Cruise to Spain : Barcelona
Many European cruises will go to Barcelona. Barcelona is a favorite Spanish destination.You will find Barcelona to be very lively, with amazing architecture. In Barcelona, visit the Gothic quarter, with parts that dates back to the roman times. There, you can take a walk on famous 1.2 kilometres street long Las Ramblas.  This popular street has a lot of sidewalk cafes, flower stalls and street entertainers. If you like museums, there are also lots to do for you in Barcelona. Young Picasso moved to Barcelona when he was only 14, and some of his work can be found at Palau Berenguer d’Aguilar museum. Visit La Sagrada Familia (or Church of the Holy Family), which Antoni Gaudi has dedicated over four decades his life to.

Cruise to Spain : Seville (Cadiz)
If you cruise to Spain and have the chance to stop in Cadiz, explore the enchanting medieval ruins walls of this city built over 3000 years ago! Take pictures of the spectacular sea views or buzz down to the designer stores. Visit the cathedral of Seville and don’t miss the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Other famous attractions are Parque de Maria Lusia and the elegant Plaza de Espana, a semi-circular square, built for the 1929 Universal Expo.

Cruise to Spain : Vigo
If your European cruise ship happens to stop in Vigo, Spain’s finest fishing port, make sure to visit the port’s most popular historical attraction – the pilgrim city of Santiago de Compostela. Explore the slopes of Monte del Castro and the old fishing quarter also known as Ribera del Berbes.

Cruise to Spain : Bilbao
In the Spanish region of Bizkaia (Biscay) in the Basque country, you will find Bilbao. Located in the middle of2 ranges of hills on each side of the Nervion river, and obviously an important port of call for European cruises. In Bilbao, head to the Guggenheim Museum, the Cathedral of Santiago, the Bridge and Church of San Anton, venture in the countryside to the beautiful region of La Rioja or the Belle Epoque resort of San Sebastian.

Cruise to Spain : Alicante
The city of Alicante is located on the western Mediterranean coastline of Spain. The location of this port of call allows it for year-long great temperatures. Alicante is an inviting place for anyone to begin their exploration of Spain, and is a favourite spot for the locals themselves. Delicious tapas and authentic paella are on the menu!

Bottom line? When choosing a European cruise, make sure to cruise to Spain as well. Experience the relax Spanish way of living, the fabulous architecture and the amazing food.

Island hopping in Greece is quite easy, since most cruise lines sailing the Mediterranean has at least one cruise with a port of call in the Greek Islands. The size and price may vary greatly, so here’s a quick guide to help you find the best one for you.

Large-sized cruise lines sailing Greece: Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean.

Mid-sized cruise lines sailing Greece: Crystal, Holland America, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas.

Small-sized cruise lines sailing Greece: Silversea, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Hebridean International, and Wind Star.

You can check online for the best deals. If you search thoroughly, you can find a cruise to the Greek Islands for as little as $1000 per week. Start planning your cruise to the Greek Islands and have a nice trip!

For more information, visit http://www.best-european-cruises.com/.

Visas

Visitors from most countries, including U.S. citizens, don’t need a visa for Greece. Don’t forget to bring your passport with you.

Money

Greece adopted the euro as its unit of currency in 2002. You can change money in banks, post offices and currency-exchange offices, which are widely available and will exchange all major currencies. Credits cards are accepted everywhere, and ATMs are located everywhere except the smallest villages.

Languages

Greek is the official language, but English is also widely spoken.

When to go

The best time to take a cruise to the Greek Islands is in May, early June, or September, when smaller crowds enjoy the pleasant weather. July through August is peak season, when beaches and tourist sites are packed with visitors and parties are in full swing. Though visiting during low season ensures lower prices, it also means that sights and accommodation have shorter hours or close altogether.

Travel hints

Before embarking on a cruise to the Greek Islands, be sure to bring a hat, lightweight clothes, sunglasses and a sunscreen during the summer months. You will also need good shoes while walking on the archaeological sites’ often-uneven stony ground.

