Western Mediterranean Cruise - from Istanbul - 102820

A world city with a unique character. A city filled with beauty and contrast, with a breathtaking history - from Byzantium to Constantinople to the present day. But Istanbul has more to offer than culture - inexpensive shopping, oriental cuisine or meeting new people are just examples of the many things one can do here. The city is full of buildings, monuments, churches and mosques, all steeped in history.

The "Dardanelles" is a 65 km long strait, measuring 1.3 km wide at its narrowest point, which connects the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara. The Dardanelles create a natural border between Europe and Asia. Important cities in the area include Gelibolu (Gallipoli) on the European side and Canakkale in the Asian part of Turkey. The strait is famous for its powerful currents.

Piraeus, today a modern port town, has been Athens' port since ancient times and used to be connected with the capital by means of city walls. Only remnants of these wall remain. Piraeus has made a name for itself primarily on account of its appealing nightlife and the romantic fish restaruants by the sea. Sights include: the ancient harbour Zea Marina, the remnants of the long walls (5th century B.C.), the Archaeological Museum with ancient shipwrecks, statues of Apollo and Athena, the Hellenic Marine Museum and the Veakio Theatre.

Die Hafenstadt beherbergt den größten Teil der ca. 3.500 Einwohner der griechischen Insel Mykonos. Die Altstadt ist am besten vom Ufer aus zu betreten. Im Zentrum der Stadt befindet sich der Drei-Brunnen-Platz "Platia Tria Pigadia" mit drei Ziehbrunnen, die noch bis in die Fünfzigerjahre des 20. Jh. hinein die Altstadt mit Wasser versorgen. Sehenswürdigkeiten: "Nautiko Moussío", eines der reizvollsten Museen aus dem 19. Jh. zum Thema Seefahrt in Griechenland mit schönem schattigen Garten, das "Haus der Lena", das ca. 200 Jahre alt, mit Möbeln und Kunst ausgestattet ist und einen Einblick in ein Bürgerhaus des 19. Jh. gibt, die kleine "Agios-Nikolaos-Kirche", das Rathaus mit rotem Ziegeldach.

Katákolon is a small town with a harbour and lots of shops selling souvenirs and jewellery. It is 13 km to the East of Pyrgos and is also known as the port of Pyrgos. A traditional and extremely impressive place for a daytrip is the ancient ruins of Olympia on the slopes of the Peloponnes at the foot of Mount Kronos. Excavation work, which was instigated by German archaeologists in 1875, and is still ongoing, has uncovered a great deal of information about this mystic and sacred place. Its walls enclose the Temple of Jupiter, the Doric Temple of Hera, the "Hall of Echos", the gymnasium and the stadium.

The town is a harmonious mixture of the traditional and the modern and you will find both historic buildings dating from medieval times and ultra-modern architecture. Barcelona is the most important economic centre in Catalonia. This Mediterranean metropolis also has lots to offer in cultural terms, including, among other things, the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Catalonia. The cathedreal "La Seu", which dates from the 13th century, is situated in the gothic old town "Barri Gotic". But Barcelona's landmark is the "Sagrada Familia", the church designed by Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona is busy by day and lively by night. One of the other main attractions is "Las Ramblas", the splendid promenade in the city centre with countless pavement cafes, shops, restaurants, bars and discos. Other must-sees include "El Puerto", the harbour with a wonderful view of Barcelona, and the nearby boulevard "Paseo de Colón".

Livorno is around 20 km from Pisa. With a population of 180,000 it is the second-largest town in Tuscany. Via the "Fossi Medici" (italian meaning Medici moat), the canals of "new Venice" that connect the fort with the harbour, you come to the "Piazza Grande" with the San Francesco cathedral. Along the "Viale Italia" you can take a walk all the way to the Terrazza Mascagni, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea and the island of Gorgona which lies directly opposite. The seafront is also where you can find the municipal aquarium "Diacinto Cestoni", which is also the university's centre for marine biology.

Ibiza is the most westerly of the Spanish Balearic Islands in the western Mediterranean. Together with Formentera to the South and the smaller islands in the vicinity it forms part of the Pityuses Group. Ibiza itself has a great deal to offer: sunshine, sea, beautiful sandy beaches, breathtaking scenery and the vibrant centre, Ibiza Town with its picturesque old town. Extensive parts of the island have kept their natural landscape, cultural monuments and their rural charm. The island is also an eldorado for clubbers and a mecca for fans of watersports.

