This sun drenched playground of the rich and famous has been the setting for commerce, explorations, cultural exchange and conflict from ancient times. The Mediterranean, the world’s largest inland sea, encircled by Europe, Asia, and Africa, continues to draw travelers from near and far.
Today’s explorations of the fascinating ports of this region can be experienced from the comforts of a luxurious cruise ship. Unpack once, and return after each day’s exciting adventures to your floating resort.
We sailed on the 5 star vista-class Oosterdam (OH-ster-dam), one of Holland America’s largest and most luxurious, yet surprisingly affordable, ships. Holland America was voted “best overall cruise value” by World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society.
The Oosterdam retains the traditional graciousness of the rest of the fleet, with the addition of a few brighter and bolder areas in an appeal to a wider range of clientele. It features larger rooms, most with ocean views and private verandas. Even the glass exterior elevators overlook the sea. Dining options range from the more intimate and exquisite premium restaurant, Pinnacle Grill and the elegant, two-tiered Vista Dining Room, to poolside burgers at the Terrace Grill. For lunch we often opted for the varied selections at the Lido buffet.
We signed up for this trip on the spur of the moment, and had little time to plan what we wanted to do in port. With our port lecturer’s practical tips and the maps Holland America provided, it was easy to make the most of our days ashore, whether with a tour or independently. Last-minute advice was also available portside.
Onboard, there was so much to choose from by day-games, fitness classes, golf simulation, or pampering at afternoon tea or the luxurious Greenhouse Spa. For news or information, we headed for the state-of-the-art Internet Café or beautifully furnished library. There are three promenade decks.
At night entertainment centers on the featured entertainment in the three-deck show lounge. There’s also dancing, a movie theater, piano bar, sports bar, casino, disco, karaoke…need I go on? While cruising off the coast of Spain we especially enjoyed the traditional Flamenco Show-music and dances with names like Seguirillas, Bulerias, Fandangos.
Holland America offers a range of shore excursions, from overviews by motorcoach to helicopter explorations. It’s a good idea to reserve your excursions before leaving for your trip since the most popular ones may sell out.
Our Western Mediterranean cruise began in Rome, center of the empire that once controlled the entire area, and sailed westward to Lisbon, capital of Portugal, whose 15th and 16th century navigators helped build an overseas empire. We’d visit Italy, Spain, Monaco, Malta, France and Portugal. Here, history books come alive, and the glorious scenery, charming villages, and stunning coastline create a climate of romance. Winding old village streets may lead to some of the world’s finest art and architecture or to a charming sidewalk café where you can immerse yourself in the local culture while sipping wine or cappuccino.
It would be impossible to choose a favorite port, but among of the most popular destinations are Barcelona and Florence. If you visit, you might want to choose a few of these highlights for your excursions.
Barcelona
In Barcelona, the lively capital of the Catalonian region of Spain, there are things you simply must do, and many reasons you’ll want to return.
You must stroll the lively grand pedestrian boulevard, Las Ramblas, which extends from the port to Plaça de Cataluña in the heart of the city. You’ll find artists, street performers, bird and flower stalls, cafes, churches, shops and markets, like the colorful Mercat de Sant Josep, or La Boqueria. El Cortes Ingles department store at Plaça de Catalunya remains open in the afternoon when many others close and has a cafeteria on the ninth floor with a terrific view.
You’ll feel as if you traveled back in time when you wander the narrow crooked alleyways of 12th and 13th century architecture in the Gothic Quarter. Take a break at a café or tapas bar. Be sure to visit the Santa Maria del Mar Church, one of the finest examples of Catalonian Gothic. The must-see Picasso Museum on Calle Montcada is in two Gothic palaces.
Love them or not, you must experience at least one of Gaudi’s unique creations. La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Sacred Family) is best known and considered his masterpiece. Begun in 1882, it remains unfinished. Or stop at Palau Güell, just off Las Ramblas, to see a Gaudi Art Nouveau interior and an unforgettable rooftop.
Whimsical Güell Park was developed as a real estate venture for Gaudi’s friend, Count Güell. Sixty houses, a grand plaza, and market below were planned, but only two houses were actually built. Now owned by the city, it is a unique public park and a terrific place to spend some time exploring or relaxing with a drink or light meal. You’ll see an unusual array of structures and mosaics, including the crowd-pleasing dragon fountain.
