The Wonder of Mediterranean Cruises

Take a Mediterranean cruise, and you can visit the cultural treasures of three continents.
 
Cruises visit ports of call in Europe, North Africa, the Greek islands and other exotic locales. Mediterranean cruises offer a taste of various cultures, languages, art and history as you travel in the comfort of a luxurious cruise ship.

Cruises Offer Luxury Travel Into the Past

Cruise ships offer unparalleled luxury, but there's something even more luxurious about Mediterranean cruises.

Perhaps it's exploring Rome, Venice or Athens that connects us with the luxury and finery of both the ancient world and the Renaissance. Perhaps it's knowing that, as we travel, we're moving across waters that were sailed by Odysseus, the Phoenicians, the ancient Romans and the Carthaginians. Whatever the reason, Mediterranean cruises allow passengers to step back in time and experience the thrill of sailing the body of water that has been the hub of ancient civilizations.

You can also experience the thrill of entering the great ports of the Mediterranean from the sea. The visual impact of approaching Athens or Venice by sea cannot be equaled by air or car travel. Mediterranean cruises allow you to enter these great ports the way ancient seafarers did.

The Mediterranean Sea: Connecting with the Past

Back in the days of yore, the Mediterranean was a darker, less certain place. The sea was a power to be respected and feared, and the idea of luxury cruises would have been hard for the average inhabitant of ancient Athens to understand. (Being a galley slave takes a lot out of the joy out of Mediterranean cruises).
 
The ocean was necessary for food, quick travel, warfare and trade, but the Mediterranean waters were treacherous. Storms that wouldn't rock modern-day cruise ships could swamp boats, and it was a foolhardy captain who lost sight of the shoreline. Add pirates, raiders, and the mysterious workings of the ancient gods, and it's easy to see why the ancients were both fascinated and terrified by the Mediterranean.

Ports of Call

You won't be spending all your time on the water. The Mediterranean can be beautiful and relaxing, but the cities are also enticing. For those of you yearning for adventure, the ports on the Mediterranean are beautiful, bustling centers of business and entertainment.

The European cities are magnificent to behold as you approach the port. Sprawled out over clusters of islands or gently rolling hills, they offer a vast range of cultural, architectural, and sightseeing activites. Each city has its own story, its own historical sites, its own pulse of life; you'll be amazed at the sheer variety.

Below are some of the ports you may be visiting while cruising on the Mediterranean.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a city of variety—from its medieval walls, to the work of nouveau architect Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona has something for everyone. Your guide book will have many suggestions for things to do:
  • Tour the Picasso and Miro museums.
  • Walk through the Placa de Catalunya, and take in the spectacle of Barcelona's street performers.
  • Spend a few hours strolling through the hillside garden of Parc Güell.
  • Tour the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family), a stone representation of the history of Christianity, and a work in progress.
  • See Montserrat Monastery—home of the famous "La Morenita," also known as the "Black Virgin."
  • Explore the surrounding countryside and small villages.
  • Take a lesson in flamenco dancing or watch the pros perform.

The Greek Islands

Ah, now this is what luxury cruises are all about: the Greek Islands, sun drenched and basking in crystal clear waters! The islands you're most likely to visit are Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini, where the harbor is actually a submerged volcano crater. These are the perfect locations to relax.
  • Pack a picnic and hike along the beaches or into the interior.
  • On a calm day take a Flying Dolphin or Mega Dolphin hydrofoil between islands.
  • Explore the smaller villages.
  • Enjoy a Greek coffee, ouzo, or order of grilled octopus at an outdoor café.
  • Tour the island ruins.
  • Go scuba diving, but be aware that strict rules are in place in regards the removal of underwater artifacts.
  • If you're on Mykonos, check out the local pelicans.

Athens, Greece

Next stop, Athens. For so long, the city was a dominant force in the ancient world. Now, people flock to Athens to view the ancient wonders in the city. The problem with touring Athens is one that occurs for tourists throughout Greece: how can you possibly choose what to do in the time you have? Try a few of these suggestions.
  • Tour the Acropolis (you can't miss this!) and the Acropolis Museum on a joint ticket.
  • Enjoy an evening stroll through Syntagma Square. And if you're in Athens on a Sunday, see the honor guard in full dress in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  • Take a trip to Delphi, once home to the most famous Oracle of the ancient world.
  • Take the teleferique to the top of Likavitos (Mt. Lycabettus), Athens' highest hill.
  • Visit the Athens National Archaeological Museum.
  • Take a tour of the vineyards.

Venice, Italy

How can a cruise of the Mediterranean be complete without visiting Venice, one of the most fabled cities on the Mediterranean? Venice is a world of its own, where all transportation is either by boat or on foot. Built on 117 islands, with 150 canals and 400 bridges, Venice is truly unique.
  • Take a gondola ride with a singing gondolier.
  • Walk through the Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square) to the Basilica de San Marco, Venice's crown jewel among its cathedrals, which combines Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles.
  • On a clear day go to the top of the Campanile, Venice's famous brick bell tower, and enjoy the view.
  • Visit the Galleria dell'Academia art museum.
  • Explore Casanova's prison cell.
  • Visit a glass-blowing factory and buy some fine Venetian glass treasures.
  • Take a side trip to the fishing village of Burano and visit the Museo del Merletto (Lace Museum) where you can examine samples of world-famous Burano lace.
  • Tour Marco Polo's house.