Hidden highlights to explore on a Mediterranean Cruise

Join us on a Mediterranean cruise taking in seven wonderful destinations – Barcelona, Genoa, Malaga, Cadiz, Lisbon, Gibraltar and Alicante. Each city has much to offer, but if you’d like to explore some lesser known corners, as well as some well known highlights, here are some ideas for the places you might visit.

Barcelona

Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city and the capital of the Catalonia region. One of its most famous landmarks is Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished church of the Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction since 1882, with a planned completion date of 2026.

To get  away from the tourist-orientated areas of the city, explore the district of Raval, whose maze of streets offer fashionable and unique shops.

Genoa

Genoa is an historical Italian city and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, the explorer who discovered the Americas. The home where he was allegedly born is in an area known as the Piazza De Ferrari, where the Teatro Carlo Felice Opera and Palace of the Doges is also located.

To search out a tasty treat, explore Recco to the east of Genoa, the birthplace of cheese focaccia, where cheap and delicious focaccia bread is served on the seafront.

Malaga

Malaga is in the Spanish region of Andalusia and enjoys a subtropical climate. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and is surrounded by mountains to the north, the harbour to the south and two rivers, the Guadalmedina and the Gualdhorce.

For a view over the city try the Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress that enjoys wonderful views of the Plaza de Toros and the port. Perfect for lazy afternoons when other attractions may be closed.

Cadiz

Cadiz is a seaport to the south of Spain and has been the main homeport of the Spanish navy since the 18^th century. Commonly known as Casco Antiguo (Old City), it is many narrow streets, which connect a number of stunning plazas.

For a break from city sightseeing seek out the Donana National Park to the north of the province, the largest Natural Park in Spain and home to a range of wildlife.

Lisbon

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the most populated city in the country. The most popular area for shopping, entertainment and nightlife is Bairro Alto, where Portugal’s national song Fado, can still be enjoyed. The monument Cristo Rei overlooks the whole city and resembles the Corcovado monument in Rio de Janeiro.

Off the beaten track , you’ll find Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, home to an esteemed art collection and surrounded by serene and beautiful gardens.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar lies at the entrance to the Mediterranean and is an overseas British controlled territory at the end of the Iberian peninsular. Its famous landmark is the Rock of Gibraltar with its upper area covered by a nature reserve, which is home to over 200 Barbary Macaques, the only wild monkeys found in Europe.

For a different perspective, the World War II Seige and St Michaels Cave’s are popular with tourists, but enquire at the Rock Hotel about ways to see more of the tunnels.

Alicante

Alicante is an historic Mediterranean port that is overlooked by the Castle of Santa Barbara, which sits on Mount Benacantil. The Explanada de Esparia is a tree-lined promenade where concerts often take place and the El Palmeral Park is a great place to relax by the lakes, enjoy a picnic or take a stroll.

To escape the bustle, the Old City has some stunning architecture, ‘Spanish colonial’ style buildings and streets that are generally quiet.

My thanks for this sponsored post to www.Travel247.ie, an Irish owned tour operator that specialises in Mediterranean Cruises and package holidays globally.

Photo Credits: Sagrada Familia in Barcelona by Maradentro, Alcazaba in Malaga by Manuelfloresv, Museu Calouste Gulbenkian by Sheilaellen, St Michael’s cave, Gibraltar by Mouseshadows

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Explore the hidden Algarve on foot – in Portugal

This sponsored post takes us to the Algarve region of Portugal, to explore not only the beautiful beaches, but also the hidden backwaters, such as the inland walking trail of the Via Algarviana and the Costa Vicentina nature reserve.

Until last year I thought the Algarve was all sun, sea and golf. A sort of rich man’s  Costa del Sol where people came to fly and flop and cultural adventure was extended from the hotel bar to the beach and back.
This I now realise was not only misguided and unfair but widely off the mark. Sure, you can come to the Algarve for its sandy beaches and comfortable apartments but for those wanting slightly more from their get-away Portugal’s most southern region offers up more than enough to satisfy those itchy feet.

Day one of my Algarvian retreat and I joined my guide just outside the pretty hillside village of Alte where I was to begin a stretch of the regions popular walking trail – the Via Algarviana. This 240 kilometre path stretches from Lower Guadiana to Cape Saint Vincent and takes in some of the region’s most picturesque countryside along the way. As someone who has been known in the past to be somewhat navigationally challenged I was more than pleased to discover the paths were clearly sign-posted and the wooden posts with their red painted ring were all I needed to monitor in order to ensure I didn’t end up aimlessly walking into Andalucía…

In terms of seeing the ‘hidden Algarve’ you can’t get much more off the beaten track than this. The paths wind their way through fields and meadows, forests and tiny little villages where dogs bark with gusto as you pass through their little pocket of tranquillity. After a couple of hours our guide brought us to a small clearing by a house where she promptly laid down a blanket and an elderly lady from the cottage scurried over with a basket heavy with fresh breads, olives, Portuguese meats and delicious homemade chutneys and jams. Needless to say our small group devoured this mouth-watering picnic before gathering our things together and carrying on to meet our vehicle which would drive us out to the coast to our designated lunch spot (yes, that was just a snack…)

Food in the Algarve is another very good reason to come here and away from the tourist hot spots there are numerous local restaurants to slip into for a traditional meal. Bread, cheese, cooked meats and sweet potatoes were all firm favourites of mine – while the seafood was without doubt some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Fresh, beautifully cooked in light sauces the fish, prawns, mussels and scallops we feasted on overlooking the Costa Vicentina on the Algarve’s rugged and idyllic Western Coast.