Passeig de Gracia, widest avenue in Barcelona, is lined with designer shops in Modernist buildings. Between Carrer Consell de Cent and Carrer Aragó is the “Block of Discord” with buildings by prominent architects with wide-ranging architectural styles. You can visit two undulating creations with rooftops and chimneys that make them distinctively Gaudi’s — Casa Battló, with a stunning façade of circles and fragments of ceramic and glass, now a museum, and La Pedrera, also known as Casa Mira, an apartment building with courtyards, just four blocks away.
Montjuïc is a hill with illuminated fountains, museums, and gardens, an amusement park, and the 1992 Summer Olympic Games stadium. For the best collection of Catalan art, visit the Museo d’Art de Catalunya (Catalonian Art Museum). Also of interest is Fundació Joan Miro, featuring the surrealism of this Catalonian artist, who, like Gaudi and Picasso, was part of the Catalan Art Nouveau movement known as Modernisme.
You may want to take an excursion through the countryside to the dramatic rock formations and steep cliffs of the Montserrat Mountains, the site of spiritual pilgrimages. Here you can see the Basilica and La Moreneta, the Black Madonna, at the Monastery. This 11th century Benedictine Abbey is also known for its boys’ choir.
Livorno/ Florence
Livorno, Italy’s second largest port, has terrific seafood, but the world-famous art, architecture, palaces and churches are a 1 ½ hour motorcoach ride away in fashionable Florence, cradle of the Renaissance.
The wealthy Medici family of bankers ruled Florence for almost 300 years. Their patronage of the arts supported such notables as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, and the essence of this city of trade and culture remains today.
You’ll want to experience Medieval Florence between Piazza della Signoria and Duomo, and continue on to the Ponte Vecchio. You can savor some of the world’s finest art and architecture, browse elegant shops, and delight in the ambience as you sample regional specialties -perhaps Chianti at a trattoria or a cone of gelato from a gelateria along the way. It’s fun to bargain at San Lorenzo, the largest market and enjoy the sights, sounds and scents of everyday Florentine life.
The best way to avoid lines is by taking an organized tour or arriving early to see Michelangelo’s David and works by Botticelli at the Galleria Dell’Accademia. Too long a wait? Piazza della Signoria has a replica of David, the ideal Renaissance man.
The less crowded Bargello Museum, a former jail and torture chamber behind the Palazzo Vecchio, showcases some of the best Tuscan sculpture–such highlights as Donatello’s David, early works by Michelangelo, and Medici artifacts.
Continue on to the architecture of the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). Inspired by the dome of the Pantheon, Brunelleschi won a design competition for this landmark, built without scaffolding. The dome dominates the skyline, and some say this cathedral with a grand and ornate exterior of red, green, and white marble and modest interior was built inside out. If you climb the nearly 500 steps you’ll be rewarded by a spectacular view.
The 21-year-old Florentine goldsmith Lorenzo Ghiberti’s design was chosen for the north doors of the Baptistry. Ghiberti went on to create the east doors facing Duomo, the famed gilded bronze Gates of Paradise, completed 10 years before he died.
People flock from around the world to Galleria Degli Uffizi, in a restored 16th century palazzo (palace), to see some of the finest art of the Renaissance. Best known for Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, it contains the work of Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael, to name a few. Lines can be long, so book a tour or reserve a ticket in advance, and allow plenty of time for this treasure.
From the Uffizi courtyard, stroll along the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio.
Florence’s oldest and most famous bridge has been home to gold and silver shops since 1593 when Cosimo de Medici I ousted the butchers who had been there over 150 years. Look up to see the Medici’s private passageway connecting Pitti and Uffizi Palaces.
The Gothic Santa Croce Church, with Giotto frescoes, the legendary crucifix and other carvings by Donatello, art by Brunelleschi– is best known for the tombs of such famous Florentines as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. This is the area of leather schools and some of the best gelato in town.
Perhaps you’d prefer to contemplate gravity in nearby…
Pisa
Galileo taught in this university town and achieved fame by dropping objects off Pisa Campanile, the Leaning Tower, challenging Aristotle’s position that speed is proportional to weight. At Piazza del Duomo, check the alignment of the white marble Romanesque Cathedral and baptistery. Stalls along the square sell a wide range of goods and souvenirs, including, of course, countless versions of miniature towers.
We sailed just 2606 miles, about the distance from New York City to Los Angeles, but our journey had taken us back in time and to a greater appreciation of the cultural uniqueness and diversity of this region. We had experienced some of the best of what the world has been and the best of what it continues to be. We can hardly wait to return.
Real Travel Adventures 