Fun facts about the Mediterranean

Are you searching for stunning seashores and unimaginable historic websites? Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean within the west all the way in which to Asia within the east, the Mediterranean Sea is residence to all that and extra, with all kinds of meals, nature, and tradition. You’ll be able to discover lots of the world’s hottest locations right here, reminiscent of Greece, France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, lots of that are recognized for his or her great climate year-round.

Whenever you sail to the Mediterranean with Royal Caribbean, what you could have in retailer is all kinds of ships of all sizes and with a variety of experiences for everybody, totally different locations and a number of other departure cities to select from.

Do you wish to hop between the islands in Greece, visiting hotspots like Santorini and Mykonos? Or would you fairly research historical Roman structure in Italy, such because the Colosseum in Rome? Choose to style your manner via the wealthy flavors of France? A Caribbean cruise can do all of that, after which some.

From lush islands to sandy seashores and rolling hills to rocky mountains, cultural points of interest and medieval cities, there’s a lot to find within the Mediterranean. Get a jumpstart in your trip with these 10 enjoyable info:

Greece

1. Greece consists of about 6,000 islands and islets, though solely 227 of them are inhabited. Nonetheless, every has its personal distinctive historical past, tradition and panorama. Talking of historical past, Greece can also be residence to 18 UNESCO World Heritage Websites, together with many world-famous websites such because the Acropolis in Athens and the Temple of Apollo which you could go to in Delphi.

2. Corfu is likely one of the greenest islands in Greece, and its lush panorama options tens of millions of olive bushes and hundreds of species of vegetation and herbs, together with many uncommon orchids. Additionally it is residence to greater than 300 species of birds. Exploring it by bike is likely one of the greatest methods to find its stunning surroundings, reminiscent of the favored 5.3-mile path from Lefkimmi to quiet Arkoudilas Seaside.

Based by the Greeks in 600 BC, Marseille is the oldest metropolis in France.

Credit score: Royal Caribbean

France

3. Marseille, France, the nation’s largest port and the second largest within the Mediterranean, is thought for its contemporary seafood and a historical past that stretches again to classical Greece. It is also turning into more and more in style with the hip-hop scene, due to gifted artists like Jul and Kenny Arkana. How about hitting an incredible stay music venue – many round Place Thiars – when you’re there to listen to it for your self?

4. The Côte d’Azur, also referred to as the French Riviera, stretches from Saint-Tropez to the French-Italian border. One of many best perks? It will get round 300 days of sunshine every year, making it a well-liked vacation spot at any time. Deal with your self to loads of sunshine at one in all its many world-famous seashores, reminiscent of Plage de la Réserve in Good.

So long as a soccer stadium, the Colosseum in Rome is the most important amphitheater ever constructed.

Credit score: Royal Caribbean

Italy

5. In historical Rome, it appears, there have been residences with central heating, indoor plumbing, and even heated flooring. Innovations that may be traced again to the Romans embody concrete, newspapers, and sewage methods. Soak up centuries of historical past if you wander town’s many historical Roman buildings and palaces, together with Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini and the Baths of Caracalla.

6. Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba is broadly believed to be the world’s first pizzeria and supposedly opened its doorways in Naples, Italy in 1738. Not solely is the restaurant historic, however its pizzas are additionally scrumptious. Style for your self and luxuriate in their wood-fired slices baked in an oven lined with lava rock from close by Mount Vesuvius (the volcano that erupted in AD 79 buried Pompeii beneath its ashes) or take a pizza-making class to learn to toss your personal genuine Neapolitan pie.

7. Imagine it or not, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is only one of many leaning buildings within the metropolis: the Basilica of San Nicola and the bell tower of the Basilica of San Michele degli Scalzi, each in Pisa, Italy, have related tilts as a result of space’s unstable soil. Climb the practically 300 steps of the leaning tower for beautiful views of town.

The seashores round Barcelona are the proper escape from the hustle and bustle of town… and do you know that they’re very new?

Credit score: Shutterstock

Spain

8. Whereas Barcelona, ​​Spain, has been named one of the best year-round journey vacation spot, many can be shocked to study that its well-known seashores did not exist till 1992. The town has renovated its shoreline (together with importing sand from Egypt to cowl a bit greater than two miles). ) earlier than internet hosting the Olympic Video games that summer time. Take a look at the seaside seashores for your self in Barceloneta – usually thought of Miami Seaside, Spain.

9. The Phoenicians constructed Malaga in Spain within the seventh and eighth centuries BC, making it one of many oldest cities on the earth. You’ll be able to nonetheless see among the authentic metropolis partitions within the basement of the Picasso Museum Malaga, constructed to honor town’s most well-known resident: Pablo Picasso. Tour the museum—which additionally occurs to be Picasso’s birthplace—to see greater than 285 of his works donated by all of his household.

10. Though it sits on a slim peninsula on the southern coast of Spain, Gibraltar is a British Abroad Territory. South of it, you will discover the Strait of Gibraltar, the place the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and the place Spain practically touches Africa – solely 8 miles large at its narrowest level. Embark on a scenic drive and see when you can spot Africa – or at the least, the area’s most well-known landmark, the Rock of Gibraltar.

Impressed to strive all of the Mediterranean has to supply? Discover Royal Caribbean cruises that may take you to this wish-list-worthy a part of the world right here.