Album.

With Jesse Kalisher, an American photographer known for his black and white destination photography, seeing Europe can take on a new dimension. Your photos will become personal compositions rather than snapshots. His personal coaching is inspired by a lifetime of globe- trotting with camera in hand. His new book, "If You Find The Buddha" (published by Chronicle Books), reflects his view that the best pictures are often caught by surprise, filling every outing with discoveries. Inside his Circle of Interest, you’ll be surprised at how skillfully you choose your own subjects, check your lighting and frame quality art shots of classic landscapes, and people, in such postcard-perfect locales as Portofino, St. Tropez and Santorini.

Aboard ship, Kalisher will host workshop sessions to share observations and insights. He will coach on digital imaging and software issues for guests who want help uploading favorite shots to create their complimentary Regent Commemorative Album. A private cocktail reception and dinner will round out the Circle. Price: $395 per person, including film processing or digital rendering to a photo CD and group photo.

Culture and history are perennial allures of Europe – as are the food and wine. Enter a seductively delicious Circle of Interest featuring local market tours and private wine and olive oil tastings, led by Lyn Farmer, a James Beard Award-winning writer, and Alan Tardi, restaurateur and consulting chef for Mario Batali’s new Manhattan venue Del Posto, as well as wine and food writer for The New York Times, Food & Wine, Gourmet and others.

Onboard, Farmer and Tardi preside over a private dinner in La Veranda where you will pit your new knowledge against a range of olive oils featured prominently in the menu. And, in another personalized touch, design a menu for a private group dinner with the chef. Close the Circle with a private wine tasting from the Seven Seas Voyager’s Reserve wine list, a cocktail reception and group portrait. Price: $450 per person.

Another way to explore Europe is through the lens of long lost times. In this Circle you’ll be guided into the past by European destination specialist Sandra Bowern with personal anecdotes into the historical influences that have shaped each region you visit.

Test out the incredible acoustics of Taormina’s hilltop Greco-Roman Theater, where whispers are amplified; explore the Odeon and the 15^th century Palazzo Corvaia, where the Sicilian Parliament of Nobles met in 1410. At Pompeii, take your personal measure of the ancient ruins, peeking inside homes and shops devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. At Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the Mediterranean, get the feel for life in Roman times with a leisurely visit to the 24,000-seat Grand Theater, dating to the Hellenistic age, and to the beautifully restored Celsus Library, built by a Roman in memory of his father.

Aboard ship, playfully test your historical IQ and detailed recall of just-completed excursions against fellow amateur historians and Bowern – and get ready for fun in a "Masters Challenge Quiz" with prizes. Share your stories at a private cocktail reception and dinner hosted by Bowern and pose for the group shot. Price: $375 per person (Oct. 7 sailing: $425 per person).

Seven Mediterranean voyages with Regent Seven Seas await handcrafting by guests in search of personalized luxury. Per person prices for the Oct. 14 and 21 Seven Seas Voyager cruises start from $3,298, including two-for-one savings. Per person prices for the Sept. 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4 cruises start from $3,996 and include Inaugural Season Savings*: a choice of roundtrip economy class air from 86 North American gateways, $499 business class upgrade when an economy class air add-on is purchased (roundtrip business class airfares starting at $1,769), or $1,000 savings off the cruise fare. All fares include shipboard gratuities, wine with dinner, an in-suite bar set-up, and a complimentary personalized Regent Commemorative Album.