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There’s no need to worry about booking a ton of train tickets, reserving multiple hotels, and lugging your suitcase from one city to another. On a cruise you will be able to visit multiple European countries while only unpacking once. If your cruise departs from Barcelona or Rome, for example, try to arrive there at least 2-3 days before the cruise begins. Not only do you need extra time to recover from jetlag, but these cities are some of the world’s most spectacular and deserve a few days for sightseeing. My recommendation is to spend a few days before and after your cruise in your departure city to allow for extra sightseeing opportunities. For example, in Pisa they offer the “Pisa on Your Own” tour, which takes guests from the port of Livorno to the heart of Pisa.
Related Destinations
Cruise to the Mediterranean and discover the regions top 15 food and wine destinations from the most famous tapas in Barcelona, to the endless choices of seafood in Greece and more. From The Sultan Ahmed Mosque tour in Istanbul to the ancient history combined with breathtaking nature tours in Rhodes. Here is our top 20 list of the best tours for a Eastern mediterranean cruise vacation. Booking your dream vacation has never been easier, with numerous cruise companies offering unique Mediterranean voyages. Cruise Critic provides comprehensive price and itinerary comparisons, ensuring a seamless planning experience.
Turkey
Know that you can't see everything in one Mediterranean cruise — even on sailings that run multiple weeks. Once you let go of your need to see and do it all and accept that you're on a sampler tour, you'll be better able to make your cruise selections and enjoy the ports your ship does visit. A description of Egyptian cruises would not be complete without a reference to Nile River cruises, which usually travel between Luxor and the high dam at Aswan, and often include the option of a day trip to Abu Simbel. Over 300 river ships sail the Nile, so there are plenty of options for Nile River cruises.
MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES
Part of booking the best Mediterranean cruise is selecting a cruise line that meets your needs and budget. Here's a rundown of Mediterranean cruise lines, when they offer sailings in the Mediterranean and some basic info like which country's ports they visit. Top things to see in Dubrovnik include the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries that date to the 14th century, the Pile Gate and Rectors Palace. Fans of the TV show "Game of Thrones" will be delighted to find that there are tours focused on taking travelers to the TV show's film locations in Dubrovnik.
Greece & Greek Isles
Arrange ground transportation ahead of time and breeze to and from your Mediterranean cruise. Travel from remote coastal, seashell-pink villages to iconic destinations like the Eternal City of Rome, Vatican City, and the Amalfi Coast. Split is Croatia’s liveliest coastal city and an enduring tourist destination thanks to its handsome architecture and intriguing ancient remains. Namely, the UNESCO World Heritage site Diocletian’s Palace – an ancient Roman palace which is integrated with the city’s architecture. The city itself is buzzing and modern and an excellent place to hit the beach – there are resort areas along the coast in either direction. In town, you can visit a hammam, shop in the bazaar, stroll along the promenade, and visit the fortified Pigeon Island.
Sibenik is a historic coastal city in Croatia, somewhat off the mainstream tourist radar but none the worse for it. Its has the same red tiled rooftops and stone fortifications as Dubrovnik, only less crowds. The waterfront was used as a filming location for Braavos in Game of Thrones.
The Best Holiday Destinations To Visit This Season Royal Caribbean Cruises
Some of the most common ports visited are Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Pisa), Villefranche (Nice), Provence (Marseille), Naples/Capri, and Barcelona. Deciding which itinerary and ship to choose from as well as what to do in port, however, can be overwhelming for those who have never cruised to Europe. With some of the world’s most historic and breathtaking scenery, monuments, and cultures, going on a cruise to the Mediterranean allows you to experience multiple locations in a short amount of time. Families can enjoy the Colosseum in Rome, gondola rides in Venice, the old walls of Dubrovnik, and cable cars for stunning city views or off-road buggy experiences.
From one sea to another
Tarragona is a small beach city on Spain’s Costa Dorada known for its medieval old town, ancient ruins, and sandy beaches. Those who stay in port can expect fabulous architecture from many periods including Gothic, Romanesque, and Moorish, and incredible UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman archaeological sites. The most common shore excursions from Cartagena are the tours of the Phoenician and Roman ruins in the city, food and wine tours, plus a trip to the inland city Murcia known for its baroque architecture. Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest cruise ships tend to visit the most popular Mediterranean ports in Western Europe, whereas smaller ships visit both popular and lesser known destinations. A cruise of the Mediterranean gives travelers access to some of the most popular cities in Europe, combined with the ease and comfort of cruising. Western Mediterranean trips typically call at ports in Spain, France and Italy.
