Johannesburg - The Mediterranean is the birth place of Western civilisation, and nowhere else is there such a concentration of architectural wonders and artistic masterpieces.
Cities of past glory now disarm visitors with their ancient ruins and palaces, but also with their waterfront promenades, outdoor cafes and chic boutiques. It is a place of baroque churches, medieval castles, sub-tropical flowers, but also intense beauty and golden beaches.
Today, we can embark on a grand tour of the Mediterranean in luxurious modern cruise ships which carry passengers from port to port in luxury and comfort. Understanding the past is captivating and enjoying the present in luxury and comfort is a privilege.
The Mediterranean Sea is bordered by three continents and over 12 countries. Ports of call range from grand cities to idyllic islands. The length of a Mediterranean cruise can vary, usually ranging from one to two weeks. The ships dock at the large ports, but often anchor and tender passengers ashore at smaller ports such as those along the Italian and French Riviera or among the Greek Islands.
Each spring, following the northern hemisphere winter, the ships reappear in Europe from the Caribbean, South America, the Far East, Australia and from Africa.
The popular cruises in the so-called Western Mediterranean include the Islands of Sardinia, Corsica, Sicily, Malta, Majorca and Ibiza. Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome) are popular base ports.
Marseilles, Nice and other places along the Côte d’Azur also feature prominently in Western itineraries. On the Italian Riviera, Livorno (Florence’s seaport), Naples and the spectacular Amalfi, Sorrento and Portofino are jewels in a star-studded line-up.
The Eastern Mediterranean will more often than not incorporate the Greek Islands while cruises up the Adriatic, starting or ending in Venice incorporate the Croatian, Serbian and Montenegrin coastline. These cruises would also encompass the intriguing destinations of Istanbul and ancient Ephesus (Kusadasi). For many, the Black Sea and cruises to Egypt and Israel are popular (security permitting).
Through spring and autumn, many of the ships will venture down to the Canaries and the beautiful island of Madeira, touching on Moroccan ports such as Agadir and Casablanca.
Summer in the Mediterranean is hot with temperatures climbing into the 30s, but the Mediterranean will most probably provide a rain-free holiday from June until the end of August. The shoulder months of May, September and October are delightful and less crowded.
For slightly more cultural mindsets and less for body-tanners are the northern routes of Europe, incorporating the Scandinavian and Baltic countries such as Latvia, Lithuania and the beautiful city of St Petersburg, Russia.
Cruises are also available around the British Isles, incorporating Scotland and Ireland as well as the Norwegian Fjords. The more adventurous routes go to Greenland, Iceland and Spitzbergen.
l Leibman is managing member of Just Cruising.
See www.justcruising.co.za
Saturday Star