DIPLO LUST LIST: West Mediterranean Holiday Cruises
Winter has finally come. Berlin is in sub-zero temperatures and the sun is MIA. So here I am warming myself up with daydreams of sunny exotic cruise holidays.
Why cruise?
If you asked me 5 years ago, I would not have considered going on a cruise. In the past cruises were reserved for retirees,who could afford them, but these days, I know so many people who have already gone on cruises in their 20s and 30s. After some googling, I now see why cruises are attracting a fun, younger crowd.
- See several countries without the hassle of flying to each one.
- No constant packing and unpacking. Sounds so much more relaxing than checking in and out of different hotels every few nights, doesn’t it?
- Cruises used to be all-inclusive and exorbitantly expensive, nowadays you can tailor fit your activities to your budget. I’ve seen carribbean cruises for as low as USD 470 per person for 7 nights, full board.
- Cruises used to take a long time (2 weeks to a month) which added to the price, today there are shorter options for passengers who have the energy to dock and sightsee in several cities within 7 to 10 days.
- While docked, passengers go on shore excursions to explore places of interest. After touring, passengers go back to the ship for full service R&R (sometimes with a day in between each port). Sounds like a great way to spend the holiday, right?
Western Mediterranean
Different cultures meet in the sun drenched coast of the Mediterranean and the abundance of blue skies, beaches, fresh seafood, culture, history and design inspiration really appeal to me. Below are some cruise destinations that are on my Diplo Lust List!
Morocco
It can’t get any more exotic than Morocco. Did you know that Morocco had nice beaches too? Agadir, with 9 km of coast and 300 days of sunshine a year, looks and sounds amazing. A beach vacay with a Moroccan-culture-meets-European-style twist.
Mallorca
The biggest Balearic Island of Spain, Mallorca (or Majorca) is surrounded by turquoise waters and pine-covered peaks. No wonder that the Royal Spanish Family vacations there! Olives, almonds Sobrassada, arros brut (saffron rice similar to paella) and ensaïmada are typical Mallorcan food.
Ibiza
The most famous of the Balearics, Ibiza is not just for party people and beach lovers. the is a dose of culture and old town charm. The acropolis of D’alt Vila, in capital Elvissa, is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. It is cocooned by Medieval stone walls and overlooked by a fortress, from which you have a panoramic view of the famous island.
Malta
A small but happening island, Malta is not particularly cheap to get to by plane (we’ve tried looking for tickets) so it would be great to visit it as part of a cruise. With it’s rich history, culture and several UNESCO World Heritage Site listings, it has been described as an open-air museum. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked on Malta.
Naples
Naples, in the Neopolitan Riviera, was a major cultural centre during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. It has influenced the world throughout history. I would love to walk the cobble stone streets of Sorrento with pizza in hand (Neopolitan stye), or to swim Sorrento-style from a wooden/stone bathing platform beneath a cliff.
Mt. Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years and froze Pompeii and Herculaneum – and it’s inhabitants – in time. It would be heartbreaking to see people who were turned to stone, but an important history lesson nonetheless.
Thoughts on Travel
Traditionally travel was thought of as a luxury, especially cruises, but times are changing. I like to think of travelling as an education… and well worth the investment! Experiencing cultures firsthand has expanded me as a person, inspired me and changed me indelibly. Here’s to making our travel dreams true – cheers!
« Now I’m really dreaming about a tour in these exotic places. What do you think about holiday cruises? Would you recommend it or consider going on one? Where would you like to go? I would love to hear your thoughts! »
