an ocean trip taken for pleasure

A Guide to Taking Your Dream Mediterranean Cruise!

A Guide to Taking Your Dream Mediterranean Cruise!
By John Metcalfe
A Mediterranean is without doubt the most
varied type of available. There are more than
120 seaports around the Mediterranean coastline,
offering numerous combinations of vacations
over one-week, two-week or longer trips..

A huge clash of cultures await all who opt for a
Mediterranean cruise. You can visit no less than
17 different countries, including such nations as
Spain, Italy, Greece and Egypt. Each nation has its
own unique attractions, all of which you can sample
as your ship gracefully sails around the calm
blue Mediterranean Sea..

More than 50 companies offer cruises along varied
routes in the Mediterranean. Some companies specialize
in providing Western Mediterranean cruises,
concentrating on ports of call around Portugal,
Spain, France, Italy and Morocco. Other companies
offer Eastern Mediterranean cruises which take in
Croatia, Greece, Turkey and countries in the Middle
East..

Popular specialist Mediterranean cruises include
a tour of the North African nations, a Mediterranean
islands that visits the island nations of
Cyprus and Malta, as well as cruises around the Greek
Islands. If you're after a longer vacation, it is
possible to arrange a itinerary that takes
you around most if not all of the Mediterranean
nations..

History, culture, grand cities,

ancient monuments,
romantic islands and breathtaking views are all
within easy reach on a Mediterranean cruise. In the
Western Mediterranean you can discover the traditional
white Andalucian villages of Southern Spain, sample
the world-famous Manzanilla sherry in Cadiz and visit
the cultural hub of Europe in the shape of Barcelona,
before travelling onwards to the French Riviera..

A that takes in the wonderful coastline of
Italy yields such treasures as the dormant volcano of
Mt Vesuvius, ancient Pompeii and the stunning city of
Rome. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia hold many
delights too on a Western Mediterranean cruise..

In the Eastern Mediterranean, passengers can
discover the spectacular Croatian coastline and its
beautiful city - Dubrovnik, before diving
southeastwards to sample classical Greece and its
sultry islands. The island of Crete is always worth
a visit, if only for the historic Palace of Knossos..

A visit to the holy city of Jerusalem is a
worthwhile excursion from both Israeli ports -
Haifa and Ashdod - on a Mediterranean of the
Middle East. Egypt's Port Said is well worth a visit
too. Port Said provides access to the world famous
Suez Canal, which takes vessels into the Red Sea and
onwards in to the Arabian Sea..

The Mediterranean region has seen many a civilization
rise and fall. It is a crucible of human evolution
and is rich in relics left over by more than 6,000
years of occupation. If you've ever wanted to discover
what it felt like to be an Egyptian pharaoh, Roman
warrior or a Greek philosopher, a Mediterranean cruise
can give you just that opportunity..
John Metcalfe is the author and web publisher of A to Z Cruises your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit http://www.azcruises.com now to book your very own dream Mediterranean Cruise vacation.