"Why Take
a Mediterranean Cruise ?"
By John Metcalfe
A Mediterranean cruise is without doubt the most varied type
of cruise available. There are more than 120 seaports around the
Mediterranean coastline, offering numerous combinations of cruise
vacations over one-week, two-week or longer trips.
A huge clash of cultures await all who opt for a Mediterranean
cruise. You can visit no less than 17 different countries, including
such nations as Spain, Italy, Greece and Egypt. Each nation has
its own unique attractions, all of which you can sample as your
cruise ship gracefully sails around the calm blue Mediterranean
Sea.
More than 50 companies offer cruises along varied routes in the
Mediterranean. Some companies specialize in providing Western
Mediterranean cruises, concentrating on ports of call around Portugal,
Spain, France, Italy and Morocco. Other companies offer Eastern
Mediterranean cruises which take in Croatia, Greece, Turkey and
countries in the Middle East. Popular specialist Mediterranean
cruises include a tour of the North African nations, a Mediterranean
islands cruise that visits the island nations of Cyprus and Malta,
as well as cruises around the Greek Islands. If you're after a
longer vacation, it is possible to arrange a cruise itinerary
that takes you around most if not all of the Mediterranean nations.
History, culture, grand cities, ancient monuments, romantic islands
and breathtaking views are all within easy reach on a Mediterranean
cruise. In the Western Mediterranean you can discover the traditional
white Andalucian villages of Southern Spain, sample the world-famous
Manzanilla sherry in Cadiz and visit the cultural hub of Europe
in the shape of Barcelona, before travelling onwards to the French
Riviera.
A cruise that takes in the wonderful coastline of Italy yields
such treasures as the dormant volcano of Mt Vesuvius, ancient
Pompeii and the stunning city of Rome. The islands of Sicily and
Sardinia hold many delights too on a Western Mediterranean cruise.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, cruise passengers can discover
the spectacular Croatian coastline and its beautiful city - Dubrovnik,
before diving southeastwards to sample classical Greece and its
sultry islands. The island of Crete is always worth a visit, if
only for the historic Palace of Knossos.
A visit to the holy city of Jerusalem is a worthwhile excursion
from both Israeli ports - Haifa and Ashdod - on a Mediterranean
cruise of the Middle East. Egypt's Port Said is well worth a visit
too. Port Said provides access to the world famous Suez Canal,
which takes vessels into the Red Sea and onwards in to the Arabian
Sea.
The Mediterranean region has seen many a civilization rise and
fall. It is a crucible of human evolution and is rich in relics
left over by more than 6,000 years of occupation. If you've ever
wanted to discover what it felt like to be an Egyptian pharaoh,
Roman warrior or a Greek philosopher, a Mediterranean cruise can
give you just that opportunity..
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