Spend long summer days and balmy evenings cruising through thousands of years of history that encompass the Mediterranean Sea. Admire pretty ports and picturesque harbours, ancient ruins and historical monuments, busy markets and bustling boutiques, you can experience it all as you journey through the Mediterranean. Head for Barcelona, famous for its pretty, tree lined, Las Ramblas for a spot of shopping, and be inspired by the Gaudi architecture, in particular, the unfinished, yet breathtaking, Sagrada Familia. Soak up the warm sunshine as you take a tour through the Majorcan capitol of Palma, and head for Italy which boasts both Venice, where you can visit St Mark's Square or take a romantic gondola ride, and the eternal city of Rome. Here you will witness some of the most impressive historic ruins in the world. Be prepared for the incredible site of the Colosseum, the Forum and the beautiful Trevi Fountain, pause for a cappuccino before a spot of shopping in the many boutiques lining the streets of the city.
Top 10 Attractions
1.
Rome, Italy
2.
Athens, Greece
3.
Barcelona, Spain
4.
Port Said (Cairo), Egypt
5.
Antalya, Turkey
6.
Marseille, France
7.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
8.
Tangier, Morocco
9.
Monte Carlo, Monaco
10.
Jerusalem, Israel
Featured Port:
Barcelona
Barcelona, the capital and cultural hub of Spain's Catalonia region, and the port that Columbus set sail from for the Americas, is an exciting, energetic and cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culture and the arts. Stroll down the shady, tree-lined...
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Currency
Cruises to the Mediterranean take you to a number of countries that have different currencies.
Euros are now the national currency throughout a lot of Europe, and in those countries where the Euro isn't the national currency, it is still widely accepted.
When visiting those countries that don’t use the Euro, US Dollars may be accepted or you may be able to exchange Euros/US Dollars for the local currency. It may be worth withdrawing a small amount of local currency from an ATM or using a credit card but check what your bank charges and make sure you tell your bank you intend to use your debit or credit card abroad before you leave.
Cruise ships usually offer an onboard currency exchange but are not always at competitive rates. If you’re unsure, ask for advice when booking your cruise.
Time Difference
Mediterranean countries span several time zones, including Cyprus, Greece and Turkey in the Eastern European Time Zone (Eastern European Standard Time = GMT+2, Eastern European Summer Time = GMT+3) and France, Italy, Malta, Slovenia and Spain in the Central European Time Zone (Central European Standard Time = GMT+1, Central European Summer Time = GMT+2). Most Mediterranean countries observe Daylight Saving Time. As a guide, times will differ from the UK by -1 to +2 hours West to East.
Tipping
Tipping varies from country to country on shore, but generally you will find that a 10–15% service charge is added to restaurant bills. If not, a 10–15% tip should be left if the service has been good. Metered taxi fares should usually be rounded up.
Visas Health Safety
The Mediterranean climate is characterised by warm to hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. All regions within the Mediterranean have relatively mild winters, but summer temperatures are variable depending on the region.
Central Mediterranean
In winter, average daily maximum temperatures are about 15-16°C (59-61°F), with between 4 and 6 hours of sunshine each day.
Spring has an average daily maximum of about 23°C (74°F) by May. Daily sunshine hours increase to about 10 hours by the end of the spring.
June, July and August bring long spells of sunny weather with only one or two wet days expected on average. Average daily maximum temperatures reach 30-31°C (86-88°F) in August on Sicily and Sardinia, 2 or 3 degrees lower in Malta due to a sea breeze. Daily average sunshine is about 11 hours.
The sunshine often extends into September but the temperature drops considerably, the daily average falling to about 19°C (66°F) by November. By November, there are an average of 22 dry days and about six hours of sunshine.
East Mediterranean
December is the warmest winter month in the eastern Mediterranean. Cairo has an average daytime maximum temperature of 20°C (68°F). Southern Israel has temperatures 2 or 3 degrees higher, whilst the Greek mainland averages 16°C (61°F). Cairo and Corfu have four to five hours of sunshine can be expected in Cairo and Corfu. There are typically 28 dry days each month in Egypt, whilst the Greek islands and mainland have 14 to 18.
In spring, Cairo has average daytime maximum temperature varying from 24°C (75°F) in March to 32°C (90°F) in May. In Greece and the islands, temperatures reach an average maximum of 25°C (78°F) in May, sometimes enhanced by the presence of the Sirocco wind from Africa. In southern Israel, temperatures can reach a 36°C (97°F) in May. Up to ten or eleven hours of sunshine and 30 dry days can be expected.
In summer, Cairo’s daily maximum temperatures can reach 35°C (96 °F). If sailing around the Greek islands, the 'Etesian' winds can make the sea choppy but makes the heat more bearable. The summer months bring an average of 10 or more hours of sunshine.
The high temperatures continue well into the autumn with 33°C (92°F) in Egypt in September falling to 26°C (79°F) by November. The Greek islands average a maximum of about 29°C (85°F) in September, falling to 19°C (66°F) by November. Greece and the islands become wetter through the season (15 to 17 days by November). By November, 7-8 hours of sunshine can be expected in Egypt and Israel, but only 4-5 over Greece and the islands.
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