Europe has something for everyone. It is a diverse and enchanting continent with a mix of major metropolitan cities, such as Paris, London and Rome, and sedate islands around countries such as Greece and Italy. With sun kissed beaches, fine cuisine and enchanting cities such as Rome and Barcelona, one of the most popular destinations for people vacationing in Europe is the Mediterranean, and by far the best method of exploring the Mediterranean is on a cruise ship. Mediterranean cruises enable you to visit a large number of places that simply wouldn't be possible on an overland vacation. Furthermore, most Mediterranean cruise ships are incredibly luxurious, providing everything you need onboard to provide the ultimate in a relaxed vacation.
Mediterranean cruises are perfect for people wanting to explore Europe for the first time or those that have never been cruising before. Voyages around the Mediterranean come with a huge choice of itineraries and destinations. Many ocean going voyages around the Mediterranean explore either the east or west, with the most popular destinations including Rome, Barcelona, the French Riviera, and the Baltics. Mediterranean cruise destinations offer unrivalled culture, plenty of shopping opportunities, and some of the world's finest cuisine. For those traveling to Europe for the first time, a Mediterranean voyage lets you see numerous destinations that simply wouldn't be possible any other way.
The most popular Mediterranean cruises are those that explore the west. Western journeys around the Mediterranean take in Italy, France, and Spain, where popular stop off destinations include Rome, where the ancient architecture can be explored; Barcelona, with its many nightclubs, bars and restaurants; and the French Riviera, where you can relax on the beaches or go shopping in some of the most exclusive boutiques on Earth. Some cruise operators go even farther afield, stopping at Tangiers in Morocco, Lisbon in Portugal and in Monte Carlo home to some of the world's most famous casinos. Western voyages to the Mediterranean leave from many ports in Europe, with Southampton in the UK being one of the most popular.
Eastern Mediterranean cruises provide a slightly different experience to the more common western trips. These ocean going voyages visit the more exotic parts of the Med, including Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Egypt. Many of the stop off destinations are islands, where you'll be able to relax in relative solitude. Venice is also a common stop off for Eastern Mediterranean cruise, where you'll find culture on a grand scale, but some of the more exiting destinations include the Greek islands, such as Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Rhodes, which have stunning beaches and fine local food. Some cruises to the Mediterranean venture out into the Black Sea, which is perhaps one of the world's best-kept secrets. Here you'll find a mix of beautiful beaches in places like Varna and ancient medieval cities, such as Nessebu, Odessa and Sevastopol. You'll also find the destinations in an Eastern Mediterranean cruise much cheaper than the west too.
