Mediterranean from Marseilles

A pleasant thing to do is simply sit down at one of the cafes overlooking the port of Marseilles and, sipping a Pastis, observe the landscape and the people who inhabit it.
Also called the Porpoise City, Marseille is France’s sunniest town, charming with its gullies where you can swim, its history and culture and restaurants with cosmopolitan cuisine. You cannot leave without having first toured on the “Cours Julien”, the street for shopping. The port of Marseille is perhaps a typical tourist destination, but it deserves to be visited for the ferry that leaves from the Town Hall and the old church, which replaced a Templar building.

The island of Ibiza, or ‘Eivissa’ as the Catalans call it, is a great travel destination for those who want to escape from everyday life and be lulled by the crystal-clear waters of the Balearic Sea. It is an island of beauty and excess, blessed with spectacular pristine beaches and dense pine forests. Ibiza has long attracted hedonistic personalities, while today it is the extraordinary clubbing scene that attracts tourists from all over the world. Ibiza is in fact the major clubbing capital of the world, where all the best international DJs gather during the summer season. However, you’ll find a much quieter island if you visit between October and May. For those who want to enrich their trip with a little art and culture. The old city, designated a World Heritage Site for its perfect state of preservation, is a fortified citadel of the Renaissance era. The walls reach a dramatic climax at the main entrance of the arch, the imposing Portal de ses Taules. Beyond it is the elegant Plaça de Vila, lined with restaurants and cafés making it a pleasant setting for tapas or a meal. It’s worth climbing the cathedral’s steep, winding streets, if only to enjoy the beautiful views of the harbour. What are you waiting for? Choose Costa and discover our offers for a cruise in the Balearic Islands.

We are in Valencia, and nobody can miss the chance to taste a real paella and then take a stroll in the beautiful city centre. The port of Valencia, in Spain, is the fifth busiest in Europe. Observing the medieval architecture and futuristic buildings of the city, history buffs won’t have any problem in discerning Baroque, Gothic and Moorish influences along the city streets. Don’t forget to visit the popular quarters: Mingle with the locals in Ruzafa at the market, to sample so many delights. Bars, restaurants and outdoor cafes will offer you the Mediterranean flavours of the area.

The Sea of Sardinia measures up to Caribbean standards. The same dream beaches, the same crystal clear water. Anyone who has been to Olbia in Costa Smeralda knows this. The port of Olbia is situated on the Costa Smeralda, considered one of the most beautiful coasts of Sardinia and of the whole Mediterranean. During the stopover in Olbia you can visit Roman ruins, such as the aqueduct, baths, the basilica of San Simplicio, but also the Holy wells of Sa Tesa, the archaeological site of the Riu Milinu or the Giant’s Grave of Su Mont’e s’Abe, symbols of Nuragic culture. Lovers of nature, divers and beautiful beaches will be enchanted by the islands of Tavolara and Molara.

From the ancient port of Civitavecchia you will land in the heart of the Roman and Etruscan civilisations; the old town is also a fabulous mediaeval village. Civitavecchia of today is the result of a thousand-year long process of civilisation and urbanisation in the Lazio region. In the area, close to where this city is located (and just 70 km from Rome), there are important historical elements that, over the centuries, have overlapped and accumulated to confirm the presence and evolution of organised social groups as far back as the prehistoric age. In fact, numerous traces of primitive settlements are found along the coast of Civitavecchia. Equally numerous and important are the Etruscan, Roman and mediaeval structures that have made the city an important urban centre and renowned as the Port of Rome since antiquity. During a cruise departing from Civitavecchia, before continuing in the Mediterranean, you can take advantage of this stop to visit Rome, the grandiose capital with its world-famous monuments: the Forums, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column, the St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Piazza Venezia, Piazza di Spagna and many more.

Above the port of Savona, the Priamar Fortress greets every departure and arrival of the Costa ships sailing in the Mediterranean. Genoa and its aquarium are nearby. The port of Savona, which you can explore during your cruise in Italy, is one of the prettiest of the Italian Riviera. The lovely climate, summers that are never to hot, mild winters and the exceptional beauty of the sea near the town makes Savona an excellent base to set out to explore Liguria. Savona is notable for the Priamar Fortress, which has dominated the town since the 16th century, and also for its historic centre where you can visit Savona Cathedral. A stop in Savona can also be an opportunity to visit the nearby city of Genoa and its narrow, picturesque streets, known as “caruggi”.

Depending on where you go, France may mean both good food and good wine. A visit to the port of Toulon enables to enjoy the exceptional quality of both.
In Toulon, you can discover the harmonious combination of nature, culture and way of life that lends the city its charm. Wines, cheeses and Mediterranean figs: it would be a shame not to stop at the numerous restaurants and cafés to sample the regional cuisine. Continue your visit to the Villa Noailles and its exhibition centre, where you will see many architectural treasures, artefacts and exhibits. Finally, visit the Hyères salt marshes and Mont Faron.