Top cruise destinations in the Indian Ocean: While cruise fares don’t vary too much from one booking agent to the next, you should still always compare prices on a few sites before you book. Just like with hotel rooms, some booking sites buy cruise cabins at a group rate and are able to sell them cheaper, while others may be able to get you a free upgrade or will foot the bill for bonuses like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities to nab your business. It always pays to compare before you book.
When visiting Italy, especially the south, you can enjoy a multitude of islands and coastal destinations that are within easy reach of each other. Sailing around here is fairly easy and sheltered. Besides the beautiful scenery that you will get to pass, the historic Italian towns and ports found around the country make it one of the most desirable European places to visit. As one of the countries with the longest Mediterranean coastlines and countless sailing spots and hidden gems, Italy is one of the top sailing destinations in the Mediterranean. This beautiful European country is home to some of the most popular Mediterranean destinations such as Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Sardinia. Find extra details on booking a cruise.
And remember, before or after staying in Ibiza, take the chance and spare some days for a visit to Spain’s mainland cities. Ibiza offers several daily flight connections with Madrid and Barcelona, just 40min away from the latest. Bachelors and singles will enjoy big city life, with good nightlife, shopping, restaurants and fun experiences. Couples and honeymooners may like to extend the trip and immerse in Spanish culture and heritage. Start with Barcelona and continue afterwards to the south, where charming Andalusian cities are waiting with incredible monuments and cosy old towns. Madrid can be the departure city, easily connected from Sevilla, Córdoba and Málaga by fast train. Families may prefer to extend the stay in the fantastic beach resorts and end with a short visit to main capitals before heading back home. Sheltered by red cliffs that look as if they’ve been carved straight out of the Grand Canyon, Sa Caleta is situated just a 15-minute drive from Ibiza town. Its shallow, gentle waters make it a great beach for a family day out, especially as the paella served at the acclaimed La Caleta restaurant is meant to be some of the best in Ibiza – which is saying something on an island renowned for its seafood. This is a popular beach, but its cliffs lend it an exclusive, private feel as well as providing spots of shade in which to take a break from tanning. The Best Time for Mediterranean Yacht Cruises? Summer is the best time to visit the Mediterranean, and it is definitely the high travel season in this part of Europe. The millions of people from all around the world flock to the Mediterranean’s beaches during summer months for much-deserved summer break due to the region’s pleasant climate. The summers in the Mediterranean are sunny and hot, and the sea is warm. However, the best time for Mediterranean yacht cruises is late spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October) when the temperatures and the sea are pleasurably warm, days are sunny, and the crowds in popular destinations are far fewer than in summer.
Especially popular is the sea area between the northern coast of Sicily, Calabria and the Aeolian Islands. Sicily has an area of 25,426 km² and is the largest island belonging to Italy. It is separated from the Italian mainland by the Strait of Messina. In the north it is bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the east by the Ionian Sea and in the east and southwest by the Strait of Sicily. Sicily has a largely mountainous landscape, and is the home of Mount Etna – the tallest, largest and most active volcano in Europe. The north and east coasts are made up of high cliffs with numerous bays and sandy beaches. Going south the land is flatter and the beaches become longer. The coastline measures a total length of 1152 km. The capital city of Sicily is Palermo, which lies on a bay on the north coast. The city has many historic attractions, important church buildings, palaces, squares and museums. Other major cities are Catania, Messina and Syracuse.
Island hopping around the Greek islands is at the top of many a traveller’s bucket list and the famously beautiful Ionian islands are a great place to begin. Start from Corfu or Lefkada and then meander through turquoise seas stopping off at each of the seven large islands and some of the smaller ones along the way (Paxoi and Antipaxoi make excellent sailing destinations). Expect all the usual cliched Greek images such as harbours filled with coloured fishing boats, white-washed villages, beautiful beaches, rugged mountains and traditional tavernas.
As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily promises more sand, sunshine and secret anchorages than almost anywhere else. The Aeolian Islands – seven sub-tropical isles and scores of volcanic specks – are Sicily’s biggest yachting draw. Italian A-listers and humble fisherfolk sail atop crystalline waters suffused with seismic bubbles. Both enjoy platters of seafood spaghetti served on volcanic black-sand beaches. Sail in and join the club. They don’t call the island of Stromboli “the lighthouse of the Mediterranean” for nothing. A puffing volcano stands 924m (3,032ft) above the sea, offering sailors a 24/7 navigation point for the other six Aeolian Islands. Tie up in Stromboli’s mini-marina. Then tuck in. Island cuisine is a fiery mix of volcanically charged chillies and swordfish steaks. See more info on https://www.cruisebooking.com/.
Spain’s northern coastline is well-known for its verdant landscapes, fine cuisine, modern cities and picturesque villages along its vast, golden beaches. It’s also packed with art and architecture, making it a great cruise destination for lovers of culture. From the Biscay town of Getxo, with its UNESCO-listed Vizcaya Bridge, to the Basque capital Bilbao, with its world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, there are gems to discover at every port. You’ll start in Getxo before heading to Bilbao and on to the magnificent city of La Coruña in Galicia, where you can wander between the medieval old town and the more modern districts to see the architectural contrasts.