Islands & Bays of The Mediterranean

Facilities in Liverpool are constantly being improved to make boarding, stopping off or leaving your cruise ship easy, enjoyable and stress-free.

A tiny Spanish city-enclave of just 19 square kilometres on the Moroccan side of the Straits of Gibraltar, ceded to Madrid by the Portuguese over 400 years ago. Ringed by the, the hilly streets of duty-free Ceuta have a unique atmosphere and heritage. European yet African, with sights that include the massive 14th century city walls, a pirate’s castle, lakes, waterfalls and landscaped gardens.

Today Spain’s major commercial port and naval base, Cartagena lies on the coast of Murcia, its great indented bay guarded by rocky promontories, each topped by a fort. Founded in 221 BC by Hasdrubal, leader of the Carthaginians (hence the name) from North Africa, it has a fascinating history – and as Nova Carthage was long the Romans’ principal settlement in their Iberian stronghold. Attractive promenades extend along the harbour, while to the northeast is the famous beach and watersports resort area of the lagoon-like Mar Menor.

Sardinia’s historic capital ‘between the sea and the mountains’ was founded by the Phoenicians, developed by Rome and later subjected to a wealth of Pisan, Genoese and Spanish influences! Climb up from the mountain harbour side city to explore the picturesque Upper Town’s old quarter – dominated by a medieval castle and cathedral and protected by walls nearly 1,000 years old. Or simply relax by one of the lovely beaches within easy reach.

The Strait of Messina is steeped in legend and is famed for its rocks and whirlpools – many of which were personified as female monsters in Greek mythology.

An extremely busy highway of seafaring traffic, this narrow waterway is seen as being key to the economic success of Messina. The currents, whirlpools, and winds of the strait, which still hamper navigation, gave rise in ancient times to many legends about its dangers to navigators.

Sicily’s turbulent history of invasion and colonisation is reaffirmed by its rich legacy of Greek temples, Norman churches and castles, Arab and Byzantine domes, Syracuse, founded as a Greek colony over 2,500 years ago, vividly reflects that heritage. Once the ancient world’s largest it is famed for its superb Greek theatre, carved from solid rock, and ornate medieval and baroque centre on picturesque Ortygia island.

There’s no mistaking the past wealth and proud spirit of this ‘Jewel of the Adriatic’, perched on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. An independent city-state for 600 years until conquered by Napoleon, Dubrovnik survives, despite recent events, as one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities – a timeless architectural showpiece, whose graceful churches and cloisters, palaces and fountains, mellow Baroque facades and encircling ancient walls, all seem more stage set than reality.

In the heart of Dalmatia, the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic coast dates back to the days of Diocletian. The old town is built around the harbour and much of the old city remains to this day. A visit to the Roman Palace of Emperor Diocletian is well worth a visit. Other notable site include the cathedral; the Temple of Jupiter; the Golden Gate; the Silver Gate; and Peristyle Square.

The Old City is a highly preserved example of life in the Middle Ages, and the medieval architecture there has ensured its place as a UNESCO listed ‘World Natural and Historical Heritage Site’.

A historic Adriatic seaport on the ‘heel of Italy, Bari once thrived as the Byzantine capital of southern Italy, its trading wealth attracting conquest by the Normans before the onset of a gentle centuries-long decline. Still preserving their medieval town plan and atmosphere, Old Baris little streets house two superb Romanesque basilicas and a grandiose Swabian castle. Rich in architectural treasures, the region is home of the famous beehive-shaped ‘trulli houses unique to Apulia.

Strategically situated midway between Sicily and North Africa, Malta is in every sense a Mediterranean crossroads – a tiny island with an epic and heroic history in which invasion and siege have seen the influence Romans, Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Crusaders and, of course, Britain all leave an enduring mark upon its cultural heritage. The16th century walled capital of Valletta with its Grand Harbour is a treasure-chest bristling with Baroque architecture, its narrow streets a tempting honeycomb of colourful shops and stalls.

Dominated by ‘the Rock’, a towering 1, 396 ft sentinel that guards the Straits, the Arabs’ Gebel el Tarik or Tarik’s Rock is today simply ‘Gib’. Resolutely British for nearly 300 years, its unique setting unites the oddly familiar – from the helmeted policemen to Marks & Spencer – with an extrovert Mediterranean mood. Test the shops and pubs in Main Street and Irish Town, take a cable-car ride to enjoy the grandstand views to a nearby Africa, and of course make a call on those Barbary apes!

Facilities in Liverpool are constantly being improved to make boarding, stopping off or leaving your cruise ship easy, enjoyable and stress-free.