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Mediterranean Sea Tours & Trips
44 Mediterranean Sea trips. Tours from 12 tour companies. 90 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.
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Best Mediterranean Sea Tours by Duration
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Mediterranean Sea Reviews & Ratings
The trip exceeded my expectations based on
The trip exceeded my expectations based on the tour notes. All aspects of the tour and travel were taken care of by Dani and he was friendly and helpful. The small t...
The tour leader, Dani Salvado was a
The tour leader, Dani Salvado was a pleasure to travel through Spain with. He was very knowledgeable, patient and helpful throughout the trip. My only suggestion w...
Hotels very average, always in a great
Hotels very average, always in a great location but...
Great itinerary with free days to do
Great itinerary with free days to do your own thing. Great tour leaders
Mediterranean Sea Tour Selection Trips
- Get to the starting port a day or two early to have time to relax. Leaving from Athens? Explore the ruins on your own before meeting with your tour group the next day.
- The sun in the Mediterranean can be stronger than you're used to; make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Keep hydrated during your trip. Being in the sun all day and participating in activities can dehydrate you fast.
- Research the ports you'll be stopping in before you go to maximize your time there. If you're stopping in Monaco for only a day, decide if you want to spend time in the famous Monte Carlo casino, shopping, or strolling along the pier admiring the yachts.
- Bring a variety of clothing and footwear. You want to make sure you're comfortable when you're exploring Naples on foot, as well as relaxing on the beach. Keep in mind that many cities on the Mediterranean have cobblestone streets, and appropriate footwear is necessary to prevent injury or discomfort.
- The time of year is an important factor to consider, as most of your activities will be outside. The summer months can get quite hot, so consider going in the spring or fall if you're not up to being in the heat. The Mediterranean might be best explored in May or September for cooler, but still enjoyable weather.
- If you want to go to a private beach, make sure to get there early to reserve your sunbed and parasol. Beaches get very crowded, especially in the summer, and having shade and a comfortable place to lay can make a huge difference. While public beaches are free, be aware that certain parts of the Mediterranean are full of rocks and don't make a comfortable spot for lying all day.
- Be courteous and learn basic phrases of the countries you're going to. A simple "bonjour" (hello in French) and "grazie" (thank you in Italian) can go a long way with the locals you are interacting with.
Additional details
Best Time to Travel to the Mediterranean
Thankfully, with the Mediterranean’s location, you can visit the Med any time of the year. If you stick to the coast, you will be met with mild and wet winters and warm summers. Some of the countries that touch the Med do get snow farther inland.
The high season for all of the Mediterranean are the summer months. This is when the cities, especially in the European countries, will be the busiest with vacationers and cruise ships in port. If you want to avoid the crowds, but still want to go when it’s warm, book your trip during the shoulder seasons.
Fall and spring are the best times to visit the Mediterranean, in particular, May and September. Both of these months are still warm, but cooler than July and August when you can see temperatures around 98 degrees in Morocco and 90 in Athens. Also, most children are back in school and families aren’t taking vacations during these times, so there will be smaller crowds in the cities and at the top attractions.
Common Mediterreanean Sea Cruise Routes
One of the best ways to see as many places as possible in the Mediterranean is a via a cruise. Many of the cruises to the Mediterranean cover two, three, or four countries. In the amount of time allotted for cruises, and the distance you have to cover in the Mediterranean, you will be limited to only being able to see a few countries in a certain region of the Med.
There are a wide variety of cruise routes, but most of them do center around three countries: Greece, Italy, and Spain. All of these countries have major port cities that cruise ships are able to stop at and you are able to get out and explore. Most of these cruises are at least 11 days long, but some are as few as 6, depending on the theme and destinations.
Greece Cruises
Greece is one of the top destinations for cruises in the Mediterranean. Cruises that are only of Greece start in Athens and make their way through the Cyclades Islands that include Mykonos, Ios, and Santorini.
Greece is typically the starting point for cruises of the eastern part of the Mediterranean. These cruises begin in Athens then make their way to the countries in the Balkans with stops in Dubrovnik and the Croatian Islands, Kotor, and Albania.
Italy Cruises
Mediterranean Sea cruise routes that start in Italy usually follow the coastline of Italy and into the French Riviera. These cruises make stops at the major Italian coastal regions like Naples, Sicily, and Corsica.
Many Mediterranean Sea voyages combine France and Italy into the same cruise. With the beautiful French Riviera being so close to Italy, it’s often times included at the end of these cruises after you visit the Italian Riviera.
Spain Cruises
Mediterranean Sea cruises of the western part of the sea typically begin in Spain. Most tours start in Barcelona and make their way down the coast of Spain hitting major Southern Spain cities of Granada and Seville before wrapping around the Strait of Gibraltar and visiting sites in Portugal. These cruises also often include stops in Morocco, Ibiza, and Cardiz as Spain and North Africa were once ruled by the Moorish Empire.
Packing List for a Mediterranean Cruise
Your packing list for a Mediterranean cruise won’t be as extensive or bulky as a trip to Germany or the U.S. The weather in the European portion of the Med is pretty consistent. In the Asian and African countries on the Med it will be warmer and drier throughout the year.
During the warmer months, you won’t need to carry any heavy clothes. The Mediterranean gets very warm and you will mostly be wearing dresses, shorts, tank tops, and skirts. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat as the sky in the Med during the summer can be crystal clear and without clouds.
If you are traveling during the shoulder months, make sure to bring layers. Light jackets and sweaters are ideal as the nights will be cooler than in July and August. Also, bring rain jackets as both of these times of the year you will see rain. If you are on a Mediterranean Sea cruise during the winter, make sure to pack pants. Winter nights can be very cool and you will see more rain during this time.
There are many religious sites included on cruise itineraries. If you are visiting a church, mosque, or temple you will have to be covered up. Consider packing scarves, long dresses, pants, and light jackets if you know you want to visit a religious site.
Luxury Mediterrean Tours
The Med can be visited on any type of budget. However, if you are looking for luxury or premium tours of the Mediterranean, there are plenty of tour operators out there. Many of these tours include stays in boutique hotels that are on the coast or in the heart of each of the cities.
The luxury tours often include personal tours of attractions and private performances or dinners with locals. These tours are typically longer and allow for longer stays in each of the destinations.
Transportation on these tours is also on the premium level. Whether it’s a luxury cruise ship, private bus, or small catamaran, you’ll be treated to the most comfortable rides around.
Budget Mediterranean Tours
The Mediterranean is a great place to visit on a budget. Many of the tour operators provide tours on a “shoestring” that include taking local transportation like the train and city buses. You’ll also be staying in 2-star hotels, hostels, or shared rooms to save money.
There are even some budget tours where you can sleep on the small boats as you sail through the night to your next destination.
Since you would be visiting on a budget, these tours are shorter. They are usually only 7 or 8 days long and move quite fast so you can see as much as possible. But if you want to see as much as you can, while keeping to a set budget, looking into budget Mediterranean tours is the way to go.
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