Why choose the Mediterranean?

Mediterranean Europe is one of the most culturally rich and exotic destinations in the world, from the ancient stone villages and sunny beaches of Portugal to the mystical eastern flair of Turkey. Whether you’re seeking stunning landscapes, splendid cuisine or a new cultural experience, there’s something for everyone on a Mediterranean cruise.

Summer is the high travel season in the Mediterranean. Summers are very dry and hot with temperatures sometimes reaching over 40°C. The beach season lasts approximately from April to October-November. Best weather, however, is guaranteed from May to September. Winters are cool, but sometimes pretty cold. In most places it rains a lot. It’s not suitable to swim or sunbathe on the beach in that time of the year and you will generally need warm clothes.

The most pleasant weather during the winter months is in places such as Costa del Sol and Cyprus, although there becomes relatively cool too. Mediterranean beaches are less exotic, but no less beautiful, especially if you know where to go. The biggest disadvantage is that it's more difficult to find privacy along the coast of Southern Europe.

The positive side is that the Mediterranean is a classic destination – do not forget the beaches of the Riviera, the famous French resort of St Tropez and the white powder sands of Ibiza. However, if you want to swim in peace, Croatia is a good choice. There are some lesser-known but magical places where the beaches are covered with small pebbles and the sea is crystal clear.

The Mediterranean Sea is dotted with numerous underwater sites, old shipwrecked vessels and a rich variety of species of fish and corals that inhabit temperate waters. Although a great place to dive, the Mediterranean cannot compare to the beauty of the tropical Caribbean Sea. However, the waters of the Aegean Sea can offer unforgettable experiences. With much less vegetation, the Mediterranean is quite different, and the environment itself is much more urbanized.

However, in some places, especially on the Greek islands of Corfu and Lefkada in the Ionian Sea, you will find lush countryside and olive groves reaching to the sea. The coast of Montenegro and Croatia is also very lush and wild. If you are looking for unspoiled wilderness in the Western Mediterranean, then Corsica and Sardinia will best meet your requirements.

Though the Caribbean offer some really beautiful towns, there are very few places on Earth that can compete with the amazing cultural heritage of the Mediterranean. Here you will find some of the most ancient cities in the world, such as Athens and Rome, where every street is steeped in history. The Mediterranean cuisine is often described as not only the most delicious but also the healthiest in the world. The wealth of vegetables, fruits and spices in the region is great simply because the combination of soil and climatic conditions here is very good for agriculture.

The variety of products is intertwined with the old traditions of the region. It is no accident that here, in close proximity to one another, you will find 4 of the 10 countries with the most delicious cuisine in the world – France, Italy, Greece and Spain. The people in Southern Europe have extensive experience in tourism. Welcoming tourists for decades, the entire society is somewhat commercialized. However, if you visit some of the Greek islands for example, you will experience the true spirit of the Mediterranean. You will be pleasantly surprised to see that there are still some places where hoteliers welcome tourists as they meet guests in their own home.

Compared to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean is a safer destination, especially in smaller cities and islands. Although in some countries, such as Italy for example, pick-pocketing is a serious problem, the region as a whole is stable and meets hundreds of millions of tourists each year.