Santorini

Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km south-east from Greece's mainland.

picture credit : Wolfgang Staudt

Crescent-shaped Santorini is famous for its whitewashed towns sitting delicately on cliffs, black-sand beaches, and deeply scarred hills. Fira, the island’s capital, sits on top of a volcanic caldera, at 457,2m high. Cruise ships dock on old port of Fira Skala, just below Fira, which can be accessed by cable car, donkey or by foot. If you like gold, you’ll find plenty of jewellery shops in Fira. The Museum of Prehistoric Thira contains an exceptional collection of artefacts from Akrotiri, including Cycladic figurines and beautifully designed 3700-year-old pottery. The Megaron Gyzi Museum has wonderful displays of local memorabilia, including pictures of Fira before and after the 1956 earthquake.

There are numerous excellent restaurants around the square in Fira, while most bars and clubs are clustered along Erythrou Stavrou. Try the sliced octopus with white eggplant salad or the baked sea bass with tomatoes and capers wrapped in fava beans at the Selene restaurant, or enjoy Greek dishes at the much-reviewed Nikolas restaurant, a long-established place in the heart of Fira. Opposite Nikolas restaurant, the Kira Thira bar is operating in Fira since 1976 and plays smooth jazz, ethnic sounds, and occasional live music.

Famed for its postcard sunsets, Oia is a quaint village and artist colony on the northern tip of Santorini. To take a good picture of the sun, walk down the hill from the village and wait near the many windmills and pebbled walls. Another popular activity at Oia is shopping at the village’s handicraft and artistic boutiques. Santorini has excellent wine produced with the help of mineral-rich volcanic soil. There are many wineries; the Boutari winery runs wine-sampling tours from March to November.

The remarkably well-preserved ruins of the Minoan city of Ancient Akrotiri were uncovered in 1967 at the south of the island. Also called Greece’s Pompeii, this 3700-year-old town was closed to visitors when a section of the roof collapsed in 2005. The site’s future as a tourist attraction is still up in the air.

Rhodes

The largest island of the Dodecanese, Rhodes is rich in history and is a popular cruise destination. On the northern tip of the island, the walled Old Town of the capital city of Rhodes Town is the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe and a World Heritage-listed site. Cruise ships dock just outside the Old Town, and to the North is the New Town, the city’s commercial center. The city’s numerous shops sell gold and silver jewellery, leather, furs, sea sponges, lace, carpets, linens, and killems.

The Knights’ Quarter, in the northern end of the Old Town, was the home of the Knights of St. John who fled Jerusalem in the 13th century. At the top of the hill in the old city, a tall, square tower marks the entrance of the Palace of the Grand Masters, the most imposing of Odos Ippoton’s magnificent medieval buildings. The palace’s 300 rooms filled with intriguing mosaic floor work are well worth the 6-euro entry fee.

On the Plateia Mousiou, the 15th-century Knight’s Hospital now houses the archaeological museum. Explore the museum’s beautiful halls and courtyards and check out the exquisite first-century B.C. statue of Aphrodite Bathing. The 33m bronze statue of Colossus the city is known for has been gone for centuries. Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus supposedly straddled Mandraki Harbor, which is now guarded by a doe and buck deer.

The ancient city of Lindos, about 47km from Rhodes Town, is sitting on top of a spectacular 116m-high Acropolis. At the foot of the hill is the town of Lindos, which is filled with tourist shops and elaborately decorated 17th-century houses. You can relax at the picture-perfect beach nearby. On Rhodes’ western shores, the well-preserved ruins of Kamiros offer a glimpse of an ancient Doric city and are worth a visit.

Mykonos

Glittering happily under the Aegean sun, sophisticated Mykonos is a very popular cruise port, for its beautiful landscape of white washed houses and cobblestone streets and the proximity of neighboring Delos, a must for those needing a “fix” of archaeological ruins. It also has a party island reputation, with no shortage of excellent bars and clubs. For those who want to go the whole hog, the Cavo Paradiso, 300m above Paradise Beach, beach, is one of world’s top dance clubs and hosts internationally renowned DJs and inebriated crowds. It picks up at 2am and has a pool the shape of Mykonos.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Mykonos Town. Try Paraportiani’s superb seafood or enjoy the Fato a Mano’s tasty Mediterranean and traditional Greek dishes. The town also has some beautiful nudist beaches on the southern coast, such as Paradise Beach, Super Paradise, and Platys Gialos. While there aren’t any ancient ruins on Mykonos, a stroll around Mykonos Town’s quaint streets with blinding white walls and balconies of flowers is a must for any visitor. Check out Mykonos’ churches and famous hilltop windmills and browse the numerous galleries. Little Venice, with its seaside restaurants and bars, should also be included in the spots-to-see list.

