3 Fabulous Cruise Itineraries You Should Definitely Try

If you’ve not been on a cruise before, you’re in for a treat. Cramming so many destinations into one trip has got to be up there as one of the must-dos of your travel wish list. The beauty of cruise travel, as well, is that there is so much choice. Here are three itineraries you should definitely try, if you’re having trouble making that all important decision of where to go.

Exploration of the Adriatic

Start off on a cruise that calls in first at Corfu Town, which is actually the main city of Corfu island, Greece, and walk along its cobbled streets. Capture a glimpses of its two fortress, one situated on each hill at either end of the city, before setting sail for Koper, Slovenia. There you can do some shopping in the malls, or venture further inland and explore its medieval center.

Next stop could be Venice… romantic Venice, Italy, with its gondolas and practical attitude to life. Sail your way on to Split, the second biggest city in Croatia, and see one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments, Diocletian’s Palace, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then it’s on to Croatia’s main city, Dubrovnik, and the dazzling view of the Adriatic from the cable car, before calling it at Kotor, Montenegro, a real hidden gem which sits between mountains and a bay and boasts a range of museums, squares, churches and Venetian palaces. The return journey is back to Corfu Town.

Image by gus_the_mouse, used under Creative Commons license 2.0

Get down to the Canaries

Start your journey in Malaga, southern Spain, and sail on down to Gibraltar to see the Rock of Gibraltar or visit its most famous inhabitants, the macaque monkeys. Port of call three would be Casablanca, Morocco, so brush up on your haggling skills and get ready to navigate the markets, bars and beaches.  

Then you’re southward bound for Arrecife, Lanzarote, and the chance to take a stroll along the promenade or view the city’s two castles. Head out across to Santa Cruz de Tenerife and you can visit Loro Park, where you’ll see parrots, gorillas, sea lions and other animals at this wildlife park. In the final stop, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, you can go shopping in the capital or take a short car journey to Maspalomas and visit the sand dunes.

Escape to the Middle East

If you book a cruise to the Middle East, you don’t have to see the last of the sunshine for this year. The adventure starts at Jordan and the port of Petra, where you can take a walk through the canyon toward the hidden city, which is one of the highlights of a visit to Petra. The walled city of Muscat, Oman, awaits you as your next port of call. There you can see the Grand Mosque or the Sultan’s Palace, or get bargaining at the Mutran souq.

Next, it’s time to explore Abu Dhabi, the UAE, by calling in at Port Zayed. Go for a stroll along The Corniche, the port’s mesmerizing waterfront, or visit Khalifa Park, which has an aquarium, museum, play parks, gardens and a train. In the final stop, Khasab, you’ll find plenty of tour operators who can offer you a boat trip of the area, and Khasab is also a good place to go diving.

Image by andryn2006, used under Creative Commons  license 2.0

Et voila! Three fantastic cruise itineraries you should definitely check out. They offer the sun and the sights to make your cruise adventure an unforgettable one.