Taking a cruise to the Mediterranean is a wonderful cultural experience. Picture yourself standing in awe before Spanish landmarks, Italian landscapes, take in the view the French icons that echo the history-changing moments. Climb up inside the spires of Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona or whisper in awe in the Sistine Chapel. Or you can discover the glamour of the French Riviera in Monte Carlo.
The list is endless of what to do on a Mediterranean cruise.
Here is a short video that shows a snippet of a Mediterranean cruise.
Below are some sample itineraries and a brief description of some of the places you will see.
This is just a sample, there is so much more to do and see than I can put here so please contact me to get a more comprehensive list of where to go and what to do!
14 Night Italian Mediterranean Cruise
Point of Departure: Southampton, England
- Ports: Southampton, England
- Gibraltar, United Kingdom
- Nice (Villefranche) France
- Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
- Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy
- Genoa, Italy
- Malaga, Spain
- Lisbon, Portugal
Returning to: Southampton, England
14 Night Mediterranean Beaches Cruise
Point of Departure: Southampton, England
- Ports of call:
- Southampton, England
- Gibraltar, United Kingdom
- Nice (Villefranche), France
- Ajaccio, Corsica
- Sardinia (Cagliari) Italy
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Malaga, Spain
- Seville (Cadiz), Spain
Returning to: Southampton, England
The above sample of itineraries is with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Many of the major cruise lines go to the Mediterranean area, we can discuss what fits is best for you and your budget and what you are looking for in your cruise..
If you choose to cruise on a Princess Cruise line ship for your trip to the Mediterranean, they have wonderful Immersive experiences. Here are some examples.
SEE IT LIKE A LOCAL
Let Princess cruise line introduce you to the next port on the horizon as no one else can. The program is called “Local Connections” and you really do connect with the local life!
Onboard, hear from speakers who offer personal knowledge of the destination’s history and culture. Get an insider’s guide to essential experiences and distinctive treasures. They have partnered with a trusted team of local experts who will help you make the most of your experience. This way you can truly get the most out of every port!
They offer shore excursions like no other!
Natural Wonders and Landscapes
Embark on a scenic drive through the vineyards of the Chianti region from Florence. Or sink your toes into the black-sand beaches of Santorini. You can also climb Mt. Vesuvius, the once fiery volcano that buried ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Travel to the Corniche and see the Cote D’Azur to the seaside beach playgrounds of Monte Carlo and Cannes, and embrace the classic beauty of lesser-visited jewels like Portofino on the breathtaking Italian Riviera.
Cruise to the stunning ‘Our Lady of the Rocks’ Baroque church in Boka Bay from Kotor and a drive along the chiselled cliffs of the Amalfi Coast will take your breath away. The choice is yours!
7 Day Mediterranean Cruise
Departing from : Rome (Civitacecchia)
- Florence/Pisa (Livorno) Italy
- Genoa, Italy
- Toulon/Provence (La Seyne) France Gibraltar
- Barcelona, Spain
Returning to: Barcelona, Spain
10 Day Western Mediterranean Cruise
Departing from: Rome, Italy (Civitavecchia)
Ports of call:
- Salerno, Italy
- Sicily (Messina), Italy
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Kotor, Montenegro Corfu, Greece
- Corsica (Ajaccio), France
- Toulon/Provence (La Seyne), France
Returning to: Barcelona, Spain
Here is a little sample of what some of the ports of call have to offer!
You can do as much or as little as you want at each stop. The choice is yours.
Rome (Civitavecchia ) Italy
This port has a long and respected history. The emperor Trajan built a villa near the modern city, while Bernini and Michelangelo designed the harbor fortifications.
The Eternal City beckons. The ancient capital of the Western World and the center of Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, Rome provides a feast of things to do. Visit the ruins of the Forum, view the splendors of the Sistine Chapel, or climb the Spanish Steps, once the heart of Rome’s Bohemian Quarter.
Rome has been a magnet luring the world’s greatest artists, architects, and philosophers since the days of the Caesars.
How will Rome inspire you? You have to go to find out! Let’s plan your trip together. Send me an email to learn more. Kathleen@PlentyofSunshineTravel.com
Corsica (Ajaccio) France
In 1811, Napoleon Bonaparte – who then was Napoleon I, (Emperor of the French) moved the capital from Bastia to his hometown of Ajaccio.
The capital of Corsica, Ajaccio is the island’s largest town and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Corsica is known as the “scented isle” a place of dramatic shoreline cliffs, small coves and inlets, and golden beaches.
The island interior consists of stony mountains carpeted in macchia, (a low, thick, chaparral comprised of aromatic Corsican mint, rock roses, and myrtle.)
Everywhere you’ll discover traces of the island’s long and colorful history, from medieval walled towns to seaside villages guarded by 16th-century towers.
Though the island has been part of France since the late 18th century, Corsica retains its own distinct culture and flavor. You need to see it to experience the rich culture and beauty.
Barcelona, Spain
The 1992 Summer Olympics revealed to the world what Europeans and seasoned travellers already knew that Barcelona is one of the world’s greatest treasures!
Vibrant and earthy not to mention commercial and cultural, this city has two million residents in the capital of Spain’s region of Catalonia. Stroll along the wide and tree-lined promenades of Las Ramblas and look in awe at the spires of Gaudi’s Basilica La Sagrada Familia. You can always visit the former Olympic Ring on the hill of Montjuic – also home to world-class parks, fountains and museums.
Barcelona, which nurtured such artistic giants as Picasso, Dali, Miro and Casals, is definitely a traveller’s paradise. It is truly a paradise, rich in history and you can feel it come alive as you walk down the streets!