Crete

Crete, the largest and most southerly island, has a distinct identity that gives it the feel of a different country. The most popular tourist destination is the imposing Knossos palace, a Minoan site where according to the legend, King Minos held the monstrous Minotaur. A rich mosaic of Venetian and Ottoman architecture, the gorgeous harbor town of Hania is the former capital and the island’s second-largest city. A Venetian lighthouse marks the entrance to the city’s old harbor, a must for any visitor to Hania.

Sculpted by 14 million years of rainwater, the Samaria Gorge is a spectacular 16km ravine extending through the White Mountains and a superb hike. Be sure to bring rugged footwear, food, drinks and a good sunscreen for this exhausting five- to six-hour excursion. If you need some rest, you’ll find enticing beaches on the eastern tip of the island.

Corfu

Corfu is a lush, green island in the northernmost part of the Ionian Sea, with archaeological sites, beautiful beaches, and rich nightlife. Built on a promontory and wedged between the New Fortress on the east and the Old Fortress on the west, Corfu Town is a labyrinth of narrow walking streets with gorgeous Venetian buildings.

The Archaeological Museum displays a collection of treasures from Mycenaean to classical times. The richly decorated Church of Agios Spiridon is the most famous on the island and features a bell-tower with a unique red dome and clock. It contains the remains of St. Spiridon, the protector of the island, paraded in solemn procession along the streets of Corfu Town four times a year.

Good beaches can be found around the small town of Agios Gordios. If you feel hungry, La Cucina serves han-rolled tortelloni and inventive pizzas.

For more information, visit Best European Cruises.

Made up of three tiny main islands on the southern edge of Europe, Malta has a rich and tumultuous history, unusual geography and eclectic mix of cultural influences. With its strong North African- and Arabic-influences, Sicilian-style menu and 1950s British feel, Malta is a place unlike any other and demands to be seen at any cost.

For more information, visit European Cruises.

There is a lot to love about Rome. You can choose between seeing Rome’s famous ruins on one side of the Tiber River or St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum on the other side, or both if you have two days or more in Rome. If you have three days or more, you can visit another museum, or explore the city’s surrounding area. To make the most of your stay in Rome, I recommend renting a hotel room in the center of the city, like the Concordia, which is just a block away from the Spanish Steps. The location is great, the rooms are clean, and you can take a breakfast on the rooftop while enjoying the view of Vatican City.

When you are ready, take a taxi or subway and head to the Colosseum, Rome’s iconic monument and one Italy’s top tourist attractions. Started in AD 72 and completed in AD 80, the Colosseum was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Inside, was a sand-covered arena encircled by tiered seating and built over underground chambers where animals were caged. You can almost picture the terrible fights that pitted gladiators against wild animals or each other.

Across the street from Colosseum is the Roman Forum, a social, political and commercial center of the Roman Republic. From the Forum, go to the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin over your shoulder. Designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and completed in 1762, the Trevi Fountain is fed with water form the Acqua Vergine aqueduct and depicts Neptune’s chariot being led by Tritons, with sea horses representing the moods of the sea. Buy a gelato at a shop and watch people passing by.

Next to the Trevi Fountain, is a church where Popes were buried. Apparently, it was to this church that Popes willed their hearts and intestines, and there is even a legend that claims the church was built on the site of a spring that appeared at the time when St. Paul was beheaded. According to the legend, it was one of the three sites where his head have bounced off after being severed.

When you leave the Trevi Fountain, take the back street and head to the Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. Designed by an Italian architect, funded by the French, but named after the Spanish embassy to the Holy See, the Spanish Steps were built to link the piazza with the wealthy people living above it and have attracted foreigners since the 18th century.

If you’re interested in fashion, you might want to take a look at the famous fashion houses on the Via condotti street. There’s something special about seeing the famous name brands in their original home.

By the evening, you may start to feel hungry. Look for outdoor restaurants near the Pantheon in the Piazza della Rotonda. Built in its current form by Emperor Hadrian in AD 120, the Pantheon is the best-preserved ancient monument in Rome. It was originally a temple dedicated to Roman deities, but was transformed into a church by Pope Boniface in AD 690. The Pantheon is topped by the one of the largest domes ever built. Considered the Romans’ greatest architectural achievement, the dome has been surpassed in size since the 15th, but is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built. Take a look inside and see the tombs of Raphael and kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto 1.

picture by Giampaolo Macorig

For more information, visit Best European Cruises.

