Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports

Synopsis

Set sail and dive into Europe's magnificent port cities with Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports! Inside you'll find:
*Rick's expert advice on making the most of your time on a cruise and experiencing each city, with thorough coverage of 23 ports of call
*Practical travel strategies including how to choose and book your cruise, adjusting to life onboard, and saving money
*Self-guided walks and tours of each port city so you can hit the best sights, sample local cuisine, and get to know the culture, even with a short amount of time
*Essential logistics including step-by-step instructions for arriving at each terminal, getting into town, and finding necessary services like ATMs and pharmacies
*Rick's reliable tips and candid advice on how to beat the crowds, skip lines, and avoid tourist traps
*Helpful reference photos throughout and full-color maps of each city
*Useful tools like mini-phrasebooks, detailed instructions for any visa requirements, hotel and airport recommendations for cruise access cities, and what to do if you miss your ship
*Full list of coverage: Provence, Marseille, Toulon and the Port of La Seyne-sur-Mer, Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, Nice, Villefrance-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat, Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, the Port of Livorno, Rome, the Port of Civitaveccia, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Split, Dubrovnik, Athens, the Port of Piraeus, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Olympia and the Port of Katakolo, Crete and the Port of Heraklion, Rhodes, Istanbul, Ephesus, and The Port of Kusadasi

Maximize your time and savor every moment in port with Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports.

Heading north? Pick up Rick Steves Scandinavian & Northern European Cruise Ports.

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Summary

Chapter 1: Western Med's Best

* Major Ports: Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Nice, Cannes

* Real Example: Barcelona: Visit the Gothic Quarter, stroll along La Rambla, and enjoy spectacular views from Park Güell.

Chapter 2: Greek Islands: Athens to Santorini

* Major Ports: Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete (Heraklion)

* Real Example: Mykonos: Explore the charming streets of Hora, relax on the sandy beaches of Paradise, and party the night away at trendy beach clubs.

Chapter 3: Adriatic Gems: Croatia's Coast

* Major Ports: Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Kotor (Montenegro)

* Real Example: Dubrovnik: Walk along the ancient city walls, visit the Rector's Palace, and admire the pristine waters of Lokrum Island.

Chapter 4: Turkey's Enchanting Shores

* Major Ports: Istanbul, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Bodrum, Antalya

* Real Example: Istanbul: Explore the grandeur of Hagia Sophia, visit the Topkapi Palace, and indulge in traditional Turkish cuisine at a bustling market.

Chapter 5: Eastern Med's Treasures

* Major Ports: Rhodes, Limassol (Cyprus), Haifa (Israel), Alexandria (Egypt)

* Real Example: Limassol: Visit the Kourion amphitheater, explore the Limassol Castle, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife at the seafront promenade.

Chapter 6: Island Hopping from Athens to Istanbul

* Major Ports: Paros, Naxos, Crete (Santorini), Rhodes, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Istanbul

* Real Example: Paros: Relax on the golden sands of Kolymbithres Beach, visit the Church of Ekatontapyliani, and explore the quaint village of Lefkes.

Chapter 7: Greek Islands: Santorini to Athens

* Major Ports: Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Athens (Piraeus)

* Real Example: Santorini: Marvel at the dramatic volcanic scenery, visit the iconic whitewashed villages of Oia and Fira, and indulge in fine dining overlooking the caldera.

Chapter 8: The Best of the Western Med

* Major Ports: Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Cannes, Nice, Marseille, Barcelona

* Real Example: Rome: Visit the Colosseum, explore the Vatican City, and throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck.