Venice, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome — the names alone inspire images of art and architecture, exotic seaports and classical cities, romantic cafes and quiet walks. The Western Mediterranean is a magical world brimming with history, beauty and adventure. Explore ancient ruins by day and casinos by night. Browse exotic markets or designer boutiques. Opt for sun-blessed beaches or the shade of a cafe umbrella.
Most Western Mediterranean itineraries take you to France, Italy and Spain with select stops along the way at ports like Lisbon, Monte Carlo, C... READ MORE
Venice, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome — the names alone inspire images of art and architecture, exotic seaports and classical cities, romantic cafes and quiet walks. The Western Mediterranean is a magical world brimming with history, beauty and adventure. Explore ancient ruins by day and casinos by night. Browse exotic markets or designer boutiques. Opt for sun-blessed beaches or the shade of a cafe umbrella.
Most Western Mediterranean itineraries take you to France, Italy and Spain with select stops along the way at ports like Lisbon, Monte Carlo, Cannes and, perhaps, exotic Casablanca, Tangier and Malta. Such varied routes allow a sample of many cultures, customs and climates within a single cruise.
Lovely Lisbon offers an array of fascinating historical finds, particularly in the Alfama, the city's oldest neighborhood. A must-see is the Castle of St. George, a 10-towered structure built in the 12th century, and the Lisbon Cathedral. Alfama's maze-like streets are dotted with cozy, little cafes and shops. You'll find shopping galore around the Rua da Prata in the Baixa district, a central tourist destination. Souvenir hunters will want to pick up a bottle of locally produced Port and a few hand-painted tiles.
A visit to beautiful Barcelona — capital of Spain's Catalonia region — should include a tour of the Gothic Quarter and Sagrada Familia Church, designed by famed (and famously eccentric) architect Antonio Gaudi. Be sure to browse Las Ramblas, a vibrant boulevard lined with friendly cafes (sample the sangria!), fruit and flower stands, an exotic pet market and playful street performers. Las Ramblas is also home to Gran Teatre del Liceu, originally built in 1847 and one of the world's largest opera houses. If time allows, travel the 45 minutes to the striking Montserrat Monastery, surrounded by towering crags and unsurpassed Catalan landscapes.
Visitors to Cannes (famous for its film festival), artsy Nice (visit the Matisse and Chagall museums) or dazzling Monte Carlo will want to drive the coastline to ooh and aah over its spectacular views of land and sea. The sunny skies and bikini-filled beaches beckon along the French Riviera, as do the fashionable nightclubs and casinos.
The open-air plazas are perfect for people watching while enjoying an espresso or glass of popular pastis, an anise-flavored liqueur. When visiting the Riviera be sure to sample such legendary dishes as bouillabaisse, ratatouille and salade Niçoise. Not far from the coastal hot spots is picturesque St. Paul de Vence, a medieval village brimming with colorful shops, cafes and galleries.
Rome offers so much to see and do — start with a tour of its most famous attractions. At the top of the list are such monuments as the Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Vatican City's St. Peter's Square and Sistine Chapel. Next, take to the streets or stairs, as the case may be, at the Spanish Steps and then wander from shop to market to cafe to museum. There is no shortage of museums here, from the art-filled Villa and Galleria Borghese to the offbeat National Museum of Pasta Foods near the Trevi Fountain.
Historic Venice, too, offers a host of unsurpassed sights, sounds and smells (think canal!). Climb aboard a gondola for a serenaded cruise through the ancient city or hop on a speedboat for a tour of Murano, home to legendary glassmakers. The Piazza San Marco is a must-see — its stately expanse is filled with sidewalk cafes and the strains of a live orchestra. The bustling street markets starting near the Rialto Bridge offer flowers, fruits, vegetables, seafood and other local specialties and souvenirs, including Burano lace goods.
