 | About Malaga A gateway to so many Andalucian attractions and Costa del Sol resorts, Spanish cruise port Malaga stands out in its own right as a vibrant destination with its own unique character.
This second city of Andalucia has many Moorish influences, seen at their best in the stunning Alcazaba. Built on the site of a Roman fortress between the 8th and 11th Centuries, the castle’s huge walls and fortified gates ensure a grand entrance. Inside, a restored Roman amphitheatre now acts as an outdoor entertainment centre.
Immediately behind the Alcazaba and rising high above the city with spectacular views, are the ruins of the 14th century Moorish castle, Gibralfaro.
Malaga-born Picasso is recognised with a history of the artist’s life at the city’s fascinating Picasso Foundation.
If you are in port for the entire day then a trip to the magnificent Moorish Alhambra Palace and its gardens in nearby Granada is one of the most memorable of the many Mediterranean sights your cruise will bring you.
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 | About Athens The Acropolis – ‘High City’ - will always be the top attraction from Athens cruise port Piraeus.
With its 2,500-year-old Parthenon, temple to Poseidon and Athena, Odeon of Herodus Atticus and Theatre of Dionysus, it quite literally stands out as an oasis of calm in the frenetic Greek capital.
As part of the major revamp the city had for the 2004 Olympics, 400 modern buildings were cleared from the ancient meeting place next to the Acropolis, the Agora, which was then restored and linked by walkways to the Acropolis, Hadrians Arch, the Academy of Plato and the Monastery of Daphne.
Other nearby ancient sites include the Roman Tower of the Winds and the Hill of the Muses where Socrates is said to have drunk hemlock. Below the Acropolis is the fun place to shop or barter, eat moussaka or Greek salad, drink wine or ouzo and, of course, to people-watch: the 3,000-year-old Plaka. |
 | About Dikili A popular resort for the Turkish because of its long dark sand beach which runs right past the main square, its location on the North Aegean coast also makes the Turkish fishing village and cruise port Dikili the best gateway to the superbly restored ruins at nearby Bergama, the modern name for the Ancient Greek city of Pergamum which was the capital of the Pergamum Empire in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.
Marvel at the way the marble-columned Roman Temple of Trajan has been rebuilt and take in the breathtaking views from the 10,000-seat Hellenistic theatre built into the hillside within the Acropolis. You will see the ruins of more theatres, as well as an aqueduct and a stadium down in the valley.
The other main site in Bergama is the Asclepion, the medical centre which was named for the god of medicine whose symbol – a snake – is on several temples, a library and the Roman theatre. |
 | About Istanbul Magical Istanbul - 3,000 years old, spanning two continents and a crucible of cultures where east meets west - is a key Turkish homeport for cruise ships, and even those ‘just visiting’ usually spend a night as this wonderful city offers so much to see and do.
If this is your first visit, a tour of the main sights is a good introduction to the city’s treasures, which include the world-famous Blue Mosque and the equally impressive mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, the vibrant old city, the Grand Bazaar (a warren of narrow streets containing more than 4,000 shops, stalls, restaurants and artisans’ workshops) and the Topkapi Palace, famed for its jewels but which also has spectacular gardens.
Also worth seeing is the ancient Hippodrome - now an open-air museum. And a boat trip across the Bosphorus to view the minarets and grand palaces of the city’s skyline is an unforgettable experience. |
 | About Mytilene Cruise port Mytilene is the charming capital of the Greek island Lesbos but, just to confuse visitors, islanders also sometimes refer to the whole island by that name. But, whichever name they choose, it does not change the beautiful island landscape of pine forests and olive groves.
Set in the north Aegean Sea, just off the coast of Turkey, the island is now a major olive oil producer but it also has ancient ruins dating back three millennia BC and, of course, is most famous as the birthplace of the poet-turned-gay icon, Sappho.
Mytilene is definitely worth a wander as it has some outstanding neoclassical architecture and an excellent museum as well as some tempting antique stores. Outside the capital, there are some fascinating rural villages, historic churches and castles as well as some attractively rugged scenery around its coastline |
 | About Naples Cruising into the Bay of Naples is a memorable experience. The Naples port is overlooked by the imposing Sant Elmo medieval castle, high up on Vemero Hill, as well as the 13th century Castel Nuovo, which is right next to the Naples cruise terminal in the heart of the city.
Within a short walk, to the left of the terminal, are three of Naples best-known landmarks: Castel Nuovo, the 17th century Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), and the elaborate 18th century San Carlo Opera House. To reach Naples’ fascinating old town, go straight past Castel Nuovo and then over the Piazza Municipio.
The citys archaeological museum majors on Pompeii and Herculaneum, the two extraordinary sites that draw most first-time visitors to Naples. The city is also a convenient base for tours to the nearby swish cliff-top resort of Sorrento and the even swishier island of Capri. |
 | About Almeria A pretty and largely modern city, Almeria is the capital of the Spanish province bearing the same name. Occupied first by the Phoenicans then the Carthagians, the Romans and the Moors, it has an interesting and diverse history. Situated in the middle of the bay, facing the Mediterranean Sea, the area offers a selection of fine sandy beaches and coves.
Standing atop the mountain, which provides the backdrop to the city, is the Alcazaba or Arab Fortress, built in 995, which commands some magnificent views. The reinforced cathedral, with its unique blend of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, was also once a fortress.
Stroll through St Nicholas Salmeron Park then head up towards the caves in the old gypsy quarter. Alternativley, shop in the charming old town for fine leather and sample local wines and local specialities. Venturing inland you can explore the verdant countryside, still dotted with Moorish remains, from where it was part of the historic kingdom of Granada. |