Cruises from Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Europe & Mediterranean Cruise Destinations - Virgin Voyages
Europe & Mediterranean Cruise Destinations.
Posted: Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:59:07 GMT [source]
It’s located on Crete’s northwest coast within easy reach of some of its best sights including the stunning beaches at Balos and Elafonisi. Chania is one of the main cities on the Greek island of Crete and is also one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. It was once part of the Venetian and Ottoman empires and plenty of architecture remains from both of these periods, notably around its harbour. Bodrum is a popular resort city on Turkey’s southwest coast which is known for its whitewashed Aegean architecture and upmarket shopping and nightlife. Antalya is a large seaside city on Turkey’s south coast, and one of the country’s most popular resort areas.
Then it's time to sample some of Croatia's mouth-watering seafood dishes. Join a wine tasting tour if you can, and don't miss a trip to the cascading waterfalls, forests and bright lakes of Krka or Plitvice Lakes National Park. Some bring travelers to the French and Italian rivieras for food, wine and cultural pursuits.
Hundreds of passengers on UK-bound cruise ships face a week longer at sea with Mediterranean stops axed after - Daily Mail
Hundreds of passengers on UK-bound cruise ships face a week longer at sea with Mediterranean stops axed after.
Posted: Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Another benefit of a cruise to the Mediterranean is that you’ll be able to see many destinations in a short amount of time. Trying to fit 3-4 destinations in multiple countries on a weeklong land vacation would be hectic and stressful. On a cruise, though, you are traveling from one port to another as you sleep, waking up in a new city each day stress-free. While ports may be far away from some cities, Royal Caribbean allots a significant amount of time per day at these stops. When a cruise docks in Civitavecchia, as an example, the ship may be there from 7am - 8pm, allowing guests plenty of time to travel to Rome, spend the day exploring the city, and return back in the evening.
Wander into the welcoming cafes in Oia, a village teeming with whitewashed buildings and blue-domed roofs. Continue to some of the world’s oldest vineyards and taste the bouquet of wines produced on the island, making sure to visit the black-sand beach of Kamari before heading back to your Mediterranean cruise ship. Famous for its beaches and spirited lifestyle, Mykonos is the heartbeat of Greece. Embark on a jeep safari past the city’s windmills, lighthouses and lakes. Walk past temples and marble-lined sanctuaries in Delos, the birthplace of famous Greek gods. Or soak up a day of relaxation on the beach with the city’s Cycladic architecture as your backdrop — all on a Greek cruise with Princess.
Uncover the ultimate guide to eating locally in Italy as you make the most of your vacation travels. Explore the Salvador Dali Museum and Garden in Spain as you make the most of your cultural traveling adventures. Here are the 10 best places to visit in Turkey, with something for every traveler.
Nice jeans, sundresses, jumpsuits, and blouses tend to fit in more with the style found in Europe compared to the casual outfits of a Caribbean cruise. In fact, part of the fun on a Mediterranean cruise is simply wandering around the destinations you visit. It can be easy to plan an entire day from start to finish, but sometimes it is even better to arrive without a plan and see where the day takes you.
Some travelers want to hit all the most popular cities, while others prioritize the ability to walk right off the ship into the heart of the town. Some ports are better for historical attractions, others for cafe culture or outdoor activities. Istanbul is the most popular port of call in Turkey, but many cruise ships also stopover in Kusadasi, which is near the ancient city of Ephesus.
For those who wish to stay in port, Haifa’s key attraction is the cascading terraced gardens of Baha’i. There’s also a cable car up the hills for amazing panoramas and some great sandy beaches in the area. Most shore excursions from Bodrum focus on the city plus exploring the immediate area by jeep or boat. It’s the spiritual home of the ‘blue cruise’, a relaxed sail around the area’s stunning coastal scenery on board traditional boats called gulets. Popular shore excursions from Athens include the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio, the Corinth Canal, and blockbuster ancient sites Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Delphi.
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