Mediterranean Europe
Introduction
Mediterranean Europe, which for cruising purposes, encompasses Spain, France,
Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Greece and a slew of other countries, evokes images of
archaeological sites, monuments, churches and ruins. Master artists, like
Michelangelo and Picasso, have walked its streets, and celebrity masterpieces
(the Parthenon, the Colosseum, Hagia Sophia, the Louvre, the Sistine Chapel) in
art and architecture make the Mediterranean feel like one expansive museum.
Shopping is possibly the only activity that can lure cruisers out of the vast
number of "must-see" attractions in Mediterranean Europe. Antiques, crafts,
jewelry and glasswork are abundant, and both small boutiques in Paris and large
districts like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul house unique finds.
Outdoor endeavors do exist, although they seem to take a back seat to museum
hopping. Those that come to the Mediterranean for sport are often seen skiing or
trekking in the Alps or the Pyrenees.
Getting Around
Navigating Mediterranean Europe can be extremely difficult, even if you are
blessed with a good map. Streets seem to be without names, directions are based
on landmarks you can't see, and often enough, you find that you have walked two
hours and gotten nowhere. |
Cruise Tip
If you explore on your own, you may not be covered
by your ship's insurance. It's wise to check the details of your ship's policy
beforehand.
...More Tips |
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For
these reasons, enlist a guide. Some cities, like Venice, consist of meandering
canals and waterways that often circumvent common sense, and it would be a shame
to spend an entire shore excursion mapping your travel route.
Examples of shore excursion opportunities in
Mediterranean Europe include:
Shopping Districts
- Shop Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, a concentrated
collection of 4,000 shops selling, gold, silver, clothing, books, purses and
more.
- Stroll the Baixa in Lisbon, Portugal and find
elegant shoes.
- Discover pearls and pottery off Spain's
Mediterranean Riviera in Mahon.
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Cultural Attractions
- Attend a concert in Barcelona at the Palau De La
Musica Catalana, one of the world's most extraordinary music halls.
- Tour vineyards in Bordeaux, France's wine
country, and partake in wine tasting.
- Spend time in the Grand Socco in Tangier,
Morocco and learn the secrets of snake charming.
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Nature Trips
- View Gibraltar' Saint Michael's Cave, an immense
natural cavern, and the great Siege Tunnels, a system of tunnels carved out of
limestone in the 1780's.
- Walk the embattled beaches of Normandy, which
are indented with WW II bomb explosions.
- Explore Amalfi's Emerald Grotto, a cavernous
chamber of stalactites and stalagmites.
Religious Structures
- Witness Malta's Tarxien Temples, archaeological
remains dating back to 2,500 B.C. that are considered to be the world's most
impressive prehistoric temples.
- Behold the Sistine Chapel in Rome and gaze upon
the priceless ceiling frescoes of Michelangelo, including the "Creation of
Adam".
- Step inside Barcelona's opulent Gothic
cathedral, Catedral De La Seu, and see beautifully carved choir stalls, Santa
Eulàlia's tomb and a battle-scarred crucifix.
Museums
- Experience Paris' Louvre, which houses some the
world most priceless paintings and sculptures, including the Mona Lisa and the
Venus de Milo.
- Investigate Katakolon's Archaeological Museum,
which houses Archaic, Classical and Roman sculptures, including the famous Niki
"Winged Victory."
- Admire Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic and Asian
art and European acquisitions in Lisbon's Museu Calouste Gulbenkian.
| Enhance
your travel to Mediterranean Europe by reading about its culture, people and
history in these novels: |
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Along the Road, Notes & Essays of a Tourist - Aldous
Huxley
Bella Tuscany - Frances Mayes
The Colossus of Maroussi - Henry Miller
Don Quixote's Delusions: Travels in Castilian Spain - Miranda France
Dinner with Persephone - Patricia Storage
Don Fernando - W. Somerset Maugham
The Innocents Abroad - Mark Twain
Labels: A Mediterranean Journey - Evelyn Waugh
The Olive Grove: Travels in Greece - Katherine Kizilos
One Room in a Castle - Karen Connelly
Snowball Oranges, One Mallorcan Winter - Peter Kerr
Venice Revealed: An Intimate Portrait - Paolo Barbaro
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