Valencia on the East coast of Spain was founded by the Romans and occupied in the early Middle Ages by the Moors, before being recaptured by the Christians. The old town has many must-see buildings, such as the cathedral, built in 1262, whose clocktower is the city's landmark, or the Church of Santa Catalina. Visitors can also take a close-up look at the two well-preserved towers of the medieval city. Those looking to relax should take a trip on the modern tramway to one of Valencia's many beaches. Sights include: the cathedral, the Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados, the imperial monastery, San Nicolas church, San Martin church, La Lonja de la Seda, the town hall, the Mercacado Central, Mercado de Colon, Estacion del Norte, Jardines del Turia and Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

The town is a harmonious mixture of the traditional and the modern and you will find both historic buildings dating from medieval times and ultra-modern architecture. Barcelona is the most important economic centre in Catalonia. This Mediterranean metropolis also has lots to offer in cultural terms, including, among other things, the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Catalonia. The cathedreal "La Seu", which dates from the 13th century, is situated in the gothic old town "Barri Gotic". But Barcelona's landmark is the "Sagrada Familia", the church designed by Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona is busy by day and lively by night. One of the other main attractions is "Las Ramblas", the splendid promenade in the city centre with countless pavement cafes, shops, restaurants, bars and discos. Other must-sees include "El Puerto", the harbour with a wonderful view of Barcelona, and the nearby boulevard "Paseo de Colón".

The capital of the Balearic Islands is the economic and cultural centre of Majorca. During the 13th and 14th century the town developed into one of the most important centres of trade in the Western Mediterranean. Trade brought the town much wealth and prestige. The majority of the historic buildings of Majorca also date from this period. In Palma both the shady splendid street of Passeig des Born and the small streets of the old town reverberate with life. For a modern city, Palma has managed to retain a particularly attractive city centre. Sights worth seeing include: the cathedral la Seu (with Gothic towers, measuring 120m long and 40m high, and fascinating rose windows – measuring 12.5m across and covering a total area of more than 100 square metres); the Palace Almudaina (former residence of the Majorcan royal family, with a beautiful garden); the stock exchange La Llotja (founded in the Middle Ages, often confused with a church due to the adornment of the building. Nowadays it is often used for exhibitions); the market hall Mercat Olivar; the monestary church of Sant Francesc (a Gothic church dating back to 1232 with impressive late Gothic cloisters).

The capital of the French island of Corsica and the "Département Corse-du-Sud" is surrounded by beautiful mountainous countryside, valleys and little villages that make it the perfect place for walks and daytrips. But this city, which has a population of 59,300, is not only a popular winter resort, but also the birthplace of Napoleon I., who was born on August 15th 1769 in a house in the Rue Saint Charles. Today, many streets, statues and monuments commemorate the city's most famous son. The town hall also has some impressive exhibits relating to the coronation of the former emperor. Sights include: the Saint-Erasme church where Napolean was christened in 1539 , also dedicated to the patron of seafarers and decorated with model ships. The Fesch Museum has a collection of works by Boticelli, Bellini und Titian -donated by Cardinal Fesch, Napoleon's uncle. Sporting activities in Ajaccio focus mainly on water sports: all year round, visitors can enjoy diving trips, jet-ski, sailing, fun-boards and angling.

Messina is the most easterly regional capital of Sicily and lies at the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. The city was once a famous trading town at the straits and was founded by the Greeks in the 8th century B.C., then conquered by the Romans in 264 B.C., after which it experienced a history dominated by the upheaval of changing rule on account of its strategic location. Sights include: the regional museum, the Norman cathedral, Campanile bell tower with an integrated astronomical clock and the Ave Maria church.

Salerno lies directly at the Gulf of the same name, which is also home to Capri, and is the capital of the region of Campania. The romantic old town is totally enchanting, in the shadows of the San Matteo cathedral and the Castello di Arechi with its splendid bell tower. Sights include: the cathedral and its museum, the aquaeduct, the Archaeological Museum, the local museum and the old town with its Roman, Byzantine and Norman influences.

The Italian capital of Rome is also often called "the eternal city", as this buzzing metropolis still has many precious treasures from ancient times, which are known around the world. The most impressive sights include the "Thermae of Caracalla", the emperor's forum, the Colosseum, the Piazza Navona, the Fountain of Neptune and of course St. Peter's Basilica, with the dome designed by Michelangelo.