With the growing number of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks, shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Valletta’s satellite towns of Sliema, St Julian’s and Paceville is where many tourists base themselves. To get to Sliema, you can take the bus (62, 64, and 67) from Valetta, or use the ferry service between Sliema and Valletta. There isn’t much to see in Sliema itself, but visitors can enjoy good views on Valetta from Triq ix-Xatt (The Strand).

Triq ix-Catt and Triq it-Torri (Tower Rd) make for a great waterfront promenade, with plenty of bars and cafés along the way. Beaches have little more to offer than bare rock, so you might want to rest at one of the private lidos along the coast instead, which offer swimming pools, sun lounges, bars and water sports. Captain Morgan Cruises (www.captainmorgan.com.mt) operates from the waterfront area of Sliema known as The Ferries and provides a wide choice of cruises and excursions, including a tour of Grand Harbor and Underwater Safaris.

If you feel hungry, head to 19/21 Paceville avenue, Paceville. The Olivers restaurant has a classy, dark-red interior, discrete service, and serves the best food in town, including braised rabbit on tomato fondue, sea bass with almond, pesto gnocchi, red king prawns, egg noodles and leaks. When the night comes, you can go party at one of Paceville’s bars and clubs. Malta’s biggest and best nightclub is the Axis, which houses three separate clubs, the Axis Main, The Matrix and the Styx.

Mdina & Rabat

Elegant, aristocratic Mdina (nicknamed the Silent City) sits on bedrock in the country’s southwest. The 3000 year-old walled city was Malta’s political center for centuries, before Valetta became the lifeblood of the Islands. Outside the walls is the town settlement of Rabat. The city can be accessed by bus from Valletta (80 or 81) or Sliema (65).

Mdina’s main square is dominated by the late 17th-century St. Paul’s Cathedral. Built on the site of the house of Governor Plubius, the St. Paul Cathedral was designed by architect Lorenzo Gafa and features a magnificent dome with red-and-white stripes that dominates the skyline. Take a look at the impressive façade as you emerge from Mdina’s narrow streets, and check out the huge fresco of St. Paul’s shipwreck.

The entry ticket is also valid for the Cathedral Museum opposite. Housed in a baroque 18th-century palace, the Cathedral Museum has a collection of coins, silver plate, religious vestments and woodcuts by the German artist Albert Dürer.

You’ll find accommodation at the Point de Vue Guesthouse & Restaurants. Built a century ago, this popular guesthouse offers rooms at affordable rates and is located just metres from Mdina’s town walls.

For more information about what to do on a European cruise, what to expect from European cruises and much more, visit http://www.best-european-cruises.com.

Valletta

With its elaborate architecture buildings and old cathedrals, the Maltese capital is a stunner. Valletta is a small city located on the northeast portion of the Malta Island and overlooks the Grand Harbor to the southeast and Marsamxett Harbor to the northwest. Cruise ship passengers can see the old sixteenth-century, Baroque style buildings as they approach the Valletta cruise terminal, and walk the city’s lively streets like Triq ir-Repubblika and Triq il-Merkanti when the ship docks at the port. Valleta is officially recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and serves as the principal cultural center of Malta.

1- Where to stay

Asti Guesthouse
A 350 year-old building converted into a guesthouse, Asti has an old-school Valletta charm and offers the best-value accommodation in town, including a hospitable host, simple, spacious rooms and spotless shared bathrooms. Breakfast is served in a dining room under a chandelier.
Tel: 2123 9506

http://mol.net.mt/asti

18 Triq Sant’Orsla

Coronation Guesthouse
An affordable and cheerful place, with shared bathroom.
Tel: 2123 7652
10E Triq MA Vasalli

Midland Guesthouse
Decent rooms, with shared bathroom. Close to Grand Harbor.
Tel: 2123 6024
255 Triq Sant’Orsla

2- Where to eat

Agius Pastizzerija
A hole-in-the-wall place, Agius Pastizzerija offers traditional pastizzi and other snacks at rock-bottom prices.
273 Triq San Pawl
Open 7.30am-5.30pm Mon-St

Caffé Cordina
Established in 1837, Caffé Cordina gives you the choice of dining indoors or outside on the bustling square where you can watch people passing by. Serves coffee, snacks and decadent sweets.
Tel: 2123 4385
244 Triq ir-Repubblika
Open breakfast and lunch

