Travel bucket list idea:
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Cruising and the Mediterranean are the perfect match, thanks to gorgeous beaches, glamorous ports and cultural thrills galore, all packed into a relatively manageable area.
You could be basking on the beach in Mykonos one day and watching a fiery sunset over Santorini the next. Or cycling round the medieval walls of Lucca, or tucking into sweet cannoli with your cappuccino in Taormina.
Every kind of cruise ship criss-crosses the Mediterranean, from sailing ships around the Greek islands to luxury vessels along the Cote d’Azur or swish yachts exploring the pine-clad islands of the Croatian coastline. Take time to choose the right experience, whether a grand tour or a voyage that focuses in more depth on a smaller area, like the Balearics, or the Peloponnese.
You could opt for a fully-rigged, tall ship, or ‘clipper’. These authentic ships, modelled on the original ‘greyhounds of the sea’ from the early 20th century, fly over the water with no sound but the waves, wind and creak of the lines. There are few seagoing experiences as romantic as this.
The biggest departure ports in the Mediterranean are Venice, Rome, Athens and Barcelona, although ships also sail from Palma, Cannes, Dubrovnik and Valletta, and from Southampton on longer, no-fly cruises.
Voyages range from four-day mini-breaks in the Greek islands to grand circumnavigations taking three or more weeks. A cruise needs to be viewed as an introduction to an area, and an effortless way to get around.
One tip is to look for itineraries that give you late departures from port, or even overnights, as the Mediterranean in summer is often loveliest in the evening.
The Mediterranean is undeniably crowded in summer so avoid August if you can. May to October are the warmest months, the sea perfect for swimming in September. Culture lovers could consider low season cruises in winter, when museums and galleries are empty.
Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with
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Award-winning European river cruise specialist, with highly-regarded, modern ships. They offer small-ship yacht voyages to Croatia, the western Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Ionian – the perfect way to explore each destination in depth.
United States of America (USA)
The world’s second-largest cruise operator has several ships in the Mediterranean in summer, offering classy cuisine, family fun and a high standard of entertainment.
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Sleek, all-inclusive ships with superyacht service and creative itineraries make Seabourn one of the top choices for luxury Mediterranean cruises.
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Star Clippers’ graceful, square-rigged sailing ships explore the Mediterranean throughout the summer. The focus is on smaller, out-of-the-way ports like Hydra and Skopelos in Greece.
Hadleigh, Suffolk, Multiple countries
The elegant Golden Horizon sails northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, the Indian Ocean and Australia, carried by the wind and currents. More eclectic and adventurous itineraries than Star Clipper.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Central Greece, Greece
Antiquities galore, contemporary culture, scintillating nightlife and fantastic food: there’s something for everyone in Greece’s cosmopolitan capital that’s continuously reinventing itself.
Catalonia, Spain
Spain’s cultural heart has unforgettable architecture, a pioneering arts scene, creative cuisine and nightlife that buzzes till dawn.
Cote d'Azur, France
Sister city of Hollywood and host of the famous film festival, Cannes, with its palm-lined La Croisette, golden beach and five star hotels oozes cinematic and pure Riviera glamour.
Cote d'Azur, France
Money, glamour and bombshell looks: this beach-trimmed stretch of French coast offers decadent hotels, lounging in beach clubs, fine restaurants and world-class art.
Dalmatia, Croatia
Dazzling Dubrovnik offers UNESCO-listed heritage set against the pure blue backdrop of the Adriatic.
Greek Islands, Greece
Sparkling seas, sugar-cube villages, cliff-hanging hamlets, ancient temples, delicious Mediterranean food and mesmerising sunsets – the Greek Islands offer so much. Just ask Shirley Valentine.
Marmara Region, Turkey
Exotic, inexhaustible and dynamic – East meets West head-on in this mesmerising city metropolis, famed for its extraordinarily rich history, superb food and shopping, and mind-blowingly magnificent, over-sized mosques.
Cote d'Azur, France
The Riviera’s Never Never Land for the rich, offering bling, glamour, sights, high-roller casinos and entertainment galore.
Cote d'Azur, France
The buzzing, art-filled, foodie capital of the French Riviera, with a charming, Italian-influenced historic centre. The ideal base for a first-time visit to the Cote d’Azur, and home to the world-renowned Nice Carnival.
Provence, France
Gorgeous landscapes peppered with beautiful villages, sunflowers and lavender, art-filled towns, lively cultural festivals and exquisite food and wine. Provence is everything you imagined it would be.
Lazio, Italy
The Eternal City – 2,000 extraordinary years of glory, greatness and triumph – and decadence, murder and destruction – evidenced by some of the world’s most iconic, must-see monuments and museums.
Greek Islands, Greece
Incredible volcanic scenery, enchanting cave hotels, fine wines and memorable sunsets equal heaven for romantics.
Dalmatia, Croatia
With ancient architecture, Adriatic island-hopping and adventure sports galore, Split makes a superb seaside base.
Veneto, Italy
Crammed with picturesque canals, Renaissance palazzos and artistic masterpieces, this unique and alluring city is heaven-on-earth for art lovers and romantics.
Round-ups that include this experience
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The UK’s leading cruise expert, Sue Bryant, recommends the best river, sea and ocean cruise destinations from around the world; memorable voyages, and bucket list experiences, from the moment you step aboard.
![Emerald Cruises [Mediterranean]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Emerald-cruises-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
![Princess Cruises [Mediterranean]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Princess-Cruises-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
![Seabourn [Mediterranean]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Seabourn-cruises-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
![Star Clippers [Mediterranean]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Starclippers-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
![Tradewind Voyages [Mediterranean]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Tradewind-voyages-logo.jpeg){kind=logo}