subject: Cruises to the Mediterranean [print this page] Cruises to the Mediterranean Cruises to the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is home to over two hundred islands, as well as various mainland destinations which means, that for anyone looking to take a cruise here, the itineraries on offer can be hugely different and varied.
There are of course some destinations which are more popular than others, and so you'll find places like Majorca and Spain appearing on many lists, while some of the smaller islands are far less visited. Because of the number of islands here, a cruise is probably one of the best ways to see the Mediterranean as it allows you the chance to stop at a number of different destinations without the need to change hotels, and break your holiday.
With a cruise, your ship is your floating hotel as well as your holiday resort, and each port that you dock at, you get the chance to take excursions and experience some of the many sights and cultures on offer. As already mentioned, Majorca is one of the more popular ports of call on a cruise in this region, possibly because it has many main towns and places of interest which are close to the coast including the island's capital city Palma. Orange, lemon and almond groves are a sight to see when they're in blossom and the scent is quite captivating, and with a wide variety of historical landmarks to choose from you could come back again and again and see something new each time.
Malta is a great place to stop and see, and the catacombs of St Paul are worth exploring. If you're not keen on going underground however, you could instead take a tour of some of the megalithic temples here such as Hagar Quim in Qrendi village where you can enjoy breathtaking views out over the sea to the islet of Filfla. Crete makes an interesting stop for anyone who is interested in history. With its five Minoan Palaces built circa 7000 BC, Knossos in the valley of the river Kairatos can be reached from the port of Katsabas, and was the seat of the legendary king Minos and the main centre of power in Crete for many years.
This impressive structure is something to behold even as an excavation and it's hard to imagine how imposing it must have been when it stood in its full glory. Other destinations you might encounter could be the islands of Sicily, Capri or San Pietro, Malta, Tunisia and Cyprus. There's Italy and Mainland Spain as well, and with so much choice it's not really a surprise to learn that the cultures you may encounter on a cruise in the Mediterranean can be quite diverse. One thing you can be sure of however, is that no matter which route you take, or which cruise line you sail with, you'll get to enjoy the sunshine and sea as well as the fun of exploring some of the most interesting countries and islands in the world.
