3 Coastlines That Will Dazzle You On A Western Mediterranean Cruise
29th March 2019
Sailing a Western Mediterranean cruise on board one of our beautiful tall ships gives you the chance to unearth ruins from ancient civilisations and sample food fit for the Gods they once served. By visiting a mixture of iconic cities known the world over and smaller destinations that other ships can’t access, you’ll experience a memorable cruise that leaves you feeling rejuvenated and even more in love with sailing.
The Western Mediterranean, in particular, has some breathtaking stretches of coastline to enjoy. Here are three that you may find on your Star Clippers itinerary.
Cote d’Azur
With a name that means Azure (or blue) Coast, the Cote d’Azur stretches along the south of France and features amazing destinations such as Monaco and St. Tropez. In these two places, it is not just the ocean that glistens, as the sun reflects back off the lavish yachts that bob up and down in the harbour.
The streets have hosted numerous famous faces over the years, but you’ll feel just at home making your way along the waterfront. Luxurious hotels and designer boutiques graze the pavements and provide the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a little holiday gift.
And don’t forget the beaches! The sand seems to stretch on forever in this part of the world, meaning there’s plenty of room for anyone who wants to do nothing more than lounge in the sun. And there’s plenty of that too – the coastline is bathed in sunshine for around 330 days a year.
Italian Riviera
This may be one of the smallest regions in Italy, but that doesn’t detract from its beauty and interest at all. Still, it’s hard to believe that the relatively small city of Genoa once dominated the seas with a powerful republic that stretched as far as Crimea and Greece. Nowadays, the atmosphere here is a lot more peaceful and the only thing to be ruled over is a table of delicious local delicacies.
Either side of La Superba (a nickname given to Genoa by its inhabitants), you’ll find authentic fishing villages caught between the sea and the Alps. The highlight of these has been immortalised in postcard imagery for many years now and is one of Italy’s (and cruising’s) most popular stops – Cinque Terre. This group of five havens features colourful houses, steep cliffs and wonderful walking opportunities that take you from one village to another.
Elsewhere on the Ligurian coast, another name for the Italian Riviera, medieval markets and stunning palaces offer a wonderful window into the past.
Amalfi Coast
Another part of Italy that shares similarities with Liguria is the Amalfi Coast. Again, the colourful houses and steep cliffs found here are picture-perfect and an unmistakable symbol of the towns and villages that cling to the steep rock faces. Decedent restaurants and wine bars line the sandy beaches, whilst your reward for climbing the surrounding rugged staircases is the chance to shop in stylish boutiques or cool-off with a delicious ice cream.
Positano and Amalfi are two of the more popular places to visit, but there’s much to be said about quieter spots like Atrani and Praiano too. Although not strictly part of the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is another a pleasant place to spend an afternoon – either wandering through its narrow tourist street of gazing out to sea from various venerable viewpoints.
If you would like to experience any of these glorious coastlines, take a look at our Western Mediterranean cruises. To book or for more information, you can call the Star Clippers team on 0845 200 6145 or speak to us via our online chat.