Rubino
Hands down the best Valletta restaurant, Rubino is a great place for lunch or dinner. The menu changes daily and offers modern takes on traditional Maltese plates. Great mixed starter selection.
Tel: 2122 4656
53 Triq L-Ifran
Open noon-2.30pm Mon-Fri, 7.45-10.30pm Tue & Thu-Sat

3- Sights

If you European cruise ship stops in Malta, make sure to take advantage of what Valletta has to offer. This beautiful city has a lot to offer from museums and churches to beautiful palaces. Be sure to stop at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in the southwest for a great view of the Grand Harbor. Check out the Baroque interior of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, which was built in the 1570s and houses signed paintings by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

Another famous landmark is the 16th-century Grand Master’s Palace, the seat of the Maltese parliament. Check out the works of art in the State Apartments, which can be accessed from the entrance on Triq il-Merkanti.

A unique and valuable building worth viewing is the Manoel Theatre, one of the oldest theatres in Europe. Built in 1731, the Manoel Theatre offers a varied program of events October to May and guided tours in the Baroque auditorium.

Check out the female figurines known as “fat ladies” and other intriguing prehistoric objects at the National Museum of Archaeology.

At the furthest point of Valletta, you will find the Fort St. Elmo, built in 1552 by the Knights of St. John, but it is usually closed to the public. Next to the fort, at the National War Museum, you will learn about Malta’s heroic involvement in WWII, with photographs depicting the terrible conditions endured by the civilians, and several exhibits such as an Italian submarine and an anti-aircraft gun.

Make sure to highlight these restaurants/museums/churches as they are some of the favorite places of European Cruise tourists.

Costa Concordia berthed at the Sea Passenger Terminal; The Grand Harbour, Valletta - Best European Cruises

For more information, visit Best European Cruises.

Photo credit : http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxypar4/3178686875/

Let’s look at why this beautiful island is a perfect stop for cruise ships. The Maltese archipelago lies in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, 93km south of Sicily and 300km from Libya, and consists of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Camino. They are made up of rock and limestone, with no major hills and little greenery, and have no permanent creeks or rivers. The eastern side of Malta Island is broken up in 3 large bays, capable of receiving the largest ships, including cruise ships.

This is why Malta is such a great port of call for European cruises, as the bays allows tourists to easily visit the island.

For more information, visit European Cruises.

Malta’s culture was heavily influenced by foreign invaders and has a strong feeling of tradition. Roman Catholics make up to 98 % of the population. Businesses are closed on Sunday, divorce legislation is inexistent, and abortion is illegal.

For more information, visit http://www.best-european-cruises.com.

The early years
Malta’s earliest monuments, the megalithic temples of Ggantija on the Gozo Island, and Hagar Qim and Mnajdra on the main island, were built between 3800 and 2500 BC and are the world’s oldest surviving freestanding structures. Phoenicians and Carthaginians colonized Malta from around 800 to 218 BC. In 218 BC, Malta rebelled against its Carthaginian rulers and was incorporated in the Roman Empire. In AD 60 St Paul shipwrecked on the island and cured the father of Roman governor Plubius from a desperate illness. According to folklore, governor Plubius, grateful, converted to Christianity and became the bishop of Malta. Arabs arrived in 870 and introduced their language as well as improved agriculture and irrigation systems. Later, Malta was successively conquered by Normans, French, Aragonese and Spanish.

1500-1800
In 1530 Charles I of Spain gave the island to the Knights of the Order of St John, a military religious organization founded in Jerusalem. The Knights won a major battle against Ottoman Turks in 1565 and were hailed as heroes throughout Europe. However, following the rise of Protestantism and French Egalitarianism, the order declined and surrendered to Napoleon in 1798 without a fight. In 1800, Malta, supported by Great Britain, revolted against the French and became a British dominion. The island was transformed into a major naval base and suffered greatly from WWII bombing.

Malta in the 1900’s and 2000’s
Malta was given some autonomy in 1947 and gained full independence in 1964. The country became a republic in 1974 and introduced the euro after entering the EU in 2004.

If you European Cruise stops by Malta, make sure to visit Ggantija Temples as they are an important part of Malta's history.

Need more information? Visit Best European Cruises.

photo credit : http://www.flickr.com/photos/donotlick/4227537623/