Reasons to travel to Europe are endless
— but here’s a peek at why you should go!
If you haven’t been to Europe, taking a Mediterranean cruise is the best way to explore this area. Passengers are treated to a variety of cruise ports throughout the Mediterranean — a truly unforgettable vacation. You will be treated to beautiful scenery — from Mykonos’ whitewashed paradise in the Aegean Sea to the colourful seaside village of Cinque Terre to sailing past the Greek islands dotted with ancient ruins — you will discover some of Europe’s hidden gems and a glimpse into the past through archaeological treasures. Also known for its sheer culinary excellence, you will have a chance to sample everything from different regions.
There are many Mediterranean cruises to choose from, but here are just a few ports of call that will have you itching to pack your bags!
• Nice — The Promenade des Anglais is a long white path, along the pebbly beaches, which is lined with upscale shops and restaurants. One photo op you need to stop for is to the Massena Square, Nice’s main square. You will find a circle-shaped fountain on top of the checkered ground, surrounded by red colour buildings. Another stop to make is to Saint-Paul de Vence. It is one of the oldest medieval towns along the French Riviera. It’s known for its architecture, art galleries and museums. Before hopping back on the ship, make sure you grab a bite to eat. You have to try socca — quintessential street food of Nice. It is a thin, crusty chickpea pancake with a soft interior.
• Paris — You can either take a walk or drive by the world’s most stately looking roundabout — the Arc de Triomphe. To make this an excellent photo op, go up to the top of it and marvel at the zipping cards below you. A visit into the heart of the city will have you admiring the Louvre Museum, besides the incredible works of art inside, you can admire the artistic architecture from the outside. A visit isn’t complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Another food that the French do well is the croissant. These are melt-in-your-mouth, so flaky that they make a huge mess — but who cares! Just brush off the flakes and go grab another one — but try the Pain au chocolate, a croissant filled with chocolate! Need I say more?
• Athens — As the capital of Greece, Athens is steeped in history — 5,000 years worth! Athens had ripple effects through every civilization — art, theatre, architecture and philosophy — so your cruise wouldn’t be complete without seeing the major sites: The Acropolis and the world-famous Parthenon (well worth the climb), the Olympic Stadium (since Athens was the birthplace of the Olympic Games), and more historic ruins — Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Temple of Hephaestus. Greek food is loved all over the world, so while you’re in Athens, you have to savour authentic Greek food! While walking around, you will find plenty of street vendors firing up their grills preparing souvlaki (skewered meat). Almost every Greek dish is served with olives — it’s been cultivated for centuries — so experience the real deal!
• Santorini — This island’s blue and white buildings appear in everything promoting Greece. The island of Santorini is a romantic and relaxed destination. When you arrive in Santorini, you will dock at the base of Fira. And in the Greek fashion, you make your way up to the top of the island by either cable car, donkey or on foot. One of the stops you make on the way to the top is in Oia Village, which offers a spectacular view of Thirassia island (off in the distance). Plenty to do here as Oia provides a glimpse into a traditional Greek village. You’ll also discover rich history at the Akrotiri Ruins. The settlement was destroyed and buried in volcanic ash during the 16th-century BC. For those with a sweet tooth, you need to grab yourself a piece or two (or three) of Baklava. Do not miss out on this layered flaky phyllo pastry coated in honey with ground nuts!
• Amalfi Coast (Salerno) — Located on the southwest side of Italy (the boot-shaped coastline), the Amalfi Coast is just one of the favourite destinations for Italian cruises. With the colourful buildings of Positano and scenic beaches, Salerno was made for relaxing. Lots of postcard-worthy photo opportunities. If you decide it’s a beach day, you can choose between Maiori and Minori. They are located near Amalfi with views of the teal ocean. Maiori has the longest stretch of unbroken beach shoreline. Though it’s not right on the coast, Sorrento is close enough for you to take a visit and get some of your souvenir shopping done! For a refreshing drink, try limoncello, a liquor made with lemons and vodka. But make sure you remember to eat something — and since you’re by the coast, try the local favourite bavette con granchio di Positano, a dish made from bavette-style pasta and freshly caught crab.
