Excellent cruise destinations in the Indian Ocean right now: What’s more romantic than cruising from Venice? This dreamy eight-night trip visits eight ports around Greece, Italy, and Croatia, promising couples plenty of turquoise oceans, quaint seaside villages, and to-die-for Mediterranean food. Before you depart on one of the best cruises for couples in Europe, spend a day in Venice discovering its labyrinth of canals aboard a cozy gondola for two. Walk around La Serenissima’s cobblestone streets and picturesque bridges. Don’t forget to snap a photo at the iconic St. Mark’s Square while eating gelatos to cool down if you’re visiting Italy in the summer. Then you’re off to Rijeka, Croatia, where you’ll want to dive into the water once you catch a glimpse of the deep blue hue of the Adriatic Ocean. Stay in Rijeka and visit its many landmarks including its own Leaning Tower, the Cathedral of Saint Vitus, and a busy green market. Read more details at book a cruise.
Stunning scenery along the St. Lawrence River and panoramic views of eastern Canada’s rugged coastline set to autumn’s changing colors are reason enough to bookmark this itinerary. Travelers can visit Prince Edward Island to sample its renowned seafood, or make stops in vibrant cultural and culinary cities such as Montreal, Quebec City, Boston and New York City. But with a short window in October to witness the height of the fall foliage, be sure to secure your plans at least a few months in advance. Oceania Cruises and Silversea Cruises are among the lines that offer this itinerary.
For an unforgettable journey, carve out a few days in Cape Town, South Africa, then fly inland to Kasane, Botswana, where you’ll embark on the Zambezi Queen for a cruise along the Chobe River. This intimate, 28-passenger AmaWaterways ship features open views of the river and landscape through every window. Take a safari into Chobe National Park, which touts the largest population of wildlife in Africa. After admiring elephants, lions, zebra and gazelles, you’ll end your adventure at Victoria Falls. If a bigger ship is more your style, journey through six South African and Namibian ports over 12 days with Norwegian Cruise Line.
Some top Aegean destinations include Franchini, Nafplion, Crete, and the islands of Hydra and Spetses. These are places brimming with unique Greek culture, history, and arts. The Aegean actually contains over 2000 islands – meaning that a cruising holiday here is full of opportunity. Just like the Ionian Islands, the Aegean is well set-up for anyone wanting to do a sailing holiday in Greece. The islands here offer quality amenities, helpful ports, and plenty of calm places to dock. Some other top destinations in Greece for a beach holiday include Vassiliki, Porto Heli, Horto Pelion, and Kos. If you’re after the dream European summer holiday, it could hardly get better than Greece. Discover less-known coves of famous Capri. Rent a yacht in Sicily and visit the volcanic Aeolian Islands with active volcanoes, enchanting bays, and cobalt sea. Sail through the glistening Mediterranean around Spain’s coast and explore some of its 8000 km long shores. Spain will capture all your senses with its historic cities, the scent of citrus orchards, towering stone castles, sapphire sea, and diverse landscapes.
May is the time when the beautiful island of Ibiza starts to come to life once again. Usually, Ibiza should be now getting ready to inaugurate a busy summer season, with the opening of its famous clubs and discotheques and of a wide range of first class accommodations, ready to welcome most demanding guests travelling to the Island to enjoy Med’s ultimate destination for clubbers. For the best views of the uninhabited, 400m-tall (1,312ft) El Vedra rock-island, head to Cala d’Hort. This gorgeous stretch of sand is lapped by some of the most picture-perfect waters in Ibiza and backs onto a cluster of great chiringuitos (beach bars). Like many of the island’s must-visit beaches, d’Hort is not huge, so arrive early for a decent spot; once settled, you can enjoy the views and bathing as well as some of Ibiza’s best snorkelling. And when it gets too hot, simply wander into one of the beach bars for a cold one and a plate of fresh prawns. Why the Mediterranean? The Mediterranean Sea separates Europe from Africa, and it is almost entirely surrounded by the land of the Mediterranean Basin. The Mediterranean is known as one of the world’s finest travel destinations, that invites you to set on an unforgettable journey and sail the coastlines of some of the twenty-one Mediterranean countries. The Mediterranean is home to some of the world’s most popular summer destinations and hot spots for sailing due to its pleasant climate, turquoise sea, ancient ruins, famous Mediterranean food, and stunning architecture.
Sailors often prefer the area between the northern coast of Sicily, Calabria and the Aeolian Islands. Palermo, Cefalu, Sant Agata, Milazzo and Porto Rosa are ideal places to begin Yacht charter in Sicily. On a sailing trip between the harbors, bays and capes, one can explore the northern coast of the island thoroughly. A detour to the Aeolian Islands (Lipari Islands) is recommended. On the east coast there is the port of Catania, which is a convenient starting point due to the nearby airport. You can also begin a trip from Taormina or Syracuse.
This is a much more touristy option but the Balearics still make a beautiful European sailing destination, and you can avoid the crowds if you know-how. The cluster of Spanish islands include Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera; all major holiday spots known for their sun-drenched beaches and sparkling blue waters. Also include a few stops to the pretty, unspoilt towns of Deia in Mallorca and the secluded Ibizan bay of Cala Llentrisca.
Drop the diet. Sicily sits at the culinary crossroads of the most gluttonous nations on earth. Arabs, Spanish, Normans and Greeks deposited a foodie fusion. Like pasta con le sarde, an Italo-Arabian blend of fennel, almonds, sardines and saffron. Then there’s sfincione, from the Latin word for sponge, which is half pizza, half bun, with an anchovy-cheese-tomato flavour. In Palermo, posh nosh means A’Cumcuma. Here street food and fisherman’s catches are raised into photogenic bites like red shrimps with oyster emulsion. For Sicilian cuisine as it used to be near Portorosa, try Agavos Agriturismo. Stuffed anchovies and chargrilled swordfish rolls served with a sea view. Read more details at https://www.cruisebooking.com/.
Iceland is the perfect playground for those who love nature and wildlife. This island country is famed for its dramatic natural landscapes with towering mountains, magnificent fjords, geothermal springs, and volcanoes to discover. There’s also a wonderful array of wildlife to be found here. Humpback whales can often be spotted breaching in icy waters, and native birds soar in the skies overhead. An adventure cruise is a great way to see the mesmerising landscapes of Iceland, and a wonderful two-week trip in September 2023 will take you to many highlights of this magical country. Making the trip extra special is the chance to meet weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who will join you on an excursion and give an insightful talk and Q&A in Reykjavik.
You can book around the clock at your convenience, you won’t have to bother hunting down a reliable travel agent or working around their schedule and you may even be able to find some online-only discounts and bonuses. With all of that in mind, here’s a quick guide to help you book your cruise online. Your favourite online travel agency likely sells cruises and if you have rewards with that agency, you may be able to apply them to your cruise or earn more by booking your cruise through that site. But there are also online travel agencies that specialise in cruises, such as Iglu, Planet, Bolsover Cruise Club, ROL and Cruise Nation. These OTAs are often more like traditional cruise travel agencies, and have support staff that can answer more specific cruise-related questions before you make your online reservation.