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| The Variety of a Mediterranean Vacation |
When you read about a Mediterranean vacation, you are learning about the Mediterranean Europe region. This area consists of countries in the south of Europe nearby the Mediterranean Sea. Some of these countries include Portugal, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, Albania, Greece and Turkey. The Mediterranean Sea surrounded some of the oldest civilizations of mankind, and no doubt played a major part in influencing history and a variety of cultures. This sea provided a means of trade, colonization and even war. Many of these countries and islands have adopted a common climate and a shared culture. This is why some Mediterranean cultures are found outside of the region, such as in cities like Sudak or Alexandria. Even southern France, such as the French Riviera is considered a Mediterranean region.
When traveling to Mediterranean Europe, you will be arriving by plane. There are major airports located in many Mediterranean cities, including Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Naples, Athens and Istanbul. Once in the Mediterranean area, you may choose to travel by bus, car or even by boat. What is the weather like during a Mediterranean vacation? The precise temperatures will differ by region but all territories will share a warm to hot coastal climate. Unlike the rest of Europe, the Mediterranean does not have as much plant life and so the temperatures reflect that dryness. Additionally, you can expect wet winters in addition to the hot, dry summers. If comfort is your key ingredient for a Mediterranean vacation then opt to travel in the winter season.
What can you expect to see on a Mediterranean vacation? Sampling Mediterranean culture must include a visit to each of the largest and most influential cities. Athens, Greece is a great site for educational value, as you get to see the famous Greek ruins as well as Acropolis Hill. Barcelona, Spain is a city as fun for its nightlife as it is educational by day. Istanbul, Turkey is a city on two continents and offers large mosques and very large bazaar (marketplace) for tourist interest. Rome, Italy has the Roman ruins as well as the papal headquarters, while Venice is famous for its canals.
What are some of the most popular features as indicated by tourists who have already been vacationing in Europe's southern half? Venice is mentioned favorably as a romantic setting, with its gondola rides. For tourism, visit Seville's old center for the massive cathedral and Madrid's Plaza Mayor for the Prado Art Museum. You can see the famous windmills of La Mancha and take a ferry ride across Lake Como, Maggiore, or Garda. Vernazza has a cafe that overlooks the sea, while Mt. Vesuvius shows you a surreal, lunar-like landscape. You could visit a hill town, such as San Gimignano, or Orvieto, for some homegrown fun or head over to Capri, to ride the funicular as you see the Blue Grotto, a sea cave once as a private bath area for Roman emperors.
There is plenty to see and do in the Mediterranean, a vacation of education, fun and majesty. |
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