• Livorno (gateway to Tuscany) — Tuscany itself is a destination like no other — rolling hillsides, slow-living remote fishing villages, to masterworks of Renaissance art and architecture you’ll find in Florence and Pisa. Florence is just two hours away from Livorno and Pisa is just a little more than an hour from the port. Florence is a must-see for art and history lovers. You’ll be surrounded by paintings and sculptures of some of the masters — da Vinci, Botticelli, Brunelleschi, and Michelangelo (come and the David!). While exploring this breathtaking village, make sure you stop and treat yourself to a much-deserved gelato. When you arrive in Pisa, don’t forget to take the “Oh no! It’s starting to fall!” photos of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (it’s a classic!). Another village that will take your breath away is Cinque Terre. It is considered one of the top sites to visit when in Italy. Since cars are banned, Cinque Terre is best explored on foot.
• Barcelona — The most iconic and must-see monument is the world-renowned La Sagrada Familia. The towering cathedral has majestic towers and immaculate detail displayed on every square inch of it — inside and out! One of the most unique buildings you will see is Casa Mila, which became known as La Pedrera, “the stone quarry,” because its facade resembles an open quarry appearance. It is a total piece of art! Another stunning, dreamlike structure is Casa Batlló. The dragon-shaped roof and tiny details make this stop a must during your visit. Enough about buildings — let’s talk food! There are all sorts of local must-eat foods to delve into, here are just a few suggestions: Paella — no trip to Spain would be complete without this iconic rice and seafood dish. La Bombas — One of the most iconic tapas dishes. We are talking about mashed potato balls stuffed with ground pork … covered in bread crumbs … then fried like a doughnut! It is served with sauces, which when joined with the potato ball crunch — goes off in your mouth like … a bomb! Hot chocolate with melindros — this isn’t the powdered stuff you drink at home! This hot chocolate is thick and creamy, and best served with a giant helping of whipped cream on top. Perfect to sip while you’re enjoying your melindros (Catalan sponge fingers).
Ocean cruises offer a lot of “sea days,” which allows you lots of time to rest. River cruises stop each day at a new port, with sightseeing experiences — to make the most out of your trip.
Typically, a river cruise visits three countries — some offer more. To make the most of your European river cruise, I suggest taking advantage of the cruise line’s pre- and post-cruise stays (offered at really great prices)!
Virtually all the ships that sail on the Rhine and Danube are the same size, so they fit into the locks and glide under bridges, but the difference in price reflects the number of passengers — the fewer people, the higher price.
Europe cruises typically run from April to October, aside from the special Christmas markets and New Year cruises.
If you are a castle fan, then the Rhine cruise is for you. It boasts more castles than any other river and combines spectacular scenery with some of the oldest and historic cities in Germany. The 776-mile Rhine weaves its way through six countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The Danube is the soul of Central Europe. it flows from German to Romania, passing through the culture-rich banks of Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia and Bulgaria along the way. These elegant cities have inspired travellers for centuries.
When you’re visiting a new destination, there is so much to consider — where should we stay; what can we see during our time there; are we able to visit this and that; how we will get to the places we want to visit?
So many decisions — a guided tour will look after all of that for you! The only major decision is which one should you take!
There are so many, it’s mind-blowing. That’s where I can help you narrow down what you want to do, and I will find the best supplier to provide your adventure!
Guided tours are great when you have only a certain amount of time, and the tour can get you to the most exciting and must-sees at the destination.
You don’t need to worry about where you’re staying or how you’re getting to the next location on your itinerary — the tour operator has already worked it out for you — and they look after the driving! A guided tour will give you a sense of comfort and safety, as the tour guide will know where to go (and not to go).
One of the best things about tours is your guide! They are filled with knowledge, and some suppliers use their trusted local guides. The tour guide will give you insight into the local culture and provide you with stories and a bit of history about the landmarks you are visiting. Often, a guide will offer free advice on nearby sights you can visit in your free time.
If you are thinking you would like to experience something more exotic — what about joining a safari in Africa, or get a close-up with a Kookaburra in Australia! I can also help you put together your little adventure to New Zealand or Thailand … the world is an amazing place to explore!
If you would like to travel in a “family group bubble,” I can help you find the perfect tour for your bubble!
One of the best ways to experience Europe is with a custom-designed package — an itinerary based on the sites you want to visit!
Looking forward to helping you find the right European vacation for you!
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Monique Cormier, CTC
monique@travawayvacations.ca
www.travawayvacations.ca
506-531-0305
Moncton, NB, Canada
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