As well as nature lovers (the Costa Vicentina is a protected Natural Park covering over 74,000 hectares and boasting over 750 different species – 12 of which are not found anywhere else in the world) this part of the Algarve is a surfers haven. Sandy inlets, rugged coves and deserted stretches of wave scattered sea and sand make this an ideal place to come and bring your board. Or, if like me you’ve eaten far too many mussels to risk straining your own, a great place to sit and digest…

Heading back later that evening to the nearest largest town, Lagos, where we would spend the night (a mini bus had helpfully taken our suitcases that morning – well, I was on holiday:) I checked into the Quinta dos Caracois full of respect for a region so undeniably appealing yet also in some parts so untouched I almost want to keep my new found knowledge to myself. Enjoy…

Author Bio: Roberta Summer loves exotic locations, cocktails and Japanese food. She hails from Madrid where she learnt flamenco and has since travelled extensively to explore her passion for dance and languages.

Photo credits: Beaches of the Algarve and Seafood of the Algarve by MyDestination.com, Via Algarviana by ESMTG, Costa Vincentina by Thruhike98

More Things to Enjoy in Portugal

Seafood and beer at Cervejaria Trinidade in Lisbon
Having my Pastéis and eating it in Lisbon – Portugal
05 An autumn weekend in Lisbon – Podcast Episode 5

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Donate now for Passports with Purpose 2011

I’m a supporter of Passports with Purpose, the Travel Blogger’s annual fundraiser and I’ve just made my personal choices from the fabulous array of prizes, in the nick of time. The chance to win prizes closes tomorrow although you can continue to donate to help build the village in India through this year’s chosen charity, Friends of LAFTI. Here’s what I’ve personally put my bids in for – if you read this in time, head over quick to Passports with Purpose before tomorrow and put in yours.

The prizes I’m hoping to win are;

Apple iPad 16 GB Wi-Fi + 3G

from Andy Murdock at seekingb.blogspot.com

Why?

Well, any shiny new Apple toy is obviously extremely desirable and I also think it’s good sport of Andy to give up the prize that he won in a competition for this good cause. Also the Winnie the Pooh ebook must be a big bonus although removing the Tie me Kangaroo down sport MP3 is a bit hasty – not everyone is bored with kangaroos and I’m sure it would give my kids endless amusement. If I win this I’ll probably take it on shorter trips when I need to have internet access rather than taking the laptop.

8 GB iPod Nano

from Anil Polat at Foxnomad.com

Why?

Again the shiny new Apple toy rule applies and as a lover of podcasts this little baby will be just the thing for listening to all my faves such as Amateur Traveler, This week in travel, Betty in the sky and Raising Miro. If you happen to win it instead of me, do download some of my Heather on her travels podcasts to enjoy, such as my latest interview with Beth Whitman about Papua New Guinea.

3G Wi-Fi Amazon Kindle

from Lisa and Tim Bergren at theworldiscalling.com

Why?

If I don’t get the ipad then I’ll settle for a Kindle to play with. If my husband is really nice to me and doesn’t nag me about the  amount of time I spend on my laptop, he might even find it in his Christmas stocking.Or perhaps I’ll be that girl in the deckchair relaxing on the beach with a Kindle in my hand one of these days that I give up the blogging.

$100 gift card to spend on a Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels

from Mr & Mrs Smith blog

Why?

Because I love staying in Mr & Mrs Smith hotels and have even been known to write the odd review or guest post for them myself. I know that any boutique hotel that they recommend will be just the sort of stylish, welcoming place that you always hope to find and that I’ll always get the best available price at the time if I book through them. If you don’t believe me, read what I said about these lovelies in their portfolio; The cosy Avenue Hotel in Copenhagen, the country house chic of Fawsley Hall in Northamptonshire or the modern luxe of Avenue Liberdade in Lisbon.

$800 to spend on a HomeAway Holiday Rental property

from HomeAway and Lara Dunston at Grantourismo

Why?

Because I love the flexibility of this prize, to book a holiday stay anywhere I like to enjoy with my family, and I love the idea of finding a home from home somewhere where I can soak up the local colour and feel part of the neighbourhood. I met up with  Lara and Terry at the start of their year long Grantourismo project to travel the world, staying in HomeAway properties and writing about their experiences and you can listen to my podcast interview with Lara Dunston here.

Three Night Stay at Luxury Hotel Tiara Park Atlantic Lisbon

from Matt Long at Landlopers.com

Why?

Because I fell in love with Lisbon when I visited with my husband in November 2009 and the 2 days we spent there just weren’t enough. I can jump on a plane from Bristol and be settling into the rather sleek Tiara Park Atlantic that is part of Kiwi collection, another hotel site that I trust to find me impeccably luxurious hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park in London that I reviewed for them.

A Four-Night City and Country Getaway in Ireland

from Corey Taratuta at Irishfireside.com

Why?

Because I’ve only once been to Ireland and I remember the unspoilt countryside and windswept charm and because we have friends there that are overdue a visit and because I can easily get there from Bristol courtesy of the charming Mr O’Leary, a man who does not lack the gift of the gab.

A 3 night luxury spa break for two at LeSPORT hotel in St Lucia though the Explorateur

from Jool Stone of Trainsonthebrain.com

Why?

Because my parents have been spending their last few Januaries in St Lucia and love the island, and as I’ve never been to the Caribbean the island is firmly on my wish list. As I find the grey days of January and February rather dreary, I could do with a bit of sunshine with my husband

If none of these tempt you, get over to Passports with Passport in the next 24 hrs and see what other goodies are on offer – if you’re too late, there’s always next year….

Read more Indian stories

Exploring the ‘Abode of snow’ in the Indian Himalayas
Friday photo – my Indian sponsor child

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

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