P&O cruise holidays around the west Mediterranean are a fabulous way to enjoy not only all the benefits of a luxury cruise ship but also the magnificent cultural ports that present themselves along the way. The west Mediterranean offers amazing cities to visit particularly in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, and Majorca along with other countries. There are also the dazzling waters, sun-baked beaches, fabulous food, shopping with fabulous bargains, and so much more.
BARCELONA, SPAIN is a combination of modern and ancient. Gaudi architecture is prominent along narrow streets and popular open squares where people congregate. The Picasso Museum is outstanding in this city of his youth.
FLORENCE, ITALY is an elegant Renaissance city in Tuscany. The Duomo Cathedria is a huge Gothic structure which was begun in 1296 and holds 20,000 visitors. Its exterior is constructed of white and green marble and there are three sets of bronze doors. The inside Brunelleschi’s Dome is a masterpiece. In Florence you will also find the Leaning Tower of Pisa as well as a copy of the famous statue of Michelangelo’s David, which is located in the Loggia della Signoria.
ROME is known to be one of the world’s greatest historical cities. The number of monuments and buildings is beyond comprehension when you consider how they have managed to exist for so many centuries so that we can appreciate the significance of how and why they were built. Being able to see Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring ceiling and frescoes by Raphael and Botticelli on the walls in the famous Sistine Chapel, within the Vatican, is a wonder to behold. The Colosseum amphitheater brings back the days of the gladiators. The Vatican is the number one destination for Catholics.
NAPLES, ITALY has a fascinating opera house, medieval castles, and an Old Town with many historical buildings to enjoy seeing. The Duomo is a Gothic 13th century cathedral. Next to it is Naples’ oldest church (from the 4th century) with columns that are said to originally be from the Temple of Apollo.
VENICE, ITALY means a gondola or water taxi ride on the famous Grand Canal. This city is built on over 100 islands and contains ancient museums and gorgeous palaces. Nearby is Murano, a town famous for hand-blown Venetian glass.
CANNES, FRANCE is full of fun and glamor.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE has free admission at its Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, a landmark church topped with a 30-foot statue of the Virgin. The breathtaking view, especially at sunset, from its terrace shows the sea, city, and islands.
MONTE CARLO is especially known for its glittering Grand Casino and the fun that represents in what is one of the world’s wealthiest towns. You can also tour the Prince’s palace and see other beautiful gardens and fountains.
ATHENS, GREECE has the remains of so many buildings such as the Acropolis (the “Sacred Rock”) as well as ancient temples. The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, contains the highest Greek art in its sculptures.
In ISTANBUL, TURKEY, visit the magnificent Blue Mosque. It gets its name from the many blue tiles in the architecture. It has amazing domes, semi-domes, large numbers of lamps, and windows that illuminate the structure.
PALMA on Majorca (Mallorca), the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, has its magnificent La Seu Cathedral, which was begun in 1229 but not finished until 1601. The famous architect Antoni Gaudi was in charge of a restoration project that began in 1901. The Old City is mostly a maze of narrow walkways with old private tall-structured Arab houses with metal carvings and window boxes, some of which are open to the public as galleries or museums.