Top 5 Reasons to Head for the Med

The Mediterranean's sun, beach, and clear sea have made it an eternally popular destination for holiday-makers looking for a fun and relaxing break away. With a whole host of countries - 21 are on the Mediterranean coast - waiting to be explored, a cruise around the Mediterranean has something for everyone. With year-round sunshine and a welcoming atmosphere found in many of Mediterranean destinations, there's never a bad time to don the sun tan lotion and do some beach hopping. With that in mind, here are 5 of the best Mediterranean destinations that can be seen on a cruise.

Croatia

Croatia is considered ‘the Mediterranean as it once was'. A historically and culturally rich country, Croatia's coastline stretches for thousand miles and features a wealth of picturesque cities and town relatively untouched, especially compared to other Mediterranean destinations. The coastal towns of Split and Dubrovnik are considered two of the most up and coming tourist hotspots, and Croatia also has over a hundred islands - including the majestic Hvar and Korcula Islands - that offer sunsets, clear water, bars, and a lively, energetic atmosphere - everything desired from a Mediterranean holiday.

Costa Brava

This region of Catalonia in north-east Spain is a blend of beaches, small towns, and tourist resorts, and offers a variety of holidays; those looking for lively nightlife can enjoy the casinos, bars, and nightclubs of Lloret de Mar, whilst those after a more traditional Spanish experience will enjoy the quaint fishing towns of Calella de Palafrugell or Tossa de Mar. If the cruise docks in Costa Brace for longer than a day, consider renting a car - the region has a booming wine industry in the beautiful inland and it's well worth making the scenic drive to visit a vineyard.

Tunisia

Whilst most people consider the Mediterranean to be a European sea, it also borders Africa and parts of Asia. Tunisia is located in the north-eastern tip of Africa and offers an alternative Mediterranean holiday. Featuring tourist resorts, energetic cities breaks, and exotic islands, Tunisia is an exciting place to pull in to. In particular, the island of Djerba is particularly exciting, with white sand beaches and clear water complimented by historic markets and cultural sites. Elsewhere is Tunis, the capital of Tunisia and a bustling cosmopolitan city, which is located in a gulf and boasts excellent cultural sites (including an 8th century Mosque) as well as traditional Mediterranean fanfare.

Turkey

Few places can rival Turkey's picturesque coastline. A thousand miles long and with the Taurus Mountain range overlooking, the sandy beaches and warm sea water of Turkey's coast make it one of the most popular cruise destinations. One of Turkey's best areas is the southern town of Bodrum, which features an ancient city and energetic nightlife and beach area, as well as bustling yacht culture. Alternatively, further north is Marmaris, another popular area which has a great town centre and plenty of aqua activities to keep families entertained.

Greece

Greece's history, beauty, and welcoming nature attracts 17.5 million tourists each year, eager for a slice of the best the Mediterranean has to offer. One of the most popular - and most beautiful - destinations is the blue and white town of Santorini, a volcanic island famous for its picturesque buildings, exquisite sunsets, and number of excellent beaches. For a more cosmopolitan Mediterranean experience, head to the south of Greece to the Attica region, which encompasses a number of charming, small coastal towns and the ancient city of Athens. Visitors to this region should visit Astir Beach in the town of Vouliagmeni, as well as the Acropolis and Pangrati district of Athens.

...But anywhere is Good

These 6 destinations might provide a starting point for families and couples considering what type of holiday, but it is just a starting point. The Mediterranean has a near endless number of destinations that provide just as many different types of experiences that have people coming back year after year. The Mediterranean's many destinations make a cruise an ideal way to see more during a trip, and to see the region. Holidaymakers looking for a Mediterranean holiday should do their own research to see what's available, and then get excited! Mediterranean holidays are relaxing, fun, and memorable: it's going to be great.