Buried Roman cities, teetering coastal villages, Venetian palaces, awe-inspiring art and sun-kissed beaches – the Mediterranean has a special magic that always leaves you wanting more!
Naturally a cruise is the best way to experience it all. With iconic port cities lining the coast, you can pull in at a unique spot each day, and retreat to your luxurious ‘home base’ each night Strolling those cobbled streets in an Old Town sounds delightful, but can result in tired legs, so it’s good to know you’ll be waited on, hand and foot, on your return!
For those looking for a little more than a cruise, World Journeys has combined the best of both worlds with some in-depth touring of the charming villages of the Cinque Terre and Lake Como, followed by a delightful Mediterranean cruise – truly “The Best of the Med”.
There’s no better place to start a cruise than Venice, with its romantic canals and opulent palaces lining the route. Calling into Croatia at Zadar, you can explore the old town with its medieval churches and monasteries, and surrounding Roman aqueducts. Zadar’s museum exhibits go even further back – to the Stone Age no less!
Taormina is alive with Sicilian culture, cuisine and at times a very lively volcano – Mt Etna. Whatever you do, don’t leave Sicily without trying the local Arancini, rice balls with various fillings, which are said to have originated in Sicily in the 10th century.
Sorrento is your gateway to the beautiful isle of Capri, the Amalfi Coast, or the poignant ruins of Pompeii. Sorrento itself is famous for its delicious Limoncello digestif, made with lemons grown locally in the picturesque groves surrounding the town.
Rome, naturally, will be a highlight for many. Need we mention the ancient Roman Forum and Coliseum, Michelangelo’s pieta housed in St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel – make sure you save some energy for Rome and just dive in!
Get a glimpse of the lives of the rich and famous in Monte Carlo and Cannes, with casinos, boutique-lined boulevards and glitzy restaurants, but make sure you wander off the main drag and you’ll find some charming old streets.
Ending with Spain, you can stop in at the famous Dali Museum of Palamos, then delight in plenty of time in Barcelona to explore the colourful Gaudi architecture, and take a gastronomic tour through the Bouqueria Markets of Las Ramblas, followed by cooking class to learn some typical Spanish dishes.
A small group of no more than 18 guests will be hosted on this journey, but that’s where any resemblance to a standard tour group ends. Special experiences have been included to provide that ‘wow’ factor, such as a farmhouse picnic in the hills above Portofino, and a private courtyard dinner in a Venetian Gothic Palace. Your World Journeys host is there to take care of tipping and generally smooth the way, leaving you to simply relax and enjoy the very best of the Med’.
By Caroline Clegg
