Western Mediterranean Cruise - from Civitavecchia / Rome - 128257

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.

Trapani, the ancient city of Drepanon, juts into the Mediterranean on the West coast of Sicily in the shape of a sickel. At the outermost edge of the harbour town is 'Torre di Ligny', which today houses the Prehistorical Museum. An exhibition of fine works of art made from coral can be seen at the Museo Pepoli in the old Carmelite monastery. Directly next to that is the Santuario dell'Annunziata with a marble statue of the 'Madonna von Trapani'. The Jewish Quarter with the Palazzo della Giudecca is also worth a mention. Casalicchio, the oldest part of the town consists of an almost Arabic-style labyrinth of narrow streets.

The capital of Tunisia is on the North-Eastern coast of the country and was founded by the Phoenicians in the 9th century B.C. Oriental tradition, French flair, modern high-rises and industrial areas shape the cityscape of the present. The centre of the cosmopolitan city is the Medina, the Arabic old town with its mosques, sacred buildings and mausoleums. It is surrounded by the modern French Ville Nouvelle, which dates from the colonial age of the 19th century. The Turkish influence can be found in Souk, the lively market and business area of the city. The sights include: Medina, Souk, Parc du Belvédère, Ville Nouvelle with the Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the Bardo Museum, Carthage and the village of Sidi Bou Said.

Algiers is the capital of Algeria and lies in the western region of a bay of the Mediterranean sea, by the slopes of the Sahel, the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. With a population of 1,661,000 it is the largest city in the country - an industrial city, transportation hub and cultural centre with a University, numerous institutes, galleries and museums.

The small town of Motril has had a small sugar-cane industry since the 18th century, which is why it has also been called 'little Cuba'. It is one of the oldest settlements in Spain and was founded by the Phoenicians, then ruled for many centuries by the Arabs. The port is the most important in the province of Granada. Sights include: "Parque de los Pueblos de America", the "Santuario de Nuestra Senora de la Cabeza", the Baroque town hall, and the 16th century church "Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnacion".

Malaga was founded in around 8 B.C. by the seafaring Phoenicians. Today, Malaga is a modern city with an important trading port, an airport and a university. It also has an excellent climate all year round, making it one of the most important holiday destinations on the Iberian peninsula. Sights include: The King's Palace, "Alcazaba", built in the 11th century and featuring an archaeological museum; the city cathedral, built around 1528 with the pretty chapels "Capilla Mayor" and "Capilla del Sagrado Corazón"; various churches; the house in which Pablo Picasso was born; buildings dating from the 18th century - "Casa del Cosulado", "Palacio de la Aduana", "Casa Palacio del Marques de Valdeflores"; the parks "Puerta Oscura", "de Ricasso", "de Pedro Luis Alonso".