By: Dennis Lindsay
Today I am going to discuss Western Mediterranean cruises and some of the highlights you can expect to experience if you choose to take a voyage in this region. Major countries that you can expect to visit in this region include Italy, Spain, France and Portugal. Most of the region’s major cruise lines including Costa, Oceania, Princess, Star Clippers, Silversea, Windstar, Seabourn, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland American and NCL all operate there, so you will have plenty of options to choose from when planning your European cruise vacation.
If you’ve always wanted to visit the French Riviera then this is the perfect way to do so. The beauty of the South of France and the Cote d’Azur region cannot be overstated. Visit the lovely town of Villefranche-sur-Mer and discover the inspiration for the works of many great painters including Picasso and Matisse. Go to Nice and visit the Opera House and explore Old Town. Visit the beautiful city of Cannes, home to the world famous international film festival. Marseille offers the opportunity to view the awe-inspiring architecture of Notre-Dame-de-Guarde, and if you have the good fortune to stop in Monte Carlo don’t forget to hit up the luxurious Grand Casino.
In Italy your choices are just as abundant. Of course Rome will be the highlight for most, where visits to the Colesseum, Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica, the Arch of Constantine, and the Trevi Fountain will only scratch the surface of what you can see and do in this ancient city. If in Florence you must check out Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s political hub since the middle ages. If you have an appreciation for art, culture and history then you have to visit the Uffizi Museum and see the greatest works of art from Florence’s long history. And don’t forget to take a tour to the nearby town of Pisa where you can witness close up the wondrous Leaning Tower of Pisa.
In Spain, Barcelona is the most frequently visited port, and the Gothic architecture of the region is truly breathtaking, and you absolute cannot miss the Museu Picasso where one of the most extensive collections of the works of world renowned artist Pablo Picasso reside. Your Western Mediterranean cruise may also take you to Mallorca (or Majorca), Spain’s largest island, where you can visit the sprawling Palma Cathedral, enjoy one of the more than 70 beautiful beaches in the area, or sample world class cuisine at one of the island’s more than 2,400 restaurants.
And finally in Portugal you’ll visit the ports of Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, and Funchal, the capital city of Madiera Island. In Lisbon you can visit Jeronimo’s Monastery, St. George’s Castle, Belem Tower, and the Gulbenkian Museum. If you have kids with you take them to the Oceanarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world where you can see all manner of aquatic life from sharks to Antarctic penguins in a high tech, state of the art facility that is a sharp contrast to much of Lisbon’s ancient architecture. While in Funchal if you want a different sort of shore excursion adventure then arrange to climb Picos de Barcelos, a peak over 1,200 feet high that provides an excellent view over all of Funchal and its beautiful coastline. Alternatively you can relax in the botanical gardens of Quinta das Cruzes or visit Colombo’s (Christopher Columbus) Statue in Santa Catarina park.
These are just some of the highlights you can expect to see and do on your Western Mediterranean cruise vacation. It truly is a magnificent region, filled with thousands of years of culture and history. Make sure to pack a camera and plenty of sunscreen and you’re all set!
This article has been viewed: 645 times
