Feb. 13.- It's Day Three of Saga Week here at World of Cruising magazine, with stories, features and special offers from the classic British
cruise line. Today - a great Mediterranean experience...
They call it the Mediterranean Medley, and it really does highlight a great range of Med port experiences, but there is a lot more en route that makes this voyage a true classic.
Just to start with, it is hard to beat for ports that provide great arts, culture and shopping, like the Catalan capital of Barcelona, the British outpost of Gibraltar and Portugal's fabulous Lisbon (above), with its colourful yellow-and-red trams and "Street of the Restaurants," plus the incredible mosaic pavements, squares and streets.
Yet guests on this cruise will also call at quieter ports to enjoy the simpler pleasures of the Mediterranean way of life, strolling in the sun, browsing the markets and people-watching over a glass of local wine.
To that end, there is Mahon, the ancient capital of Menorca with its Georgian Bow Window style as a legacy of British rule but Mahon still boasts attractive neo-Classical, Baroque and Romanesque buildings. Then there is the unspoilt coastal town of Propriano, situated in the Valinco Gulf on the island of Corsica, and Toulon, another beautiful coastal resort approximately 32 miles from Marseilles,
with a picturesque old town of colourful markets and elegant
fountains.
Valencia is one of Spain's most beautiful cities,with a lively
culture and rich history. Having experienced rapid growth during the
last few years, the city now rivals both Barcelona and Madrid in terms of economic importance but boasts buildings dating back to Roman and Arabic times.
Finally, dating from Roman times, the Galician city of Vigo is home to a
fine natural harbour, where the English and Dutch defeated the French and Spanish fleets in 1702. Today, the attractive marinas stand in contrast to the
industrialised areas of the city, while further exploration will reveal
the characteristic 17th-century architecture and attractive countryside
beyond.
Saga Pearl II (above) herself recalls the same stylish surroundings and superb service that cruise-goers have come to expect from the company's elegant ships, with a smaller size that offers a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
Mediterranean Medley:15-night cruise departing October 30 from Southampton and calling at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Mahon, Corsica, Toulon, Barcelona, Valencia and Vigo, with prices from £1,773 per person.
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