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Visit one of the world’s best-preserved cities to discover ancient archaeological sites. The quiet season may be the best time to visit the Mediterranean, with fewer travelers, easier access to landmarks and easygoing interactions with locals. Plus, low-season airfares (along with Viking Inclusive Value) make fall and winter ideal for maximizing your travel dollar. Discover these 15 unforgettable things to see and do on a Viking river or ocean cruise in Europe. A mesmerising view at the perfect time of day, a natural phenomenon that must be seen to be appreciated, or a heart-pumping activity in a place rarely visited. Every kind and variety was available, including international flavors, great seafood, and gelato made daily on the ship.
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When we were there it was under construction, so we walked around it but couldn’t go inside. Our guide was well-versed in the exterior exquisite detail — it was a feast for the eyes. We paid extra for an excursion and toured Cassis, the gateway to Calanques National Park. Cassis is a quaint little fishing village, complete with a hilltop castle overlooking the harbor. The calanques are “rock fingers” jutting off the coastline for miles.
Journey through the ages
The bus trip was about one hour each way (and is included in the overall excursion time). Catherine Sweeney is a travel enthusiast with a lifelong passion for going places. A weekend getaway, an international journey, a cross-country road trip, or a local jaunt — they’re all on her radar. And it’s all made extra special when she’s enjoying the finer things in life with Mr. TWS, her husband and co-blogger.
Mediterranean’s Iconic Shores
Some examples of the recreational, cultural, and culinary experiences include bike tours, small boat tours, hikes, wine tasting, cooking classes, concerts, and dance performances. Dip into chocolate-making at the lakeside Lindt headquarters in Kilchberg, Switzerland. Viking guests can participate in a hands-on workshop led by a master chocolatier at one of the world’s foremost producers, founded in 1845.
Our 90-minute walking tour included sculptured gardens, medieval churches, the Prince’s Palace, and stunning views of the Maritime Alps, ending with free time in the city square. After visiting the canal, we drove to the archeological site of ancient Corinth for a guided tour of the ruins. We had a detailed briefing on the ruins (whose acropolis predates that of Athens by over 100 years) and then toured the small museum on site.
NEW! Cities of Antiquity
Keep in mind, this is just a sample of what's waiting for you on a Viking Oceans Mediterranean cruise vacation. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Discover picturesque views of Oia’s whitewashed, blue-domed buildings and visit Thíra. Discover charming Chioggia or head to Venice to explore St. Mark’s Square or the Doge’s Palace.
Visit ancient ruins & iconic cities
St. Petersburg is a cultural capital and renowned for its famous musicians, dancers, and writers. The heritage of traditional folk music and dances is key to the culture and passed down through the generations. We enjoyed “Russia in Fairytales” performed at Youth House on Vasilyevsky Island (the performance venue varies) during the “Russia’s Native Songs and Dances” shore excursion. Katakolon is huddled around a pretty little harbor dotted with colorful fishing boats.
The Mediterranean is breathtaking, and these destinations showcase her beauty all along the way. When you go, I’m sure you’ll find many things to love about this iconic Western Mediterranean cruise. As we left Barcelona, we flew over the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural border between France and Spain. What a surprise to look out the plane and see these majestic mountains. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals.
Our boat tour explored the inlets, interesting and ragged along the water. Beneath the rocks, hidden from our view, the guide told us there were caves and underground rivers. Viking included a walking tour of the Square of Miracles, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery. Some think the Leaning Tower of Pisa is overrated, but I liked seeing this icon. This cruise offered the luxury and service of Viking but a limited passenger count (about 1,000). We liked the fact that the ship sailed overnight, so no “all-day sailing” days.
Enjoy this relaxing tradition, revered since the times of the ancient Romans. The most popular baths can be found at Széchenyi, the largest spa complex in Europe, with a daffodil-yellow outdoor section. Mingle with the locals as they relax in these pool-like thermal baths and watch them play chess in the water. Santorini is one of the most visually arresting islands in the Aegean. Its whitewashed capital of Thíra perches on a cliff 1,300 feet above the sea, offering spectacular views of this magnificent city and surrounding turquoise waters. Thíra’s winding streets are a delight to explore and its charming cafés invite lingering respites in the Cyclades sun.
So stunning is its Old Town, the playwright George Bernard Shaw famously called it “paradise on Earth.” It is all spectacularly surrounded by a towering medieval wall. Inside, the ancient city’s Stradun is lined with authentic stone houses. The peaceful 14th-century Franciscan Monastery and Apothecary, housing the world’s oldest working pharmacy and fine collection of Renaissance paintings, provide insight into the ages. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ This was a relaxing way to spend a few hours learning about local winemaking with a quick visit to Oia (which can get very crowded during peak season). Combine Journey to Antiquities and Iconic Western Mediterranean for a magnificent 15-day cruise framed by Athens and Barcelona.
I found the stone steps a bit slippery and appreciated having extra support while coming down the well-worn stone steps. The bus trip is about 45 minutes one way (and that time is included in the excursion duration). Overall, I’d give this ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ if you know what else you want to visit in Old Town and want to walk there. I chose this excursion because we had just had 2 days of lengthy excursions, and I didn’t want to be too busy every day. After touring the ancient site, we drove to Magna Grecia Farm, where we had a guided tour of the facility, wine tastings, and lunch with classic Greek fare and wine.
(Viking bartenders are happy to uncork your wine at no charge.) After our tastings, we went to beautiful Oia for some free time before returning to the port. Note that visiting Santorini requires a tender boat ride from and back to the ship. There is always one “included” excursion in each port and many “optional” excursions.
Among the delights of Viking’s 16-day Malta, Morocco and the Mediterranean cruise is an underground expedition inside Spain’s Nerja Caves. Follow your guide around this archaeological marvel, where artefacts indicate human and animal habitation as far back as 25,000 BC. Examine enormous stalagmites and stalactites, the world’s widest column found in a cave, and a natural amphitheatre used as a concert venue. Even without the side shows of the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights, Norway’s scenery is spectacular. Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is breathtaking to view up close, while Eidfjord is the gateway to Hardangervidda, Europe’s largest mountain plateau. The 15-day Viking Homelands ocean voyage explores Scandinavia by sea, following ancient mariner routes.
Absorb the pleasures of Marseille’s historic treasures; see the scenic Old Port and 17th-century fortresses. From ancient Rome to Moorish Spain, classical Greece to the Holy Land, the empires of the Mediterranean left a remarkable historic legacy—set amid unmatched beauty. Admire the turquoise splendor of the Greek Isles, the vineyards of Provence, the élan of Barcelona and more.
During our three river cruises and one ocean cruise (so far), we’ve taken every opportunity to see the sights and have special cultural experiences when at port. The guided tours in each destination provided a good overview of key highlights in each city while still providing free time for our own sightseeing. On each cruise, Viking offered tours that are included in the cruise fare as well as many optional tours at an additional cost. More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour.
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