Extend your next cruise vacation with pre- and post-excursions and make the most of your destination.
> View a slideshow of sights of the Mediterranean.
For many cruise travelers who journey through the oceans and waterways of Europe and the Mediterranean, a vacation begins and ends at the ports of call. But an easy way to stretch your travel dollars is to plan extra time for pre- and post-cruise excursions. Popular ports that many cruise ships depart from and return to are Barcelona, Spain; and Venice and Civitavecchia/Rome, Italy.
Plan overnight stays before or after your cruise to explore the ancient architecture, historic sights and bountiful treasures these cities have to offer. To plan your next pre- and post-vacation stay, speak with your AAA Travel Professional.
This visually stunning city is also the capital of the northeast region of Spain, known as Catalonia. Picturesque and delightfully diverse, it’s home to one of Europe’s best-preserved Gothic Quarters, dozens of museums, and abundant art galleries featuring the treasures of Miróá, Tápies, Picasso and other masters.
The city is known for its “New Catalan Cuisine” and tapas bars that tempt the palate. Add a bit of spice to your culinary experience and visit one of the many restaurants that feature colorful Flamenco dancers.
Be sure to leave enough free time to simply explore at your leisure. A driving tour will get you acquainted with the city and includes a journey to Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Stroll through narrow cobblestone streets and explore the Picasso museum nestled in between beautifully preserved Gothic palaces. The collection of Picasso’s work features childhood sketches and early works from his days in Barcelona and Paris.
A motorcoach tour can take you to the picturesque Montserrat Monastery atop the Montserrat Mountain Ridge. The Benedictine community now numbers 80 monks and is home to the Escolans—the oldest boys’ choir in Europe.
Also plan a tour through the Passeig de Gracia. This street showcases the city’s odernist buildings, many designed by imaginative architect Antoni Gaudí. You’ll then journey on to Plaza Españaňa and Montjuïc, site of the 1992 Olympic Games.
Walking tours with headphones provide fascinating history and colorful details as you stroll through historic sites, cathedrals and city wonders. Bike tours are also a great way to experience Barcelona. With more than 160 miles of bike trails, you can explore the city as well as the beaches, harbor and seashore.
This intriguing city has become one of the world’s top travel destinations, with wonderful sites, sounds and culinary delights to discover. Small, traffic-free streets along the winding canals are perfect for a walking tour. You’ll discover magnificent churches, palaces, architecture and quaint shops.
Venice is comprised of 117 bodies of land connected by more than 400 bridges over 150 canals. The Grand Canal is Main Street, cutting through the center of the city. Most visitors’ first stop is Piazza San Marco, the main square of Venice that is surrounded by aromatic cafés, pastry shops and street musicians. While there, be sure to tour Basilica di San Marco, a stunning church that blends eastern and western architecture.
Travel the waterways via motor launch (boat) or one of the famous gondolas. While the motorized water vehicles are your best bet to see more of the city in less time, an evening gondola serenade is an experience you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
There are numerous tours to choose from depending on your tastes, but a must-see is Doge’s Palace, located on St. Mark’s Square and one of the most impressive buildings in Venice. The Galleria del’Accadmia is one of Italy’s best art museums, with 24 rooms in three historic buildings.
Follow the narrow Venetian streets to the Scuola Grande di San Roose, whose Tintoretto paintings and school make it one of Italy’s most prized buildings. Continue on to Campo San Polo, an enormous square dating back to the 15th century. Here you’ll find the church of San Silvestor, famous for the masterpiece The Baptism of Christ, along with traditional trade stalls and colorful food markets to explore.
Not to be missed is a trip to two of the Venetian Lagoon’s 40 islands, Murano and Burano. Enjoy exquisite blown glassware on Murano, and elegant lacemaking on the charming fishing-village island of Burano.
While you can definitely see the city on your own, there are significant benefits to traveling with a group tour. Navigating through congested traffic can be stressful, as well as waiting in long lines at many of the sites. These headaches are easily overcome with a qualified tour guide at the helm. You’ll also benefit from the colorful commentary each guide imparts as they lead you through the historic sites and buildings.
(Capitol Hill). Photo by Tom O'Brien
You can’t visit Rome without touring the ornate Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square. This small, independent city was founded in 90 A.D. and has 1,400 rooms containing amazing treasures and works of art, including Greek, Roman and Renaissance paintings and sculptures. The tour concludes in the famous Sistine Chapel, with its magnificent fresco of The Last Judgment by Michelangelo.
The Coliseum is one of the city’s most famous monuments, where over 50,000 spectators once crowded the amphitheater to watch ancient gladiator combats. The Roman Forum contains some of the oldest structures in Rome and served as a city square and central hub of ancient Rome.
Be sure to visit the Spanish Steps, followed by the Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that tossing a coin into the fountain assures you’ll one day return to Rome. Another must-see is the Pantheon, a monument that truly evokes the grandeur of ancient Rome. Leave time to stroll the shops of the city and to savor some of Rome’s culinary delights, including its famous gelato, cappuccino and seafood delicacies.
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